Making a simplistic uni rack for behind the seat in my van. It needs to hold my 36" 29" 24" and 20". I want to be able to take them out easier, but I also don’t want to waste a bunch of the space in the back. I gotta put other stuff back there too!
The way I have to currently stack them, I must to remove all if I want to get my 36" out. I don’t have the dimensions and restrictions yet, but I know it will fit. I might have to set up the pedals the same way on each so they fit, but it can be done.
Images below to illustrate my general plan. Any thoughts? Anyone made something similar before? I was just going to use some pvc, drill some holes in the elbow attachments and zip tie to secure the joints.
my only thought is that pvc may not be strong enough to secure a 36er in the back of a car… make sure you overengineer the joints and use the toughest pipe you can.
I like the overall dimensions of the bike rack you found on Amazon.com (see below), but the spacing of the vertical tubes isn’t quite right for unis and doesn’t appear to be adjustable. Here’s how the product literature describes it: “Fits most standard bkes within the 2" tire channels and wider wheeled bkes within the 6” tire channels. Has Six (6) 2" wide tire channels & Two (2) 6" wide tire channels."
If only you could move the vertical tubes around to customize the rack!
If I remember correctly Terry (Unigeezer) built a rack of similar dimensions out of wood, but he customized it for all the members of his quiver. I’ve tried searching for the tread but have been unsuccessful in finding it thus far. Perhaps we can get him to post more photos and add dimensions.
Meanwhile, I found this interesting concept for storing unis in garages: unicycle storage concept
Yeah, the dimensions are a bit suspect. I have a rack that has similar specs, and has plenty of room for a 2.6 tire. I guess this particular rack would have to be measured by an actual person to know for sure.
Metal rods of a big enough diameter to fit nicely into pipe will be expensive, very heavy and impractical so they probably aren’t a good way to go. If you want to use metal I think it would be best to use conduit right from the get go.
I seriously doubt that foam will help the strength enough to tell a difference.
If you use beefy enough pvc I think you should be okay without reinforcement.
All you would need would be ~4-5m of pole and 10 short t joins. In the UK this could be had for ~£40 (assuming you couldnt get some old stuff or offcuts of tube from a builders merchant). Hacksaw the pole down to lengths required, use a hex key to do up the t-joins and you have something indestructible.
That kind of rack design doesn’t work for what I need. All the uni’s must sit as close to the back seat as possible. With that design you’re limited to all the centers of each wheel lining up, and wasting space directly behind the seat for every uni except the 36er.
I don’t think the PVC would really need anything, it’s not going to be taking all that much force, just lateral. I could make a slot below the 36er side just to stabilize it a bit more, but the other uni’s should be totally fine.
pvc also has the benefit of not scratching up my uni’s, since they will be moving around back there on the rack.
I see. Well, I think that wood would still be the best option. Maybe not quite as easy to work, but much more sturdy.
What about making a rack that doesn’t have upright supports, but looks more like a ladder that’s laid on the ground. It could follow the same basic triangle shape as your illustration of the different wheel sizes, and each wheel would just slot in. The 2x4’s would be set on edge so that you would have a 4" deep well for the wheel. If you wanted to use 2x6 lumber it would be even more sturdy. You could put eye screws into the wood to run a bungee over the top of the wheels to further secure them. The 36 may need a bit more support, but I don’t see why the basic concept couldn’t still work.
Yeah but pvc is like legos! I’ve used the zip-tie method for a while with my pvc projects and its great. You just drill through whatever type joint you are using, through the pipe, and out the other side. Then just wrap a zip tie through it. Easy to disassemble later if need-be.
I messed around for a while today organizing them, and I found I saved the most room if I placed my 36" and 29" on either side, as their pedals could turn high enough to go over the armrests on either side. Then I found the 20" could sit snugly beside the 36". This left me with some nice room in the middle. I gave myself a few inches of extra space on each side though. Total distance between sides of the van is 49".
The necks can also all be tilted forward to rest on the seat in front. Even the 36" but you must put it in the van that way. I carry a large plastic bin in the back for all my uni equipment (can be soaked in sweat after a ride) and it can fit nicely under the necks of the 29" and 24" if I tilt them up a bit.
Diagram is of course, not to scale, proportions, or… anything.
Dane this is brilliant… I can’t wait to see how it turns out. But I do see a slight imbalance. There’s this hole in the middle that is begging for you to buy another unicycle!
I’m building this not only for a quality of life and convenience improvement, but because I’m more motivated to go out and ride if I have to do less “gearing-up”. I’d like to spend as little time assembling and more time riding I want to just grab whichever uni and go! If only I can find a way for the rack to also regulate my tire pressure and check my spokes for me!
I want to just grab whichever uni and go! If only I can find a way for the rack to also regulate my tire pressure and check my spokes for me!