eric044

Would like to see it with a different seat too - maybe a racing seat.

Garfield Cat

Imagine a motorized unicycle.

rex615

They exist here and here are just two examples

GovernorSilver

I saw someone riding the latter on a MUP in the opposite direction. His electric unicycle was more white, and thus had a more Star Trek/Obliviion/Minority Report kind of look.

Like the 2-wheeled Segways, the electric ones have gyroscopes that assist with front-back balance, but have nothing for the side-side balance, so some practice is still required. I saw at least 2 videos of reporters learning how to ride an electric.

Stucky

So are they making unicycles out of CF now? Aero?

Garfield Cat

I would imagine that the traditional unicycle would need to be designed to put the rider in a more aero position. Rather than vertical, the unicycle would be horizontal. Either like a recumbent or like a skeleton in the winter Olympics.

But first it would start out as a uni skate board and work its way from there.

UniGeezer

26ers, like bikes before them, are moving from 24" to 26er size, mainly because of endless tire choices, since 24" MTB and MUni tires are becoming far and few between. The 26er is also a bit faster yet still light and strong and performs well. I would highly recommend either a KH (Kris Holm) or Nimbus brand, since both utilize ISIS cranks and hubs which are bulletproof and can handle extreme riding, drops and so on.

The KH price point is considerably higher than Nimbus, but the high end Nimbus is a very close second. You didn't mention what type of riding you want to do, since road and offroad unis are quite different. Check these out: These are 26ers for MUni: Mountain Unicycle | Off-Road Unicycle - and more at Unicycle.com
And these are for road: 26 Unicycle | 29 Unicycle | Road Unicycle

The MUnis can also be modified to acceptable road riding unis simply by changing the tires.

RWBlue01

Very interesting idea. I always thought that a larger wheel would make it easier.

I was passed by a girl on a very large Uni cycle on the trail a couple years ago. She made it look easy.

UniGeezer

Yes to both, but CF frames are not practical since the vast majority of weight is in the wheelset, not the frame. And aircraft strength aluminum Uni frames are far less expensive and are strong, stiff and responsive. As far as "aero", there are many customized 36ers that have been modified in this way, but not for the same reasons as a bike. Unis can't reach speeds where an aero-designed unicycle is going to go any faster than a non-aero design, due to he fact that we can't reach the high speeds comparable to road bikes. I have aerobars on my 36er simply so I can stretch out farther and be more comfortable on longer rides, such as centuries.

You can see my setup here, on my 150 mile-in-a-day ride earlier this year:

GovernorSilver

Glad to see you here UniGeezer! What size unicycle/tire do you recommend for riding on ice? Besides yourself, this guy is an inspiration:

UniGeezer

Studded tires are best. The guy in the video you posted has what looks like the same tire.

GovernorSilver

Yes, I figure studded tires would be great, but any thoughts on 26 vs 29 vs 36 inch wheels w/ studded tire?

UniGeezer

I don't think they make studded 36er tires. I found this 29er tire though. I don't know much about them as I have never ridden on one.

GovernorSilver

Thanks. Looks like 26 or 29 would be the size to go with for winter unicycling. I'd be riding over the icy sidewalk and roads from the Metro station to my workplace - fairly short distance. Our Metro system forbids regular bikes during rush hour, but allows folding bikes any time. I asked them about unicycles but they didn't understand the question. The 29 would probably be a bit faster, but the 26 would probably attract less attention from Metro station managers and security.

First I have to get started of course on a learning unicycle.

cmc4130

22"s are now a possible alternative to 20" and 24". (Although I can see how 26" uni is getting popular too).

22"s are catching steam in the bmx world, but I have yet to see a unicyclist try a 22" wheel.

Maybe someone on here will be a first?

You can get rims and tires from ebay. Check out Revenge 22" bmx rims and the S&M Mainline 22" tire. Or, in the UK, Faction BMX.


pictured here: 20", 22", and 24" bmx wheels:


22's Go Here - BMXmuseum.com Forums

Stucky

You guys are making me want to get a unicycle, just for fooling around on my property! (And to see if "I still have it" after not having been on one in 40 years!)

rex615

This thread prompted me to dig mine out of the shed, pump it up and try it. Hadn't ridden it for years.

I still can though not as confidently as before. I will need some practice.

UniGeezer

I'll be riding this custom 36er with aerobars and disc brake for my 24 hour, 200 mile ride on 1/14/16. It has a telescoping frame instead of a traditional seatpost.

nightroad.jpg

eric044

Thank you. Would you recommend the T2 handlebar you have on the 36" with a 26" or 27"? What type of light and light mount would you recommend? A cantilever rim brake looks like more fun and more reliable to me but I could be wrong. Recommend parts sellers? What type of hardware differences are there between the road and offroad unis?

readygetsetBen

Woah 200miles? If you have a date I imagine you also have a website or something too. I'd really like to learn more

UniGeezer

Since 2010, I've done 4 centuries, a 114 miler, 120, and 150, and so I thought the next logical step would be the 200 in 24hrs. I usually set up charity fundraisers for my long rides, and for the 200 I will do the same. I avoid riding in or with car traffic, so the routes I select are on dedicated bike paths along the beach, and always done on weekdays to avoid large crowds. Another nice thing about these particular bike paths is that they are well lit at night, so no bike lights are needed.

dabac

If by racing seat you mean an ordinary bicycle saddle, it's unlikely to work very well.

Regular bicycle saddles are built assuming there will be an opposing force available to keep the rider from sliding forward.
On a regular bike you get that partly from the bracing angle of the arms, partly from air drag against the upper body. And a little from the pedalling action.
On a uni there's almost nothing of that. You haven't got the arm brace, and a lot less from both air drag and pedalling.
And the front of the uni saddle is also used for control, turning.
MIGHT work if you add handlebars.

UniGeezer

The trend for the past couple of years has been towards flatter saddles, especially for 36ers and unis outfitted with handles, and in my case, aerobars. The flatter profile puts less pressure on your crotch while allowing most of the rider's weight to be on the widest area of the back of the saddle. There are many who have opted for traditional road bike saddles with varying results. As you mentioned, the "opposing force" of a handle prevents the rider from sliding forward while maximizing comfort. I've used my carbon fiber based "flat fish" saddle for my last several centuries and would never go back to the more traditional curved saddle.

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