Hi Mike, Of the inexpensive unicycles the torker is considered the best imho. The seat is less than comfortable, however it holds up well to the abuse given by a beginner. I just relearned and my son just learned to ride on a 24 inch torker and its still fine. They also make an upgraded one with a better seat and a stronger wheel I believe. Do a search on here for torker and u will find out tons of info. Good luck, Mark
Get the 24" Torker because it will be more versatile, especially considering your height. Lose the seat immediately and get a Viscount or Velo seat from our favorite distributor, unicycle.com .
The Viscount is infinitely better than the stock Torker baby seat. The Velo is infinitely better than the Viscount. Other than the seat, Torker makes a good little unicycle.
The Torker is a very good starter unicycle. However, the seatpost that comes on the 20" model is going to be too short for you, and that particular Torker comes with a small seat that is designed for grade school kids. The seat is too small for an adult to find comfortable.
Your best bet would be to call unicycle.com and ask them for a beginner level unicycle. They can make sure that it’s outfitted with a seatpost that is long enough for you and a seat that fits an adult.
With a longer seatpost and a proper saddle that Torker is a good unicycle.
Another option is the black Torker Unistar
<http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=634>
But you’d need to get a longer seatpost and a seatpost shim because the frame uses an unusual 25.4mm seatpost and most other unicycles use a 22.2mm seatpost.
I started my unicycling career last Thursday with a 24" Torker Unistar, and have learned quite well on it in the past week. I don’t know if the 20" will be tall enough for you without a seatpost extension, but the 24" is tall enough for me at 6’ 2", so it would be no problem for you at 6’ 1". The seat itself seems fine for me, but then again, I haven’t gotten to try anything else. I feel it is a good starter unicycle for me and wish you the best of luck.
Welcome Mike. I’d agree to everyone on this topic. For me if I was you. I’d go for the 24" with a Viscount saddle or the Velo saddles. Make sure the pedals are strong enough. (Sure grips Could be good Like the ones off B.M.X. Bikes)
Others might say a bit different to me on the pedals, but that’s ok.
Or better still a 26" with the same above. Have a look at Chris Holms saddles too. They should be good too what I’ve Read and heard of. Better still Go to www.unicycle.com it’s the best bet. Goodluck into adventuring of unicycling.
David.
Hi…I bought my 24" Torker from Bicycle-Source and paid $90.00 for it and that included shipping. I also bought my 20" uni from them. Also…The 24" Torker came with the long seat post and a stand. For short people like me you have to cut the post down to size. Check them out…enjoy…Keithmj:D (The quality is the same and you save the $20.00 shipping charge).
Mike, since you linked to Midtown Bikes in your original post I’m guessing that you are in Memphis. If you want to try a Torker come on out to one of the Memphis Unicycle Club’s practices. We are meeting tonight at First Congregational Church in Midtown (Cooper-Young neighborhood). We have several Torkers that we use to teach folks. They are there for you to try out. We even have pizza! You are welcome to join us for an evening. Plus, we enjoy teaching. Visit our web site for more info and/or give me a call.
Tommy
I,too, started on a Torker Unistar and they are hard to beat for the price. You would probably be better off with the 24" due to your height. Be sure to check into the black Unistar model. For a few dollars more, you get an upgraded wheelset and sturdier frame.
You are well advised to come to the Memphis Unicycle Club meeting TONIGHT at 6 pm at “First Congo”. (1000 south Cooper, around back, door is down the little ramp, knock loudly)
I’m 6’1" also. If you can order the Torker Black Unistar with a 400mm seat post, that’s a fine way to go.
However, my cousin (who should be there tonight) just got one with it’s regular seat post and it’s too short for me. I think Joe got one with a longer seat post, its nice.
But there’ll be over a dozen for you to try on for size.
feel free to call me at 345-2610 for more info
-Tom
I think the Kris Holm saddles are much better quality.
Dylan
Dylan! It’s my flaming spelling mistakes. Could not find Kris Holm in the first place. So apologies to Mike and yourself. Thank you for clearing that up for me. Thanks!
David.
The videos North Shore Extreme Volume III - Dirty Dreams and North Shore Extreme Volume IV - Big Rocks Hard Knocks both gave credit to Chris Holmes (or was it Chris Holm?, I can’t remember). Even now I still catch mountain bikers spelling his name Chris with random spellings of his last name.
If a young kid named Chris Holmes ever starts unicycling think of all the free publicity he’s already going to have.
The videos North Shore Extreme Volume III - Dirty Dreams and North Shore Extreme Volume IV - Big Rocks Hard Knocks both gave credit to Chris Holmes (or was it Chris Holm?, I can’t remember). Even now I still catch mountain bikers spelling his name Chris with random spellings of his last name.
If a young kid named Chris Holmes ever starts unicycling think of all the free publicity he’s already going to have.
Thanks John. I agree with you with that topic. I’d laugh at a though at the moment.
David.