Fastest speed on a unicycle

[La Rueda Perdida]

This sucks. I have to post the slowest speed in this entire thread.

I've gotten 11 mph on my 20" with (afaik) 150mm cranks, according to one of those speed limit things that shows how fast you're driving. And we all know how accurate those are. I don't have any fancy speed gizmos you guys have.

I'll get a better number once my 26 is up and running.

[scotthue]

Went riding today. On a perfectly smooth downhill with a 10-15mph tailwind, I hit 33.0mph. Personally I'm a little skeptical that I hit that speed (maybe incredulous is more the word), but I definitely felt like I was going faster than the 29.5mph I hit the other day. However, because the conditions were so perfect, I felt more in control than when I hit 29.5mph. See my previous post for the accuracy of the speedo, I'm pretty confident in it. Also, my dad was riding next to me on his bike and he confirmed that I definitely hit over 30mph.

GEARED WHEELS
Speed (mph), Name, Location, Unicycle, Crank size
---------------------------------------------------------------
33.0 mph, Scott Wilton, Madison WI USA, Geared KH36, 140mm (downhill)
28.8 mph, Chuck Edwall, Laguna Beach, CA, Geared KH36, 150mm (downhill)
27.0 mph, Corbin Dunn, Los Gatos CA USA, Geared KH36, 150mm
26.8 mph, Jan Logemann, Remscheid, Germany, Geard KH36, 125mm
26.0 mph, Scott Wilton, Madison WI USA, Geared KH29 125mm
25.9 mph, (41.7 kph), turtle on "turtle's V", Gearded 29", 125mm
25.8 mph (41.5 kph), Sam Wakeling, Wales UK, Geared KH36", 150mm
25.0 mph (40.3 kph) Geoff Houghton, Ashland, Oregon, USA, Florian Green 36" V frame with Schlumpf, 152 mm
24.2 mph, John Moriarty, Sarasota FL, 24" Schlumpf muni, 125mm
24.1 mph, Roland Kays, Albany NY, Geared KH36, 165mm
23.5 mph, David Stone, Lobster, 29" Schlumpf, 125mm
23.0 mph (37.0 kph) Nathan Hoover, Rob's Ride on dirt, Schlumpf KH 36, 150mm
22.74 mph(36.6kph) Jakob Flansberry Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. KH26 Schlumpf, 137mm
22.6 mph, Spencer Owen, Nottingham UK, Schlumpf 29, 127mm
21.51 mph, Kaycee Stevens, Rt.2 in Orono, Maine, Schlumpf KH29, 150mm
20.8 mph, Steve Relles, Delmar NY US, KH36/Schumpf, 165mm


UNGEARED 36" (or larger)
Speed (mph), Name, Location, Unicycle, Crank size
---------------------------------------------------------------
29-ish, Christian Hoverath, ungeared Coker, 125mm
28.0 mph, Madison Johnston, Portland Oregon, Ungeared Nimbus 36 114mm cranks(downhill)
26.7 mph Sam Wakeling, Wales, UK, Ungeared 36, 114mm
24.2 mph, Lars Lottrup, Nivå Denmark, Nimbus 36, 114mm
23.4 mph(37.7kph), Jakob Flansberry, Gatineau, Canada, Coker Big One, 114mm
22.9 mph, Scott Wilton, Madison WI USA, Nimbus 36, 114mm
22.5 mph Madison Johnston, Portland Oregon, ungeared Nimbus 36 125mm cranks(flat ground)
22.14 mph, Matthew Morris, Manchester UK, KH36, 100mm
22.1 mph Tyler Nail, California, ungeared UDC 36er, 125mm
22-ish, John Foss, 45" Unicycle Factory Big Wheel (28 pounds), 6.5" cranks
21.9, David Stone, 36" Coker with 110mm cranks
21.1 mph, Øivind Stuan, Trondheim Norway, Nimbus 36, 125mm
20.8 mph, Nathan Hoover, Norway, Hunter 36, 125mm
20.2 mph, Samuel Farmer, West Sussex England, Qu-ax 36, 114mm
20.0 mph, Austin Bachman, Gardnerville, NV, USA, Nimbus 36, 125mm
19.9 mph, Peripatet, Jacksonville FL USA, KH36, 125mm
19.5 mph Tomas Nemecek, Phoenix, Arizona, USA KH36, 110mm
19.06 mph, Federico Moretto, Pove del Grappa ITALY, Nimbus 36, 145mm
19.0 mph, Joe Sowul, Anaheim CA USA, Nimbus Nightrider 36, 125mm
17.5 mph, Rob Northcott, Warwick cycle races, UK, Mongrel 36er, 145mm
16.0 mph, David Hood, Louisville KY USA, ungeared N36, 110mm
15.5mph, Bob Griffiths, Shrewsbury Cycle Track,UK, Coker 36, 150s

UNGEARED 29" (or smaller)
Speed (mph), Name, Location, Unicycle, Crank size
---------------------------------------------------------------
19.1 mph, Marco Schmidt, 29" KH with 114mm cranks (on a street going downhill), near Dieburg (Germany)
17.5 mph, John Foss, Max. indicated speed on 24" with 125mm (multiple repeats)
16.8, Austin Ritz, Conewago Trail, ungeared KH 29, 125s
15.9 mph (25.4 kph), Blacky Burny (haha Joey), Millbank, ON, Nimbus/Semcycle 29er, 125 mm
15 mph, David Stone, Semcycle 29", 110mm cranks
14.0 mph (22.48 km/h), Dominic Fandrey (kamikaze), Germany/Karlsruhe, Siegmono Touring 26", 114mm
13.4 mph, Mark Blyth, Nimbus 26" MUni, 165mm cranks, near Newcastle England
13.29 (mph). Collin Jones. Arvada CO, U.S. KH29 125mm cranks
12.8 mph BrianP, Ocala FL US, KH24 w 150s

[OutdoorJunkie]

Originally Posted by scotthue

Went riding today. On a perfectly smooth downhill with a 10-15mph tailwind, I hit 33.0mph. Personally I'm a little skeptical that I hit that speed (maybe incredulous is more the word), but I definitely felt like I was going faster than the 29.5mph I hit the other day. However, because the conditions were so perfect, I felt more in control than when I hit 29.5mph. See my previous post for the accuracy of the speedo, I'm pretty confident in it. Also, my dad was riding next to me on his bike and he confirmed that I definitely hit over 30mph.

You machine!

[toracyclist]

I wasn't even trying to go fast today but I lost control and went flying and scraped my knee for the first time. I've only been riding for about two months. Hard to keep speed and direction. ALso how do you keep your feet on the peddles. they always fly off esp. when trying to mount

[jam96]

Originally Posted by Nurse Ben

So now for my question: What is the fastest speed you have been going when you crashed on a unicycle?

I think my fastest crash was about 25-30km/h. I was doing an MTB race on my 36er, and the course went down a slight hill, through a large arable field. The field had not long been combined. The bikes had compacted a nice, smooth, trail through the field, and flattened down the stubble. This allowed me to get some good speed. Towards the end of the hill, there was a biker infront of me, who suddenly slowed down, so to avoid crashing into him, I swerved off the flattened trail, and onto the bumpier soil with the un-flattened stubble, which was perfect for hiding obstacles. I managed to stay in control without slowing down too much.

Before I could get back onto the flattened soil, I ran over a brick, at 25-30km/h. I hit the ground shoulder first, and rolled out, and I was fine afterwards, so I got up, jumped back on the 36er, and carried on racing (Losing).

My worst crash was at about 6km/h. I still don't know what happened, other than the fact I was unicycling, and then I was in hospital.

[saskatchewanian]

Wow Scott

I knew it was just a matter of time before you broke 30 mph after your last post but I was not expecting it so soon. Congrats man, that is getting into "scary fast" territory.

I hope it inspires others to start pushing the envelope again

[MuniAddict]

Pretty fast! It's hard to believe you didn't get this on film, knowing what you were attempting. So do it again Scott and have your dad FILM it! I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to see it, even if it's hitting 30mph.

[scott ttocs]

I do not like the idea of "hitting" and "30 mph" used in the same sentence.

What an amazing accomplishment. Try not to die.

Scott

PS--You do know that there are probably two settings are your speedometer, k/h and mph?

[aspenmike]

"Went riding today. On a perfectly smooth downhill with a 10-15mph tailwind, I hit 33.0mph." Scott W.
1. You are insane. Hope your life insurance is good.
2. I am so glad that I have no desire at all to go fast, I am glad you all are pushing that record.
3. Congrats!

[naturequack]

OK, never mind body armor. Time for a parachute.

[johnfoss]

Today I was cruising comfortably along the American River Bike Path at around 17.2 mph. And I started thinking about Scott (and others) going 10 mph faster than that. Scott, keep yourself in one piece for competition season. Pad up! For speeds like that, I guess you want to be wearing something that will help you slide along the road without sanding away any part of your person.

Today Jacquie and I rode about 18.6 miles at an average speed of over 13.5 mph. This is including some decent-sized hills ridden in low gear. Very impressive for both of us considering the distance!

[steveyo]

Originally Posted by scotthue

Went riding today. On a perfectly smooth downhill with a 10-15mph tailwind, I hit 33.0mph.

>Gulp!<

Mucho congrats, but, dude, be careful out there!

[redwelly]

Originally Posted by scotthue

Went riding today. On a perfectly smooth downhill with a 10-15mph tailwind, I hit 33.0mph.

Awesome! I can believe that.

This is all the more impressive to me now that I put a speedo back on my g36 this week and realised how high the cadence required to get to a max of 24mph feels with my 145s.

I felt it would have been much easier to go faster with shorter cranks like 125s (despite all I've said before); though I am not tempted to do so as I'd rather have the top speed limited a little bit!

Looking forward to some racing with you in a couple of months.

Sam

[redwelly]

I got a new peak of 43 kph on a nice bit of smooth downhill road today. It wasn't for long, but that's OK in this list!

Sam

GEARED WHEELS
Speed (mph), Name, Location, Unicycle, Crank size
---------------------------------------------------------------
33.0 mph, Scott Wilton, Madison WI USA, Geared KH36, 140mm (downhill)
28.8 mph, Chuck Edwall, Laguna Beach, CA, Geared KH36, 150mm (downhill)
27.0 mph, Corbin Dunn, Los Gatos CA USA, Geared KH36, 150mm
26.8 mph, Jan Logemann, Remscheid, Germany, Geard KH36, 125mm
26.7 mph (43 kph), Sam Wakeling, Scotland UK, Geared 36, 145mm
26.0 mph, Scott Wilton, Madison WI USA, Geared KH29 125mm
25.9 mph, (41.7 kph), turtle on "turtle's V", Gearded 29", 125mm
25.0 mph (40.3 kph) Geoff Houghton, Ashland, Oregon, USA, Florian Green 36" V frame with Schlumpf, 152 mm
24.2 mph, John Moriarty, Sarasota FL, 24" Schlumpf muni, 125mm
24.1 mph, Roland Kays, Albany NY, Geared KH36, 165mm
23.5 mph, David Stone, Lobster, 29" Schlumpf, 125mm
23.0 mph (37.0 kph) Nathan Hoover, Rob's Ride on dirt, Schlumpf KH 36, 150mm
22.74 mph(36.6kph) Jakob Flansberry Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. KH26 Schlumpf, 137mm
22.6 mph, Spencer Owen, Nottingham UK, Schlumpf 29, 127mm
21.51 mph, Kaycee Stevens, Rt.2 in Orono, Maine, Schlumpf KH29, 150mm
20.8 mph, Steve Relles, Delmar NY US, KH36/Schumpf, 165mm


UNGEARED 36" (or larger)
Speed (mph), Name, Location, Unicycle, Crank size
---------------------------------------------------------------
29-ish, Christian Hoverath, ungeared Coker, 125mm
28.0 mph, Madison Johnston, Portland Oregon, Ungeared Nimbus 36 114mm cranks(downhill)
26.7 mph Sam Wakeling, Wales, UK, Ungeared 36, 114mm
24.2 mph, Lars Lottrup, Nivå Denmark, Nimbus 36, 114mm
23.4 mph(37.7kph), Jakob Flansberry, Gatineau, Canada, Coker Big One, 114mm
22.9 mph, Scott Wilton, Madison WI USA, Nimbus 36, 114mm
22.5 mph Madison Johnston, Portland Oregon, ungeared Nimbus 36 125mm cranks(flat ground)
22.14 mph, Matthew Morris, Manchester UK, KH36, 100mm
22.1 mph Tyler Nail, California, ungeared UDC 36er, 125mm
22-ish, John Foss, 45" Unicycle Factory Big Wheel (28 pounds), 6.5" cranks
21.9, David Stone, 36" Coker with 110mm cranks
21.1 mph, Øivind Stuan, Trondheim Norway, Nimbus 36, 125mm
20.8 mph, Nathan Hoover, Norway, Hunter 36, 125mm
20.2 mph, Samuel Farmer, West Sussex England, Qu-ax 36, 114mm
20.0 mph, Austin Bachman, Gardnerville, NV, USA, Nimbus 36, 125mm
19.9 mph, Peripatet, Jacksonville FL USA, KH36, 125mm
19.5 mph Tomas Nemecek, Phoenix, Arizona, USA KH36, 110mm
19.06 mph, Federico Moretto, Pove del Grappa ITALY, Nimbus 36, 145mm
19.0 mph, Joe Sowul, Anaheim CA USA, Nimbus Nightrider 36, 125mm
17.5 mph, Rob Northcott, Warwick cycle races, UK, Mongrel 36er, 145mm
16.0 mph, David Hood, Louisville KY USA, ungeared N36, 110mm
15.5mph, Bob Griffiths, Shrewsbury Cycle Track,UK, Coker 36, 150s

UNGEARED 29" (or smaller)
Speed (mph), Name, Location, Unicycle, Crank size
---------------------------------------------------------------
19.1 mph, Marco Schmidt, 29" KH with 114mm cranks (on a street going downhill), near Dieburg (Germany)
17.5 mph, John Foss, Max. indicated speed on 24" with 125mm (multiple repeats)
16.8, Austin Ritz, Conewago Trail, ungeared KH 29, 125s
15.9 mph (25.4 kph), Blacky Burny (haha Joey), Millbank, ON, Nimbus/Semcycle 29er, 125 mm
15 mph, David Stone, Semcycle 29", 110mm cranks
14.0 mph (22.48 km/h), Dominic Fandrey (kamikaze), Germany/Karlsruhe, Siegmono Touring 26", 114mm
13.4 mph, Mark Blyth, Nimbus 26" MUni, 165mm cranks, near Newcastle England
13.29 (mph). Collin Jones. Arvada CO, U.S. KH29 125mm cranks
12.8 mph BrianP, Ocala FL US, KH24 w 150s

[scott ttocs]

Sam,

Your maximum speeds on a geared and ungeared 36" are identical. I am surprised.

Scott