I am a teenager who has just learned to ride a 20" wheel unicycle. I am now looking to upgrade to something bigger (and better/faster). I'd like one that I can use off road and on road. Can anyone give me any advice about where to get more info and buy? Thanks!
Bike Forum
Unicycle advice
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Posted 8 months ago #
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I'm in the exact same situation as you.
Looking to buy a 24" with as big a tyre as you can get.
Unfortunately, for what is a seatpost, a saddle, a weird fork, seat collar, a very basic front wheel, cranks and a pair of pedals, plus a tyre and tube, they are ridiculously expensive.
This one is pretty bad ass, I'm guessing it's the one kris holm uses (if you don't know him, have a look on youtube, he's a nutter).
http://www.unicycle.uk.com/unicycles/muni-24-29/24-kris-holm-mountain-unicycle.html
£435?????? For a unicycle?? It's not even made of carbon as far as I can tell.
So really, if you're like me, and just want it for a bit of fun riding down steps (20"s are too twitchy IMO) and such, but you're not taking it seriously, the only option is something off ebay, like
Which doesn't look too bad really. Prob needs decent pedals though. Look to upgrade the tyre and/or saddle too, but apart from those, what difference are you going to notice? I've never thought my cranks or fork/frame is too flexy whilst riding a unicycle.
Alternatively look 2nd hand.
HTH.
Posted 8 months ago # -
It something I would like to learn to do, just for local fun nothing serious (no trail centre action for me), but have yet to take the time to learn, but then do have enough problem on 2 wheels..
Can only recommend unicycle.com, been very helpful when I looked at it earlier in the year & speaking to them, they dissuaded me from buying some silly bits.I assumed the next step after a 20" learner would be a decent 26" model, a Nimbus rather than a Kris Holmes though was/is my plan (though the KH seat get universal praise) at a more reasonable £255
http://www.unicycle.uk.com/unicycles/muni-24-29/26-nimbus-muni-black.html
There are a couple of unicyclist on here (probably more hiding), hope fully some some with actual knowledge will be along soon.oh and I have a search on eBay setup, not a lot of 'proper' stuff come up & when it does it tend to be quite battered and attracts a fair bit of interest.
Posted 8 months ago # -
oh and some skills to try towards on your 20"...
http://www.unicycletoday.com/skill-levels.htmlPosted 8 months ago # -
If you want it to be good on or off road then a 26" would be best. A 24" like the KH is better off road but pretty slow, even with shorter cranks, on road. Best thing is just to talk to Roger at UDC - he won't rip you off, and he really knows what he is talking about.
Posted 8 months ago # -
That ebay unicycle might be just about OK to learn on but not much more. I can count my broken bike bits on one hand but I've gone through loads of unicycle parts after much less riding. Shopping wise you are limited to unicycle.com or municycle.com for anywhere with a decent range of good quality kit.
A few starting points: hub wise, you really want ISIS for off roading. Wheel size, 24x3 is good for gnarly riding but hard work on the road; 26x2.5 is a reasonable compromise with a good range of tyre options; 29x2 is good for distance but gets a bit hard to handle on rough stuff. Really you need a set (I ride a 29 and a 24 and choose a route to match) but a 26 might suit you.
Quality wise the cheap stuff is a bit rubbish. At the other end some people love Kris Holm unicycles but I snapped mine after pretty light use and they do have a history of failing and pretty poor warranty. The Nimbus is a good mid-range option. You might be able to get a decent set-up from parts, especially if you have some wheel bits and pedals kick around.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Some good advice here so far.
I would say the same as the others, Roger at unicycle.uk.com is great, he is always really good at advising you, and is a good guy to buy from.
Nimbus unicycles are good value, you get a lot for your money. I have a Kris Holm 24" and a 29", but would be quite happy to have just a 26". It is great fun having a bigger tyre and ISIS cranks make the whole thing feel much stronger and better to ride.
Just remember, when you get a bigger wheel, freemounting gets a bit more tricky, you will get used to it, but it can take time.
Innes
Posted 8 months ago # -
demonstrate 10 types of mounts
ride backward with the seat out in back in a figure eight
ride backward one footed in a figure eight
Don't think I can even think of 10 types of mounts. TBH I can only think of about 5.
Posted 8 months ago # -
I've got an Onza 24 with a 3" tyre and a couple of different crank lengths (140 & 160 I think) and Magura hydraulic brakes that I'm looking to sell. £250 the lot.
Posted 8 months ago # -
bump for the daytime crew.. as I really fancy one and any info about, is of interest & obviously the OP get more advice!
Posted 8 months ago # -
Cant really offer advice on an offroad one, I just occasionally use my old 24" DM Ringmaster (iirc) which has far to high (but unfortunately seized) post and have a Semcycle as well. Got really bored one day and made a video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSdZhZBGRU hadnt ridden for a couple of years at that point! My first couple of unis were cheapo (in comparison) ones and I snapped the axles so hence went for a better/stronger one (although very heavy!)
Back 15 years or so I used to play unicycle hockey all the time, 5 a side normally on a tennis court, ice hockey goals and sticks, normal hockey ball, hilarious fun and potentially quite painful, 20" was definately better for that as you had the acceleration and they were more nimble. I did try it again late last year at a localish club but they only played inside in a sports hall and the suface was so slippery, kept powersliding and one resulted in a mega painful crash to my hip so I didnt go back...
Some of the off road videos are insane, that Kris Holm mentioned above rings a bell.
If anyone wants a more onroad biased one then I would sell my semcycle. Needs a good clean up etc but functions fine, can take photos if interested http://store.semcycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=6&osCsid=6uvat249j5arcrm74tgedu1cn1
Posted 8 months ago # -
I used to have a lovely Pashley.. but I passed it on to a girlfriends little sister many years ago..
Those Nimbus jobbies look very similar and I'm already trying to figure out a way to raise the subject with Mrs yunki..
Posted 8 months ago # -
As has been mentioned, Nimbus are a good compromise between price and quality. It's all good strong stuff - all you'll gain with more expensive stuff is losing some weight.
The unicycle-specific bits (hubs, frames, saddles, cranks) are expensive compared to their bike equivalents, but it's just because of the much smaller market - not much we can do about that until unicycles sell in the same volumes as bikes (i.e. never).
I'd second the advice not to go with anything too cheap if you're planning on doing much riding - it'll break (especially the hubs).
If you haven't already, have a look at one of the unicycling forums at http://www.unicycle.org.uk/forum/ (UK only) or http://www.unicyclist.com (international)
Good luck
Rob
Posted 8 months ago # -
Just to add, you really need to decide what sort of riding you plan to do then buy a unicycle to suit. Back to the orignal poster, imagine you asked "I'd like to buy a bike, I'd like one that I can use off road and on road". A unicycle that is great at technical trails like a 24x3 will be hard work on the road and good road unicycle will realistically be limited to fireroads off-road. A 26 might be a good compromise but you'll probably want to swap tyres and maybe cranks occasionally depending on the surface.
dlr, I played for Hackney back in the 90's so maybe we played a game or two. You might need a new tyre for hall use. I find old tyre get very slippery on a wooden gym floor and need replacing.
Posted 8 months ago # -
26" offroad unicycle is actually quite a jump from 20" with smooth tyres. As said above, a chat with unicycle.com is quite possible the best way forward.
Posted 8 months ago # -
That ebay unicycle might be just about OK to learn on but not much more.
Would one be useful as part of a progression to bigger wheels though? Now getting frustrated with how slow my 20" is and would like to go bigger, but not sure if going straight to 26" is a bit of a big step. Don't really see a 24" one as something I'm going to want long term for serious use, but would it be handy as part of the learning process? Or should I just go straight for a 26" Nimbus (and put on a road tyre to start with - until I get good enough to muni)?Or is your Semcycle still for sale, dlr?
Thanks for all the uni help - seems like that's all I'm posting about at the moment (I have a lot to learn).
Posted 6 months ago # -
If you are really into Unicycling the 26" Nimbus would be worth getting now. If you feel you want to get a bit better before spending all that money on such a good Unicycle then get the basic 24".
If you get the 26" Nimbus, you would enjoy having a good quality unicycle though, a stronger wheel with a ISIS hub feels much better to ride.
Have you posted on unicyclist.com yet? You will get good advice there from all round the world.
Innes
Posted 6 months ago # -
Have you posted on unicyclist.com yet?
Check the current "last post" at the top of the page you linked
Posted 6 months ago # -
You have a few good replies already.
Posted 6 months ago # -
I went from a 20" to a 26" fine when I bent the 20" wheel going down a small bank with a kerb at the bottom. Never been that skilled on it; one of those things "on the list" which I never get around to doing as I don't know anyone else that does it locally etc.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Thanks - maybe I'll skip the 24 and go straight for the quality 26 then. Given I've just upgraded to bright yellow pedals, what do you think my chances are of sneaking a new one in if I get it in black (like my current 20) and swap the pedals over? I mean all unis look the same don't they?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Hi, my mate is into unicycling. He asked me to take this video of him up at Leith Hill.
He needed about 12 hours focused practice to get proficient enough to stay up and another good 20 hours or so to be able to tackle small obstacles.
He's now got the Chris Holm 29 wheel and has also now added brakes.
It's very impressive seeing someone tackle hills on a Mountain Unicycle - you get a lot of attention! - but the riding style looks somewhat dodgy cos you're forever grabbinig your crotch!!
Posted 6 months ago #
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