New member here. Santa will be stuffing a 26" Nimbus muni under the tree for me! I haven’t ridden a uni since I was 8 (about forty years ago) but I would ride it about two miles to school. Spent the last forty years on two wheels and really excited to dropping one wheel.
Very cool, Kmack! Be sure to keep us posted on your adventures with your new toy.
Santa has good taste in unicycles. Welcome to the forum!
Welcome back. The unicycle world has changed for the better over the last 40 years! I just got back to it less than 2 years ago after 40 years as well. Enjoy!
Thanks! So looking forward to getting (back) into this. My biggest issue was do I assemble the muni and put a bow on it or keep it in the box and wrap it! I chose the latter just to keep the piece in the house, plus I’d be too tempted to ride it before Christmas.
You should assemble it and ride it. Why wait?
It’s been 40 years since I’ve been on a uni and I was a little nervous about getting on my new 26" muni. This morning I bucked up and took it outside and needed to hold on to the deck railing while attempting to get use to the long gone sensation of one wheel. I let go and made it about ten feet. But something clicked and I instantly got back into position and took off. Second time on I made it around the house and out to my side yard…I’m guessing 100 yards before I bailed. I did this a couple of more times until my legs felt like they were going to blow. It was slow and twitchy but the basics were still there after 40 years…it’s good to be back!
That’s great, Kmack. Congratulations! I guess it’s true that you never do forget. And don’t let the winter weather keep you sidelined, whenever that decides to show up. Most of us generate so much heat while riding that we welcome low temperatures. Lots of fun ahead of you…
Day two, was able to nail a static mount. I have some knee discomfort but I believe it’s from not being able to adjust my feet once I’m pedaling.
I assume you’re using the stock pinned Nimbus pedals. On one pair of them, I rounded off the edges of the pins with a file. They were still grippy, but not scary grippy. If you’re put-off by too much grip, you might consider doing this.
Yes, stock pedals. I’m using hiking boots now but will try some worn out sneakers before taking a file to them.
I’ve seen advice on here saying boots or shoes with a heel are virtually essential. Personally I disagree, when I started learning last year I did a few lunch break practice sessions and upd’d hard because the heel on my work boots or wellies caught on the back of the pedal. I only ever ride in my 5:10’s now. I would recommend them or some other skate style flat soled shoe.
Good luck!
Noooo. This may have been good advice back in the day when lots of people tended to wear shoes with smooth leather soles, but even then, using your heel as a “stopper” puts your feet in a non-optimal position on the pedals.
And I learned on smooth, crappy pedals with ordinary sneakers. Pins came much, much later!
I’m getting much better at adjusting my feet on the pedals so the knee pain is basically gone. I can only nail a mount about 50% of the time and my riding is becoming much smoother. I’m doing multiple short sessions and stop at the first sign of frustration. I plan on hitting some locale flat trails with in a week and after my wrist and knee/shin guards arrive.