or just pump the one you have up some more .. then you don't need to
buy a new one (unless it bursts, which is unlikely..)
> * The wheel/spokes: Either the spokes were loose which allowed the
> wheel to buckle, or the wheel buckled which has since made the spokes
> loose. So far, I don't think it is affecting my ride, but there are
> definite kinks in the wheel. Perhaps it has just been ill-treated;
> many first-timers have been giving it a go. Have other people had
> similar trouble?
my wheel is still fine, I can't really see what a beginner could do
to the wheel that would damage it in the way you describe, since it is
already on the ground so isn't going to be falling far.. it sounds to
me as if its a cheap wheel. If you take it into a bicycle shop, they
should be able to tighten the spokes etc as I'm sure its the same
principle as a normal cycle wheel..
> * The adjustable shaft is not tall enough for me (5'11"), let alone
> some of my friends (up to 6'3"). My height is not extreme; "tall"
> aspiring unicyclists should be careful that their unicycle can be
> adjusted high enough.
mine was similar (I'm about 6'1" I think), but I put it out to the
full extension and its not too bad. (I expect its a conspiracy by
short people, because they know we are better and they need an
advantage ;-)
> I am left with the choice of looking for a new seat (One person tells
> me he bought one for $AUS25; that's 20% of the total uni cost that
> needs replacing each month), or just writing the uni off, and buying a
> more expensive one (this time with a higher seat, harder tyres, and
> maybe a bigger wheel) - it is only a matter of time before I "outgrow"
> this unicycle anyway.
A new seat (more expensive) would probably be of much higher quality
and less prone to bending anyway..
> Sorry for the long ramble. I would appreciate any advice people can
> give me to get a longer lasting, better value unicycle next time.
There is some stuff in the FAQ about different types and quality of
unicycles.. I think the named brands are better than the cheapo
taiwan ones..
I have something that says `A SemCycle Product' on the fork, and has
a Sem seat (apparently one of the better ones), but I only paid about
90 UKP for it (5 years ago).. I got a catalogue from Oddballs (where
I got it from) recently though, and they advertise something called an
OddCycle, which is a custom made one apparently (co-project between
them and Sem).. I was surprised at the price of a real SemCycle (200
UKP), and wondered if mine was sold to me accidentally since the shop
was quite busy (just before christmas) and I was served by a young
chap who didn't really seem to know what he was doing.. but it says
that the SemCycle is "The Rolls Royce of Unicycles. It has a flexible
frame which was designed in the 70's which really enhances maneuvering
and surpisingly it also makes it easier to ride in a perfect straight
line.." but my frame is not flexible at all (that I can see), so maybe
I have one of the cheaper ones..
I had some initial worry about riding up kerbs damaging the rim, but
I've since learned to jump up so don't worry about it any more..
]ain