Opening my mind to muni

[steveyo]

Originally Posted by uniaddict

Yes, airseats are definitely the way to go. I dont have one but all I hear is that they are the best.

I prefer a standard KH Freeride seat to an airseat. Maybe I just never got the airseat situated just right, but I seemed like I was always futzing with it and could never get it comfortable for long rides. The new KH Freeride seat, OTOH, remains quite comfortable, even for two hours w/no breaks. YMMV.

[joemarshall]

Originally Posted by steveyo

I prefer a standard KH Freeride seat to an airseat. Maybe I just never got the airseat situated just right, but I seemed like I was always futzing with it and could never get it comfortable for long rides. The new KH Freeride seat, OTOH, remains quite comfortable, even for two hours w/no breaks. YMMV.

I'd totally agree with you. Airseats are minging, uncomfortable once you're an experienced rider, lose you control. They also have a habit of pissing off the people you're riding with, because you have to fiddle with them, or worse, you get an airseat flat.

Airseats feel comfy straight away, but just aren't as good as a stock KH fusion seat once you've ridden a few miles on it. It's similar to bike seats, where you can get a sofa, which will be great instantly but not work well when you start doing proper rides, or a harder less silly seat, that once you get used to it, will be good for doing distance.

Joe

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by joemarshall

http://www.unicyclist.com/index.php?..._itemId=134778

The video worked for me today!

I can see the energy in your foot as it pushes off the ground. But it doesn't look as if your weight is in the seat once you get started. Most of my failed mounts I actually have both feet on the pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock. But then I go no where. I am not sure if it is because I am scared or because I am not leaning forward because I am scared. Ya.. it is because I'm scared.

Originally Posted by joemarshall

The key thing is to push up off your back foot. I've taught a couple of people to mount by first getting them to stand in mounting position, one foot on the pedal, then take a step/jump just over the unicycle with their other foot. Once you can do that without bunging all your weight onto the other pedal, you've got the whole not putting weight on the pedal thing.

A step jump over the unicycle? What do you mean. If the pedals are horizontal to the ground do you mean hopping over the front peddle instead of landing on it?

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by joemarshall

If the LBS sold you a cheap unicycle that actually hurts to ride they probably know nothing about unicycles, you'd probably be best off mail ordering it from a unicycle seller.

You are correct that the manager knows very little about unicycles. And he admits it. He said he once tried it but scarred up his leg. You can still see the scar. I decided to give them another chance as it really is a nice shop with kind people. It is also the closest shop to the park where I ride.

I brought the unicycle in yesterday. It was in sorry shape. I had the seat clamp on sideways since the adjustable clamp stuck out way too far constantly hitting my leg. The lever on the clamp was tied down with a rubber band. I had door frame insulation taped wrapped around the seat bolts that were so long they dug into my leg. And then thick orange rubber tape wrapped around the seat and around the bolts to keep the insulation in place. It looked a mess!

I showed him everything that was wrong with the design. But I admitted that I knew the uni had its shortcomings when I bought it. This morning I picked it up. He cut the bolts down on both sides. Removed the adjustable seat clamp and crank and bolted the seat post tightly.

It looked so much better. After thanking him, I started to head to my car. But he asked me if I would give it a spin out in the back parking lot. So he could watch.

The ride was sooooo much better. Ok.. I admit the only way to improve the comfort of the seat is to throw it away but at least it is rideable now.

I went around the parking lot and when I came back towards the shop door, he was smiling so wide! He said thanks to me he just might give unicycling another try.

So maybe a few more unicyle customers and that shop will get with the program! I'd prefer that rather than looking for a shop far away. You have to have a convenient local shop.

[joemarshall]

That's fantastic that he's altered it so it isn't hurting you. You've got a seat that is just uncomfortable to sit on, which is fine for a learner uni, and saved yourself having to upgrade the seat. For absolute beginners, often pretty much any seat is uncomfortable, so it doesn't matter too much which seat they use until they've learnt to ride.

If your bike is that good, maybe ask him if he'd consider becoming a unicycle.com dealer, if he did, that'd mean you can buy stuff listed on unicycle.com through them. So you get the combination of good shop, plus access to good equipment.

http://www.unicycle.com/dealers.asp

What I mean by step / jump, is to go for the mount as normal, except deliberately jump up off the back foot really hard, so your front foot goes right over the unicycle and lands in front.

If you're getting to feet on the pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock, you're probably doing almost the right thing already, but get up there, teeter and fall off the back? If that's the case, you just need to jump slightly harder so that you fall off the front, and start pedalling once you're up there, in order to turn the falling off the front into riding.

Joe

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by joemarshall

For absolute beginners, often pretty much any seat is uncomfortable, so it doesn't matter too much which seat they use until they've learnt to ride.

Makes sense.

Originally Posted by joemarshall

If your bike is that good, maybe ask him if he'd consider becoming a unicycle.com dealer, if he did, that'd mean you can buy stuff listed on unicycle.com through them. So you get the combination of good shop, plus access to good equipment..

This is a great idea. I'll give him the website.
And maybe introduce him to Unicyclist.com.. if he really is interested in giving it another try.

Originally Posted by joemarshall

you just need to jump slightly harder so that you fall off the front, and start pedalling once you're up there, in order to turn the falling off the front into riding..

.. jump harder as if I were trying to fall off the front. I'll give it a try.

You are so helpful! Thank you!

[Unibugg]

Yesterday I learned a hard lesson.

I went off the paved paths onto semisoft dirt trails.. (this is Florida .. most trails are soft). I had a good time manuevering around and over small tree roots. When I saw a large root in the distance I safely dismounted and headed pack towards the pavement.

A little later after removing my knee pads and helmet (but keeping gloves on) I was riding on one of the widest and smoothest parts of the park. I fell off the front onto my hands and knees hard. It happened so fast I was practically already on the ground before I even realized I was falling.

Prepared and decked out with all the safety equipment while doing something I've never done before on an inappropriate skinny wheel and nothing happens. Sans equipment, I trip over a piece of dust. Go figure!

[skilewis74]

Originally Posted by Unibugg

...I fell off the front onto my hands and knees hard. It happened so fast I was practically already on the ground before I even realized I was falling.

Prepared and decked out with all the safety equipment while doing something I've never done before on an inappropriate skinny wheel and nothing happens. Sans equipment, I trip over a piece of dust. Go figure!

I know how you feel. Sometimes I UPD on very easy terrain just like what happened to you. So I always wear knee pads, wrist guards, and helmet (I commute in traffic on my uni). Strengthening my core muscles, practicing dismounts, and then riding demanding terrain at slower speeds, concentrating on smoothness decreased UPD's and I landed on my feet more often.

[jpcycler]

Tripping over dust...very common, at least among my muni group. It's weird how common the experience is...ride something crazy hard, make everything and feel great...then relax when the trail evens out and gets easy, only to trip over some little pebble and off you go. I attribute it to relaxing after making the tough stuff, and then not being alert to react to the small thing that upd's you.

It's life's little way of shrinking your head back down after it swells when you impress yourself by making something hard!

So now you're off the pavement eh? Riding the soft dirt stuff is only the beginning you know. The dark side awaits...

Jerry

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by skilewis74

I know how you feel. Sometimes I UPD on very easy terrain just like what happened to you. So I always wear knee pads, wrist guards, and helmet (I commute in traffic on my uni). Strengthening my core muscles, practicing dismounts, and then riding demanding terrain at slower speeds, concentrating on smoothness decreased UPD's and I landed on my feet more often.

Strengthening my core muscles. It is what is making me so sore lately. But I'll be in shape in no time.

I feel sort of disappointed in myself for removing my helmet lately. The other day one of the mothers in our neighborhood kept asking me in front of her kids where my helmet was. I am sure she was thinking of my safety but also trying to make sure her kids saw something wrong with 'this picture'. I should set a better example. One of the little ones even wears a helmet with his tiny bike on training wheels. I never went helmetless unicycling as a kid. Didn't wear knee pads.. but then again I don't remember any nasty falls either. We come down harder as we get older.. well some of us anyway.

Originally Posted by jpcycler

I attribute it to relaxing after making the tough stuff, and then not being alert to react to the small thing that upd's you.

No doubt. Carol Burnett was once asked if she still got butterflies before appearing on stage. She said of course she does. She added that the one time she confidently appeared on stage without the butterflies, she flopped.

Originally Posted by jpcycler

So now you're off the pavement eh? Riding the soft dirt stuff is only the beginning you know. The dark side awaits...

I look forward to the dark side. Though I know there is no return. I go willingly.... um... someday.

[steveyo]

Originally Posted by Unibugg

I feel sort of disappointed in myself for removing my helmet lately. The other day one of the mothers in our neighborhood kept asking me in front of her kids where my helmet was. I am sure she was thinking of my safety but also trying to make sure her kids saw something wrong with 'this picture'. I should set a better example. One of the little ones even wears a helmet with his tiny bike on training wheels. I never went helmetless unicycling as a kid.

Yes, I always wear my helmet. Even when I'm not worried about my own safety, I wear it to show my kids (and all the other thousand kids on our street) that riding = helmet wearing. I once had a helmet crushing wipeout, where the helmet actually cracked and I walked away with a sore thumb.

That really impressed my kids and now there's never a question or argument from them about wearing their helmets.

[Chris.James]

Originally Posted by Unibugg

Strengthening my core muscles. It is what is making me so sore lately. But I'll be in shape in no time.

I feel sort of disappointed in myself for removing my helmet lately. The other day one of the mothers in our neighborhood kept asking me in front of her kids where my helmet was. I am sure she was thinking of my safety but also trying to make sure her kids saw something wrong with 'this picture'. I should set a better example. One of the little ones even wears a helmet with his tiny bike on training wheels. I never went helmetless unicycling as a kid. Didn't wear knee pads.. but then again I don't remember any nasty falls either. We come down harder as we get older.. well some of us anyway.

Seriously, always wear a helmet. even though you dont have many helmet necessary falls on a unicycle, it only takes one hard hit of your head on a rock, or concrete, or a tree to render you a veggie the rest of your life. Plus it is good to show kids (as steveyo said) that riding=helmet wearing

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by steveyo

Yes, I always wear my helmet. Even when I'm not worried about my own safety, I wear it to show my kids (and all the other thousand kids on our street) that riding = helmet wearing.

Originally Posted by Chris.James

it only takes one hard hit

Thanks for the link to your story, Stevo. Seems like you've encounterd that dust too. I always wore a helmet when bike riding even just in the neighborhood to set an example for my children. They are both in college now so I guess I got too relaxed not realizing that the neighbors kids are watching too.

I suppose I should set a better example especially since any one of these kids could take up unicycling. I've seen some scary stuff with uncapped heads (on video).

Then again, I should do it for me too. No telling when the killer dust will get in my way again.

riding= helmet wearing

r=hw

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by joemarshall

What I mean by step / jump, is to go for the mount as normal, except deliberately jump up off the back foot really hard, so your front foot goes right over the unicycle and lands in front.

If you're getting to feet on the pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock, you're probably doing almost the right thing already, but get up there, teeter and fall off the back? If that's the case, you just need to jump slightly harder so that you fall off the front, and start pedalling once you're up there, in order to turn the falling off the front into riding.

Absolutely superb advice. I'm nailing them!

I guess it is like in Taekwondo when you try to break blocks with your hand. You don't try to aim for the block but the surface underneath. ie. floor
That way you don't hesitate or hold back once you've made contact.

Ya! I'm feeling liberated. I'll can stop whenever and wherever without worring about an "on ramp". Just like I used to....

[skilewis74]

Originally Posted by Unibugg

...any one of these kids could take up unicycling.

Lets hope so!!!

You could lend them your now fixed up cheap uni when you upgrade.