Learning Journal

[UniTographer]

Originally Posted by TopHatPlus

They had them on sale, so i ordered a set of KH spirit cranks 127 -150mm, a little nervous to try them but i figure i'll start at 150mmm and then 127. When i can pull together another $150 i will be able to finish my disk brake set up =D

I'm sure you'll do fine

The 137s I've got feel pretty good, if a little short; I'd think 127s would be okay. The 110s - not so much for me. YET.

-- UniT

[UniTographer]

Still no idle.

I've been off the Uni for almost two weeks - I needed to figure out how to fit two unis in to one box for shipping, and did so with difficulty, and didn't want to get them back out. But today the bug got the better of me and I had to pull 'em out and reassemble one.

I had a good, if short, ride on my 24. Rolling mounts with my left foot are like butter; right foot, I can do them with a little hesitancy. I also manged a right turn in about 2 meters, felt very solid. A couple of really good stalls, possibly 2 seconds each, punctuated with slow rolling and sub-second stalls.

My key learning today was actually about turning and saddle position. On my last ride (a couple of weeks ago) and again today, while making sweeping turns and leaning, I found that I was spinning even more than usual. I could almost feel how one would ride one-footed, and wondered how it was that I was managing that feeling. I think I narrowed it down to how I had shifted my butt - I was actually sitting on the left corner of the seat, with the seat angled out something like 30 degrees.

Now I want/need some more time out there to sweep around in circles. And sadly I have obligations the next couple of days, and on Saturday the unis ship out for the left coast, where I won't see them again until the 27th...

-- UniT

[dudewithasock]

I love seeing these journals still being made. Reminds me of when I was learning.

Keep practicing! Fatigue, soreness, and out-of-breath syndrome will only lessen as you build up your stamina and muscle memory!

[Spectro]

Hi guys, so i didn't update my progress in a while. Well about a week ago when i returned from camp i realised why it was so easy for me to ride. The pressure in tire was little above 1 bar. So I pumped it up to 'bout 2 bars and it's much harder. But also I can go a bit faster this way, even when it's harder to keep balance now.

I also managed to go 'bout 3/4 of the road uphill (on the video) and it took me at most 4 tries to free mount but usually I am able to do it on first try.

A little video I did yesterday. Well I'm still pretty bad but i will improve.

Just one Uni ride... - YouTube

[MissScooter]

So I haven't posted here in AGES!

I actually was in Missouri for ten weeks, and got back in on Sunday. I did have the uni shipped out there to show some peeps out there, but I ended up being too busy and didn't get about any unicyling in. I did manage to forget how to freemount, haha. So I returned, relearned the freemount, raised the seat up an inch, and relearned the freemount (yes, again haha).

Decided I would get back into learning to idle, and raising the seat actually helped quite a bit. Next to a fence, I could get anywhere from 3-5 idles at my best (more frequently 1-2 though). Also, I realized that I wanted to be able to go from riding into idling, back into riding. And hanging on the fence doesn't really help learning that. So after working at it a bit, I can quite comfortably go from riding, do one idle, and start riding. When I get into a groove I can actually do one, peddle one full turn and then repeat right away.

Anyone have any thoughts on whether learning riding backwards or bunny hops are easier to learn? I don't plan on being able to ride backwards for any long distance, but it would be sweet to be riding, switch to backwards for a few full turns, and then go back into riding forwards.

[jyngles]

For me learning to ride backwards is much harder than idling or hopping. I am able to pedal, stop and go backwards 2, 3, 4.... pedals and then go forward. I have gone up to 220 feet backwards then stop and go forward again, but that was once. The longest time that I have recorded for idling is 2 minutes. I usually idle with my left leg at 6 o'clock, but have been practicing with my right leg at 6 o'clock, much harder, but I have been able to get 6 or 8 strokes in with my right leg so far, again a lot of work. Hopping, I can almost get 5 to 6 inches off the ground and can almost do a 180 degree hop. Backwards is still alot of work for me. But, as we say in the uni world, practice, practice, practice...

[Davey]

I would agree that hopping has come faster than going backwards.

I can hop up stairs and 180's and up and down curbs but only about 2 - 3 peddles on a good day backwards.

But it is a case of practice on both and you will get there but the usefulness of hopping is great as you can then get up and down curbs so you dont have to get off so it makes riding around town allot easier.

Davey

[Jigywigy]

Today I moved from the quiet and secluded cementary that has been my usual practice grounds to the more public "Eastern Trail" near my house. It is hard a hard packed dirt trail that used to be a railroad.

I made it 2 miles before my first UPD. I was soooo tired, I just had to get off and take a break. I covered 5 miles in total and loved it. It was a very relaxing ride with my arms totally at ease as opposed to waving around to keep balanced.

Favorite comment from a 6 year old to his dad - "That guy is missing his handlebars". Favorite comment from an adult riding a mountain bike "You are one wild and crazy guy".

Biggest dissapointment - a 24 inch is just too slow. It is depressing being passed by runners. I think I need to start thinking about an upgrade.

My daughter and I have been training for riding across the Booklyn Bridge for the NYC Uni Festival. While we are there I am hoping I can finally land a free mount and she is hoping someone will show her how to idle.

Best of all - I have dropped 10 lbs since in the past month. By Torker LX isn't groaning as much when I climb on and I feel great!

[MissScooter]

Congrats jigywigy!

Also jyngles, I also am much more comfortable with my left leg in the 6 o'clock position, using the right leg feels so awkward that I probably won't attempt to learn it that way until I am much more comfortable riding.

Think I will attempt some hopping when I get bored of learning to idle. I currently have become much more comfortable going right from riding into one idle, and then continuing riding. I have done a couple with two idles, and done three only once (I think I'm just going to continue to up it as I get comfortable). I think this way I won't have a painful transition from learning idling on the fence to being able to do it from riding. Always hate being able to do something holding onto solid things, and then having to let go and do it without anything! Ugh. =P

[jyngles]

Great job, keep practicing, I agree about holding on to things and then doing what I want. That is why I learn to static free mount and learn to ride then idle and ride again. I am now able to ride a little bit idle for 30 seconds or a minute and then ride again. The problem I still have is riding for a good distance and then idling, I think it is because I am tired.
I identify with the learning something new after I get bored with learning something else and that is why I have not really mastered any one thing at this point. I start to learn something new and in the meantime practice all the other things that I have learn.
So, I progress slowly on the new things. I did my first curb hop yesterday. I hopped onto a curb about 6 inched high, couldn't do anything once I was up there and fell, but I got up there. Little by slow is what I say. Good luck and keep practicing, keep me posted, I am very curious as to how other progress. It keeps me going as well.

[Alucard]

Good Going Guys

Well, it's been two years and 5 unicycles later!
I can't spin yet but I can ride in straight line

Can't dismount from the back, hop, turn, idle, etc etc.
Before anyone asks....NO! you're not having my uni's...I'm gonna keep em, and keep practicing.

A few days ago I swapped by new freeride saddle for my old freeride saddle (different covers), put 140's cranks on and lowered my seat a tad, and I am now getting a better percentage at rolling freemounts. So that's some good news.

Keep at it guys, love hearing how everyone's getting on, and watching your videos.

[TopHatPlus]

Alucard, you are doing great, and doin't ever let anyone (including yourself) let you think other wise!!!

Started to sticker up my rim, an so far they seem to be turning out really good >_<

New cranks coming in tomorrow!!!!! Prettyy excited, then i will be working on getting a disk break setup going =D

[Alucard]

Hey THP
Cool idea you got there

Shall I try some 'go faster stripes' on mine ?

Didn't you get some new cranks a few weeks ago ? what size this time.?
Watched your muni video. It took ages as the pooter was sloooow. But it was worth the wait.
Good stuff ! You look well in control

Have 'they' moved the 'like' button somewhere else on you tube ? i couldn't find it.

[TopHatPlus]

Thanks, if the stripes work then through them on haha!

This is my first set of crank changes... i wordered them last monday when udc had there sale on, and i also ordered the crank puller with isis attachment. I am slightly concerned about removing the cranks, any tips or tricks?

I ordered
Kris Holm Spirit isis cranks double hole, disk mount, 127mm - 150mm, i am currently using nimbus Venture's 165mm

As for the video... no idea on the youtube side of things... dont reallyl spend much time on there haha, the video was okay...? i will do better, that route is getting boring so i will be doing some more intense stuff from now on!

On a side note, i rode my 20" a few days ago, it was so weird... i free mounted no problem, i could charg like no ones business, hop higher, and i could ride with 2" of the edge of a curb for upto 80' no problem and in perfect control... riding this 26" has really impoved my overall control.

[Alucard]

Hey, if I can change cranks.....anyone can.
These are the instructions that came with mine. I managed, took me a while, but now I'm a dab hand.



On a side note, am I the only that does this.....when you swap holes on your double cranks....do you ever put the pedal back in the same hole by mistake ? I do it loads of times