Learning Journal

[MissScooter]

So I've also noticed that I can slow to a crawl, and even come to a complete stop after each pedal and keep going at a walking pace, but going faster than pretty much a slow jog is not possible for me. (yet) =P
I let my one friend in Missouri use my unicycle, and after ten minutes he could get a few turns in (I was so jealous, it took me so long!), but he was riding so intensely hard and fast that he had no control, and usually the unicycle would end up sliding across the ground when he would fall off (although he never hit the ground thankfully). Made me think about how differently I learned. I definitely don't have that, go hard and fall mentality. But how I learned may have helped me in the long run, as I seem to have learned a slower but in control method of riding. Anyone else learn the crazy, go hard until you hit the ground way? It's almost scary to watch. =P

[TopHatPlus]

Got my new cranks, thanks to Alucards encouragement i got them changed. And i took a few photos along the way =D I decided to cover the disk mount holes for the time being, it worked well. Took some photos.

I mounted it in my apartment and the Q factor was incredible!!!! i am going for a ride in a few minutes. I will report back with my review, but for now the install and first impressions were great!

[MissScooter]

Idling just kinda clicked yesterday, I went from 1-2 idles generally, to being able to do over 10 without too much trouble. Going to start learning to bunny hop tomorrow I think, since riding circles and idling are getting a tad dull. Should I let some air out of my tire to learn bunny hops? The tire says 40-65 psi, and I generally keep it about in the center, a little below 55. Would it be easier to learn around say, 40?

[dragonzfly]

Originally Posted by MissScooter

Idling just kinda clicked yesterday, I went from 1-2 idles generally, to being able to do over 10 without too much trouble. Going to start learning to bunny hop tomorrow I think, since riding circles and idling are getting a tad dull. Should I let some air out of my tire to learn bunny hops? The tire says 40-65 psi, and I generally keep it about in the center, a little below 55. Would it be easier to learn around say, 40?

Most trials, street and flat riders have their tyres at around 20psi + or - a little bit. You want lots of spring in the tyre to learn, as long as its not bottoming out. It also depends a bit on your weight.
Cheers.

[MissScooter]

So I have managed to go from riding and do 1-2 little hops, and then continue riding within only like 15 minutes of practice. Really thought it would take a lot longer to get into it, but I think practicing idling kind of helped. After each hop, I notice my left foot pushes down more so the pedals start to go vertical. Just needs some serious practice before I go hopping up some curbs. =)

Kind of excited, but my current to-do list is definitely getting smaller.

[TopHatPlus]

Hey missScooter, I found hopping rather easy... but i had to do quite a bit of experimenting with tire pressures in order to achieve the curb portion of it, i am a lighter and small rider being 5' 6" and 140 lbs, so i found running more around the 12-15 psi worked much better, and 20-25 for cruising.

[TopHatPlus]

My KH spirit review (thus far). I was planning on 10 or so minutes of pre ride to the gym practice with them to get my head around the shorter cranks, mounting etc. expecialy after hearing peoples set back with changing crank sizes. I free mounted it first try with no effort, and was feeling so good after 10 feet i just rode to the gym.

First impressions:
-WOW
-OMFG
-Why did i wait so long...

Pros:
-The Q factor was HUGE!!! i could not believe how much more comfortable i could ride with my feet being further apart. My knees were not bent outward to avoid tire rub and my feet were not falling asleep from the awkward bent angle.
-The perfect size! Although i only rode the 150mm it was magical!
-The quality, it evident at every angle! They are very nice!
-Light weight
-Beautiful looking on the uni.

Cons:
-Cost... not cheap...

I highly recommend these cranks to anyone running a nimbus venture and are unsatisfied with the feel of them. I am a happy camper, trying out the 127mm tomorrow!!! I will be a flash of red around town AHAHAHAH

[MDale]

Sorry, I am totally new to this. What do you mean by the new Q Factor from the KH cranks. Are the pedals wider now or more narrow? And how does that help?

[TopHatPlus]

Originally Posted by MDale

Sorry, I am totally new to this. What do you mean by the new Q Factor from the KH cranks. Are the pedals wider now or more narrow? And how does that help?

The pedal stance is wider.
I have the 3" wide duro wildlife tire on my Muni which causes a lot of leg rub when turning. The wider stance aligns my leg more and make everything much more comfortable.

[MDale]

I am not sure if folks on this forum are big GPS users, so forgive me if I have hit upon a taboo here. I have been working on extending my rides recently and have worked up to 2.3 miles, including a pretty big hill. I tracked it today with my GPS in hopes of improving my time. Here is a link to my ride from a website that allows you to upload your file and track your progress. http://app.strava.com/rides/18633027

Not bad for only 3 and a half weeks on a uni...

[UniTographer]

Originally Posted by MDale

I am not sure if folks on this forum are big GPS users, so forgive me if I have hit upon a taboo here. I have been working on extending my rides recently and have worked up to 2.3 miles, including a pretty big hill. I tracked it today with my GPS in hopes of improving my time. Here is a link to my ride from a website that allows you to upload your file and track your progress. http://app.strava.com/rides/18633027

Not bad for only 3 and a half weeks on a uni...

3 and a half weeks?? You're a machine! It took me about 2 months to get to 2 miles!

Keep it up!

-- UniT

[MissScooter]

Definitely still new to it, but here is my idling. Definitely has improved, just needs lots of practice to lengthen how long I can go. =)
Also, I think I tend to look down a lot when learning new things.

YouTube - Idling

Congrats on the 2.3 mile ride! =) I am too afraid to ride out if front of people, and there aren't many good roads around here anyway. Looks like you have a nice loop there.

[TopHatPlus]

I was waiting for my girlfriend to finish up at the gym last thursday so i went out in the parking lot for 30 minutes or so messing aorund with unicycle. Its was lovely how much control and confidence these cranks have given me >_<

i had my tools on me so i swapped out my pedals to the 127mm hole... was kind of nerveous... mounted it no issues, and was FLYING around the parking lot, the entire thing is on some sort of a decent slope so it was decent practice for real world riding. I was leaning hard into corners, whipping right turns and just having a blast!!! they are amazing! so happy with my purchase. My pay cheque was exactly what i was wanting so i will be able to put some disk brakes on my Muni =D

[jyngles]

Well, I got in about 4 hours time this week and I seem to have hit a wall with my progression. Not sure why and I don't know what to do about it. I don't know where to go at this point so I just keep on practicing and hope that it passes and I get over this hump.

I can say that going backwards seems a little smoother and idling with my right foot at 6 o'clock is a bit easier. It is discouraging when I am not feeling any progression and at times I feel like I am practicing mistakes more than anything.

Any words of wisdom would be great right about now.

[Alucard]

Hey jyngles,

I think you're doing great uni budd!
Idling, riding backwards

Keep up the good work.

I was getting a bit fed up with 'getting nowhere' on my 29", so I've put it away in the cupboard for a while and got out my 26". I've put an adjustable seat post on so I sit real comfy like. I have more confidence on this one simply because I know when I upd, I will have no probs freemounting

Hey THP There's no stoppin you is there ?
Uummm, 26" with a disk, I like the sound of that.