Of course, this is RSU, so anything goes, but I am particularly interested in hearing from “expert” unicycle hockey players on this one.
I have played uni hockey only occasionally, but have always used a 20" wheel for it. That is the wheel size on which I have the most control, until recently mostly riding forwards and idling.
In the past month I have started to develop quite good skills at riding backwards and changing directions readily; less so, but much better than before, mounting and idling “other” footed and going into and out of hopping without a dismount.
In addition to this, I’m also finding that these skills are all manageable on a 24" unicycle with a bit more effort.
So, with all this in mind, here’s the question:
For riders who are more or less equally skilled on 20" and 24" unicycles and who are good unicycle hockey players, which size wheel do you prefer and play most often with and why?
I play basketball, not hockey, but the issues should be similar. In
uni basketball, the 24s seem to do better than the 20s. They’re still
pretty manuverable, and the down-court speed winds up being important in
a lot of situations. The extra nimbleness of the 20 isn’t bad, and there
are people who are effective on 20s, but pretty much all of them say
“I need to get a 24”.
-Tom
given the improved downcourt speed of the 24 and the (perceived?) greater manueverability of the 20, is it a case of a 24 for the forwards and a 20 for the defenders?
or, if my understanding of positional play in unicycle hockey is at fault here, is it a case where some positions need a 24 and some positions a 20?
20" every time. 20" has much more manouverability in tight
situations (which happen frequently) and has much snappier
acceleration. Top speed doesn’t match 24", but hockey is one
thing that will improve your spinning. You’ll probably want
to investigate shortish cranks (nothing MikeFule-ish 102/110
is fine) cos otherwise you’ll be grounding out a lot.
Most top riders from the German Unicycle Hockey League seem
to use 20" (except specialist goalies) so that is enough
of an endorsement for me.
The flying effect caused by the “CRUNCH!” noise when a pedal hits the floor in a tight turn. Generally involves a cry of “aargh!” followed by cries of “ooooo, that smarts” (or words to that affect).
Supprisingly I’ve found I can do things playing hockey that would send me sprawling in normal riding. I’ve often had the pedal ground out during a tight turn and just carried on.
I expect it has something to do with Douglas Adams and the hockey taking your mind of the fact that you are supposed to be flying towards the floor.