Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, I am proceding with the project.
Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free to respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us with your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting themselves to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more opinions that I have, the better the Uni will be! The goal is to make this Ultimate Big Wheel available and affordable for anyone who wants one!
Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started with tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining tire charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may help make the tire fast, light, and comfortable.
I know you are asking for tire characteristics but I would think that is what the tire manufacturers would give you. If this is to be an off-road tire it would be nice to have it big and fat like the Coker. If it is strictly for distance riding on the road, a smaller cross-section and thinner walls become desirable to lighten it up. That would loosen the restrictions on the wheel and make it possible to lighten it up a bit, too.
The reachable market will eventually come into play. Seat posts are cheap so the design should be one with the smallest possible fork crown to seat post clamp transition and seat posts should be available in 1" increments or so or just be sold to be cut to length by the buyer. The distance from the top of the seat clamp to the inside top of the crown on a Coker is 4.5". This could be reduced to 2" with an incremental seat post design. That gets you 2.5" less on the inseam of the potential buyer. That also gives you a 5" larger diameter wheel that will reach the same market.
If the wheel is light enough to be adequately controlled with shorter cranks, that gets some inseam back for you, too. The Coker uses 6" cranks which are really quite easy to pump on the big boys. Some 5.5" cranks would get you another 0.5" of inseam or another 1" of wheel diameter.
These two modifications would allow one to make a unicycle with a 42" wheel that has the potential of reaching the same market as the Coker. That is if the wheel is not too difficult to pedal with the shorter cranks.
Maybe you don’t care about reaching the same market. If not, my inseam is 35" and I would happily take a 46" wheel with room to spare and let those with a 34" inseam EAT MY DUST!
Are you talking about a big “ultimate wheel” or the “ultimate” big wheel?
Assuming you mean a large wheeled unicycle I have the following thoughts.
I’m quite happy with my 36" Coker. If I could improve upon it without
regard to price I’d do the following:
40" wheel (maybe larger?)
wider hub
lightweight alloy rim
lightweight alloy cranks
thinner double butted spokes
lighter, higher performance street tire.
The frame also should be lighter and more rigid. For gliding (someday I’ll
learn how) it is probably important to avoid the sloping crown that the
Coker has. I’m not sure if this is even practical though given how close
the seat is to the crown for most users.
On downhill runs I’ve sometimes wished for a brake. That would be a
welcome option. Especially if the wheel is larger than that of the Coker.
Perhaps some way to set the brake to provide constant drag.
I think the tube/tire is the biggest problem. Some people will want
light, high pressure street tires while others may want a more
aggressive tread pattern for off-road. I believe that the Coker tire is
a reasonable compromise that works OK in both. Since I rarely use my
Coker off-road I find the tire too wide and heavy. The “ultimate” big
wheeled unicycle would optimally have at least three tire choices to
accomodate different uses.
And finally the seat needs to be such that 1-2 hours of riding don’t cause
numbness/pain.
Keep us informed about your progress and if you need anyone to test
prototypes let me be the first to volunteer!
-mg
“dan” <forum.member@unicyclist.com> wrote in message news:9qg1mu$l18$1@laurel.tc.umn.edu… > Hi All, > > Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, I > am proceding with the project. > > Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free to > respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us > with your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting > themselves to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more opinions > that I have, the better the Uni will be! The goal is to make this > Ultimate Big Wheel available and affordable for anyone who wants one! > > Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started with > tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are > intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining tire > charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may help > make the tire fast, light, and comfortable. > > Let me know your thoughts. > > Dan > > > > > – > dan Posted via the Unicyclist Community - http://unicyclist.com/forums
> pattern for off-road. I believe that the Coker tire is a reasonable > compromise that works OK in both. Since I rarely use my Coker off-road I > find the tire too wide and heavy.
I would note that if you get a tire that’s too skinny, you lose the
advantage of the air. In other words, if you have a racing bike-type tire
on there, you’ll have to pump it up to the equivalent feel of the hard
(non-pneumatic) wheelchair rubber on my Tom Miller wheel.
Though the large volume of the Coker’s tire makes it more heavy and
ungainly, that same largeness is what gives you the sweet ride. That ride
is what separates it from my old Tom Miller wheel.
I’d suggest that anything smaller than about 1.5" would require too high a
pressure and lose the advantage of air.
If I had a Coker, it would be used for road riding. My kind of off-road
trails are mostly too much for such a big wheel (and the short cranks I’d
have on it). I think for road riding I’d enjoy a wide tire like the Coker,
but with more of a point or a center ridge on it. This would make it roll
and turn with much less resistance, but still have the cushion.
> > pattern for off-road. I believe that the Coker tire is a reasonable > > compromise that works OK in both. Since I rarely use my Coker off-road > > I find the tire too wide and heavy. > > I would note that if you get a tire that’s too skinny, you lose the > advantage of the air. In other words, if you have a racing bike-type > tire on there, you’ll have to pump it up to the equivalent feel of the > hard (non-pneumatic) wheelchair rubber on my Tom Miller wheel. > > Though the large volume of the Coker’s tire makes it more heavy and > ungainly, that same largeness is what gives you the sweet ride. That > ride is what separates it from my old Tom Miller wheel. > > I’d suggest that anything smaller than about 1.5" would require too high > a pressure and lose the advantage of air. > > If I had a Coker, it would be used for road riding. My kind of off-road > trails are mostly too much for such a big wheel (and the short cranks > I’d have on it). I think for road riding I’d enjoy a wide tire like the > Coker, but with more of a point or a center ridge on it. This would make > it roll and turn with much less resistance, but still have the cushion. > > Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com > www.unicycling.com > > “Freedom is not free”
EchoingJohn’s advice, another point is that the larger the tire patch, the
easier the wheel is to ride. Of course the larger tire patch makes it more
difficult to roll so it’s a trade off. For a Coker sized wheel with a
relatively large moment of inertia, tire patch size could probably be
optimized for rolling rather than stability, but then John’s point of
pneumaticity cuts in, so it’s a complex decision.
I like the fat comfy tire on the Coker. A skinny tire designed like a
touring bike tire would not give anywhere near the same easy comfy ride as
the Coker tire. The main disadvantage with the Coker tire is that it is
not designed for higher pressure. A tire that can be rated for 60 or 70
psi yet still be ridable at 35 psi for those of use who like the more
comfy lower pressure ride would be cool. Something with lots of rubber so
it lasts longer would also be a plus.
The Coker tire isn’t necessarily a real heavy tire. It’s the steel rim
that makes the Coker wheel so heavy. Get a good quality alloy rim for your
ultimate big wheel and don’t worry too much about shaving a lot of weight
on the tire itself. I’d rather have a strong durable tire than a
lightweight racing tire.
A foldable tire with a kevlar bead would be cool. But probably not
realistic. Having it foldable would make it easier to pack, store and
ship. And would make it lighter too.
john_childs
>From: dan <forum.member@unicyclist.com> > >Hi All, > >Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, I am >proceding with the project. > >Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free to >respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us with >your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting themselves >to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more opinions that I have, >the better the Uni will be! The goal is to make this Ultimate Big Wheel >available and affordable for anyone who wants one! > >Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started with >tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are >intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining tire >charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may help make >the tire fast, light, and comfortable. > >Let me know your thoughts. > >Dan >
I agree with John Childs, the Coker tyre needs to be designed for higher
pressure and that would be almost the only improvement I would give it. A
smooth road tyre style tread might be nice for high speed road work, but
that would stop me doing Muni on mine, I would like a bigger wheel,
probably a 40" (I would have then though that a slightly lighter
combination would be needed then but it would need proving). I would
definitely not want a centre smooth section as John Foss suggested, when
cornering at 16mph you really lean and if you rolled off a centre ridge
it would be very hairy! The grip and momentum provided by the present
configuration is what gives the Coker its ability to get a good speed. I
personally do not have a problem pushing the cranks up to speeds in
excess of 20mph even when they are as small at 110mm. The wheel at speed
does not wobble like light weigh skinny combinations I have seen allowing
the wheel to be spun to a higher speed. In my experience a Coker can
easily out perform a Sem 43" for speed due to this every time. Just my
two penny’s worth
Roger
The UK's Unicycle Source
<a href="http://www.unicycle.uk.com/">http://www.unicycle.uk.com/</a>
> I like the fat comfy tire on the Coker. A skinny tire designed like a > touring bike tire would not give anywhere near the same easy comfy > ride as the Coker tire. The main disadvantage with the Coker tire is > that it is
not > designed for higher pressure. A tire that can be rated for 60 or 70 psi
yet > still be ridable at 35 psi for those of use who like the more comfy > lower pressure ride would be cool. Something with lots of rubber so it > lasts longer would also be a plus. > > The Coker tire isn’t necessarily a real heavy tire. It’s the steel rim
that > makes the Coker wheel so heavy. Get a good quality alloy rim for > your ultimate big wheel and don’t worry too much about shaving a lot > of weight
on > the tire itself. I’d rather have a strong durable tire than a > lightweight racing tire. > > A foldable tire with a kevlar bead would be cool. But probably not > realistic. Having it foldable would make it easier to pack, store and
ship. > And would make it lighter too. > > john_childs > > >From: dan <forum.member@unicyclist.com> > > > >Hi All, > > > >Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, I > >am proceding with the project. > > > >Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free > >to respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us > >with your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting > >themselves to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more opinions > >that I have, the better the Uni will be! The goal is to make this > >Ultimate Big Wheel available and affordable for anyone who wants one! > > > >Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started > >with tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are > >intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining > >tire charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may > >help make the tire fast, light, and comfortable. > > > >Let me know your thoughts. > > > >Dan > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at > http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
Ditto here. I want a lighter rim, a stiffer frame, and a slightly wider
hub. Not a thinner tire. That’s because I want to be able to use this
offroad as well as on. My ideal Coker would also have a 40" wheel, but
36" is ok.
—Nathan
“Roger” <Roger@unicycle.uk.com> wrote in message news:00cd01c156f3$023bce00$75af6bd5@p400… > I agree with John Childs, the Coker tyre needs to be designed for higher > pressure and that would be almost the only improvement I would give it. > A smooth road tyre style tread might be nice for high speed road work, > but that would stop me doing Muni on mine, I would like a bigger wheel,
probably > a 40" (I would have then though that a slightly lighter > combination would
be > needed then but it would need proving). I would definitely not want a > centre smooth section as John Foss suggested, when cornering at 16mph > you really lean and if you rolled off a centre ridge it would be very > hairy! The grip and momentum provided by the present configuration is > what gives the Coker its ability to get a good speed. I personally do > not have a problem pushing the cranks up to speeds in excess of 20mph > even when they are as small at 110mm. The wheel at speed does not wobble > like light
weigh > skinny combinations I have seen allowing the wheel to be spun to a > higher speed. In my experience a Coker can easily out perform a > Sem 43" for
speed > due to this every time. Just my two penny’s worth > > Roger >
> ----- Original Message ----- From: “John Childs” > <john_childs@hotmail.com> To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: > Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:44 AM Subject: Re: Ultimate Big Wheel > > > > I like the fat comfy tire on the Coker. A skinny tire designed like > > a touring bike tire would not give anywhere near the same easy > > comfy ride
as > > the Coker tire. The main disadvantage with the Coker tire is > > that it is > not > > designed for higher pressure. A tire that can be rated for 60 or > > 70 psi > yet > > still be ridable at 35 psi for those of use who like the more comfy
lower > > pressure ride would be cool. Something with lots of rubber so it lasts > > longer would also be a plus. > > > > The Coker tire isn’t necessarily a real heavy tire. It’s the steel rim > that > > makes the Coker wheel so heavy. Get a good quality alloy rim for your > > ultimate big wheel and don’t worry too much about shaving a lot of
weight > on > > the tire itself. I’d rather have a strong durable tire than a
lightweight > > racing tire. > > > > A foldable tire with a kevlar bead would be cool. But probably not > > realistic. Having it foldable would make it easier to pack, store and > ship. > > And would make it lighter too. > > > > john_childs > > > > >From: dan <forum.member@unicyclist.com> > > > > > >Hi All, > > > > > >Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, > > >I am proceding with the project. > > > > > >Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free
to > > >respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us > > >with your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting > > >themselves to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more > > >opinions that I have, the better the Uni will be! The goal is to > > >make this Ultimate Big Wheel available and affordable for anyone who > > >wants one! > > > > > >Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started
with > > >tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are > > >intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining
tire > > >charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may help > > >make the tire fast, light, and comfortable. > > > > > >Let me know your thoughts. > > > > > >Dan > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
Ditto here. I want a lighter rim, a stiffer frame, and a slightly wider
hub. Not a thinner tire. That’s because I want to be able to use this
offroad as well as on. My ideal Coker would also have a 40" wheel, but
36" is ok.
—Nathan
“Roger” <Roger@unicycle.uk.com> wrote in message news:00cd01c156f3$023bce00$75af6bd5@p400… > I agree with John Childs, the Coker tyre needs to be designed for higher > pressure and that would be almost the only improvement I would give it. > A smooth road tyre style tread might be nice for high speed road work, > but that would stop me doing Muni on mine, I would like a bigger wheel,
probably > a 40" (I would have then though that a slightly lighter > combination would
be > needed then but it would need proving). I would definitely not want a > centre smooth section as John Foss suggested, when cornering at 16mph > you really lean and if you rolled off a centre ridge it would be very > hairy! The grip and momentum provided by the present configuration is > what gives the Coker its ability to get a good speed. I personally do > not have a problem pushing the cranks up to speeds in excess of 20mph > even when they are as small at 110mm. The wheel at speed does not wobble > like light
weigh > skinny combinations I have seen allowing the wheel to be spun to a > higher speed. In my experience a Coker can easily out perform a > Sem 43" for
speed > due to this every time. Just my two penny’s worth > > Roger >
> ----- Original Message ----- From: “John Childs” > <john_childs@hotmail.com> To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: > Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:44 AM Subject: Re: Ultimate Big Wheel > > > > I like the fat comfy tire on the Coker. A skinny tire designed like > > a touring bike tire would not give anywhere near the same easy > > comfy ride
as > > the Coker tire. The main disadvantage with the Coker tire is > > that it is > not > > designed for higher pressure. A tire that can be rated for 60 or > > 70 psi > yet > > still be ridable at 35 psi for those of use who like the more comfy
lower > > pressure ride would be cool. Something with lots of rubber so it lasts > > longer would also be a plus. > > > > The Coker tire isn’t necessarily a real heavy tire. It’s the steel rim > that > > makes the Coker wheel so heavy. Get a good quality alloy rim for your > > ultimate big wheel and don’t worry too much about shaving a lot of
weight > on > > the tire itself. I’d rather have a strong durable tire than a
lightweight > > racing tire. > > > > A foldable tire with a kevlar bead would be cool. But probably not > > realistic. Having it foldable would make it easier to pack, store and > ship. > > And would make it lighter too. > > > > john_childs > > > > >From: dan <forum.member@unicyclist.com> > > > > > >Hi All, > > > > > >Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, > > >I am proceding with the project. > > > > > >Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free
to > > >respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us > > >with your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting > > >themselves to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more > > >opinions that I have, the better the Uni will be! The goal is to > > >make this Ultimate Big Wheel available and affordable for anyone who > > >wants one! > > > > > >Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started
with > > >tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are > > >intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining
tire > > >charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may help > > >make the tire fast, light, and comfortable. > > > > > >Let me know your thoughts. > > > > > >Dan > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
Ditto here. I want a lighter rim, a stiffer frame, and a slightly wider
hub. Not a thinner tire. That’s because I want to be able to use this
offroad as well as on. My ideal Coker would also have a 40" wheel, but
36" is ok.
—Nathan
“Roger” <Roger@unicycle.uk.com> wrote in message news:00cd01c156f3$023bce00$75af6bd5@p400… > I agree with John Childs, the Coker tyre needs to be designed for higher > pressure and that would be almost the only improvement I would give it. > A smooth road tyre style tread might be nice for high speed road work, > but that would stop me doing Muni on mine, I would like a bigger wheel,
probably > a 40" (I would have then though that a slightly lighter > combination would
be > needed then but it would need proving). I would definitely not want a > centre smooth section as John Foss suggested, when cornering at 16mph > you really lean and if you rolled off a centre ridge it would be very > hairy! The grip and momentum provided by the present configuration is > what gives the Coker its ability to get a good speed. I personally do > not have a problem pushing the cranks up to speeds in excess of 20mph > even when they are as small at 110mm. The wheel at speed does not wobble > like light
weigh > skinny combinations I have seen allowing the wheel to be spun to a > higher speed. In my experience a Coker can easily out perform a > Sem 43" for
speed > due to this every time. Just my two penny’s worth > > Roger >
> ----- Original Message ----- From: “John Childs” > <john_childs@hotmail.com> To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: > Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:44 AM Subject: Re: Ultimate Big Wheel > > > > I like the fat comfy tire on the Coker. A skinny tire designed like > > a touring bike tire would not give anywhere near the same easy > > comfy ride
as > > the Coker tire. The main disadvantage with the Coker tire is > > that it is > not > > designed for higher pressure. A tire that can be rated for 60 or > > 70 psi > yet > > still be ridable at 35 psi for those of use who like the more comfy
lower > > pressure ride would be cool. Something with lots of rubber so it lasts > > longer would also be a plus. > > > > The Coker tire isn’t necessarily a real heavy tire. It’s the steel rim > that > > makes the Coker wheel so heavy. Get a good quality alloy rim for your > > ultimate big wheel and don’t worry too much about shaving a lot of
weight > on > > the tire itself. I’d rather have a strong durable tire than a
lightweight > > racing tire. > > > > A foldable tire with a kevlar bead would be cool. But probably not > > realistic. Having it foldable would make it easier to pack, store and > ship. > > And would make it lighter too. > > > > john_childs > > > > >From: dan <forum.member@unicyclist.com> > > > > > >Hi All, > > > > > >Due to the interest I received from the “high end big wheel” thread, > > >I am proceding with the project. > > > > > >Everyone who is remotely interested in a high end Big Wheel feel free
to > > >respond. Please do not let costs affect your wanting to enlighten us > > >with your thoughts and opinions. No one, by any means is commiting > > >themselves to this project by sharing your thoughts. The more > > >opinions that I have, the better the Uni will be! The goal is to > > >make this Ultimate Big Wheel available and affordable for anyone who > > >wants one! > > > > > >Due to the pneumatic tire being the biggest expense, I have started
with > > >tire manufactures. I have contacted a number of them. Several are > > >intersted. Before I go any further, I need your help in determining
tire > > >charactoristics that we are looking for. Whatever you think may help > > >make the tire fast, light, and comfortable. > > > > > >Let me know your thoughts. > > > > > >Dan > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
My interest in exploring the need for a ultimate big wheel came about when I started training for a century on my Cocker. I completed two 75 mile rides before attempting the century. I fell short on the day of the century, completing 75 miles.
Truthfully there were many contributors to my failure, however, the biggest is the cumbersome,heavy,unforgiving unicycle I tried to do it on! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! I compare it to riding my first century on my Schwin Varsity although the appropriate comparison is probably a Huffy. The high performance, over the road unicyle has not evolved yet. We will all be laughing at the “remember when” stories refering to the Cocker the same as we do the Schwin Varsitys.
This is where I come in. I’m not willing to wait. I want it now! The advent of the Cocker has brought about many distance enthusiasts. Simply put, long milege is far to difficult on the old hard rubber wheels. The tour across Minnisota, and the Europian tour probably would not have happend without the Cocker. A more evolved, higher end big wheel will bring about even more long distance enthusiasts. It will be more comfortable, faster, and most importantly, more fun!
For right now I’m concentrating on a road tire. High pressure, high performance, 40-42 inches high, and aprox. 1.5 inches wide.
A high pressure 1.5" tire might be too skinny to keep the unicycle stable
at speed and while turning. I think a fatter tire in the 2" range would
work better to help keep the unicycle going in a straight line when
pedaling quickly. One nice thing about the Coker is that it doesn’t
zig-zag back and forth as you pedal. I’ve tried unicycles with skinny
tires and they have a greater tendency to wobble or zig-zag.
One thing you could do is try a variety of 26" tires in various widths,
shapes, pressures, etc. There is a wide variety of 26" tires so it makes a
good size to experiment with. You could try some 26" tires and try to
extrapolate how they would feel in a larger wheel. I think you might find
that a high pressure 1.5" tire would be too twitchy.
And keep in mind how you turn on the Coker at speed. It turns differently
than a 26" wheel.
john_childs
>From: dan <forum.member@unicyclist.com> > >My interest in exploring the need for a ultimate big wheel came about >when I started training for a century on my Cocker. I completed two 75 >mile rides before attempting the century. I fell short on the day of the >century, completing 75 miles. > >Truthfully there were many contributors to my failure, however, the >biggest is the cumbersome,heavy,unforgiving unicycle I tried to do it on! >That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! I compare it to riding my first >century on my Schwin Varsity although the appropriate comparison is >probably a Huffy. The high performance, over the road unicyle has not >evolved yet. We will all be laughing at the “remember when” stories >refering to the Cocker the same as we do the Schwin Varsitys. > >This is where I come in. I’m not willing to wait. I want it now! The >advent of the Cocker has brought about many distance enthusiasts. Simply >put, long milege is far to difficult on the old hard rubber wheels. The >tour across Minnisota, and the Europian tour probably would not have >happend without the Cocker. A more evolved, higher end big wheel will >bring about even more long distance enthusiasts. It will be more >comfortable, faster, and most importantly, more fun! > >For right now I’m concentrating on a road tire. High pressure, high >performance, 40-42 inches high, and aprox. 1.5 inches wide. > > >Dan
It is worth noting that the Minnesota ride using primarily 28" unicycles
not Coker’s. It was a lesson though and the European ride was
exclusively 36".
roger
The UK's Unicycle Source
<a href="http://www.unicycle.uk.com/">http://www.unicycle.uk.com/</a>
> My interest in exploring the need for a ultimate big wheel came about > when I started training for a century on my Cocker. I completed two 75 > mile rides before attempting the century. I fell short on the day of the > century, completing 75 miles. > > Truthfully there were many contributors to my failure, however, the > biggest is the cumbersome,heavy,unforgiving unicycle I tried to do it > on! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! I compare it to riding my > first century on my Schwin Varsity although the appropriate comparison > is probably a Huffy. The high performance, over the road unicyle has not > evolved yet. We will all be laughing at the “remember when” stories > refering to the Cocker the same as we do the Schwin Varsitys. > > This is where I come in. I’m not willing to wait. I want it now! The > advent of the Cocker has brought about many distance enthusiasts. Simply > put, long milege is far to difficult on the old hard rubber wheels. The > tour across Minnisota, and the Europian tour probably would not have > happend without the Cocker. A more evolved, higher end big wheel will > bring about even more long distance enthusiasts. It will be more > comfortable, faster, and most importantly, more fun! > > For right now I’m concentrating on a road tire. High pressure, high > performance, 40-42 inches high, and aprox. 1.5 inches wide. > > > Dan > > > > > – > dan Posted via the Unicyclist Community - http://unicyclist.com/forums
My 29" wheel with a 700c by 2.0" tyre is significantly nicer to ride than
its previous incarnation as a 27" by 1 3/8". Also IRC and WTB must have
some experience in changing their jigs to make up these new 29" tyres from
their 26" equivalents…
I agree here it is a lovely machine, fast and nice to ride. And
very light.
Roger
The UK's Unicycle Source
<a href="http://www.unicycle.uk.com/">http://www.unicycle.uk.com/</a>
----- Original Message ----- From: “LEOFWHITE” <leofwhite@aol.com> To:
<unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: Ultimate Big Wheel
> My 29" wheel with a 700c by 2.0" tyre is significantly nicer to > ride than
its > previous incarnation as a 27" by 1 3/8". Also IRC and WTB must have some > experience in changing their jigs to make
up > these new 29" tyres from their 26" equivalents… > > Leo White
I agree here it is a lovely machine, fast and nice to ride. And
very light.
Roger
The UK's Unicycle Source
<a href="http://www.unicycle.uk.com/">http://www.unicycle.uk.com/</a>
----- Original Message ----- From: “LEOFWHITE” <leofwhite@aol.com> To:
<unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: Ultimate Big Wheel
> My 29" wheel with a 700c by 2.0" tyre is significantly nicer to > ride than
its > previous incarnation as a 27" by 1 3/8". Also IRC and WTB must have some > experience in changing their jigs to make
up > these new 29" tyres from their 26" equivalents… > > Leo White
I agree here it is a lovely machine, fast and nice to ride. And
very light.
Roger
The UK's Unicycle Source
<a href="http://www.unicycle.uk.com/">http://www.unicycle.uk.com/</a>
----- Original Message ----- From: “LEOFWHITE” <leofwhite@aol.com> To:
<unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: Ultimate Big Wheel
> My 29" wheel with a 700c by 2.0" tyre is significantly nicer to > ride than
its > previous incarnation as a 27" by 1 3/8". Also IRC and WTB must have some > experience in changing their jigs to make
up > these new 29" tyres from their 26" equivalents… > > Leo White
Okay… I don’t know a whole hell of a lot about unicycles yet but
here goes. Dan DID say to not worry about expense for this
brain-storming session.
“IF” a larger tire diameter was desired then would it be possible to put a
double chain drive on it. Not like a giraffe because that would ruin a
spoke or two… or 36. But a chain on each fork.
???
Christopher
harper wrote: > > Dan- > > I know you are asking for tire characteristics but I would think that > is what the tire manufacturers would give you. If this is to be an > off-road tire it would be nice to have it big and fat like the Coker. > If it is strictly for distance riding on the road, a smaller > cross-section and thinner walls become desirable to lighten it up. That > would loosen the restrictions on the wheel and make it possible to > lighten it up a bit, too. > > The reachable market will eventually come into play. Seat posts are > cheap so the design should be one with the smallest possible fork crown > to seat post clamp transition and seat posts should be available in 1" > increments or so or just be sold to be cut to length by the buyer. The > distance from the top of the seat clamp to the inside top of the crown > on a Coker is 4.5". This could be reduced to 2" with an incremental seat > post design. That gets you 2.5" less on the inseam of the potential > buyer. That also gives you a 5" larger diameter wheel that will reach > the same market. > > If the wheel is light enough to be adequately controlled with shorter > cranks, that gets some inseam back for you, too. The Coker uses 6" > cranks which are really quite easy to pump on the big boys. Some 5.5" > cranks would get you another 0.5" of inseam or another 1" of wheel > diameter. > > These two modifications would allow one to make a unicycle with a 42" > wheel that has the potential of reaching the same market as the > Coker. That is if the wheel is not too difficult to pedal with the > shorter cranks. > > Maybe you don’t care about reaching the same market. If not, my inseam > is 35" and I would happily take a 46" wheel with room to spare and let > those with a 34" inseam EAT MY DUST! > > Good luck with this noble effort. > > – > harper Posted via the Unicyclist Community - > http://unicyclist.com/forums
–
“I never MET a man I didn’t like.” -Will Rogers
Read my short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&m-
anuscript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&-
srdt=9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=-
4000&s=735143750&folder=Search+Results
Okay… I don’t know a whole hell of a lot about unicycles yet but
here goes. Dan DID say to not worry about expense for this
brain-storming session.
“IF” a larger tire diameter was desired then would it be possible to put a
double chain drive on it. Not like a giraffe because that would ruin a
spoke or two… or 36. But a chain on each fork.
???
Also… the gear size could be an advantage as well.
Christopher
harper wrote: > > Dan- > > I know you are asking for tire characteristics but I would think that > is what the tire manufacturers would give you. If this is to be an > off-road tire it would be nice to have it big and fat like the Coker. > If it is strictly for distance riding on the road, a smaller > cross-section and thinner walls become desirable to lighten it up. That > would loosen the restrictions on the wheel and make it possible to > lighten it up a bit, too. > > The reachable market will eventually come into play. Seat posts are > cheap so the design should be one with the smallest possible fork crown > to seat post clamp transition and seat posts should be available in 1" > increments or so or just be sold to be cut to length by the buyer. The > distance from the top of the seat clamp to the inside top of the crown > on a Coker is 4.5". This could be reduced to 2" with an incremental seat > post design. That gets you 2.5" less on the inseam of the potential > buyer. That also gives you a 5" larger diameter wheel that will reach > the same market. > > If the wheel is light enough to be adequately controlled with shorter > cranks, that gets some inseam back for you, too. The Coker uses 6" > cranks which are really quite easy to pump on the big boys. Some 5.5" > cranks would get you another 0.5" of inseam or another 1" of wheel > diameter. > > These two modifications would allow one to make a unicycle with a 42" > wheel that has the potential of reaching the same market as the > Coker. That is if the wheel is not too difficult to pedal with the > shorter cranks. > > Maybe you don’t care about reaching the same market. If not, my inseam > is 35" and I would happily take a 46" wheel with room to spare and let > those with a 34" inseam EAT MY DUST! > > Good luck with this noble effort. > > – > harper Posted via the Unicyclist Community - > http://unicyclist.com/forums
–
“I never MET a man I didn’t like.” -Will Rogers
Read my short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&m-
anuscript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&-
srdt=9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=-
4000&s=735143750&folder=Search+Results
But a chain on each fork.