John Foss
2001-10-01, 05:37 PM
> I too would like to buy a larger pneumatic tire big wheel. However, even
> if we could get enough interest & enough dollars together, we would also
> have to agree upon a wheel size.
Correct. There was talk of this earlier this year as well, when riders
were preparing for Unicycle Across Europe. Though frames and other parts
of the unicycle are relatively easy (though not necessarily cheap) to
make, rims and tires require highly specialized tools and methods. A
custom batch of either would be very expensive.
I would start by calling Tom Miller to talk about rims. I believe Tom has
gotten custom batches of rim material in the past, either for big wheels
(with no valve hole) or for ultimates (no spoke holes). His contact
information could be useful. (765) 452-2692
I think the tire would be the most expensive part. Though it may be
relatively easy to roll out rims to custom sizes, what little I know of
tire manufacture suggests that they are made in molds. Custom molds would
be *way* expensive. Tom Miller made an air tire big wheel once (way back
in the 70's), but he said it was too much work to do again. And he never
did. He somehow vulcanized two regular bike tires together. I can imagine
that it would be extremely difficult to get the exact right size to fit
the rim, and the smoothness of the joint for it to roll without two
annoying bumps with each revolution.
But even an alloy rim on the existing tire from Coker could be a nice
upgrade. Combine that with a wider axle and you would have a big
improvement over the stock Coker wheel.
I know there are several people out there who have indicated a willingness
to chip in on such a project. You could start by polling them to find out
how much they're willing to spend on a rim and tire. *Just* the rim and
tire, to get an idea how high they're willing to go. As a safe estimate
(for a truly high-end cycle) assume $1000 US for the rest. Add that all
up, and see how much money you have to work with.
Then you just need an investor type, who's willing to drop a whole bunch
of money to have a production run made, and wait until all the parts get
sold. Once those high-end big wheels are out there, others will want them
as well, but it will take time.
Yesterday I saw Gary Kanauch's (sp?) road racing unicycle. This is one he
built specifically for the Mt. Diablo Challenge, a 10 mile bike race with
about 3500' of climbing up Mt. Diablo. It has a 700c road bike rim, with
very narrow tubular tire. The tire is red white and blue, and the cycle
really looks cool! I'll have pictures up eventually; they'll be with my
pictures from the Flume Trail ride of September 30.
Good luck, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com (http://www.unicycling.com/)
"Freedom is not free"
The Coker works partially
> because even short adult rider can fit.......so it would also depend on
> how many distance riders have long enough legs to warrant all this cash
> to start building giant "Cokers". If it was just up to me, I think I
> could reach the pedals of about a 60" unicycle ........but of course
> I'd be willing to consider something smaller. If we are just talking
> about a 42" or so (that many people could ride) it might not be worth
> enough to me as it would cost for the start up costs. -Mark
>
> > David, Thanks for your reply. I dont know much about the
> manufacturing
> > process of rims and tires. Just thinking out loud, im sure they set
> > thier machines to stop at a certain point for 26 inch or 28
> inch rims
> > and tires. It would seem to me like it would not be a big
> deal for them
> > to extend the process to produce a 45 inch tire and rim. Im
> guessing a
> > smaller manufacture of wheel and rims might at least listen
> to what we
> > have to say. I think we would be wasting our time with the big
> > producers such as Mavic and Contenential. Any body know of
> any that may
> > listen?
> >
> > I realize it always comes down to money. I belive that with
> > persistance and enough people interested we can make it happen at an
> > affordable price.
> >
> > There are probobly only several dozen distance enthusiasts, however
> > all are probobly ready for the next evolution. It can happen!
> >
> > dan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > dan Posted via the Unicyclist Community - http://unicyclist.com/forums
>
>
> Sent via the Unicyclist Community - http://Unicyclist.com (http://unicyclist.com/)
>
> if we could get enough interest & enough dollars together, we would also
> have to agree upon a wheel size.
Correct. There was talk of this earlier this year as well, when riders
were preparing for Unicycle Across Europe. Though frames and other parts
of the unicycle are relatively easy (though not necessarily cheap) to
make, rims and tires require highly specialized tools and methods. A
custom batch of either would be very expensive.
I would start by calling Tom Miller to talk about rims. I believe Tom has
gotten custom batches of rim material in the past, either for big wheels
(with no valve hole) or for ultimates (no spoke holes). His contact
information could be useful. (765) 452-2692
I think the tire would be the most expensive part. Though it may be
relatively easy to roll out rims to custom sizes, what little I know of
tire manufacture suggests that they are made in molds. Custom molds would
be *way* expensive. Tom Miller made an air tire big wheel once (way back
in the 70's), but he said it was too much work to do again. And he never
did. He somehow vulcanized two regular bike tires together. I can imagine
that it would be extremely difficult to get the exact right size to fit
the rim, and the smoothness of the joint for it to roll without two
annoying bumps with each revolution.
But even an alloy rim on the existing tire from Coker could be a nice
upgrade. Combine that with a wider axle and you would have a big
improvement over the stock Coker wheel.
I know there are several people out there who have indicated a willingness
to chip in on such a project. You could start by polling them to find out
how much they're willing to spend on a rim and tire. *Just* the rim and
tire, to get an idea how high they're willing to go. As a safe estimate
(for a truly high-end cycle) assume $1000 US for the rest. Add that all
up, and see how much money you have to work with.
Then you just need an investor type, who's willing to drop a whole bunch
of money to have a production run made, and wait until all the parts get
sold. Once those high-end big wheels are out there, others will want them
as well, but it will take time.
Yesterday I saw Gary Kanauch's (sp?) road racing unicycle. This is one he
built specifically for the Mt. Diablo Challenge, a 10 mile bike race with
about 3500' of climbing up Mt. Diablo. It has a 700c road bike rim, with
very narrow tubular tire. The tire is red white and blue, and the cycle
really looks cool! I'll have pictures up eventually; they'll be with my
pictures from the Flume Trail ride of September 30.
Good luck, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com (http://www.unicycling.com/)
"Freedom is not free"
The Coker works partially
> because even short adult rider can fit.......so it would also depend on
> how many distance riders have long enough legs to warrant all this cash
> to start building giant "Cokers". If it was just up to me, I think I
> could reach the pedals of about a 60" unicycle ........but of course
> I'd be willing to consider something smaller. If we are just talking
> about a 42" or so (that many people could ride) it might not be worth
> enough to me as it would cost for the start up costs. -Mark
>
> > David, Thanks for your reply. I dont know much about the
> manufacturing
> > process of rims and tires. Just thinking out loud, im sure they set
> > thier machines to stop at a certain point for 26 inch or 28
> inch rims
> > and tires. It would seem to me like it would not be a big
> deal for them
> > to extend the process to produce a 45 inch tire and rim. Im
> guessing a
> > smaller manufacture of wheel and rims might at least listen
> to what we
> > have to say. I think we would be wasting our time with the big
> > producers such as Mavic and Contenential. Any body know of
> any that may
> > listen?
> >
> > I realize it always comes down to money. I belive that with
> > persistance and enough people interested we can make it happen at an
> > affordable price.
> >
> > There are probobly only several dozen distance enthusiasts, however
> > all are probobly ready for the next evolution. It can happen!
> >
> > dan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > dan Posted via the Unicyclist Community - http://unicyclist.com/forums
>
>
> Sent via the Unicyclist Community - http://Unicyclist.com (http://unicyclist.com/)
>