Handlebarless Shadow
My Impulse shipped with the brake line and lever attached. I never bothered to cut down one of (the straight one) the handlebars or stop by my LBS to grab a 5" scrap piece of pipe (told Josh that UDC should throw one in) to mount the brake lever. The point is, I have never had the opportunity to ride a 36er without the handlebar in place. That is until now. UPS damaged the Magura brake lines (on my new 36 guni) in transit. I shipped the brakes back to UDC (aren’t they just the best) for repair. While I am waiting, I have removed the handlebar. It is liberating to be able to roll off a 5" curb knowing, if you UPD off the front, you aren’t going to rack yourself or bash your knees on the handlebar. Also, and this is embarrassing to admit, but I had never even attempted to freemount a 36er. I had no problem static mounting my 24" unassisted but that darn handlebar had me scared of the rolling mount so I always just leaned on the the Jeep or a mailbox to mount. I am proud to say that my first freemounting session (I went 2 for 10) was a success. But, on that 11th attempt, I came off the back and landed on my feet but silly me tried to grab the seat (my general rule of thumb is to let the unicycle fall focusing on not getting hurt) but ended up cutting my index finger (lots of blood, no real harm) on the empty hole in the front of the Shadow base. Now I have put some handlebar wrap tape to plug the hole. It’s not real pretty (see picture below) but it will not be cutting me anymore.
For the record, I hate riding without a handlebar. My left hand is always glued and it’s just not the same gripping the (new and improved) saddle handle. But, I am making the best of it while it lasts. Planning on getting some more free-mounting practice tomorrow. I am also practicing shifting that Schlumpf hub and riding in high gear. Long story short, I am dropping it often. Nothing like seeing your new $3,500 unicycle banging off the pavement this way and that. Lucky for me, I had done the necessary aftermarket tinkering (lockwasher, blue medium loctite) to solidify the pivotal seat post’s high tensile bolt. Everything seems to be holding up fine. We shall see.