comparison of lower end model unicycles

I'm in the process of forming a unicycling club at my university. Anyway, I've
got some people interested, and now they're ready to purchase a unicycle of
their own. However, being the college students that we are, our pockets aren't
particularly deep. Now, would anyone have any advice to offer on the lower end
unicycles?

Looking at unicyclesource's catalog, there is a savage, united and zephyr model
all in the $70-90 price range, which is probably what most people are willing to
spend. Based on the photos, and info provided by unicyclesource, the only real
difference I can see is that the Zephyr has a flat crown, which I would expect
should make the one-footed stuff easier to learn. Also, does anyone have
anything to say about the Zepher seat? I'm well aware of the seat quality in
Savage and United. Any other advice as to differences worth noting in the low
end would be most appreciated. Oh, if it helps, any, the people looking are
probably going for 24" wheels, though, 20" is possible.

thanks for the input, jeff lutkus

I bought a 20" Savage locally in Nashville TN as my first uni, for USD $95.00.
It withstood the crashes and knocks associated with learning pretty well. The
ends of the seat took a beating though! The seat is cheaply convertable to an
air seat. However...

I am 6'1", and had to buy a longer seat post for my longer legs. (7 bucks) As
far as the flat crown for learning wheel walking...I can only hope to be that
good! At age 43, with less than 5 months of riding under my belt....I go OUCH
really loud when I fall.....

"Jeff Lutkus" <lutkus@mail.rit.edu> wrote in message
news:39D16DE5.C286ED7D@mail.rit.edu...
[color=blue]> I'm in the process of forming a unicycling club at my university. Anyway, I've[/color]
[color=blue]> got some people interested, and now they're ready to purchase a unicycle of[/color]
[color=blue]> their own. However, being the college students that we are, our pockets aren't[/color]
[color=blue]> particularly deep. Now, would anyone have any advice to offer on the lower end[/color]
[color=blue]> unicycles?[/color]
[color=blue]>[/color]
[color=blue]> Looking at unicyclesource's catalog, there is a savage, united and zephyr[/color]
[color=blue]> model all in the $70-90 price range, which is probably what most people are[/color]
[color=blue]> willing to spend. Based on the photos, and info provided by unicyclesource,[/color]
[color=blue]> the only real difference I can see is that the Zephyr has a flat crown, which[/color]
[color=blue]> I would expect should make the one-footed stuff easier to learn. Also, does[/color]
[color=blue]> anyone have anything to say about the Zepher seat? I'm well aware of the seat[/color]
[color=blue]> quality in Savage and United. Any other advice as to differences worth noting[/color]
[color=blue]> in the low end would be most appreciated. Oh, if it helps, any, the people[/color]
[color=blue]> looking are probably going for 24" wheels, though, 20" is possible.[/color]
[color=blue]>[/color]
[color=blue]> thanks for the input, jeff lutkus[/color]

[color=blue]> unicyclesource, the only real difference I can see is that the Zephyr has[/color]
[color=blue]> a flat crown, which I would expect should make the one-footed stuff easier[/color]
[color=blue]> to learn.[/color]

There is another big difference between the Zephyr and the others, in the
bearing attachment. The Savage and United both use the bolts that enter through
the side of the round tubing, causing undue stress to the fork leg. The bearing
attachment on the Zephyr is far superior.

[color=blue]> Also, does anyone have anything to say about the Zepher seat?[/color]

Unfortunately I can't make out the seats in the picture. New and different
designs are always coming out on the Taiwanese unicycles, so it's hard to keep
track of what's currently shipping. The Savage comes with the classic "seat of
discomfort", signified by the metal bars. Stay away from this kind if possible.
The United seat looks nice, with bumpers and a base that won't deform from
drops. But it may not be the most comfortable. Based on what I can see, I would
agree with you and go for the Torker/Zephyr.

Good luck,

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone http://www.unicycling.com

"In the walk of life sometimes you are a dog, and sometimes you are a hydrant."
- Anonymous