Some info I’ve been asked to post on Mountain Uni:
After wading through all the chatter from the net about uni/Muni matters kindly
passed to me by Roger Davies@octacon.co.uk I thought it was about time I got
involved even if it’s via someone else’s hardware (thanks Rupert!).
Firstly I’ve been interested in competative offroad unicycle riding for about
four years now and during that time have completed five orienteering type
events usually for up to seven hours riding over two days, and it’s all been on
PASHLEY 20" unis.
So just to put the record straight. Pashley have been actively involved in
developing a specific machine for this sport throughout this time and contrary
to what Peter Lister wrote we’ve found their products are the most cost
effective way of riding uni’s off-road and new products are in the pipeline!
Tell me of any other uni manufacturers who are doing this? (excluding Rogers
state-of-the-art carbon fibre projectile)
The biggest problem I have found is getting anyone else to enter events. Roger
is the only other competative off-road unicycle rider I have met, other uni
riders just don’t appear interested, WHY IS THIS? I’ve attached some articles
I’ve had published in various UK magazines in an attempt to stimulate more
interest. If anyone wants more information I can be contacted via Roger
(Davies@octacon.co.uk).
Regards Duncan Castling.
I’ll post the articles as three posts:
MUNI: A Fool and his MUNI are Soon Parted MUNI: The Complete Idiots Guide MUNI:
MTB Pro challenge
Thanks for putting out the bit to set the record straight on Pashley unis. I’m
sure the FAQ has it wrong here. I got an Ugly Juggling shop uni a year ago (when
I started riding), I strongly believe made by Pashley, and have nothing but
praise for it; I don’t have any of the problems mentioned in the FAQ, and the
saddle is great (very comfortable; completely undamaged after hitting the
concrete many many times; and easy to grab). Although mine is the 94, rather
than 95 mountain model, I suspect there’s not a lot of difference (apart from
the bottle cage and maybe pedals) - or do you know better? I can only think that
the FAQ entry is based on some Pashley model from long ago - I did ride an old
one once with a loose bearing holder on one side and a terrible saddle. Things
have come a long way since then, and Pashleys are now fine. Chris
> Well, my first uni was a Pashley. I destroyed bits of it in under five weeks. > The Saddle was first to go, learning hopelessly off to one side, the pedals > died not long after, and the hub I snapped in about six months. It also > weighted a ton.
OK, let me try to say (more precisely than in my earlier message) what I think
about this Pashley business.
Two preliminary points:
I’ve only been riding a uni for a year. I’m not a great expert (level 2+).
I’ve only ever ridden two unicycles. As it happens, both made by Pashley. I
probably don’t put great stress on a uni, compared to some; but I do bounce
it (and sometimes me) on the concrete drive quite a bit.
I’ve no wish to comment at all on the quality, or suitability for any use, or
value for money, of any other unis. Nor do I wish to enter a political debate
on the merits and morals of buying from specialist uni makers versus general
cycle manufacturers.
First, the bad news bit. When I first started I borrowed an old (10 yr?) Pashley
for a month. Bearings were held into the forks with one screw (each); one was a
bit loose. The saddle was a lump of foam on a slightly curved metal plate, once
held on by plasic cloth, now held on my parcel tape (most of the time :-().
Basically, I’d say it was consistent with the view currently expressed in the
FAQ. Still, it was good enough to prove that it was possible for me to ride a
uni. Useful for that.
Then the good news. I bought my 20" uni from Ugly Juggling Co, of Newcastle on
Tyne, UK. It was built by Pashley, to Ugly’s design they say. I bought it in
1994; the 1995 Ugly catalogue has a model with some modifications (see previous
email) but basically very similar. I have found this uni completely
satisfactory. The bearings are double bolted into the forks, and show no trace
of looseness. The saddle is contoured, completely resilient to hitting the
concrete (still looks like new), and comfortable (for me). The weight is about
6Kg, which I don’t think is excessively heavy. After a year of use the whole
thing is like new except for tyre wear and bashed pedals. It cost me about
90gbp; the 1995 model is 95gbp. Overall, my experience here is consistent with
the much more severe use which Duncan Castling has reported for these unis.
I don’t know who else Pashley make unis for, or whether these conform to the
same specification.
I’d be happy to see facts consistent with the above put into the FAQ.
Chris
PS And now I’ll shut up - after saying that, as an inexperienced unicyclist and
a relative newcomer to this mailing list, I find it most useful and
entertaining. Thanks all.
> Thanks for putting out the bit to set the record straight on Pashley unis. I’m > sure the FAQ has it wrong here. I got an Ugly Juggling shop uni a year ago > (when I started riding), I strongly believe made by Pashley, and have nothing > but praise for it; I don’t have any of the problems mentioned in the FAQ, and > the saddle is great (very comfortable; completely undamaged after hitting the > concrete many many times; and easy to grab). Although mine is the 94,
Well, my first uni was a Pashley. I destroyed bits of it in under five weeks.
The Saddle was first to go, learning hopelessly off to one side, the pedals
died not long after, and the hub I snapped in about six months. It also
weighted a ton.
I’ve seen several where the bearing holders work loose and, because of the
design, they cannot be tightened. I found that all the comments in the FAQ are
perfectly valid.
Mind you, I’m a tad biased, seeing as Roger and I are producing my carbon fibre
uni’s for intensive off-road use.
Basically, you’ll get what you paid for. Pashley’s are a lot cheaper than the
unis that we are making.
Anyway, to further the cause of mountain unicycling, I’m looking into getting a
MUni Web page set up here. Will hopefully be up and running some time next
month. Any submissions, photo’s etc. will be gratefully accepted.
> > Thanks for putting out the bit to set the record straight on Pashley unis. I’m > sure the FAQ has it wrong here.
As FAQ editor, I always take note when people say something in it is wrong. So
far I’ve seen postings for and against Pashley’s. The idea that Peter’s comments
in the FAQ are based on old models, and that the new ones are better is a
reasonable theory. Unfortunately I have no way to verify this, living in the US,
so I’ll have to rely on the Europeans. I’d appreciate any further comments on
Pashley quality. One helpful thing would be if some people would fill out the
unicycle comparison list from the unicycling home page for whatever Pashley
models they are familiar with.
I’ll do my best to sort out the comments on Pashley, and update the FAQ.
Thanks, Beirne
–
Beirne Konarski | Unicycling Web Page: bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu | http://nimitz.mcs.kent.edu/~bkonarsk/ Kent State University | “Untouched by
Scandal” |
In your article you state that you have a 26" unicycle. I was wondering if
anyone commercially sells a 26" unicycle. I have one but I had to build it. I
used a Schwin 20" frame and extended it, opened up the spoke holes and used
stainless steal motorcycle spokes to lace up a mountain bike rim. It took me a
couple of years to finally finish it up and am now riding it.
I am also looking for a source for a good 24" unicycle. I live on Maui and none
of the local shops handle uni’s.