Roach covers, straps or eyelets?

General
1

Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of attachment
to the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in front, or would
you rather they just came with reinforced eyelets up front so you could
lace them up with a shoelace?

What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for everybody?

I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams after a lot
of riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not positive. Has
anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it the thread or the
fabric that gave in?

Chris

2

roach cover

i will be buying a hand held eyelit press the minute i see one for sale…the sides of it seem to creep up then reveal the seat plate,the boot lace,to me,seems to be the only way…im seeing some frayed threads on the front left,side stich too____ :astonished:

3

Chris,

I’ve been riding on the Roach cover for about 6 months now and have been
concerned a small bit about thread wear along the top seams. I think it
will hold up for a while longer yet. As far as the straps, I have my cover
cinched tightly enough by the cinch strap that the elastic band is loose
and not being used. I have wondered if the cover might fit more evenly
around the entire perimeter with eyelets and a lace but so far I don’t
have many complaints about the way it fits now. Maybe someday I’ll install
some eyelets. Although I have put eyelets in our travel trailer awning and
learned quickly that too much force on the installation tool will cause
the edge of the eyelet to cut through the fabric. I should have practiced
on something else instead of the first few holes.

Bruce

Chris Reeder wrote:
>
> Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of
> attachment to the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in
> front, or would you rather they just came with reinforced eyelets up
> front so you could lace them up with a shoelace?
>
> What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for everybody?
>
> I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams after a
> lot of riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not
> positive. Has anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it
> the thread or the fabric that gave in?
>
> Chris

4

reed0330@uidaho.edu writes:
>Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of
>attachment to

>the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in front, or would
>you rather they just came with reinforced eyelets up front so

>you could lace them up with a shoelace?
>
>What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for everybody?
>
>I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams
>after a lot of

>riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not positive. Has

>anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it the thread or
>the fabric

>that gave in?
>
>Chris

The threads gave out on my Roach cover. It happened around the back, close
to one of the sides. I think the eyelet method sounds good.

David

                    Co-founder, Unatics of NY
                    1st Sunday / 3rd Saturday
                     @ Central Park Bandshell

1: 30 start time after 11/1/01

5

I prefer the eyelets/shoelace method as opposed to the elastic strap in
the front. The cinch strap in the rear has worked quite well for me and I
have no complaints about it.

Over the last year I’ve had the cover I haven’t had it fall apart on me
yet, but my cover is really starting to show wear where it folds over the
carbon base. I suppose I could sand down the edges of the carbon base as
they are really sharp.

The only lose threads on the cover are those that hold the Roach logo on.
Definitely not a show stopper!

Carl

“Chris Reeder” <reed0330@uidaho.edu> wrote in message
news:3C04710C.8AA89DAD@uidaho.edu…
> Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of
> attachment to the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in
> front, or would you rather they just came with reinforced
eyelets up
> front so you could lace them up with a shoelace?
>
> What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for
everybody?
>
> I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams
after a
> lot of riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not
positive.
> Has anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it the
thread or
> the fabric that gave in?
>
> Chris
>

> rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu

6

I bought a eyelet kit ($3 for 100!) and have made several air seats with
Roach covers. I really think this is the way to go. I immediately snip
off the elastic from the front and replace with 3 eyelets on each side.
On the back, I’ve tried both leaving the fastener that comes with the
cover and cutting it off and replacing with 2 eyelets on each side.
Either way works ok. I use an old shoelace and just tuck the ends up
behind the Wilder bracket.

I’ve been riding one of the seats a lot for … a long time - don’t
remember when I made it. It’s really perfect and comfortable and the seams
are still good. The other two haven’t had as much use yet. Are you
thinking of making the covers?

—Nathan

“Chris Reeder” <reed0330@uidaho.edu> wrote in message
news:3C04710C.8AA89DAD@uidaho.edu…
> Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of
> attachment to the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in
> front, or would you rather they just came with reinforced eyelets up
> front so you could lace them up with a shoelace?
>
> What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for everybody?
>
> I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams after a
> lot of riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not
> positive. Has anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it
> the thread or the fabric that gave in?
>
> Chris

7

3$ for 100 !!! does that include the tool to press them???

8

I just did my first air conversion on a Viscount- I tore off the cover and took a steak knife to the foam, untill it was the right shape (whatever that is). The air pillow I made myself. The cover I made myself as well- 2 pieces of heavy vinal, one shaped like the seat top, the other skirting with a side overlap. All sewing was done with an awl. Bottom is grometted. The grometting tool was cheep- $2.80 at Wal-Mart, and came with 40 low quality grometts. You upset the gromette by covering it with a simple die and striking it with a hammer.

The shape of the seat base causes the air pillow to be more constricting than it should be-I’m going to move down to an 18" tube and see if that helps. There was a thread a while back where Roger Davies said he had to wrap the front end of the pillow with tube rubber to allow propper room for the anatomy- I think I might have to try that, too.

Anyway, on subject, the gromettes worked well. Is the Roach cover made specificaly for Unicycling? If so, I’m supprised it doesn’t have gromettes…

Christopher

9

The elastic strap and cinch strap have been working great for me. I have
no plans to add eyelets and a shoelace to mine. The only quibbles I have
is that the front elastic could be tighter and the rear strap will dangle
down like a tail.

Are the people who have problems with the cover sliding up overstuffing
the seat? I have a single layer air pillow with 16" tube and a Miyata foam
pad on top of that. Everything fits great.

Like Carl, the logo patch is the only thing that has fallen apart for me.
But eventually I expect the cover to come apart at a seam. I just hope
unicycle.com has new Roach covers in stock when it’s time for me to get a
new cover.

john_childs

>From: Chris Reeder <reed0330@uidaho.edu>
>
>
>Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of
>attachment to the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in
>front, or would you rather they just came with reinforced eyelets up
>front so you could lace them up with a shoelace?
>
>What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for everybody?
>
>I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams after a lot
>of riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not positive.
>Has anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it the thread or
>the fabric that gave in?
>
>Chris

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10

<snip>

> Like Carl, the logo patch is the only thing that has fallen apart for
> me. But eventually I expect the cover to come apart at a seam. I just
> hope unicycle.com has new Roach covers in stock when it’s time for me to
> get a new cover.

Someone mentioned that Roach has been bought over by Race Face I think.
That being the case I wonder if we’ll continue to see small production
runs of such things as their seat covers. Time will tell I guess… There
is the relativly new alternative to the Roach cover availible on both the
US and UK Unicycle.com:

UK http://www.unicycle.uk.com/shop/shopdisplayproduct.asp?catalogid=27

US http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=254

The leather variety is the one to go for if your uni is going to see some
knocks though. There’s no eyelets and (which could be added if you take
the time) but I’ve just glued mine on to the cf base with some contact
adhesive - they clip in to the standard Miyata base with no problems.
Glueing it on is basic I know but it works a treat. It does, however,
means it’s a pain if you have to take it off again. With the cover being
made of leather it’s easy enough to just pull it off and not damage it in
the slightest.

My 2 pennies / cents, Neil

11

Hi,

There have been a few variations on the Roach Seatcovers. By mistake,
Roach made me an alternative design that works well. They sewed a lycra
panel that covers the whole bottom of the cover, except for a slot near
the back of the cover bottom (two overlapping pieces of fabric).

The seatcover is pulled over the padding and frame (through the hole in
the bottom cover), sort of like putting on a sock. You have to puncture
holes in the lycra to put the seatpost and bumpers on.

This design is low profile and fits well, especially in the rear part of
the seat where any straps or lacing would get in the way of
seat-out-in-front hopping.

-Kris.

— Bruce & Mary Edwards <REMOVEyoopers@inwave.com> wrote:
> Chris,
>
> I’ve been riding on the Roach cover for about 6 months now and have been
> concerned a small bit about thread wear along the top seams. I think it
> will hold up for a while longer yet. As far as the straps, I have my
> cover cinched tightly enough by the cinch strap that the elastic band is
> loose and not being used. I have wondered if the cover might fit more
> evenly around the entire perimeter with eyelets and a lace but so far I
> don’t have many complaints about the way it fits now. Maybe someday I’ll
> install some eyelets. Although I have put eyelets in our travel trailer
> awning and learned quickly that too much force on the installation tool
> will cause the edge of the eyelet to cut through the fabric. I should
> have practiced on something else instead of the first few holes.
>
> Bruce
>
> Chris Reeder wrote:
> >
> > Those of you with Roach Covers, what is the preferred method of
> > attachment to the seat base? Is anyone a fan of the elastic strap in
> > front, or would you rather they just came with reinforced eyelets up
> > front so you could lace them up with a shoelace?
> >
> > What about the cinch strap in the rear, is it working for everybody?
> >
> > I know I’ve had one cover come apart at one of the side seams after a
> > lot of riding. I think the thread just wore through, but I’m not
> > positive. Has anybody else worn one out, where did it fail and was it
> > the thread or the fabric that gave in?
> >
> > Chris
> ___________________________________________________________________-
> ________
> rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
> www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu

Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just
$8.95/month. http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1

12

I remain hopeful and optimistic that Raceface is going to improve the
operations over at Roach and that Roach will be able to continue making
the seat covers, unicycle carry bags, and other funky unicycle things.
Roach has been great, and I hope they can keep it up. I would feel naked
if I didn’t have anything Roach on me and on my muni.

The leather seat covers look interesting and would be an alternative in a
pinch. But I don’t think they have the same volume and thickness as the
Roach cover so switching to the leather cover would require some tweaking
of the padding that I’m using. I have finally figured out a padding combo
that works well for me with the Roach cover and I’m reluctant to mess up a
good thing now that I’ve found it.

Sewing a spandex sleeve under the leather seat cover like what Kris
mentioned Roach did for him on one of his Roach seat covers might be a
good way to keep the leather seat cover on without needing to glue it to
the seat base or add eyelets to lace it on. That spandex sleeve thing
sounds like a good idea.

john_childs

>From: “Neil Dunlop” <n.dunlop@kildrummy.co.uk>
>
>Someone mentioned that Roach has been bought over by Race Face I think.
>That being the case I wonder if we’ll continue to see small production
>runs of such things as their seat covers. Time will tell I guess… There
>is the relativly new alternative to the Roach cover availible on both the
>US and UK Unicycle.com:
[snip]

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13

I should have mentioned this after Neil posted, but I have been a little
bit busy. The leather covers (and the Vynal) do not need gluing or eyelets
or anything fancy. They come with a draw cord. Fitting instructions:

Place over seat with foam fitted so that the front and back are hooked on
but the middle is on the outside. Pull the cord tight and tie. Fit the
front and back bumpers - this might take one or two tries to get the
tension right on the cord. Leave the nuts slack. Lift the centre part of
the cover from the outside in to the inside. Tighten up nuts.

What you end up with is a snug nice looking seat cover. The shape of the
seat holds the cover on. There are no horrid clips to snag your fingers
and when you look underneath you have a nice clean look. The one on the
site is actually the one off my 20" and is 6 months old when that photo
was taken and looks as good as new!

If you want a deeper cover just ask, it is easy to do, they are already
20mm deeper than standard.

Cheers

Roger

The UK’s Unicycle Source http://www.unicycle.uk.com

----- Original Message ----- From: “John Childs” <john_childs@hotmail.com>
To: <rsu@unicycling.org> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: Roach covers, straps or eyelets?

> I remain hopeful and optimistic that Raceface is going to improve the
> operations over at Roach and that Roach will be able to continue making
the
> seat covers, unicycle carry bags, and other funky unicycle things. Roach
> has been great, and I hope they can keep it up. I would feel naked if I
> didn’t have anything Roach on me and on my muni.
>
> The leather seat covers look interesting and would be an alternative in
> a pinch. But I don’t think they have the same volume and thickness as
> the Roach cover so switching to the leather cover would require some
> tweaking
of
> the padding that I’m using. I have finally figured out a padding combo
that
> works well for me with the Roach cover and I’m reluctant to mess up a
> good thing now that I’ve found it.
>
> Sewing a spandex sleeve under the leather seat cover like what Kris
> mentioned Roach did for him on one of his Roach seat covers might be a
good
> way to keep the leather seat cover on without needing to glue it to the
seat
> base or add eyelets to lace it on. That spandex sleeve thing sounds like
a
> good idea.
>
> john_childs
>
>
> >From: “Neil Dunlop” <n.dunlop@kildrummy.co.uk>
> >
> >Someone mentioned that Roach has been bought over by Race Face I think.
> >That being the case I wonder if we’ll continue to see small production
runs
> >of such things as their seat covers. Time will tell I guess… There is
the
> >relativly new alternative to the Roach cover availible on both the US
> >and UK Unicycle.com:
> [snip]
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
> http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________-
__
> rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu

14

Yes it does include the tool to press the pieces together. One of the best
deals I’ve seen. I think it was from Home Depot. Sorry I don’t have the
brand info anymore since I threw away the package and just kept the
contents in a little box in my unicycle shelf.

—Nathan

“jagur” <forum.member@unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:9u22bb$lju$1@laurel.tc.umn.edu…
> 3$ for 100 !!! does that include the tool to press them???

15

Apologies abound. I did wonder about the cord but could never get it tight
enough so the sides got glued in place with the bumpers holding the rest
in place. Your instructions sound much better than any of the fumbled
attempts I ever made before dipping in to the glue.

Neil

-----Original Message----- From: Roger.Davies@octacon.co.uk
["]mailto:Roger.Davies@octacon.co.uk] Sent: 28 November 2001 21:11 To:
rsu@unicycling.org Subject: Re: Roach covers, straps or eyelets?
Importance: Low

I should have mentioned this after Neil posted, but I have been a little
bit busy. The leather covers (and the Vynal) do not need gluing or eyelets
or anything fancy. They come with a draw cord. Fitting instructions:

Place over seat with foam fitted so that the front and back are hooked on
but the middle is on the outside. Pull the cord tight and tie. Fit the
front and back bumpers - this might take one or two tries to get the
tension right on the cord. Leave the nuts slack. Lift the centre part of
the cover from the outside in to the inside. Tighten up nuts.

What you end up with is a snug nice looking seat cover. The shape of the
seat holds the cover on. There are no horrid clips to snag your fingers
and when you look underneath you have a nice clean look. The one on the
site is actually the one off my 20" and is 6 months old when that photo
was taken and looks as good as new!

If you want a deeper cover just ask, it is easy to do, they are already
20mm deeper than standard.

Cheers

Roger

The UK’s Unicycle Source http://www.unicycle.uk.com

----- Original Message ----- From: “John Childs” <john_childs@hotmail.com>
To: <rsu@unicycling.org> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: Roach covers, straps or eyelets?

>> I remain hopeful and optimistic that Raceface is going to improve the
>> operations over at Roach and that Roach will be able to continue making
the
>> seat covers, unicycle carry bags, and other funky unicycle things.
>Roach
>> has been great, and I hope they can keep it up. I would feel naked if I
>> didn’t have anything Roach on me and on my muni.
>>
>> The leather seat covers look interesting and would be an alternative in
>a
>> pinch. But I don’t think they have the same volume and thickness as the
>> Roach cover so switching to the leather cover would require some
>tweaking
of
>> the padding that I’m using. I have finally figured out a padding combo
that
>> works well for me with the Roach cover and I’m reluctant to mess up a
>good
>> thing now that I’ve found it.
>>
>> Sewing a spandex sleeve under the leather seat cover like what Kris
>> mentioned Roach did for him on one of his Roach seat covers might be a
good
>> way to keep the leather seat cover on without needing to glue it to the
seat
>> base or add eyelets to lace it on. That spandex sleeve thing sounds
>like
a
>> good idea.
>>
>> john_childs
>>
>>
>> >From: “Neil Dunlop” <n.dunlop@kildrummy.co.uk>
>> >
>> >Someone mentioned that Roach has been bought over by Race Face I
>> >think. That being the case I wonder if we’ll continue to see small
>> >production
runs
>> >of such things as their seat covers. Time will tell I guess…
>> >There is
the
>> >relativly new alternative to the Roach cover availible on both the US
>and
>> >UK Unicycle.com:
>> [snip]
>>
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
>http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
>>
>>
_________________________________________________________________________-
__
>> rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu
>>

_________________________________________________________________________-
__
rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu

16

Christopher-

Are you able to post a photograph or e-mail me a photograph of your air-seat conversion? It sounds like it’s a work in progress but it also seems like it might be a good alternative to buying a Miyata seat with a handle that I probably wouldn’t use on my Coker.

Thanks.

-Greg

17

thanx Nathen,

18

Viscount Air

Greg:

I think the Coker would be well served by a handle- for protecting a computer, or releaving pressure on long rides. Without a handle of any sort, there is NO place to easly grab the air seat- which makes things a little wierd when getting in the sadle (for me, anyway).

If the camera works, I’ll post some pics in about 8 hours.

Later,

Christopher