Which 29er (700c) ?

I’m considering a new 29er (700c) and I was investigating my options. Here is what I found :

Sun 28 – $85 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=652

Yuni 29 Touring – $245 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=601

Yuni 29 Black, Kris Holm saddle – $299 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=646

Nimbus 29 Touring (Red) – $262 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=970

Nimbus 29 – $262 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=971

Bedford 29 – $275 (can) ($238) (from price list)

Semcycle XL Lite – $266 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=52

Kris Holm 29 – $530 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=802

Pashley 29 – $407 – http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=66

QU-AX 29 – can’t find a US price

I’ve heard good things about the Bedford, and with the exchange rate, puts it in there with all the others. Also the QU-AX, but I don’t think they distribute in the states.

Any I missed? It would be mostly for street riding. Not planning to do trials, but may go offroad. I want to keep it at $300 or less.

Thanks,
Tom

Red Nimbus 29er is good

Dear Tom,

I’ve had my Nimbus since last spring and have enjoyed it immensely. The Big Apple tire, the KH seat, the alloy pedals, and the 125 mm cranks make it really ideal for road use. It’s weaknesses:

  • single-walled rim is supposedly not as strong as a double-walled one (hasn't been noticeable with the cushiony BA tire)
  • a rail adapter is still needed in order to angle the seat properly for long distance comfort (the KH rail adapter fits fine, but costs another $20)
  • the stock cranks have no Q-factor and I found my riding skills improved greatly by replacing them with the 127-mm Pro-wheel cranks (another $25 or so)

You may want to consider the other brands if the rim construction or Q-factor is important to you. You’ll probably want to get a rail adapter regardless of the brand.

Since you live in Cary, you’re welcome to try mine out. Just send me a message.

-David

Well I guess your price range rules out the KH model, which I’ve heard a lot of great things about. I’ve got a friend who’s got a Yuni ( not sure which one at the moment) and I’ve ridden it a couple of times. Seems nice and solid. I built my own using a KH rim and UDC wide hub. It’s worked out well but I have access to machine shop and welding equipment. It cost me just a shade under $300 to build. I’m thinkin’, out of that whole list of yours you couldn’t go wrong with any of 'em except the Sun. It’s probably OK but I’d sure be looking for something of a little better quality.

2007 Nimbus differs from 2006 model

Hey Tom,

Looking at the Unicycle.com specs, the 2007 Nimbus 29er has been upgraded from the 2006 model (like mine). It now comes with the Pro-wheel cranks, which offers a slightly positive Q-factor and makes it more stable to ride (in my opinion). The frame is now a square top rather than rounded shoulders. The rim is still single walled, but like I said in my previous post I haven’t noticed any problem with the single wall rim for road riding and light trails. One of the best things about this unicycle is its ability to accomodate the BA tire. The Semcycle looks unique and fast, but is probably less comfortable on the long-haul because of the high-pressure narrow tire. The Yuni and the Pashley have better rims, but will the frames accomodate the BA tire? The Pashley doesn’t come with KH seat. Maybe the KH XC is the best of all - it even comes with a rail adapter, but the price seems so steep.

Tough choices.

Another option is the Bedford XC 29er. The only thing that should be mentioned for them though is that they don’t come standard with KH seats (at least not when I bought mine), still its pretty cheap and easy to have him upgrade it. His prices are really good, and I would say that you will get the best for your money by getting a Bedford XC.

Mine with shipping and a gel seat, was 340 CAD

It had a KH rim
Kenda Klaw tire
Bedford frame (fits pretty much all 29er tires out there)
United cranks (I think he gives the choice of 150, 125, or 110 mm)
Suzue hub

My favourite feature about a Bedford uni though is that many production frames out there are a few mm off at the ends of the legs. Darren personaly makes sure that your frame is perfect when he sends it out. Also I have noticed that he tends to send things out at most the day after he gets the money, so the service he gives is most certainly second to none.

Bedford prices

The price list shows the 29XC to be $275 CAD. Is the difference a gel seat and shipping or is there something else?

–Tom

The Yuni that I got in August is no longer listed there, as the models have changed, but I think it is the equivalent of the $299 one, except for the double-walled rim. It can take a BA tire (it’s one of the customization options). The other, cheaper Yuni has a different frame, but the picture doesn’t reflect that change. I don’t know if the new frame will acommodate a BA tire. I don’t like quick-release handles, which is what the Nimbus unicycles include, but other seatpost clamps are cheap.

I say go for the Bedford, given the good things I’ve heard about all of his equipment.

Watch for wide frames; if you aren’t used to them, you will knock your knees. I was knocking my knees on my frame for a bit as soon as I got it, but it didn’t take long to comletely stop doing so.

It’s mine now!

Yeah, the bedford XC is a really nice. I haven’t had to many chances to ride it yet, but from what I can tell, it’s a nice machine. Bedford has AWESOME service. You can call him weekdays and he is usually there. He shipped my stuff before receving payment. Yeah, he shims it too, which is nice, because the YUni frames are always off by a bit.

Shipping shouldn’t be too bad from Toronto either. Darren will probably ship out your stuff faster than any other company, and you will probably get it faster than most other places too…

Take $275
Remove $20 for the default saddle: $255
Add $65 for the gel seat: $320
Add $20 for shipping.
$340.

shipping would be a bit more though, cause its to the us. and tom, don’t forget that the prices these guys are talking about are in canadian dollars.