Apparently the people at SnowCat would build a Coker rim if they had an
order for 50. That seems possible–if not likely. Here’s the downside.
These are singlewall rims. Would they be any better than the super-beefy
singlewall rims that Coker makes?
>There is a guy on the rec.sport.bicycling newsgroup– >chumpychump@hotmail.com (Bluto)–who says he has talked with the maker of >SnoCat rims about making an improved Coker wheel. Check out SnowCat rims >at: http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/snowcats.html > >Apparently the people at SnowCat would build a Coker rim if they had an >order for 50. That seems possible–if not likely. Here’s the downside. >These are singlewall rims. Would they be any better than the super- beefy >singlewall rims that Coker makes?
Yes, they would be better. There is just about no way they could be worse.
After all the training/riding for EUT we all agreed that while the Coker
is a great machine, the rim is the worst part. The current rim while
strong does not have a consistant width. This means it can not be trued.
Initially, a lot of time was spent on trying to get it trued. After trying
different things (even trying to hammer the rim), we all just had to live
with the rim.
While having a wheel slightly out of true doesn’t matter to most riding,
it does make a differance if there is a braking system attached. With a
rim that wobbles, the break is not consistant throughout the wheel. This
means that it will grab more in some parts making an uneven ride.
While a doublewall rim would be better, it may be too expensive and/or not
practical. From the looks of it this rim would be a big improvement. I
would be one of the first to purchase the rim. I think the rim should be
made to fit the Miyata 48 hole hub. These hubs are available (and much
better thant he Coker hubs) and having more spokes for the Coker would
help keep the wheel true.
Having a decent rim available for the Coker would mean that people could
build a custom Coker without having to buy a $300 Coker first just to
get the rim.
Who do I have to talk into to placing the order? UnicycleSource? Before I
get too excited about a decent rim for the Coker, it would be nice to
know the cost.
> >Apparently the people at SnowCat would build a Coker rim if they had an > >order for 50.
> Who do I have to talk into to placing the order? UnicycleSource? Before > I get too excited about a decent rim for the Coker, it would be nice to > know the cost.
Is Andy talking about placing an order of 50? That’s what is needed before
the rims will be manufactured. What may be needed is for a group of
enthusiasts to get together and lay out the cost for this investment. Then
somebody can resell the rims to pay the group back. If this is combined
with somebody also building up customized cycles, I’m sure you would
develop a small market for them.