Hi, Tammy Marsh suggested to me that somebody out there might have some
suggestions for me. I perform at rennaissance festivals and I would like to ride
a uni that actually looks period. I was thinking like a 26" wooden wheel with a
forged steel frame and cranks, something like that. Any ideas ? -Danny Fletcher
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
I have thought of this before. The reason that there are no period looking
unicycles about is because unicycles are modern history.
If you want historical authenticity there is no way around it. I would love to
see an all wooden uni though.
Why not go for barrell walking - always an interesting form of transport at
festivals and historically correct.
Wayne van Wijk wvanwijk@gil.com.au
juggle meetings in Australia www.go.to/juggle.aust
O—( >–|-o
Ouch! I just fell off my unicycle.
----- Original Message ----- From: “Fletcher, Danny”
<DFletcher@jetsolutions.com> To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Saturday, 11
March 2000 4:49 Subject: wagonwheel uni ?
> Hi, Tammy Marsh suggested to me that somebody out there might have some
> suggestions for me. I perform at rennaissance festivals and I would like to
> ride a uni that actually looks period. I was thinking like a 26" wooden wheel
> with a forged steel frame and
cranks,
> something like that. Any ideas ? -Danny Fletcher
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
Greetings
In message “Re: wagonwheel uni ?”, Wayne van Wijk wrote…
>I have thought of this before. The reason that there are no period looking
>unicycles about is because unicycles are modern history.
>
>If you want historical authenticity there is no way around it. I would love to
>see an all wooden uni though.
>
>Why not go for barrell walking - always an interesting form of transport at
>festivals and historically correct.
Many years ago – almost 20? – I built two wagon wheel unicycles. I must have
pictures of these somewhere. They are very heavy and hard to ride, and very
impressive too.
>Wayne van Wijk wvanwijk@gil.com.au
>
>juggle meetings in Australia www.go.to/juggle.aust
>_________________________
>
>O—( >–|-o
>
>Ouch! I just fell off my unicycle.
>________________________
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: “Fletcher, Danny”
><DFletcher@jetsolutions.com> To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Saturday, 11
>March 2000 4:49 Subject: wagonwheel uni ?
>
>
>> Hi, Tammy Marsh suggested to me that somebody out there might have some
>> suggestions for me. I perform at rennaissance festivals and I would like to
>> ride a uni that actually looks period. I was thinking like a 26" wooden
>> wheel with a forged steel frame and
>cranks,
>> something like that. Any ideas ? -Danny Fletcher
>>
>
>
>
Regards, Jack Halpern CJK Dictionary Publishing Society, http://www.kanji.org
Voice: +81-48-481-3103 Fax: +81-48-479-1323
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
Jack Wiley’s “the unicycle book” has a photo of a wagon wheel uni. it was built
by Rudy Young. Page 20 Brian Jack Halpern wrote in message
<200003120236.AA00305@mail.hinocatv.ne.jp>…
>Greetings
>
>In message “Re: wagonwheel uni ?”, Wayne van Wijk wrote…
> >I have thought of this before. The reason that there are no period
looking
> >unicycles about is because unicycles are modern history.
> >
> >If you want historical authenticity there is no way around it. I would
love
> >to see an all wooden uni though.
> >
> >Why not go for barrell walking - always an interesting form of transport
at
> >festivals and historically correct.
>
>Many years ago – almost 20? – I built two wagon wheel unicycles. I must
have
>pictures of these somewhere. They are very heavy and hard to ride, and very
>impressive too.
>
>
> >Wayne van Wijk wvanwijk@gil.com.au
> >
> >juggle meetings in Australia www.go.to/juggle.aust
> >_________________________
> >
> >O—( >–|-o
> >
> >Ouch! I just fell off my unicycle.
> >________________________
> >
> >----- Original Message ----- From: “Fletcher, Danny”
> ><DFletcher@jetsolutions.com> To: <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Saturday,
> >11 March 2000 4:49 Subject: wagonwheel uni ?
> >
> >
> >> Hi, Tammy Marsh suggested to me that somebody out there might have some
> >> suggestions for me. I perform at rennaissance festivals and I would like to
> >> ride a uni that actually looks period. I was thinking like a 26" wooden
> >> wheel with a forged steel frame and
> >cranks,
> >> something like that. Any ideas ? -Danny Fletcher
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>Regards, Jack Halpern CJK Dictionary Publishing Society, http://www.kanji.org
>Voice: +81-48-481-3103 Fax: +81-48-479-1323
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
I’ve had Tommy Miller (Unicycle Factory) describe wagon wheel unis that he has
made. He used full-sized wagon wheels, and said that the biggest problem was
bent cranks. It is so hard to start/stop such a massive wheel that he often
bent cranks.
David Maxfield Bainbridge Island, WA
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> Jack Wiley’s “the unicycle book” has a photo of a wagon wheel uni. it was
> built by Rudy Young.
> > >I have thought of this before. The reason that there are no period
> looking unicycles about is because unicycles are modern history.
Unicycles started around 1870, and grew out of highwheeled bicycles. So the
earliest ones had metal rims with metal spokes, very large wheels, and probably
handlebars instead of seats. Watch out when your legs get tired… ouch!
One of the difficulties in getting/making a wagon wheel unicycle is that I think
most designs of “standard” wooden wagon wheel are very wide at the hub. Bill
Jenack also had a wooden wagon wheel, which was one of the first big wheels I
rode, back in 1982. I remember getting it into a turn but not being able to get
it out! Bill’s wheel was made by an Amish wagon guy, but I think he had to do
some things different from his usual wheels, at least around the hub. Tom Miller
made the frame, out of heavy steel to make it also look “retro”. As far as I
know, JeanPaul Jenack still has this unicycle and it’s still in rideable
condition.
You can see Bill ride it in the video “Unicycle”, which the USA used to sell. We
would like to keep selling it but we can’t seem to get in touch with it’s maker,
Cory Riback.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
“New quote needed.”
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> What in th world is a giraffe BC wheel? I can’t imagine it.
I can, but I can’t imagine riding it…
Basically I see a stick coming up from the axle of a wheel, and you (or some
other nutcase) standing on top of it. Perhaps the stick is “T” shaped, to give
your feet something more to stand on.
Bon appetit!
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> There is no technology in the average unicycle which did not exist in 1533.
Not to get technical, but most of the technology in today’s unicycles did not
exist then. Ball bearings, tension-spoked wheels, pneumatic tires, etc. But I
know what you meant.
Does anyone remember seeing the unicycle in the movie Time Bandits? It’s on
screen for about 3 seconds, in a little variety show where they’re trying to
keep Napoleon entertained. The unicycle doesn’t get ridden, but it’s there, with
a solid wood wheel.
I think a solid wood wheel would make a striking visual appearance. If you keep
the wheel fairly small, it wouldn’t be too heavy, and it would be easier to
transport and store. This is another possible design. Though you can try using a
wooden frame as well, that’s probably not going to be useful if you actually
want to perform with it. You can use conventional materials and bang them up,
then paint them black. The hard part will be your crank arms and pedals. You can
paint the cranks black, and try to find some ugly looking old block pedals.
It won’t fool anybody who knows anything about cycles, but it will look retro
and should be a fun addition to any (but the most anal) renaissance festival.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> I’ve had Tommy Miller (Unicycle Factory) describe wagon wheel unis that he has
> made. He used full-sized wagon wheels, and said that the biggest problem was
> bent cranks. It is so hard to start/stop such a massive wheel that he often
> bent cranks.
Actually the cranks get bent from the things falling over. This is an issue with
any big wheel, but more so with a heavy wagon wheel. When you dismount a big
wheel, if you don’t catch the seat the unicycle falls over and lands with all of
its weight more or less centered on the pedal.
My big wheel has had the cranks bent, and then unbent with a sledgehammer (after
removing crank from axle) so many times it’s amazing they still work!
I remember also seeing Tom Miller ride an ultimate big wheel. At one of the
Redford Mini Meets he had a wagon wheel with no frame or seat. it was a giant
ultimate wheel! Talk about putting your crotch at risk…! A picture of that
would make a nice addition to my ‘Things not to do’ page.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
“New quote needed”
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> Imagine a unicyclist balanced on a platform that is supported by a BC
> wheel’s axle.
>
> O --*-- <-- Balancing unicyclist
> |
> * / \ ----- <-- Standing platform - top view could be square \ / O <–
> BC wheel
I like Ken’s version better than what I envisioned. His is like a one-wheeled
skateboard!
C’mon skateheads, somebody go out there and show us how to mark up curbs and
benches on one of those!
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
“New quote needed”
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> My brother went to mexico recently and said they had a whole special on
> mountain unicycling with a bunch of top riders in the sport. it was on ESPN
> i think.
Wow! I wonder which coverage that was? It could have been the thing that ZDTV
did for Internet Tonight. I finally saw their piece, and it was excellent. They
used the circus music, but only to go along with us complaining about the
circus image.
Or it could have been coverage from England or somewhere else?
Anyway, I think we’re straying from the wagonwheel topic…
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
“New quote needed”
RE: wagonwheel uni ?
> This actually related, but this discussion reminded me of a commercial that
> was on TV in the US a few years ago. The ad featured a caveman riding a
> unicycle that was made to look as if it had been made from rock. I can’t
> remember what the ad was selling. It may have been a car rental company.
I think it was Monroe shock absorbers. It was Chuck (Chaz) Marquette. I saw the
commercial once or twice…
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
“Downhill sucks.” - George Peck, on the downhill course at NUC '99
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
In a message dated 3/15/0 7:19:06 PM, john_foss@asinet.com wrote:
>> This actually related, but this discussion reminded me of a commercial that
>> was on TV in the US a few years ago. The ad featured a caveman riding a
>> unicycle that was made to look as if it had been made from rock. I can’t
>> remember what the ad was selling. It may have been a car rental company.
>
>I think it was Monroe shock absorbers. It was Chuck (Chaz) Marquette. I saw the
>commercial once or twice…
>
There was an ad by Hertz years ago. I called Hertz and asked if they had any
unicycle paraphanelia. They said they had a standup of Lenny the caveman riding
the uni. I asked them to forward it Tom Miller & they did! I wrote back
thanking them and asked if they ever needed a “Lenore” I’d be interested in the
job. Never heard back with them but was surprised of the service i received. I
don’t think this was Chaz though but I might be mistaken–maybe there were 2
similar ads?
Univerally yours, Unicycle Lady http://users.aol.com/unilady
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
What does BC stand for? “John Foss” <john_foss@asinet.com> wrote in message
news:631B3F1D150FD3118E4D00A0C9EC1BDA2271B4@SERVER…
> > What in th world is a giraffe BC wheel? I can’t imagine it.
>
> I can, but I can’t imagine riding it…
>
> Basically I see a stick coming up from the axle of a wheel, and you (or
some
> other nutcase) standing on top of it. Perhaps the stick is “T” shaped, to give
> your feet something more to stand on.
>
> Bon appetit!
>
> John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
> http://www.unicycling.com
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
John Foss wrote:
> > There is no technology in the average unicycle which did not exist in 1533.
>
This actually related, but this discussion reminded me of a commercial that was
on TV in the US a few years ago. The ad featured a caveman riding a unicycle
that was made to look as if it had been made from rock. I can’t remember what
the ad was selling. It may have been a car rental company.
John Hooten
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
>> There is no technology in the average unicycle which did not exist in 1533.
An ultimate wheel built from plywood, Tom Miller’s crank arm insert, a black
steel rim and solid rubber tire would fit in well at a renaissance festival.
If a standard unicycle is desired, just replace the crank arm insert with a
custom built two part unicycle hub with straight six inch flanges. The two
unicycle hub parts are simply bolted to either side of the plywood. Add to that
a black frame, crank arms and seat.
However, don’t try to paint chromed crank arms. The paint will simply fall off
it. One might have better luck painting alloy cranks or getting them in the
desired color when purchased.
Sincerely,
Ken Fuchs <kfuchs@winternet.com>
Microsoft has finally found someone it can’t bully into submission: US
Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/ms_index.htm Yahoo links
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
So perhaps there WERE Unis and ultimate wheels during the Renaissance and this
finally explains the reason men wore codpieces. ;^)
-Keith
John Foss wrote:
> I remember also seeing Tom Miller ride an ultimate big wheel. At one of the
> Redford Mini Meets he had a wagon wheel with no frame or seat. it was a giant
> ultimate wheel! Talk about putting your crotch at risk…! A picture of that
> would make a nice addition to my ‘Things not to do’ page.
>
> Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
> http://www.unicycling.com
>
> “New quote needed”
–
Keith Williamson Communications Systems Architect Motorola Computer Group
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
I never found out for sure which, but either the Trailblazers Video Magazine
(Monrovia 7/98) or the ActionTV (Santa Cruz 9/98) show has been sighted on the
Spanish TV station in San Jose, Calif, dubbed in Spanish.
—Nathan
John Foss <john_foss@asinet.com> wrote in message
news:631B3F1D150FD3118E4D00A0C9EC1BDA2271CC@SERVER…
> > My brother went to mexico recently and said they had a whole special on
> > mountain unicycling with a bunch of top riders in the sport. it was on ESPN
> > i think.
>
> Wow! I wonder which coverage that was? It could have been the thing that ZDTV
> did for Internet Tonight. I finally saw their piece, and it was excellent.
> They used the circus music, but only to go along with us complaining about the
> circus image.
>
> Or it could have been coverage from England or somewhere else?
>
> Anyway, I think we’re straying from the wagonwheel topic…
>
>
> John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
> http://www.unicycling.com
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
Greetings
In message “RE: wagonwheel uni ?”, John Foss wrote…
>> Imagine a unicyclist balanced on a platform that is supported by a BC
>> wheel’s axle.
>>
>> O --*-- <-- Balancing unicyclist
>> |
>> * / \ ----- <-- Standing platform - top view could be square \ / O
>> <-- BC wheel
>
>I like Ken’s version better than what I envisioned. His is like a one-wheeled
>skateboard!
What did you envision? It’s not clear to me.
>
>C’mon skateheads, somebody go out there and show us how to mark up curbs and
>benches on one of those!
>
>John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
>http://www.unicycling.com
>
>“New quote needed”
>
>
Regards, Jack Halpern CJK Dictionary Publishing Society, http://www.kanji.org
Voice: +81-48-481-3103 Fax: +81-48-479-1323
Re: wagonwheel uni ?
In article <631B3F1D150FD3118E4D00A0C9EC1BDA2271C8@SERVER>, john_foss@asinet.com
(John Foss) writes:
>“New quote needed”
Talk about putting your crotch at risk…!<
I think you provided your own “quote” 
Jerry Cooper