After playing around with a unicycle during a recent trip to my local bike shop,
I’ve caught the bug, and I want to learn to ride.
I’ve been checking out various reviews on the web, and looking at different
models available, particularly those at Unicycle Source.
I’m seeking advice on models which would be suitable for learning and eventually
a short commute. The notion of a Muni appeals to me (I do some amount of
mountain biking already), but first I need to develop some decent street skills.
I’m a big guy - 6’1", 220 lbs. I gather that a 24" or 26" uni is what I
should start with, but obviously given my size I’ll need something with
fairly burly hardware.
Two models in the Unicycle Source catalog looked appropriate - the 24" United
24-inch Trainer for LARGE adults, or the 24" or 26" Semcycle XL. I’ve found some
info about the Semcycle models, but not much about the United models. Does
anybody have any feedback they can offer on the quality/build of United frames,
and in the United adult trainer in particular?
The other option I’m considering is to get a Muni. I gather the muni’s are made
to take a bit more abuse. Initially I’d throw some slicks on the wheels while
I’m learning. This option requires a substantially larger outlay of cash.
Your thought, comments, and ideas would be much appreciated.
The Semcycle XL has a narrow fork. It will only fit a skinny tire, probably no
wider than 1.85". A tire that skinny would not work well for a big guy.
The United will fit a wider tire and would be the best choice for a big guy. The
large adult 24" United at Unicyclesource is a super deal with the upgraded
wheel. The rims and wheels on stock unicycles are usually horrible and are not
strong enough for large adults. Getting the upgraded wheel on the United makes
it a no brainer.
The 24" is a good size for learning on. It is also versatile in that you can
find good 24" knobby tires for off-road riding when you decide to try some muni.
Learning on a 26" muni is also an option for an adult. A 24" will be easier to
learn on than a 26" but plenty of people have learned on a 26". The advantage
here is that after you’re done with the learning stage you’ve got a muni ready
for the trails. Anyone have an opinion on crank size for learning on a 26"?
170mm cranks are good for on the trails but I think shorter cranks would be
easier to learn with.
john_childs
>From: Paul Magwene <paul.magwene@yale.edu> > >Howdy all, > >After playing around with a unicycle during a recent trip to my local bike >shop, I’ve caught the bug, and I want to learn to ride. > >I’ve been checking out various reviews on the web, and looking at different >models available, particularly those at Unicycle Source. > >I’m seeking advice on models which would be suitable for learning and >eventually a short commute. The notion of a Muni appeals to me (I do some >amount of mountain biking already), but first I need to develop some decent >street skills. > >I’m a big guy - 6’1", 220 lbs. I gather that a 24" or 26" uni is what I should >start with, but obviously given my size I’ll need something with fairly burly >hardware. > >Two models in the Unicycle Source catalog looked appropriate - the 24" United >24-inch Trainer for LARGE adults, or the 24" or 26" Semcycle XL. I’ve found >some info about the Semcycle models, but not much about the United models. Does >anybody have any feedback they can offer on the quality/build of United frames, >and in the United adult trainer in particular? > >The other option I’m considering is to get a Muni. I gather the muni’s are made >to take a bit more abuse. Initially I’d throw some slicks on the wheels while >I’m learning. This option requires a substantially larger outlay of cash. > >Your thought, comments, and ideas would be much appreciated. > >Sincerely, > >Paul Magwene paul.magwene@yale.edu
United frames are Burly. Made from 1" steel tubing all around, you’re not going
to break the frame.
Chris
On Thu, 30 Nov 2000, Paul Magwene wrote:
> Howdy all, > > After playing around with a unicycle during a recent trip to my local bike > shop, I’ve caught the bug, and I want to learn to ride. > > I’ve been checking out various reviews on the web, and looking at different > models available, particularly those at Unicycle Source. > > I’m seeking advice on models which would be suitable for learning and > eventually a short commute. The notion of a Muni appeals to me (I do some > amount of mountain biking already), but first I need to develop some decent > street skills. > > I’m a big guy - 6’1", 220 lbs. I gather that a 24" or 26" uni is what I should > start with, but obviously given my size I’ll need something with fairly burly > hardware. > > Two models in the Unicycle Source catalog looked appropriate - the 24" United > 24-inch Trainer for LARGE adults, or the 24" or 26" Semcycle XL. I’ve found > some info about the Semcycle models, but not much about the United models. > Does anybody have any feedback they can offer on the quality/build of United > frames, and in the United adult trainer in particular? > > The other option I’m considering is to get a Muni. I gather the muni’s are > made to take a bit more abuse. Initially I’d throw some slicks on the > wheels while I’m learning. This option requires a substantially larger > outlay of cash. > > Your thought, comments, and ideas would be much appreciated. > > Sincerely, > > Paul Magwene paul.magwene@yale.edu