Progress!
Slow and steady thanks to eBay and deal sniffing out - but this is going to be stunning with Restrap bags and front options from Apidura 
13 Likes
That Thomson stem looks better than the yellow one.
1 Like
More progress. Pending custom Restrap main frame bag. It’s got to be said this is a lot of fun 
Switched to a different second hand aero bar - Airstryke S for £30 and it is a good bit stronger.
But my two favourite parts are the Granite Stash RT tool hidden in the “steerer tube” and the Restrap Race top tube bag.
7 Likes
Haha! Finally, you installed a multi-tool in the steerer tube. I installed a OneUp EDC v2 multi-tool. I also see you’ve installed the apidura aerobar pack. You don’t have any conflicts between the brake and the aerobar pack?
I’m waiting to get a new flansberrium handlebar that will allow me to position the brake further out before buying an aerobar pack.
3 Likes
Ah cool. I did look at that one and decided on the cheaper ratchet tool set up - as it has the tools I’ll need and nothing more, plus it has a clip on cover cap which seems less likely the tool would come out during a UPD and it is spring loaded so pops up when you unclip the cap. All pretty cool and time will tell how the tool bits work on the unicycle
Yes it just seemed nice and light and compact where I picture stuffing a down jacket for colder rides. I am however already thinking of crafting some kind of snap on kydex shields for this pack and the rear pack to have it more abrasion resistant to any forward or rearward UPDs - as both packs are likely to get the most of any impacts and they’re not really designed with that in mind.
Kydex or some lightweight knee protector cup on stretchy paracord is how I picture this working. Needs to be secure but easy to move on and off.
It was funny how perfectly it fits where I have the brake lever:
I’d call this pretty neat - and while I am still not 100% convinced my two stem set up is how I’ll have it for the long haul - it does work and allows for the bars to be forward and up without using any risers (which I can’t unless Jakob makes me an wider spacer). In kind of like the fact I can tweak the main grips and their set up entirely independently of the upper stem and bars.
Only annoying point right now though not needed for riding so far is the face plate of the upper stem is so wide that I have no scope to angle or tilt aero bars further up (towards face) - don’t think I want that but that option could be useful down the line.
To fix this I’m thinking of seeing if a low riser kit using in effect in reverse - to lower the bottom section might help give a bit more space away from the stem faceplate and then allow for full rotation of bar clamps.
Granted could find a narrower 26mm clamp but I like this classic Thomson one so I’ll try and tinker more if I want more upward positioning. I’ve also hidden a £10 note on this mini-bar for safe keeping and if cards stop working on a ride 
Lastly hidden under the top tube bag is a discrete Knog Scout motion alarm and AirTag tracker:
7 Likes
Have you rode on this loaded yet?
Nope. I just build unicycles currently for the fun of it.
Winter - building and tinkering
Warmer times - riding.
Why do you ask?
(You can bet your bottom dollar I’d have shared the evidence if I had ridden it - that will come, worry you not! 
)
I’m just curious of how it rides loaded up. it looks like it will be a bear to mount and control with a frontal weight distribution and a very forward riding position. It looks great, rest assured I could never ride such a beast, for sure. Good luck.
1 Like
I have been loving seeing your build to come together. As a fellow adult who is also left unsupervised with a credit card please continue sharing pictures of your adventure
2 Likes
Good points. I have micro tested it and I “know” I’ll be fine / get it after 3-4 rides where I say I’ve made a massive error and hate the thing.
I’ll get riding in the coming months and probably make adjustments but the good thing is that the actual weight of the front and rear sections will weigh a max of 1-2kg each.
Rear: Tent + sleeping bag = ~900grams
Front: Downjacket + some consumables/nibbles ~600-900grams - could reach 2kg as I have a food pouch that would hold a water bottle.
Centre and lower section could vary as I think there I’ll store food / water + sleeping mat, alcohol stove, extra tops.
Base weight likely to be 1-2kg too but go up a bit with water.
While the whole thing will feel weird I’m sure to ride in terms of the general geometry- I think the fact of not having 6kg on my back will help a ton (ha!)…
I think the key to assessing the forward position is that it isn’t really forward - as if you were to genuinely lean forward you’d overbalance.
The aero bars give the option to make a triangle shape and spread your body weights contact points.
Just like my cog tattoos I’ve invested far too much money and mental energy into this one to worry about giving up / not being able to ride it.
I’ll ride it come hell or high water! 
6 Likes
I would think that it is not just the weight on the front and back but more importantly the distance of that weight from the center of gravity. With the weight on the front a greater distance it will have a greater effect on the final configuration or balance orientation of the whole thing. Looks like it will tend to put the center of the wheel or cranks more forward of the seat then a normal unicycle. In the end I think this is a good thing. I see one of the inherent disadvantages of a unicycle when compared to a bike is the that the seat is directly over the cranks. On a bike the cranks are forward of the seat and this provides a more ergonomically friendly riding position.
It will be interesting to see how it works out.
2 Likes
The center of gravity of this kind of frame is slightly in front of the frame, as can be imagined where the center pannier is located.
To optimize load distribution on a unicycle of this type, I recommend placing :
- camping gear in the rear pannier (heavy, bulky and no segmentation, everything is in the same pack).
- heavy items near the center of gravity
- a water bag in the center (I use a 3L bag in the center pannier), whether full or empty doesn’t change the balance.
- things you need for the day in the front panniers (warm clothing, rain gear, electronics, some food…)
For my next touring project, I’ll also have an aero pack, but if that’s not enough for me (I want to take my drone 
), I’ll take a trail backpack (light and expandable) to have a few extra pockets.
3 Likes
= finally less wobble, due to increased inertia 
I think my knees fare a bit better on a unicyclie than on a b!ke and am wondering if the different position of the cranks may be the cause. Since I’m not likely to have built a custom uni with a b!cycle like crank position I may never know for sure.
It’s complete!
And I’m super happy with my ghetto tent pole stowage system:
Allows for the X-Mid Pro 1 440g tent to be taken with ease in the 17l saddle bag - changed it from the 14l as that was too small to take tent plus sleeping bag
The frame bag and food pouch has finished things off nicely:
I am sure I’ll make changes here and there - as I’ve got the bits to created protective UPD shields for the front and rear using hard plastic MTB mud guard sheets - but that’s a small extra and when I get that done I’ll post the specifics on making such a system work.
Thanks again to Jakob, and Simon and everyone else for helping with both the inspiration and skills to get this beauty into being a real thing!
NOW THE RIDING NEEDS TO START 
17 Likes
There is nothing ghetto about that unicycle or your set up! It is fabulous!
4 Likes
WOW man, that is a hardcore unicycle!!
2 Likes
Thanks!
I now need to be the hardcore rider that travels around on this beast.
Plan is/was to take some short trips around my local region just to get the feel for it. I know I WIlL get it, but know that it’ll take time.
However I’m writing this from a post-op ward having just had my gallbladder rapidly removed, so I suspect I won’t be riding until March time.
Good thing is the fear of a few painful UPDs will be less after the pain I’ve recently endured this last few days
Plus it gives me a completely legitimate space of time to tinker with this beauty and at lease push it around the house 
Being incapacitated makes the desire to get better and ride this a million times stronger - and I can’t wait.
Love the idea of doing some decently adventurous trip with this - ideally on quiet county roads or lanes, where I think it’ll shine. Tarmac is where it’s going to work best for a not-so-hardcore rider like me.
Roll on summer!
8 Likes
I have never done any multi day trips on my unicycle but I have always had a desire to do so, this may be the year I do. I have been on several overnights / multi day trips on my bicycle which I really love doing and have several trips planned for this year. I am not one to camp so I stay in bed and breakfasts. I like to have a shower and a nice meal at the end of a hard day’s riding as well as a nice breakfast in the morning. Aside from the creature comforts the load I’m carrying is greatly reduced by not carrying food and cookware, pillow sleeping pad and bag, and tent.
I have done plenty of camping in my day and enjoyed it greatly but always accompanied with a vehicle and ample supplies, more than can be carried on a bike or unicycle. I’m just over roughing it and at this stage in my lifeI like to map my rides between b and B’s.
3 Likes
Yeah country roads and town riding is what I mostly do, so I guess I’m not really much of a “hardcore” rider either.
Get well soon!
1 Like