SUSPENDED UNICYCLE PROJECT


INTRODUCTION :

	The project was designed to improve the mountain unicycles used in very technical and rough terrains. For the first prototype, we are going produce it from basic steel. If the feeling of the design is good and we want to continue with the idea, we are going to make another prototype correcting the possible mistakes made on the first one and make it from chromo and aluminium.


PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES :

	The proposed solution should be adapted for downhill utilisation. The suspension system should help to gain control and stability, which is necessary for that type of practice, and by the way reduce fatigue a little. The solution should be light enough and resist to the conditions met in unicycle downhill.


ESSENTIALS CONDITIONS : 

The proposed solution should:
·	have a suspension system, adjustable from 3 to 7 inches
·	permit the use of some standard parts:
o	26’’ wheel with a 3’’ wide tire
o	6’’ disc brake conformed to the SI standard
o	27.2mm seat post
o	Profile crank arms
o	Standard bicycle shock
·	resist to the abuse of a 190 pounds load from a 12 feet drop 
·	resist to impacts inherent from the practice
·	not weight more than 25 pounds for the total assembly
·	reduce the effects of pedaling on the shock
·	permit to the distance between the saddle and the cranks axle to not be affected by the suspension
·	permit the alignment between the saddle, the axle and the wheel to be the most constant possible trough the suspension path
·	permit the propulsion to work like a standard unicycle, without play between forward and backward
·	permit saddle height adjustment from 21 to 27.5 inches (from the axle to the top of the saddle)
·	not cost more than 2000 CAN$ in material
·	have to lowest profile possible