So I am building a Big Wheel to go down some mountain trails in Colorado. I’m stuck on finding a useable hub for the front end. I want to keep the functionality of the pedals and see if there is some type of free wheel hub design for a unicycle that I could use. I know you need to pedal backwards at certain times but I need that free wheel. This way when im going fast I can keep my feet on the pedals. The rest is built with a medal frame and heavy duty off road tires on the back. I just want to ditch the pegs. Anyone have some suggestions?
When most of us think “big wheel” we think unicycle with wheel larger than 36", I was slightly confused until I realized that you were taking about making a “penny farthing” style bike.
Then only hub that I can think of that would be strong enough (there are some freewheeling tricycle hubs) would be out of a Coker Wheelman, Coker’s version of a free-wheeling penny farthing.
The option is available on this bike.
http://www.cokercycles.com/wheelman
Not sure where to get the hub separately but it exists.
I already saw a QU-AX 36" penny farthing with freewheeel, need to check if still possible as option
I thought it was the tricycle style traditional Big Wheel he was referring to because of having multiple rear tires. Some cities have charity events where they race “big wheels” downhill. Looks like a good charitable event for unicyclist to support if they have enough spare parts laying around to build up such a rig. I’ve got enough spare parts around to build one but would probably defer the driving to someone of a different sanity level.
http://www.unicycle.uk.com/unicycle-spares/hubs-bearings/coker-wheelman-penny-farthing-hub.html
free wheel hub 
The OP was not very specific on the vehicle in question. I’ll have to assume it’s
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Wheels-16-inch-Original/dp/B0001A866O
.
Riding one of those down a mountain would be pretty gnarly!
ohh so gonna go for that !
I wasn’t sure what the OP meant exactly. There is a new breed of homemade bigwheel out there. In principle it is like the plastic version but built with “real” parts. I have heard of them called “Big Wheel Drifts” but there are probably other varieties.
It is a big wheel tricycle set up like a kid would ride. It’s like the picture johnfoss posted but it is a metal frame and forks. I have had to do some heavy modification to get it to handle rough trails and fast speeds. Thanks for the links. That looks like what I need. When I get it finished i will post some pictures.
Cool. So with the off-raod tires in the back you won’t be drifting it then eh? I am curious what size wheels you are planning on using front and back?
I would love to see the finished product, this is something I have never thought of or heard of before.
You expand our horizons sir!
Picturing trike with a Larry on the front and Try-All Stickys out back, how sweet would that be?
drules over key board
The tires I have for the back are just a 6 inch wheel with mini bike knoby tires. I also have some slicks for going down anything that is paved. My first stop is Look Out Mountain in Golden, Colorado. Slicks will be in use for this trip. But im excited to take it down some off road trails.
As far as the front goes I will work off of the free wheel i get for size. I dont think I need anything to big but I will work off of what forks i will be using.