trials crank length/spoke count

[tim williamson]

Hey All,

What is the most common (I know, there are always a pile of exceptions to every part!) crank length on trials UNIs?

A number of years ago I lead the charge to get biketrials to use 32 spoke wheels instead of 36. Many years ago there was a reason for more ..... but now the spokes and rims are so much better, the logic was lost. So we switched opening us up to use a much larger variety of rims. Similarly, is there a good reason trials UNIs are still 36? The spokes are so short and close together, if you run a simulation you have to get into the theoretical before it makes even the smallest (and it is small!) difference. Is is like BMX bicycles using 36.....strictly history/habit?

[Emile.m]

It depends on the rider preference, There is KH 137mm, there's 140mm and 145mm. I prefer 145 mm because there is more stability but I guess 140 mm is a good size.

Still 36 spokes. Except Qu-ax s are runnig with 48 spokes.

[Smilymarco]

I would love to have a 32 hole hub.
I could use the DOB Magnesium rim with no problems than....

I prefer something between 140mm and 145mm for trials.

[SHAY_CAM]

In my opinion the 48 spokes is mandatory if you wanna feel safe on large drops. E.I. 5 foot and on.

[_Ground_Zero_]

For trials, the most favorited is probally 140ish and a bit shorter for street. KH moments at 137mm are really popular.

But unicycles still use 36 spoke although some use 48. A lot of people want unicycles to change to 32 so they can have more rim choices.

[SHAY_CAM]

The only reason the 137's are more popular is because the people that buy those unis also do street. and longish cranks are better for crankflips. I want moments im ditching those dx cranks soon!

[peleschramm]

I use 125 mm moments for street. Though i havent tried 137s much, i think 125s are more flippety.

[SHAY_CAM]

Originally Posted by peleschramm

I use 125 mm moments for street. Though i havent tried 137s much, i think 125s are more flippety.

I admire your word ussage. flippety. i think i shall go do some flippetys now.

[unibikeling]

Originally Posted by SHAY_CAM

I admire your word ussage. flippety. i think i shall go do some flippetys now.

but you gotta ask yourself one question, does the dude abide?

[_Ground_Zero_]

Originally Posted by SHAY_CAM

The only reason the 137's are more popular is because the people that buy those unis also do street. and longish cranks are better for crankflips. I want moments im ditching those dx cranks soon!

Wouldn't shorter cranks be better for flipping because they could spin easier...

Although I'm not in much of a position to talk because I still can't crankflip

[SHAY_CAM]

Originally Posted by _Ground_Zero_

Wouldn't shorter cranks be better for flipping because they could spin easier...

Although I'm not in much of a position to talk because I still can't crankflip

you would think but think of this. the reason trials cranks are long is because when your on thick to thin you bumpy you need really good leverage, therefore you needing long cranks. sooo when you jump into the air and kick the cranks, there spining with velocity... and when you try and land on those short little cranks you may just keep on going, whereas longer cranks you have the longer leverage to spot them from spinning on.

[SHAY_CAM]

Originally Posted by unibikeling

but you gotta ask yourself one question, does the dude abide?

the dude totally abides and i liked a video of yours but i dont remember which one all i remember is that staircase and your little picture is one of that staircase so yeah, your cool , im cool , we are all cus we ride uni's and only people ride unis cus there . word.

[mornish]

I would never want anything longer than 140mm cranks for trials, after that it gets hard to ride skinnies because you wobble.

I would love to have unis go to 32 hole. I don't really see any reason for them to stay at 36.

[tim williamson]

For years trials bikes were predominantly the 20/19" versions, and ran shorter cranks 152-155. Mid nineties Monty went to 158s on its higher end mod (20") bikes. Late '90s Megamo (now out of business) introduced 170s on some models of mod bike. It took a few years, but for the most part...now mod bikes use 170s. The reason, more leverage for a bigger move.

Strictly considering trials (freestyle aside), does the same line of thinking apply?

[mornish]

Originally Posted by tim williamson

For years trials bikes were predominantly the 20/19" versions, and ran shorter cranks 152-155. Mid nineties Monty went to 158s on its higher end mod (20") bikes. Late '90s Megamo (now out of business) introduced 170s on some models of mod bike. It took a few years, but for the most part...now mod bikes use 170s. The reason, more leverage for a bigger move.

Strictly considering trials (freestyle aside), does the same line of thinking apply?

not really, at least in my opinion.

if all you are doing is hopping, than I would imagine that yes it would be good, but a lot of trials is riding skinnies and doing lines that require some rolling, and there is where you don't want really long cranks.

If you have strong legs you can get enough leverage out of 137's/ 140's, at least that's what I've found.

-Miles