Which unicycle!!

General
1

Hi people,

You guys must get these questions all the time, so thanks for taking the time to read this.

I am new to unicycling. I am looking at buying my first unicycle (standard introduction…).

I live in Australia, so the range here is limited. I went to a bicyce show today, and got a product list from the people from unicycle.com.

I want to do be able to do this with my unicycle:

  • Be comfortable
  • Ride moderate distances (and depending on how I go, longer distances)
  • Some basic tricks (ride backwards, one foot pedalling, and thats about all)

I do not want to do this:

  • Treat my unicycle like a pogo stick (ie. jump on and off things)
  • Ride it off road
  • Juggle (I can barely juggle off the unicycle)

Now, I test rode a 24" Nimbus 2 today and it was so comfy and smooth. For an extra $35 (AUS dollars) I can buy the 29" version. Question I have, what size should I go for? I am slightly above average height (184cm, of 6ft something in imperial).

I would probably favour commuting over tricks. Are tricks at all possible with a 29" wheel?

Thanks for your help
Ross

2

Well, if you want commuting, I’d say go with the 29.

But if you think you are going to do a sufficient amount of tricks, I’d go for a 24, just because of personal preference.

3

If you want to ride one footed and stuff i think you should get the 24"

4

If you enjoy unicycling as much as the rest of us, you’ll end up with both at some point.

I’d say 24" is a good compromise, and if you want to use it for more commuting, get some shorter cranks.

5

I’ve got a 24x3 nimbus and a 29" nimbus.

Both are great.

Generally the 29-er is considered best for communting, but I use the 24x3 a lot for getting around on.

Do you want to commute on the roads or the pavements (sidewalk)?

The 29-er is good for the roads, having more presence and speed; on the pavement, particularly with the usual 5" cranks, it’s got disadvantages in that it’s more intimidating to pedestrians and less controllable.

A 24 x 3 is slower, but easier to control, good amongst pedestrians, ok for short bits on road, but not for continuous road riding.

If where you live is exceptionaly hilly, then a 24 x 3 will have the advantage- Sheffield, where I am is not idealy suited to the 29-er with 5" cranks, but few places are as hilly as Sheffield.

Another option is to fit 6" (150mm) cranks to the 29-er, getting better control and making hills easier- this is my favourite 29-er set-up.

A 29-er with 5" cranks is theoretically faster, however I did find that to have good control with it meant very regular rides; particularly if you’re on the roads- you have to be a good confident rider on the roads.

Whereas the 24 x 3 is a machine that you can jump on after a long lay off, and still be able to ride it well.

A 29-er with 6" cranks lies between the two in that respect, probably closer to the 24x 3 in terms of control.

There’re both great unis, you won’t go wrong with either of them :slight_smile:

If you get a 24 x 3, I recomend getting it with a 29-er frame switched in, this gives you the option of putting in a 29-er wheel later on.

Here’s links to some previous threads that may be of interest, doing a search or following links will turn up loads of info: -

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34147 (discussion of pros/cons of longer cranks on big wheels)

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29517&highlight=hills+AND+24+AND+29er (a thread on commuting on a 24 x 3 muni which elaborates on some of the points made above)

Lastly, to a large extent ‘good for tricks’ = ‘not particulalry good for commuting’ and ‘good for commuting’ = ‘not particulalry good for tricks’; so you’re going to have to come to a decision on that one.

6

Re: Which unicycle!!

Smaller unicycles are easier for one-footed skills for several
reasons: Shorter cranks make it easier to pedal smoothly; you can
pedal faster (thus you can correct more quickly) without going very
fast; it is easier to put your foot on the crown; and there is less
distance to the ground when you make a mistake (falling of a 20" is
just like stepping off, on a 29" its more like a short drop). When
learning one-footed I had troubly placing my foot on a larger unicycle
and was very happy to get a 20". In general you can count on picking
up skills quicker on the smaller wheel.

For commuting on roads and trails you do not want a 3" tire. These
fat tires are best for technical off road riding and hopping. The
wide knobby treads make it hard to turn the unicycle and wear down
quickly on pavement, especially when idling. But I really like fat
road tires like the Hookworm 2.5 and the Big Apple 2.3 sold on some of
the Nimbus line.

Ken

7

I use a 3" contra on concrete and it’s fine, I’ve done hundreds of miles on it.

The knobbles do wear off after a few weeks, but it then becomes a fat slick type tyre- it lasts ages as well in that state.

The characteristics that make it good for off road also work when it comes to urban obstacles like rolling up and down curbs, and nices a nice comfortable ride (in a similar way in which, with bicycles, a racer with skinny tyres is best for fast distance, but for comfortable urban ridng, a fat tyred mountain bike is a more comfortable ride).

I don’t have any problems turning with it.

Having said that I’ve never regularly used a thinner 24" tyre so I can’t offer comparisons; but from experiences using a 28"tyre then switching to a 29-er, I’m in no rush to put something smaller on the muni :slight_smile:

A lot of people here have said the 3" Gazz is problematic on concrete, but that’s a bigger and heavier tyre than the contra/duro/lepeard and with a square profile.

8

I say 24". My United trainer served me very well. Sun doublewide rim was indestructible. Never had any trouble with it. Fat tire made for a smooth ride and it stood up to hopping too. Replaced the cranks and pedals and it is fine. You can have it if you want. $200. Or any reasonable offer.

Sorry for the sales pitch. I’d like to get rid of it once I get some new parts on it.

:smiley: :smiley:

9

Re: Which unicycle!!

Lots of good advice in this thread. Just a couple more points:

>I am new to unicycling.

Well, welcome!

>I live in Australia, so the range here is limited. I went to a bicyce
>show today, and got a product list from the people from unicycle.com.

I’m surprised that none of the Oz guys have responded to this thread.
They’re probably all out to an event or something. The main branch of
unicycle.com in the USA has hefty shipping costs to Australia but
there are also indigenous supplies. Check
<http://www.unicycles.com.au> but maybe they are the people you spoke
to already.

Also, learning to ride is better done on a smaller wheel. 20" is ideal
for learning (yes, also for your height), 24" takes you about 30%
longer, 29" is probably even more difficult to learn - but of course
doable.

‘Tricks’ (we call them skills) are possible with a 29" wheel, some are
not very difficult, but most are easiest on a smaller wheel.

If you are like most of us, you end up buying several unicycles, in
which case it’s best to start with a 20".

Personalised learning time estimate here:
<http://www.xs4all.nl/~klaasbil/agelearn_short.htm> (download the
spreadsheet).

Klaas Bil - Newsgroup Addict

“I (…) made it without dying, which means mere mortals can do it. - John Foss”

10

But bear in mind that the 20" is hopeless for commuting.

If you are going to end up with several unis then maybe a 20" could be good to start with, but if it’s just going to be one, then get a bigger wheel, especially as commuting seems to be a priority.

Even if it does take up to 30% longer to learn on a bigger wheel, I think that’s preferable to learning quicker on a 20" but then having a unicycle that isn’t suitable for what you want to do.

A 24 x 3 is IMO, perfectly fine to learn on; a 29-er with 5" cranks is problematic if you can’t yet ride at all- if you’re dead set on a 29-er then getting 6" cranks will make it a bit easier to learn on.

A helmet and wrist guards are always a good idea, more so if you do decide to learn on a 29-er.

But, from your original post, you do say that you test rode a 24" Nimbus, so presumably you can already ride to some extent?

11

hey i was at the bike show today as well and i no someboby who can help you. (if you are based in vic)
julian laffey is the runner of www.unicyclevictoria.com email him and he should be able to help you.
hope this helps you.

-Rhys

12

Re: Which unicycle!!

RosscoAP Wrote:
> Hi people,
>
> You guys must get these questions all the time, so thanks for taking
> the
> time to read this.
>
> I am new to unicycling. I am looking at buying my first unicycle
> (standard introduction…).
>
> I live in Australia, so the range here is limited. I went to a bicyce
> show today, and got a product list from the people from unicycle.com.
>
> I want to do be able to do this with my unicycle:
> - Be comfortable
> - Ride moderate distances (and depending on how I go, longer
> distances)
> - Some basic tricks (ride backwards, one foot pedalling, and thats
> about
> all)
>
> I do not want to do this:
> - Treat my unicycle like a pogo stick (ie. jump on and off things)
> - Ride it off road
> - Juggle (I can barely juggle off the unicycle)
>
> Now, I test rode a 24" Nimbus 2 today and it was so comfy and smooth.
> For an extra $35 (AUS dollars) I can buy the 29" version. Question I
> have, what size should I go for? I am slightly above average height
> (184cm, of 6ft something in imperial).
>
> I would probably favour commuting over tricks. Are tricks at all
> possible with a 29" wheel?
>
> Thanks for your help
> Ross
>
>
> –
> RosscoAP
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> RosscoAP’s Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8303
> View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/35785
Having read all the responses I’m amazed 26inch did not come up.Its a
size that does everything well.Tires are mountianbike size so choices
are unlimited.A 24in. wheel can be used with a 26in. frame,and a tall
26in. road tire is similer in size to a 28in. tire.

–
cheechee

13

I have only been unicycling for about three months, but I’m enjoying it. I bought a 20 inch Schwinn. It was in-expensive and it’s good enough for me. Mosy may say that it wouldn’t bee good for commuting, but I think that it is fine (for the distance I ride atleast). I ride atleast 2 miles a day. I actually just got back from a six mile ride.

14

Get a 29"er frame uni. You could put on 20" wheels for learning skills, 24" or 26" wheels for muni and 29" wheels for commute. When you get better at skills or muni, a new frame is all you,ll need.:slight_smile:

15

Thanks for all of your replies so far.

I was thinking I could get a 29" uni, which would let me use the frame to attach a 24" (or 20") wheel onto it as well.

What parts do I need to put a 24" wheel on?

Do I need to get a hub, wheel and cranks to do this?

Thanks

16

It might be a bit wierd. But you can buy complete wheelsets, so you can switch out the wheels.

Like these:
http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=457
http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=713
http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=338