Newbie Questions

General
1

Hi everyone! Ive decided to take up unicycling and everybody I know thinks I’m
nuts! Been doing some research on which to buy and I have several questions.

  1. I’m in Canada, and the one shop I’ve found online (Braun’s) sells a 20" and
    24" store brand. The seat looks murderous. There’s also a bikeshop in my town
    that can get “Lambert” unis. Are these the cheap Tiawanese generic unis? I’ve
    decided to avoid generic. I think I’m going to buy a Sem. Unicyclesource.com
    has good stuff, is there any other online retailers?

  2. Size… I’m a tall girl 5’ 10" with a 32" inseam. I would like to get a 26"
    uni or even a 28". From what I can gather, it’ll be tougher to learn, but
    hey, I like a challenge. I figure it’ll probably take most of the summer to
    learn to stay on…I’m not really into tricks and stuff, more fun and
    fitness. Any input? (do I see a Coker in my future?)

3.Is there anybody in the Ottawa area out there? I really would love to have
somebody to ride with/learn from.

4.I’m pushing 40 and out of shape. Will I kill myself? Been spending time on the
stationary bike to strengthen leg muscles.

Thanks in advance,

Vicki

Tough times don’t last - tough people do

2

RE: Newbie Questions

>>4.I’m pushing 40 and out of shape. Will I kill myself? Been spending time on
>> the stationary bike to strengthen leg muscles.

You’ll be fine… I learned at 35. I’m glad you said you like a challenge,
because learning to uni is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done!Before
warned though, it’s addictive!

Hugh in SC

3

RE: Newbie Questions

Vicki,

> 1. I’m in Canada, and the one shop I’ve found online (Braun’s) sells a 20" and
> 24" store brand. The seat looks murderous.

That may be going a little far, but those seats definitely stink.

> bikeshop in my town that can get “Lambert” unis. Are these the cheap Tiawanese
> generic unis? I’ve decided to avoid generic. I

Never heard of Lambert.

> 2. Size… I’m a tall girl 5’ 10" with a 32" inseam. I would like to get a 26"
> uni or even a 28".

28" is of course a little bigger, but may somewhat limit your choice of tires.
If you only ride on pavement, this won’t be an issue. If you go for a 26" I
think you have more choices of cycle to choose from, and a very large range of
tires. Other than that, they will both ride about the same (28 will be faster of
course). Don’t worry about learning on a larger wheel. The first unicycles, 130
years ago, had wheels around 50" or 60", and no seats!

> 3.Is there anybody in the Ottawa area out there? I really would love to have
> somebody to ride with/learn from.

There used to be a big club in the area. They hosted unicycling events at the
International Cycling Festival in the mid-80s, and they hosted UNICON V (fifth
world championships) in 1991. The group was called F.O.U. (Federation Otauaise
d’Unicycle) [bad spelling]. I don’t know if any of those people are still
active. Anybody know about the guys up in Hull/Ottawa? what about Darren
Bedford, Mike Rocks, Guy Beasugor, Jean-Guy Beaudry?

There was also a bigger group in Quebec City, who hosted the UNICON in 1992.
Normand Beaumont was the host. This is their web site:
http://www.enpiste.qc.ca/Monocycle/ They may be able to connect you with riders
in your area.

> 4.I’m pushing 40 and out of shape. Will I kill myself? Been spending time on
> the stationary bike to strengthen leg muscles.

You’ll be fine. Just make sure you adjust the seat high enough (like a bicycle)
when you get it, so you don’t overstrain your knees.

Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone http://www.unicycling.com

“The ultimate wheel – it feels so good. It’s the ultimate feeling”

  • Jack Halpern, 1986
4

RE: Newbie Questions

> In 1988 a limited study was made about the muscles developed by unicycling.
> The result was the long muscle, just like the girls want. Ocular, tedious and
> time consuming studies have been made personally by me through the years. The
> result is that unicycling girls tend to have great legs.

Wow, I would like to read this study if you have a copy. Any pictures??

jf

5

Re: Newbie Questions

well, spedning time on your stationary bike sounds great… when i first began
tackling the uni, my legs got so sore, i wouldnt be able to ride more then 100
feet… so, i started riding a bike (which i hadnt ridden in years) everyday to
work… it REALLY helped me out

as far as the size of the uni… im 6 foot, and went with a 20in for my first
uni… it took me roughly 2 weeks to stay on it, another week to really get
some distance granted im only 18…i dont think it takes much longer then a few
weeks to a month to learn on average.

getting a lrger wheel is probably in your best interest if you dont plan on
buying another in the future. right now, im at the point where i need something
bigger to tackle distance riding. i chose the 28, because a few people feel
anything larger wouldnt be as maneuverable (god i hope i spelt that right) in
town, yet…its large enough to make riding easier…

i hope that helped somewhat…(?) everyone on this newsgroup is always very
helpful… im sure you wont have any trouble getting yourself situated…

i myself only know of unicyclesource.com i dont think anyone online would have a
larger selection (and with pictures…) to choose from. and their prices are
cheaper then my local bike shop’s prices…

good luck!

  • J

Vicki Beausoleil <vicki@mail.netrover.com> wrote in message
news:39080DBF.66A969B3@mail.netrover.com…
> Hi everyone! Ive decided to take up unicycling and everybody I know thinks I’m
> nuts! Been doing some research on which to buy and I have several questions.
>
> 1. I’m in Canada, and the one shop I’ve found online (Braun’s) sells a 20" and
> 24" store brand. The seat looks murderous. There’s also a bikeshop in my
> town that can get “Lambert” unis. Are these the cheap Tiawanese generic
> unis? I’ve decided to avoid generic. I think I’m going to buy a Sem.
> Unicyclesource.com has good stuff, is there any other online retailers?
>
> 2. Size… I’m a tall girl 5’ 10" with a 32" inseam. I would like to get a 26"
> uni or even a 28". From what I can gather, it’ll be tougher to learn, but
> hey, I like a challenge. I figure it’ll probably take most of the summer to
> learn to stay on…I’m not really into tricks and stuff, more fun and
> fitness. Any input? (do I see a Coker in my future?)
>
> 3.Is there anybody in the Ottawa area out there? I really would love to have
> somebody to ride with/learn from.
>
> 4.I’m pushing 40 and out of shape. Will I kill myself? Been spending time on
> the stationary bike to strengthen leg muscles.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Vicki
>
> Tough times don’t last - tough people do

6

Re: Newbie Questions

----- Original Message ----- From: Vicki Beausoleil <vicki@mail.netrover.com>
To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2000 6:51 AM Subject:
Newbie Questions

> Hi everyone! Ive decided to take up unicycling and everybody I know thinks I’m
> nuts! Been doing some research on which to buy and I have several questions.
We don’t. Welcome.
>
I think I’m going
> to buy a Sem. Unicyclesource.com has good stuff, is there any other online
> retailers?
>
Go for the Sem. Don’t buy the cheap Taiwanese.
>
> 2. Size… I’m a tall girl 5’ 10" with a 32" inseam. I would like to get a 26"
> uni or even a 28". From what I can gather, it’ll be tougher to learn, but
> hey, I like a challenge. I figure it’ll probably take most of the summer to
> learn to stay on…I’m not really into tricks and stuff, more fun and
> fitness. Any input? (do I see a Coker in my future?)
>
I am a tall boy. 6’0". Unless you are extremelly short (and you are not) the
size of the wheel has more to do with what you want to do with uni. Since you do
not want to do “tricks”, you probably will want to consider from 24" and up. As
you go up in size, you will lose control, but will be able to travel longer
distances.
>
> 3.Is there anybody in the Ottawa area out there? I really would love to have
> somebody to ride with/learn from.
>
> 4.I’m pushing 40 and out of shape. Will I kill myself? Been spending time on
> the stationary bike to strengthen leg muscles.
I learned when I was 40. I am 53 now.

In 1988 a limited study was made about the muscles developed by unicycling. The
result was the long muscle, just like the girls want. Ocular, tedious and time
consuming studies have been made personally by me through the years. The result
is that unicycling girls tend to have great legs.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Vicki
>
Your welcome, Alberto Ruiz
> Tough times don’t last - tough people do

7

RE: Newbie Questions

On Thu, 27 Apr 2000, Hugh Allison wrote:
>>>4.I’m pushing 40 and out of shape. Will I kill myself? Been spending time on
>>> the stationary bike to strengthen leg muscles.
>
>You’ll be fine… I learned at 35. I’m glad you said you like a challenge,
>because learning to uni is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done!Before
>warned though, it’s addictive!
>
>Hugh in SC

Yeah, I can echo that. I learned at 38 (last year) and I wasn’t in great shape
either. I wasn’t in horrible condition, but I didn’t (don’t) do any form of
regular “exercise”. About the only exercise I get is playing with my kids and
riding my unicycle.

Anyway, don’t sweat it. You’ll be able to do it. It may take you a little longer
then some of the great “success stories” you’ll undoubtedly hear on here and
online, but you’ll do it if you keep at it.

Greg

8

Re: Newbie Questions

If you are a complete beginner I would stick with the smaller size wheels, a 20"
or 24" wheel. The bigger wheels are harder to control and can lead to injury if
you haven’t mastered the smaller wheels first. I know this first hand when I
tore a hole in my leg my 2nd time on a 28" unicycle. When you do go to the
bigger size wheels like the coker, wear a helmet!! I know about this first hand
also!! Good Luck.

Austin One Wheelers http://unicycle.place.org

9

Re: Newbie questions

Steve, I can’t answer all of your questions, but I feel a need to throw my two
cents in. I’m not a really good unicyclist, but I have been unicycling on and
off for 28 years.

    Right now, I'm using a CycleDesign unicycle made in Taiwan. I had gotten
    rid of my 20 in. unicycle a few years back and wanted something cheap
    that works. Yes, people on the unicycling newsgroup will probably wail
    lamentations at the name CycleDesign. Don't worry. For learning, it will
    be cheaper and it will work fine. I recommend a 20" wheel (I think this
    is the only size they make). Most bike shops everywhere sell or can
    order these. I got mine in Tucson, AZ, but I could have gotten it for a
    slightly higher price in Safford, AZ (a much smaller community). You'll
    probably trash this first one out, but once you learn, you can order a
    better one through unicycling.com. Everyone seems to have good things to
    say about them (unicycling.com), and they've got a 1-800 number as well.

    Good luck!

Carl Trachte Morenci, AZ

Steve Conley wrote:
>
> Hell all,
>
> My freind let me borrow his 24 inch uni so I could learn to ride and see
> whether I would like it enough to buy my on. I can tell you no longer then I
> have had it, I love it and I can’t even ride it yet! I have a few question
> though…
>
> My first question is… Is it best to start out on say a 20 inch and then
> build up to a larger size, or should I continue with the 24 inch. I’m 6 foot
> and once I’m on it I feel comfortable. The 24 inch is what I will probably get
> when I have learned it good enough. I’m having trouble learning though. I’m
> doing this in my basement which is good but my basement walls are full of junk
> with no place to hold on to. So I’m taking a bar stool and holding on to it
> till I get my balance good enough and taking off from there. I’ve heard it’s
> good to have two friends to hold on to while learning but I don’t have two
> freinds who would take the time to help me learn Anyone live in Kingston or
> Knoxville Tennessee willing to help me out?
>
> 2nd question… I practiced yesterday for about 20 minutes. It flat wore me
> out. I was sweating like a pig! This would seem to be like a great way to loos
> some weight. Did anyone loos any amount of weight when they started? I could
> stand to loss about 10 lbs.
>
> 3rd question… where on the net is a good place to buy a uni? I’m not sure as
> to what brand I will buy, either a schwinn or Semcycle I would say. I’m sure
> we have a schwinn dealer around Knoxville but I was wondering if I might find
> one cheaper somewhere on the net.
>
> Sorry so many questions. I’ve enjoyed reading this NG! Reading about all of
> the injurys give something to look foward to, LOL.
>
> Thanks, Steve Conley
> ----
> http://www.webspawner.com/users/bigrednose Keeping the history of clowning
> alive at ClownHistory@egroups.com Spreading God’s Word through clowning at
> ClownMinistry@egroups.com

10

Re: Newbie questions

A quick correction. I meant to write unicycle.com and 1-800-unicycle, not
“unicycling”. Again, good luck selecting a new unicycle. CBT

Jane and Carl Trachte wrote:
>
> Steve, I can’t answer all of your questions, but I feel a need to throw my two
> cents in. I’m not a really good unicyclist, but I have been unicycling on and
> off for 28 years.
>
> Right now, I’m using a CycleDesign unicycle made in Taiwan. I had
> gotten rid of my 20 in. unicycle a few years back and wanted something
> cheap that works. Yes, people on the unicycling newsgroup will
> probably wail lamentations at the name CycleDesign. Don’t worry. For
> learning, it will be cheaper and it will work fine. I recommend a 20"
> wheel (I think this is the only size they make). Most bike shops
> everywhere sell or can order these. I got mine in Tucson, AZ, but I
> could have gotten it for a slightly higher price in Safford, AZ (a
> much smaller community). You’ll probably trash this first one out, but
> once you learn, you can order a better one through unicycling.com.
> Everyone seems to have good things to say about them (unicycling.com),
> and they’ve got a 1-800 number as well.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Carl Trachte Morenci, AZ
>
> Steve Conley wrote:
> >
> > Hell all,
> >
> > My freind let me borrow his 24 inch uni so I could learn to ride and see
> > whether I would like it enough to buy my on. I can tell you no longer then I
> > have had it, I love it and I can’t even ride it yet! I have a few question
> > though…
> >
> > My first question is… Is it best to start out on say a 20 inch and then
> > build up to a larger size, or should I continue with the 24 inch. I’m 6 foot
> > and once I’m on it I feel comfortable. The 24 inch is what I will probably
> > get when I have learned it good enough. I’m having trouble learning though.
> > I’m doing this in my basement which is good but my basement walls are full
> > of junk with no place to hold on to. So I’m taking a bar stool and holding
> > on to it till I get my balance good enough and taking off from there. I’ve
> > heard it’s good to have two friends to hold on to while learning but I don’t
> > have two freinds who would take the time to help me learn Anyone live in
> > Kingston or Knoxville Tennessee willing to help me out?
> >
> > 2nd question… I practiced yesterday for about 20 minutes. It flat wore me
> > out. I was sweating like a pig! This would seem to be like a great way to
> > loos some weight. Did anyone loos any amount of weight when they started? I
> > could stand to loss about 10 lbs.
> >
> > 3rd question… where on the net is a good place to buy a uni? I’m not sure
> > as to what brand I will buy, either a schwinn or Semcycle I would say. I’m
> > sure we have a schwinn dealer around Knoxville but I was wondering if I
> > might find one cheaper somewhere on the net.
> >
> > Sorry so many questions. I’ve enjoyed reading this NG! Reading about all of
> > the injurys give something to look foward to, LOL.
> >
> > Thanks, Steve Conley
> > ----
> > http://www.webspawner.com/users/bigrednose Keeping the history of clowning
> > alive at ClownHistory@egroups.com Spreading God’s Word through clowning at
> > ClownMinistry@egroups.com

11

Re: Newbie questions

Thank you Jay and Carl for taking the time to answer my questions. Both of you
have been very helpful.

Steve Conley

12

Re: Newbie questions

Hey Steve, I’ll answer your 1st question… I purchased a uni about 2 weeks ago
as I had always wanted to learn. Anyway I’m just over 6 foot and I suggest that
you should buy a 24’ uni. I have one and are very pleased with it too. The guy
that sold it to me simply said “It’s a uni for a person of your size, people may
tell you that 20’ unis are easier to learn on but you should take the time and
the extra dollars to buy the right size for you” I went home and practiced and
practiced for one night. The next day I went out side and pushed off the wall
and tried and tried and after 30 minutes I could travel 10 metres every 2nd
shot. Later that day I went out the front of the house and pushed off and
traveled 500 metres comfrotably and the following day I nailed free-mounting. So
there you can see, I had no trouble tackling the early learning process on a
24’. I suggest you go for 24’

Steve Conley wrote:

> Hell all,
>
> My freind let me borrow his 24 inch uni so I could learn to ride and see
> whether I would like it enough to buy my on. I can tell you no longer then I
> have had it, I love it and I can’t even ride it yet! I have a few question
> though…
>
> My first question is… Is it best to start out on say a 20 inch and then
> build up to a larger size, or should I continue with the 24 inch. I’m 6 foot
> and once I’m on it I feel comfortable. The 24 inch is what I will probably get
> when I have learned it good enough. I’m having trouble learning though. I’m
> doing this in my basement which is good but my basement walls are full of junk
> with no place to hold on to. So I’m taking a bar stool and holding on to it
> till I get my balance good enough and taking off from there. I’ve heard it’s
> good to have two friends to hold on to while learning but I don’t have two
> freinds who would take the time to help me learn Anyone live in Kingston or
> Knoxville Tennessee willing to help me out?
>
> 2nd question… I practiced yesterday for about 20 minutes. It flat wore me
> out. I was sweating like a pig! This would seem to be like a great way to loos
> some weight. Did anyone loos any amount of weight when they started? I could
> stand to loss about 10 lbs.
>
> 3rd question… where on the net is a good place to buy a uni? I’m not sure as
> to what brand I will buy, either a schwinn or Semcycle I would say. I’m sure
> we have a schwinn dealer around Knoxville but I was wondering if I might find
> one cheaper somewhere on the net.
>
> Sorry so many questions. I’ve enjoyed reading this NG! Reading about all of
> the injurys give something to look foward to, LOL.
>
> Thanks, Steve Conley
> ----
> http://www.webspawner.com/users/bigrednose Keeping the history of clowning
> alive at ClownHistory@egroups.com Spreading God’s Word through clowning at
> ClownMinistry@egroups.com

13

Re: Newbie questions

Well, Steve, what can I say? I stand corrected! A little guy myself (5’ 10"), I
never would have thought that taller folks might like or need a bigger wheel.
Anyway, you can probably find a 24" uni at unicycle.com or order one directly
from a company like Miyata.

Happy trails!

Carl T. Morenci, Arizona

Matt Van Loon wrote:
>
> Hey Steve, I’ll answer your 1st question… I purchased a uni about 2 weeks
> ago as I had always wanted to learn. Anyway I’m just over 6 foot and I suggest
> that you should buy a 24’ uni. I have one and are very pleased with it too.
> The guy that sold it to me simply said "It’s a uni for a person of your size,
> people may tell you that 20’ unis are easier to learn on but you should take
> the time and the extra dollars to buy the right size for you" I went home and
> practiced and practiced for one night. The next day I went out side and pushed
> off the wall and tried and tried and after 30 minutes I could travel 10 metres
> every 2nd shot. Later that day I went out the front of the house and pushed
> off and traveled 500 metres comfrotably and the following day I nailed
> free-mounting. So there you can see, I had no trouble tackling the early
> learning process on a 24’. I suggest you go for 24’
>
> Steve Conley wrote:
>
> > Hell all,
> >
> > My freind let me borrow his 24 inch uni so I could learn to ride and see
> > whether I would like it enough to buy my on. I can tell you no longer then I
> > have had it, I love it and I can’t even ride it yet! I have a few question
> > though…
> >
> > My first question is… Is it best to start out on say a 20 inch and then
> > build up to a larger size, or should I continue with the 24 inch. I’m 6 foot
> > and once I’m on it I feel comfortable. The 24 inch is what I will probably
> > get when I have learned it good enough. I’m having trouble learning though.
> > I’m doing this in my basement which is good but my basement walls are full
> > of junk with no place to hold on to. So I’m taking a bar stool and holding
> > on to it till I get my balance good enough and taking off from there. I’ve
> > heard it’s good to have two friends to hold on to while learning but I don’t
> > have two freinds who would take the time to help me learn Anyone live in
> > Kingston or Knoxville Tennessee willing to help me out?
> >
> > 2nd question… I practiced yesterday for about 20 minutes. It flat wore me
> > out. I was sweating like a pig! This would seem to be like a great way to
> > loos some weight. Did anyone loos any amount of weight when they started? I
> > could stand to loss about 10 lbs.
> >
> > 3rd question… where on the net is a good place to buy a uni? I’m not sure
> > as to what brand I will buy, either a schwinn or Semcycle I would say. I’m
> > sure we have a schwinn dealer around Knoxville but I was wondering if I
> > might find one cheaper somewhere on the net.
> >
> > Sorry so many questions. I’ve enjoyed reading this NG! Reading about all of
> > the injurys give something to look foward to, LOL.
> >
> > Thanks, Steve Conley
> > ----
> > http://www.webspawner.com/users/bigrednose Keeping the history of clowning
> > alive at ClownHistory@egroups.com Spreading God’s Word through clowning at
> > ClownMinistry@egroups.com