I’ve decided that the 29-er is my favourite unicycle and I think it’s time to
upgrade.
Currently I’m using a standard 700c Nimbus rim (a couple of years old, the old type
so fairly thin), Nimbus round 28" frame, Notos 700 x 2.1" tyre and 150mm cranks.
The rim is out of true, probably untrueable as the rim seems a bit kinked; but it’s
been that way for some time and rides ok, with just a little tyre rubbing on very
steep climbs.
The bearings are also shot, but again have been for some time and seem to ride ok.
The tyre is in need of replacing with a dodgy wear on the sidewall that causes
punctures, currently patched with a piece of old inner tube.
My first priority is to get a new tyre and I’ve a lot of good things about the big
apple 29-er tyre.
This will necessitate a bigger frame which will bring the cost to around £50, which
is all I can afford for now.
So my first question is-
[b]
is the Big Apple really a significantly better ride than a smaller 29-er tyre like
the 2.1" Notos.
i.e. is it as much an improvement as the Notos is over a standard 28" tyre? [/b]
(if anyone addresses this could they also say how much expereience they have on both types of tyre, and, if they consider the big apple to be a significant improvement, try to explain in what way it is better)
Also, recently there was some issue over the apple sidewalls wearing out quickly? does anyone have any updates on this?
Next, when funds are available I’m going to want a new wheel.
Probably the cheapest option is a 700c Nimbus built by unicycle.uk.com.
Another possibility is to buy a hub and rim and build it myself.
I think, if possible I’d prefer a wider rim than the current one. I don’t need the
top-of-the-range super strong 29-er rim, as I’m mainly interested in distance and
fairly mild muni, i.e. no big drops.
So my second question is-
[b]Where, in the UK, can I get a 29-er rim
and-
what are good models of rim for this purpose[/b]
Obviously, local bike shops could possibly order something, but, where I am, LBS’
don’t really seem on top of things with strange tyres; recently one of them denied
that 29" tyres existed, despite me explaining what a 29" tyre was and that I
actually owned one.
If I do go the lbs route it’s going to be a lot easier if I know some specific
brand names of 29" tyres.
Last question-
For inner tubes I prefer something rated as 700c x 35-45, however these seem to be in short supply at all my local bike shops.
Generally they try to convince me that a 700c x 35-40 will suffice; is this true?
On a related note I see that unicycle.uk.com stocks some nice looking 29" tubes, but they only come with Presta valves- where in the UK can I get a tube specifically for 29-ers, but with a schraeder valve?
Thanks in advance for any help with these