I’ve noticed that UDC US has recently started a trend selling ‘disc ready’ unicycles and I can’t help but think that this is a great idea. Rather than pay an extra hundred bucks up front to get a Bengal Helix or Tektro Augiro-whatchamacallit that are sub par brakes, you can get a blank canvas and put whatever brake you want on it.
For the TRP converts out there, this would save you money and time.
Makes me wonder if all of the Oracles that UDC sells wouldn’t be better off spec’d sans brake.
So what you’re really getting at is selling brakeless unis… Kind off like a few years ago when you had to add a brake if you wanted one because unite didn’t come with them. it sounds like a good idea to me.
so disc ready?. Does that mean it would come with the d- brake and the disc hub?
Sounds resaonable to me - I’d have considered buying such a thing if it wasn’t that I was trying to be a real cheapskate and already had a wheel (non disc, but I got Spirits). I certainly wouldn’t have bought a complete one with disc.
I’d wondered a little about this myself. It seems that Oracles sell very well, and I haven’t noticed a proportional amount of complaints from owners about the brake, even though Bengals and Tektros have gotten pretty dismal reviews in brake review topics. UDC is in a unique position to answer that question however, knowing the actual sales numbers, profit margins, number of service calls, complaints, and returns. And we are not.
I’ll say this: For someone who hasn’t had a disc brake uni before, it can be intimidating figuring out just which parts you need–various mounts and brackets particularly–and getting ones that work with each other and setting them up right; there’s the appeal of an Oracle with all the parts already there. Also, it could be that the average buyer doesn’t use a brake enough to have problems with the stock one (I doubt I do at this point) but needs a disc brake because it’s the thing to have now.
Seems like at least one or two prospective buyers asking questions on the forum were interested in a Kris Holm uni but were intimidated by the prospect of choosing a rotor, caliper, lever, lever mount, etc. But a package including all those things, with quality on par with the rest of the KH uni, might end up having an equally intimidating price.
I wouldn’t buy a “disc ready” unicycle, but it would be nice if they offered brake upgrades, for an appropriate surcharge.
That said - my Bengal brake has been fine on my Oracle for two years now, so I can’t really complain. I’m more worried about that d-brake adapter than about the brake. I wouldn’t buy another disc unicycle without proper disc mounts.
I’m with Eddie. I did get a brake for my 29" Oracle Road. It came disc ready and I was able to pick the Magura Disc brake as an option. Wasn’t sure if I wanted/needed one but went for it because I could have it installed by UDC. I didn’t want to spend time gathering parts and then trying to figure out how to install one.
So far I tried using the brake once which ended with me falling off the front. At this point I don’t think I needed one. Hopefully someday it will come in handy.
I’m with Eddie and Vertigo
I fancied a disc brake because hubbs has one on his pushb*ke. But I would not have a scooby doos about how to fit it.
At a group ride last weekend we were talking about brakes and do we really need them…I mentioned that I use my brake a lot when I’m stopped, talking to folk. I lean on my seat and it stops my unicycle from running away
Vertigo Stick at it with the brake, no pun intended :p. It’s very useful and saves wear and tear on the old legs
I would like to see oracles supplied without brakes but with kits provided from several different brands including spyres and some higher end hydraulics with the promise that they will work out the box and not have leg eating rotors.
That being said, fitting/changing a rotor on an oracle requires a bearing puller and likely a crank extractor for after purchase fitting. While the more mechanically inclined of us who have toolkits wouldn’t mind that, some buyers don’t know where to start and would have to take it to their LBS for fitting.
@Vertigo - When I ride down hills, my brakes take a lot of work off my knees. One of the downhills I ride is actually so steep that it requires both the brake and my knees and would overwhelm either on its own. When you become confidnt to use them, brakes become valuable tools in situations you would not necessarily expect.
Ah, good point. I don’t see a big problem with having to go to the LBS to get it fitted though, as it’s the sort of job even a LBS which has never seen a uni before shouldn’t have a problem with, and a lot of the people who don’t have those tools might need help fitting the brake anyway.
Agreed - I have done some extremely steep hills without a brake, but the control is difficult as you accelerate through the “dead spot”, whereas with a brake it’s a lot smoother. Mainly though it just saves the legs - I didn’t think I needed one that much, but my first ride with one I found the climbs so much easier because my legs weren’t tired out from the downhills.
Hello Vertigo, being able to use the brake is handy for cycling downhill in which case you tilt back slightly to avoid being thrown forward and pull upwards on the hand grip whilst feathering the brake with your middle finger or whatever fingers you prefer.
Wait until you get charlie horses in both quads from decending. Happened to me on one of my first Muni rides brakeless, and I was about ready to die. I couldn’t walk at all for about half an hour.
Not too steep, but I was about 5 miles into an 8 or 9 mile ride with abtou 2000 vetical climbing already.
I’m sure part of it was my inexperience, I hadn’t built up the leg muscles required yet, and I still got charlie horses on Grizzly peak last year even with a brake, but that was closer to 4000 feet.
