Ok, so last night I decided to modify my usual late-night return commute. Till now, I’ve been leaving downtown Seattle via a mile or so on the light rail train so as to avoid the seven or eight stop lights between my office and Airport Way. Even though my idling is still pathetic on the 36er, I figured that a combination of careful timing, controlled speed, and blatant flouting of existing traffic laws might, just might get me past the busy downtown section and onto those blissful twelve miles of relatively uncontrolled straightaways that take me home.
To my delight and amazement, moving through downtown ain’t hard at all! The stop lights’ cycle time is brief enough that it’s always easy to reach the next light when it’s green. It’s also VERY kewl to be at the same eye level as the truck and bus drivers–I collected a couple of nice double-takes, heh! I’m still not sure I’m ready to try this during rush hour, but since I don’t leave the office till 10:30 PM, and use a slightly different door-to-door route in the morning, no prob. The amazing thing is how fast the 36er has begun to “shrink” and feel really comfortable. Anyone in the market for a slightly used KH29? 
Sounds awesome. Did you get a brake for the 36". If I recall correctly you do not have one. Any thoughts on needing one. Any major hills that you are climbing/descending. I must say that big wheel looks fun! You need to sign up for Strava so we can follow your rides.
How much do you want for a “slightly used kh 29”?
YooNeeNoob, I kept track over your posts describing your adaptation and progress made with your KH 36" and it’s great hearing that the 36" changed your commute experience that much and in relatively short period!
This gives me lots of hope that my intention to use 36" uni (ordered but not yet received) would work nicely as well.
Can you please update what is your current average speed on the 36"?
Keep on updating - I’d love to hear more of your experience with the 36".
Cheers!
I’m curious on this “slightly used KH29” as well. How new is it? Cranks, saddle?
I have no brake, but I’m seriously thinking about putting on a disc for long / steep downhills.
Yeah, I guess I was half-joking about selling the KH29, but I seriously have not been on it once since getting the KH36 a couple weeks ago. I won’t put myself through the trauma of shipping it to someone, but I suppose if a local buyer wanted a KH badly, I might be able to part with it since it’s just taking up room in my place and I have no interest in muni.
DESCRIPTION: Bought new about 5-6 months ago. Stock KH29, Freeride saddle, 150/127mm KH cranks. The only upgrade I made is the Speedplay Drillium pedals. I like these pedals so much, I bought another pair for the KH36. If you really want the stock pedals, I can put them back on, but the Drilliums are very nice. I guess I’d sell the uni for 400 bux, but let me think about it for awhile–I had some great rides on that thing, and I’m not completely sure I want to sell it. 
btw: I’ll snap some pix of the 29er tomorrow sometime…
Thanx, and I know you’re going to seriously HEART your new 36er! On the question of speed, I’m happy to report that mine keeps increasing as my riding technique improves. Right out of the box, I was cruising for sustained intervals at 11-12 MPH on the 150mm cranks, but I think I must have picked up a little speed lately, because I’m turning in some commute times that are frankly scaring me a little 
… Pushing hard, I can cover the 14 miles to my office on a regular bike in about 50 minutes. My last run on the 36er for this same course only took 1hr, 9 mins–that’s including having to slow down for the half-dozen stoplights and whatever. I’ll probably pick up a little more speed if / when I learn the shorter cranks. For fun, I’ll do an actual timed run on the course I’ve chosen for tomorrow. If the weather is nice, I’m going to try a nice little 30-miler over a mainly flat course–should be great. I’ve already turned a half-century on it and am astonished at the increase in comfort and efficiency. I should mention that I’m using the t-handle, which I think really helps in this area.
–Let us know how you like your new uni! :o
Forgot to mention: As far as speed goes, I’m really not too stressed about the numbers. For me, the fact that I’m moving at a useful speed is enough, since all I ever wanted to do on a unicycle is transport myself in a fun, alternate way. 
Oh the day you knock that 9 min off, and make it in an even hour or less will be a day to celebrate indeed. Good luck!
pm about the 29er forsale if you are serious
If knox ends up not wanting it, I’d like to be next in line. 
Was planning to drop 700 USD for a new KH29 off UDC in the next couple weeks anyway!
Sweet! he may have that 36 partally payed for quick!
Hey Noob, you mentioned that you have no intention of ever doing Muni. Just curious why not…It really is great, great fun and a fantastic workout. It’s just exhilarating.
Also interested in your 36 adventures. I am thinking of building up a true road 29er like Unigeezer’s for my commute. I’m fairly strong on a unicycle, but am a bit iffy about my commute on the 36 given that there are several places on the way which require some tight turns, and a few good hills. Can you describe your commute?
…yeah, I guess I feel about muni the same way I felt about cyclocross and single-track racing which I tried a few times: they’re a great workout but just too violent, jarring and dangerous to give me much pleasure. It’s weird, because I actually did quite well in the few off-road cycling races I tried, but I just liked road riding more. In those days, I felt strongly that the outcome of a race should be contingent only on the fitness of my legs and lungs vs. the other guys’ legs and lungs, NOT on accidental things like: “…OMG! Look out for that root!” or “…Shit, I just busted a chainstay going over that last jump! Heeeelp!!”
…you know what I mean? A fitness test, not a skills / coordination / luck test.
Sher…it’s six miles of twisty, meandering bike path with a fun tunnel and two small bridges over a river, then a one-mile section of 2-lane highway with trucks that used to scare me but not so much anymore (judging from all the friendly “toot-toots” I get, the truckers seem to really like the uni! ;). This is followed by a couple of miles along an airport perimeter road…very nice, low traffic, and I sometimes stop at the roach coach for a coffee and a crotch break :o, but usually I just blow past this halfway point and into an urban section where I have to correctly time my approach to four separate stop lights or risk a dismount–not a big deal, getting much better at free mounting the 36.
After that, it’s up and over the railroad yards via a nice, low-angled bridge, through a bit more downtown traffic, then finally out to the Seattle waterfront port road which is a couple of miles of uninterrupted cruising along a tourist-worthy stretch of pretty commercial piers and a spanking new promenade / pedestrian path that follows the new light rail line. Very fun.
Here’s a tip I found helpful: On a unicycle, you don’t just pick a new route and go for it, like on a bike. Rather, you learn a route, familiarizing yourself with all its little quirks and challenges…the big potholes, that set of ugly train tracks, the sections used mainly by trucks, etc… After you’ve done a particular route a few times, it just gets eaier and easier. Sounds like you’re already a more advanced rider than I, so you probably already know this stuff…
Anyway, HAVE FUN, and post some snaps of your new space ship when it’s done!
Here are a coiuple of pix of my now-idle 29er:
btw: one other tip I have always found very helpful when cycling on public streets is to comport yourself with confidence, defending the section of road that has been legally alloted to you. Don’t be cocky or abusive to motorists, but don’t be overly timid either. Never threaten another’s right of way, and you’ll live to ride another day–hey, that rhymes! hahahahaha!