Muni vs. Trials Unicycle

General
1

Hello hello…

I’ve just recently joined the group of the elite and talented (a.k.a
Unicyclists!), however I am still just a wobbling unicyclist myself. Right
now I’m learning on a unicycle that my girlfriend got me for Christmas, it’s
the United 24 inch adult trainer from unicycle.com
(http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=27) I don’t know a whole
lot about what exactly to look for in a unicycle, however I do know that
this one seems to do the trick as far as zipping around the streets goes.
As I get better I’d like to get into a little bit of trials (stairs, peddal
grabs, etc.), and try out some mUni as well. So my question is: what is the
difference between these types of unicycles? Can I get a single unicycle
that will suffice for both? I can’t afford anything high end because I just
graduated University, and I’m off to Chiropractic College next year which is
ridiculously expensive. Any suggestions on a possible unicycle for my
second purchase? Thanks alot.

Carney

2

Congrats on your new sport!

You only want one unicycle?

A 24" with a knobby tire for trails and a slick (either the 2.5 Hookwork or the 3" firball)

Will give you a great MUni, and a ‘fine’ Trials uni

Cement and urban riding will wear down the Knobies too fast, but 2 tires on one 24" uni should be the (second)best of both worlds (until you get a trials and a MUni…the 20" make is WAY better for ‘precision’ hopping, but way less fun for MUni)

3

Re: Muni vs. Trials Unicycle

Actually, I would love alot more than one unicycle, however I have to work
with what I can afford!

With the unicyle I have is it possible to purchase a slick and a knobby tire
and just replace the one I have on it now? Or would I need to get myself a
new rim as well? Or would I just be best off to purchase a different
unicyle altogether? Before I got into this whole unicycle thing I had no
idea of the limitless possibilities for unicycles I would be faced with!

“Sofa” <Sofa.mv3q0@timelimit.unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:Sofa.mv3q0@timelimit.unicyclist.com…
>
> Congrats on your new sport!
>
> You only want one unicycle?
>
> A 24" with a knobby tire for trails and a slick (either the 2.5
> Hookwork or the 3" firball)
>
> Will give you a great MUni, and a ‘fine’ Trials uni
>
> Cement and urban riding will wear down the Knobies too fast, but 2 tires
> on one 24" uni should be the (second)best of both worlds (until you get
> a trials and a MUni…the 20" make is WAY better for ‘precision’
> hopping, but way less fun for MUni)
>
>
> –
> Sofa - Here’s a picture of a Spirochete
>
> You are a fluke of the universe.
> You have no right to be here.
> And whether you can hear it or not,
> The universe is laughing behind your back.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Sofa’s Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/706
> View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/24939
>

4

Re: Re: Muni vs. Trials Unicycle

It’s possible to do anything on 1 uni…just perhaps not as elegantly as on a purpse-specific uni

A 24" Uni with two tires…one slick, one knobby will be fine.

(2 tires because if you ride your knobby on pavement over and over it wil wear crazy fast…2 tires will last a VERY long time)

Ther is nothing saying you can’t take a ‘basic’ uni on the trails…there is just less you can do…wheich means the stuff that you can do is harder, more satisfying, and ultimately, just as fun.

I took my trials uni onthe trails, and sure it was a lot harder, but the stuff I could do was super fun. In all honestly, there is no ‘need’ for more than one uni…but having several specific-purpose uni’s makes it even better!

5

Here’s my suggestion (taken from another thread):

I’ve been riding a Yuni 24x3 for a couple months and have nothing but praise for it. I opted to go with the Gazz for a little more money. So far, it has been bulletproof!!! I just installed a Magura brake setup on it tonight and was checking the spokes and wheel for trueness and everything is still spot on!
In my opinion, the Yuni 24x3 is hard to beat for the price!!!

6

My advice is always the same on this… when you’ve ridden for a few months, you’ll find yourself gravitating towards one type of riding, and you’’ know what you really want.

Until then, any reasonably good 24 will serve as a general purpose uni. It is possible to do tricks on a 24, to ride impressive distances, ride MUni/cross country, do trials, whatever.

The way I do MUni, there is very little impact on the wheel. I get my fun from riding distances, covering difficult ground, choosing my route carefully, and keeping control and balance and flow. Some riders prefer hopping and jumping over obstacles, and doing big drops.

For my type of riding, any 24 with a reasonably fat tyre will do. I’ve done many happy miles on a Nimbus 24 with a cheap Halfords 24 X 1.95 tyre, as well as on my 26 and Coker. For the more aggressive style, you’d need a stronger wheel (more spokes, better rim, fatter tyre, seat with handle…)

For trials, you’d need a fat tyre but without the knobbles. You’d need a good wheel, and I think the keen-beans have more expensive hubs and cranks because of all the impacts from hops and drops.

If you specialise too soon, you may miss out on a really good aspect of unicyling. See what happens, see what tickles your fancy, and remember, you can always upgrade and modify: new cranks, different pedals, fit a handle, change the tyre.

A friend of mine’s given up smoking, reckons it saves £70 a month. He could have two decent unis in 4 months at that rate. What could you give up for 4 months?:wink: