Hello, I want to buy a quality unicycle and need some advice on what to
get, and hopefully where to buy it. I live in Austin Texas and I hope to
buy a unicycle locally this weekend. Anyone know of a good shop? My
budget is around $200 or so, not really firm. I don’t want anything
really fancy, but I would like something that’s reasonably durable, and
fun/easy to ride.
From what I’ve read so far, the most general purpose unicycle is the 24"
model. I want something to ride around the neighborhood on the street, and
possibly on some firmly packed dirt/gravel trails, and I’m not too
interested in tricks yet. I am 5’ 8 1/2" tall and weigh 165 lbs.
I learned how to ride about 20 years ago and have not been on a unicycle
since. I guess I was a fair cyclist at the time. I could ride for several
blocks without falling off and could make turns pretty easily around a
pool table (a college buddy of mine taught me how to ride in the dorm’s
basement, which had a pool table).
I am hoping I can just jump right back in it. Is it like getting back on a
bicycle? I guess we’ll see how it goes.
sdrfz@yahoo.com wrote: > > Hello, I want to buy a quality unicycle and need some advice on what to > get, and hopefully where to buy it. I live in Austin Texas and I hope to > buy a unicycle locally this weekend. Anyone know of a good shop?
sdrfz,
Are you opposed to buying from unicycle.com? It does take a few days for
it to come in the mail, but selection is way bigger than what a local shop
will have.
> sdrfz@yahoo.com wrote: > > > > Hello, I want to buy a quality unicycle and need some advice on > > what to get, and hopefully where to buy it. I live in Austin Texas > > and I hope to buy a unicycle locally this weekend. Anyone know of a > > good shop?
I know there are a bunch of local riders in Austin, so perhaps they can
help you out.
> Are you opposed to buying from unicycle.com? It does take a few days for > it to come in the mail, but selection is way bigger than what a local > shop will have.
I agree wholeheartedly. The selection is better and the service is great
at unicycle.com
As far as local stuff, probably the best quality unit available in most
locales would be a Schwinn. They’re heavy, but fairly sturdy (or so I’m
told, I haven’t had one myself).
This is true. I have 2 Schwinns, a 20" and a 24". I abuse them terribly
but they refuse to punish me for it. And yes, they are rather heavy. (But
then again so am I).
Raphael Lasar Matawan, NJ
> As far as local stuff, probably the best quality unit available in most > locales would be a Schwinn. They’re heavy, but fairly sturdy (or so I’m > told, I haven’t had one myself). > > Greg
Thanks to all for the advice. I got a 24" Schwinn from a local shop for
$169. So far I am very pleased with the unicycle. The shop didn’t have the
seat post extension, and they put the seat all the way up.
When I got home with it, I started to ride, and after about 15 minutes I
could go 10 feet inside my apartment on top of an oriental rug. I have not
ridden in about 20 years. I was thrilled with my progress so I went out to
this library and on the first ride I was able to go 50 feet. After 30
minutes I was up to 100-150 feet maximum. I was even doing some turns by
twisting my upper body. It was a blast! It was just like I remembered.
After a while, my knees started to buckle and I ran out of drinking water,
so I went home. It feels OK riding, but I wonder if I need the seat
extension, since my knees were buckling. My knees are slightly bent at
full extension. I am 5’ 8"".
