Nimbus Oregon Review!

[MuniAddict]

UDC asked me to test their new 26er Nimbus Oregon, and give them my feedback. Struck with a sudden burst of creative ideas, I decided to go all out and make a comprehensive review video, highlighting the unique features of the Oregon, technical riding, and my rating review.

There’s lots of variety and humor throughout, and I found some fun ways to describe certain features, like, “The super wide Larry tire has more volume than a WHO concert!”


I was also inspired to make a cool little animated “morphing” promo, including a slogan I wrote for it as well. At the very end see how my other unicycles “react” to the newest arrival, haha!

I would love to hear insights and opinions from other Oregon owners, Larry tire users, and/or those who might be thinking of getting one. I put more time and effort into this video than anything I’ve done, and I hope you enjoy and comment.

Nimbus Oregon Unicycle Tutorial & Review by...

[cabelera]

nice video , you are the guy !!!
(from the sunshine state)

[unihopper]

Great review! Looks like a really fun unicycle. I loved the ending with the unicycles talking, hilarious!

[Shippy]

haha the best bit is the ending with the talking unicycles

[Nurse Ben]

Funny stuff Terry

Lots of tire, really makes a differnce playing with psi, we're running 8-12 psi depending on rider weight (150/200#) and surface conditions (snow/mud = 8-10psi, hardpack = 10-12psi.

I see UDC is now using the bearing mount for the caliper, interesting, wonder why they skipped the frame mount...which did have some issues in the early model.

It is a lot of tire and would likely benefit from a bar of sorts, both to get more leverage and for steering. I noticed you seemed to work a little harder on jumps, and drops, which makes sense considering the wheel and tire " bulk". The downhill rolling comfort and abstacle absorption is the beneficial trade off.

Are you running the stock 165's? We bumped up to 170's for more control, but have considered trying some shorter cranks (150's) since that's what I'm riding on my other unis.

The hub width is worth mentioning : UDC increased the width to accomodate the disc, adding 25mm, so the cranks have minimal Q factor, but are still as wide as a standard 100mm hub running KH Moments. In other words, adding a high crank would make it super-super wide.

The disc brake is pretty amazing, no wet weather fade, low maintenance, can chqnge out wheels easier, and it has all the power you'd ever want. We're running a Shimano M535, which is a low end caliper and weaker caliper than a Avid Juicy, but works fine because a more powerful caliper might be too powerful.

So Terry, do you think you'll ride it much compared to the 24 x 3 or the 26 x 2.4 guni?

[mbalmer]

I find the Oregon to be almost the same as my other unicycles. It isn't any harder to ride up/downhill. It isn't any harder to turn. My only issue is that I feel so much trail camber. As much as I hate road camber, the Oregon really exaggerates the problem both on and off road. I've played around with tire pressure, but haven't solved that problem yet. It means that I usually choose a different unicycle to go ride.

The fat tire is good in loose rock, gravel, and sand. It is not good in mud. Thanks for the video. It inspires me to get out there and play around with it. The brake line is way too long. I don't know how to shorten it so it's wrapped a couple of times and still hits my leg.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by Nurse Ben

Funny stuff Terry

Lots of tire, really makes a differnce playing with psi, we're running 8-12 psi depending on rider weight (150/200#) and surface conditions (snow/mud = 8-10psi, hardpack = 10-12psi.

I see UDC is now using the bearing mount for the caliper, interesting, wonder why they skipped the frame mount...which did have some issues in the early model.

It is a lot of tire and would likely benefit from a bar of sorts, both to get more leverage and for steering. I noticed you seemed to work a little harder on jumps, and drops, which makes sense considering the wheel and tire " bulk". The downhill rolling comfort and abstacle absorption is the beneficial trade off.

Are you running the stock 165's? We bumped up to 170's for more control, but have considered trying some shorter cranks (150's) since that's what I'm riding on my other unis.

The hub width is worth mentioning : UDC increased the width to accomodate the disc, adding 25mm, so the cranks have minimal Q factor, but are still as wide as a standard 100mm hub running KH Moments. In other words, adding a high crank would make it super-super wide.

The disc brake is pretty amazing, no wet weather fade, low maintenance, can chqnge out wheels easier, and it has all the power you'd ever want. We're running a Shimano M535, which is a low end caliper and weaker caliper than a Avid Juicy, but works fine because a more powerful caliper might be too powerful.

So Terry, do you think you'll ride it much compared to the 24 x 3 or the 26 x 2.4 guni?

Thanks Ben and everyone for the comments. Here are some specific thoughts on the "Nimbigon". Btw, I thought of a funny little line: "Want to 'Roll a Fatty?' Get a Nimbus Oregon!"

The Larry Tire, etc. I found it to be a very "cushy" ride, absorbing and rolling over tech-terrain with ease. But...it tends to throw you off line at random times, making it harder to control and maneuver than more traditional, narrower DH tires.

I think this is mostly due to the long, narrow knob design, and not the actual tire's shape (round, not square) or the width. I believe that if the knobs were shorter, and more sqaure, it would solve the "wandering" issue. Tweaking the psi does seem to help, and also after a break in period, it could become more controllable as well.

Since most people will want to cut off a LOT of excess from the brake line--I HATE wrapping it around the seatpost--that UDC should include an extra "olive" type fitting. My LBS had to find the right one and it took a while.

Also, the long, vertical configuration of the master cyl. on above the brake lever makes it hard to reach! And if you want to add a spooner, which I strongly recommend, you'll need to snip off 1/4" from the end of the lever to make it fit.

And the lever was also a little tricky to install onto the under saddle brake post. I had to loosen the lift handle before it would slide on in the correct position. It also requires a T25 star-shaped driver to loosen/tighten; the same tool used to install/remove the disc.

The little clip that holds the brake line broke within 15 minutes after I started my ride, and so now I have a regular zip tie on it. But a velcro strap (they make them small) would be best for quick release when necessary.

The frame's width may be an issue for some who might brush against it while pedaling. I didn't have that problem though. And I thought I might not like the nimbus gel saddle, since I've gotten so used to the FFR over the years. But to my surprise, it was very comfy.

[MuniAddict]

Just got a new kh seatpost for the Oregon, to replace the original one that came welded crooked, and thought I would also add the t-handle like on my G26er. Looks cool eh?

[Nurse Ben]

Is the technical downhill done in high gear??

Terry is a good rider, but not that good

Watching Napalm's video where he's riding an XC trail "downhill"' that's about the hardest and steepest riding I can manage on my 26guni and even then it'd be tough to stay on over some of the bumpier sections.

Hey Terry, you should check out my grab handles, I'm making a run and will sell them for my cost, super strong and much lighter than the KH touring bar.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by mbalmer

Is the technical downhill done in high gear??

Depends on how technical and steep. I have ridden my GUni on a fair number of what would be considered advanced level trails, and there have been a few instances where I rode down some sections in high gear that were pretty rocky, rooty or rutty, but it's definitely more challenging than in 1:1.

Originally Posted by Nurse Ben

Hey Terry, you should check out my grab handles, I'm making a run and will sell them for my cost, super strong and much lighter than the KH touring bar.

Can you post pics of it, and how much you'd be asking for them?

[scotthue]

Here ya go Terry:

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91594

[MuniAddict]

Thanks for the link.

[MuniAddict]

Rather than make a new "ride & review" thread, I'll just post them here.

This is a new ride & review I did for the Nimbus Oracle.

Unicycle Ride & Review: Nimbus Disc Brake...

[Nurse Ben]

It isn't better than my G26 in most conditions and one of the main reasons I got it was for the disc brake, which I can now have on the G26 with KH Spirits available. I also don't like the Larry that much, so... It is a very cool uni though, and it looks absolutely badass! But I'll sell it and move on to KH Spirits.

Don't sell your Oregon quite yet! There's a new tire in town, big and bad, 29 x 3", they call it the Knard

It only fits one production frame, you guessed right, The Oregon

Thank You Surly!

[MuniAddict]

Btw, I'm glad nimbus put the disc on the *left* side, since I hop to the right, and would not be able to pedal/crank grab or grind, without risking damage to the disc!

And thanks for the more than 6,500 views and all the comments on this thread!



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-Clint Eastwood