Answer to the first question:
Every world champion unicyclist thus far, has used a Miyata Deluxe
(Expert as Julian mentioned it) or Miyata Regular as the standard
unicycle in their winning routine.
Most of them did have the head tube lengthened so they could use a
short seat post without the need for extension tubes. (A lot of the
taller people would have had to use two of the extension tubes.)
A custom bicycle shop can extend the head tube for about $50 US. The
frame can be custom painted for an additional $40 US approximately.
(Most world class unicyclists have their frame chromed plated after
the head tube extension, which costs approximately $200 US, provided a
chrome plater can be found who will do a quality job for that price.)
World class unicyclists who use a Miyata Regular, usually replace the
28 hole rim with a 36 hole or more, chrome alloy rim for increased
strength and beauty. Some also replace the .080 (14 gauge) spokes
with thicker .105 (12 gauge) spokes or even thicker, again for added
strength. (The replacement spokes are usually chrome for flashiness.)
Some world class unicyclists bolt an aluminum plate on top of the
plastic seat under the foam and seat cover, or do something else to
strengthen the seat for the unusual stress placed on it by some
particularly difficult skills, in which most of the rider's weight is
placed on the front and back of the seat via the hands and arms.
A less expensive option:
Rather than extend the head tube, the seat post can be extended. A
good machine shop can easily weld an extension to the seat post and
maybe even grind the weld down smooth for around $20 US. If the
person who does the welding isn't just learning to do it, the weld,
even when ground down smooth will be actually stronger (heat treated
to some degree) than the rest of the seat post. The finished seat
post can be painted with a reflective chrome finish paint (or any
color) or chrome plated (expensive). This is significantly better
than dealing with an (removable) extension tube or two.
These extra long seat posts may be available, ready made, from The
Unicycle Factory. Please see the FAQ for The Unicycle Factory's phone
and address. (Available via ftp.mcs.kent.edu or
http://nimitz.mcs.kent.edu/~bkonarsk/.)
The least expensive option:
Buy the Miyata Regular - painted frame. They keep improving it so
fast, that further description may be inaccurate (beyond "painted
frame").
Get a second seat post extension with the cycle if you may need it.
Absolutely no need to modify this unicycle as described above. Well
maintained, this cycle should last a lifetime (20 or more years) of
normal use. (Of course the tire may need periodic replacement.
The (unmodified) seat will last a lifetime, unless certain very
advanced figures are performed on the cycle as mentioned above.
Stay on Top,
Ken Fuchs <kfuchs@winternet.com>