Unicycle@aol.com
1995-10-11, 09:00 AM
age dated 95-09-21 13:25:37 EDT, Jack Halpern wrote:
>I ABSOLUTELY and TOTALLY disagree. I have experimented considerably, and have
>ridden unis with cranks ranging form 3.5 to 6.5 inches. And I know quite a few
>world-class unicyclists who will swear that 5.5 is too long for general
>unicycling. Japan's top riders use 4" or 4.5" in expert class races and 5" for
>normal riding. Koike Takayuku, holder of Guiness 100 mile record, rides my 42"
>big wheel with 5" or even shorter cranks!
An interesting opinion. Judging "Bern's" level of skill, which I'm sure you can
by reading his many posts, you would recommend shorter crank arms on a 26"
wheel for learning skills? I would not. When I go to a unicycle convention by
air, I bring three unicycles (wish it could be less). There is a 20" freestyle
unicycle for stage and skill performing, a 24" track unicycle with 1 3/8" tire
and 5" cranks for straight forward racing, and a regular 24" unicycle (1.75"
tire) with 5.5" cranks for all purpose riding, UMX, obstacle course, and select
other races.
The skinny tire on my track unicycle (and other features that make it lighter
and better adapted to racing) make it bad for rough treatment, and changing
crank arms is an arduous process that causes wear and tear to the parts, so I
don't do it. 5" cranks on a 24" wheel are great for many uses, in my opinion,
but not for all.
Basketball and hockey, if played with a 24" wheel, are much easier for me to do
with 5.5" cranks. The leverage makes a big difference to me, and this is with a
Miyata alloy rim.
On larger wheels, I definitely recommend longer cranks. For setting a 100 mile
record, especially in the amazing Guinness record time set by Mr. Koike in 1987
(6:44), short cranks would make more sense, but not for all around riding,
especially around cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
I ride a 45" big wheel with 6.5" crank arms. I've had it since 1982 so I'm very
accustomed to it, and every time I ride a 40" wheel with 5.5" cranks, I'm very
uncomfortable. Though the shorter cranks are great for cruising long distances
at speed, they cut down your ability to react fast if a car pulls out in front
of you, for instance, or if you hit some sudden bumps. I'll stick with longer
cranks for general riding purposes.
To qualify my opinions, I'd like to note that I'm the World Champion of UMX at
the moment (even though the course had almost 1km of paved road in it),
5.5" cranks, and have been undefeated at the Obstacle Course in the history of
IUF competition. Still, your mileage may vary, and always listen to your own
body first.
Stay on Top! John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone unicycle@aol.com
>I ABSOLUTELY and TOTALLY disagree. I have experimented considerably, and have
>ridden unis with cranks ranging form 3.5 to 6.5 inches. And I know quite a few
>world-class unicyclists who will swear that 5.5 is too long for general
>unicycling. Japan's top riders use 4" or 4.5" in expert class races and 5" for
>normal riding. Koike Takayuku, holder of Guiness 100 mile record, rides my 42"
>big wheel with 5" or even shorter cranks!
An interesting opinion. Judging "Bern's" level of skill, which I'm sure you can
by reading his many posts, you would recommend shorter crank arms on a 26"
wheel for learning skills? I would not. When I go to a unicycle convention by
air, I bring three unicycles (wish it could be less). There is a 20" freestyle
unicycle for stage and skill performing, a 24" track unicycle with 1 3/8" tire
and 5" cranks for straight forward racing, and a regular 24" unicycle (1.75"
tire) with 5.5" cranks for all purpose riding, UMX, obstacle course, and select
other races.
The skinny tire on my track unicycle (and other features that make it lighter
and better adapted to racing) make it bad for rough treatment, and changing
crank arms is an arduous process that causes wear and tear to the parts, so I
don't do it. 5" cranks on a 24" wheel are great for many uses, in my opinion,
but not for all.
Basketball and hockey, if played with a 24" wheel, are much easier for me to do
with 5.5" cranks. The leverage makes a big difference to me, and this is with a
Miyata alloy rim.
On larger wheels, I definitely recommend longer cranks. For setting a 100 mile
record, especially in the amazing Guinness record time set by Mr. Koike in 1987
(6:44), short cranks would make more sense, but not for all around riding,
especially around cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
I ride a 45" big wheel with 6.5" crank arms. I've had it since 1982 so I'm very
accustomed to it, and every time I ride a 40" wheel with 5.5" cranks, I'm very
uncomfortable. Though the shorter cranks are great for cruising long distances
at speed, they cut down your ability to react fast if a car pulls out in front
of you, for instance, or if you hit some sudden bumps. I'll stick with longer
cranks for general riding purposes.
To qualify my opinions, I'd like to note that I'm the World Champion of UMX at
the moment (even though the course had almost 1km of paved road in it),
5.5" cranks, and have been undefeated at the Obstacle Course in the history of
IUF competition. Still, your mileage may vary, and always listen to your own
body first.
Stay on Top! John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone unicycle@aol.com