Front ends

General
1

I just built a “front end” for my unicycle, a mandlebar, fork and wheel to push
around for a joke. Does anyone have suggestions for improvements? the current
set up is a 26x1 3/8 wheel, road fork for700c wheel, and wald hi-rise
handlebars. Are any wheel sizes, handlebar types, or fork lengths better? My
unicycle is a 24"

Marlon Solar

2

Re: Front ends

I’ll bite. I use these a lot (I have a beauty for the giraffe:)

What follows may not apply to you at all, OK?

the perfect front end:

          - either matches the back exactly, or wildly differs
          - is very light
          - does not rattle
          - disassembles, or at least packs flat.

I make mine out off standard BMX parts (partly because they’re strong). Apart
from the other stuff, the direction of the handlebars is important. For me,
either the old ‘dragster’ type or racing ‘bullbar’ handlebars are good, while
the mountainbike, or BMX, types are bad. The leverage is the issue, I’m just not
sure how to phrase it.

Maybe someone else can…

Martin

-----Original Message----- From: Marlon Solar <msolar@hotmail.com> Newsgroups:
rec.sport.unicycling To: UNICYCLING@winternet.com <UNICYCLING@winternet.com>
Date: Thursday, 22 January 1998 9:01 Subject: Front ends

>I just built a “front end” for my unicycle, a mandlebar, fork and wheel to push
>around for a joke. Does anyone have suggestions for improvements? the current
>set up is a 26x1 3/8 wheel, road fork for700c wheel, and wald hi-rise
>handlebars. Are any wheel sizes, handlebar types, or fork lengths better? My
>unicycle is a 24"
>
>Marlon Solar

3

Re: Front ends

I use the same size wheel as my uni. That way it adds to the initial illusion
that I am riding a two wheeler.

4

Re: Front ends

Reg Burgess wrote:
> I’m curious as to whether you (or anyone else) thinks it [the front end]
would make a good
> learning aide. At first glance I’d guess;
>
> Pros; Something to lean on if you’re going off the front.
Don’t count on it. Maybe if I install a brake…
> Something to pull up/back on if you feel you’re going off the back.
No.
> Something to grip when you DO fall, maybe better than hands/fingers.
>
> Cons; More metal and “Stuff” to fall onto/into when you do fall.
Or trip over!

> Well, its a crutch - becoming dependent on it is BAD ! (-:
>
> Thoughts ?

I tried pushing a shopping cart with my uni when I first learned to ride. It was
quite a challenge, but a real blast, too.
>
> I’ll probably build one anyway, just to try and for FUN.
Fun is what it’s all about! Otherwise I’d just ride my commuter bike all the
time.
>
> Reg