new unicycle

[Christina Moe]

I'd like to buy a unicycle but I'm new to this particular market. I don't know
anything about the brands available, where to find consumer information etc. I
would appreciate any suggestions.

[A.D. Williams]

I'm happy with my 24" Miyata Deluxe unicycle. I hear it's expensive now but
I've had no complaints about it whatsoever. Beware of flimsy and cheap
unicycles - they might not be able to take the massive abuse a unicycle goes
through during the learning stages.

Derrick

[jds@media.mit.edu]

I just got a 24" SEMCYCLE about a month ago. I was really impressed with how
sturdy and tight it felt. I really like the heavy spokes and cranks (I was
popping 3 spokes a month on my old schwinn 24"). About the only thing I don't
like about mine is the pedals. They're too slippery for my tastes. I'm still
looking for the right pedal. Does anyone have any favorites? It's tempting to
get pedals with nice metal spikes, but...

I ordered mine for $175 plus $15 shipping on a Monday, the
day after I figured out how much it would cost to repair my
old schwinn that just shattered the axle. I was riding my
new wheel Friday (the day my bike decided to self destruct).

I don't know how the XL's rate...

-john

[A.D. Williams]

If you're having trouble with slippery pedals, you might try finding shoes with
the right tread that will keep your feet on the pedals. My experience is that
pedals are pretty much standard, while shoes are varied. You might try to find
some cheapo sneakers that have the knobby type of soles and go with that.
Knobby soles suck for jogging (tried them, flat soles are best) but worked well
for cycling.

Derrick

failing that, try cementing sandpaper to the pedals. It's worth a shot.

[jds@media.mit.edu]

i actually thought about getting new shoes to fit the pedals, but not having
the money (spent it all on the new wheel afterall) and riding under various
circumstances I think I need a good grippy pedal instead.

The SEMCYCLE's pedals have rounded hard plastic nubs (big ones). A friend's
Miyata seemed to have nice grippy pedals but I haven't found any like it yet.
I'll probably just go back to the cheapo black rubber pedals until i find the
right thing..

i almost ended up cementing that grippy paper stuff to my old schwinn
pedals this winter but i managed somehow... i almost got a studded tire
too, but $$$...

-- john

[Dean Bandes]

I want to agree about liking the Miyata uni. I have a 24". For one thing, it
feels very solid -- as much as you could ask from something as intrinsically
unstable as a unicycle. There is no play at all between the pedals and the wheel
nor in the wheel bearings. For another, the pedals have good solid rubber all
around so they don't look bad after being dropped a lot. Another really good
part is that the seat has heavy plastic guards around the front and back. Mine
is plenty scuffed after several years, but there are no gaps. The metal frame of
my previous uni's seat cut through the seat after being dropped a relatively
small number of times.

Dean Bandes deanb@ma.credence.com

[Mark Wiggins]

jds@media.mit.edu wrote:
> I just got a 24" SEMCYCLE about a month ago. I was really impressed with how
> sturdy and tight it felt. I really like the heavy spokes and cranks (I was
> popping 3 spokes a month on my old schwinn 24"). About the only thing I
> don't like about mine is the pedals. They're too slippery for my tastes. I'm
> still looking for the right pedal. Does anyone have any favorites? It's
> tempting to get pedals with nice metal spikes, but...

I got a 20" Semcycle about a month ago and I agree it feels really solid.
Certainly better than my Pashley 24" (but then it was 3 times the price).

I was told it'll last me a lifetime. I guess there are two ways of looking
at that :-)

> I ordered mine for $175 plus $15 shipping.

Oh, you can be cruel. We British dream of such prices. I paid 170 pounds ($250?)
for mine...

Mark.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Wiggins, | markw@fulcrum.co.uk +44 (21) 771 2001 Fulcrum Communications
Ltd, |------------------------------------------ Fordrough Lane, | I've been
walkin' in my sleep, countin' Birmingham, | troubles 'stead of countin' sheep.
ENGLAND | Kate Wolf.

[james cannon]

Hey buddies,

I have a Miyata 24" unicycle in decent shape that I am looking to sell for about
$50. It has new mountain bike pedals but needs a new tire. It's in pretty decent
shape, though it is about 3 years old.

Jim Cannon jcannon@andy.bgsu.edu
(419) 372-1037