building a unicycle

I believe you would need a way to keep the axle and wheel stationary,
relative to each other. A unicycle is direct drive, meaning the wheel
turns once for every turn of the pedals. There is not freewheeling
effect.

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If you wire the gears to the spokes by weaving cable through both you
can lock out the freewheel. Even spare shifter cable worked for a while
but a braided steel cable would last longer. Hope this helps....

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UNIquelyCanadian - Muni Rider
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I doubt either would work. On a bike the wheel, front or back, is free
to rotate around the axle because the hubs are complicated things with
bearings etc.
Good luck if you can make it work, but it won't be easy. I'd suggest you
start saving.

John

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johnhimsworth - Nullus Anxietas

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heh, thanks for the info guys. If this don't work then i'll just have
to start saving just like john said.

Use axle assembly from a kids 3 wheeler having 2 rear plastic wheels and
pneumatic front wheel - for $10 from a local thift store. The small size
front wheel may make it tougher to learn to ride. Welded the freewheel
assembly to lock the pedal cranks to the wheel, used a seat tube inside
the fork tube, with a seat tube clamp. May use two bike seats to make a
unicycle seat, or modifying a banana seat...having fun looking for
unicycle seat dimensions online. http://www.unicycling.org/airseat/ has
the best pics I have seen so far to work out shape/size etc. Anyone have
ideas on making a seat?

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bren102
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[quote="UNIquelyCanadian"][B]If you wire the gears to the spokes by weaving cable through both
you can lock out the freewheel. Even spare shifter cable worked for a
while but a braided steel cable would last longer.

This will not work. It would sort of work if your intentions were to
build a chain drive unicycle (giraffe) but even then it would have to
much slack and wouldn't hold up to the forces involved. Remember that
the standard unicycle has the crank arms and pedals directly out of
the hub and the bearings are on the outside of the hub not internal
like a bicycle hub.

And the idea to use a tricycle wheel is also not good because they
don't have good bearings and have realy short cranks, and aren't made
to handle the weight of an adult.

I have built unicycles from bike forks by straightening them with a
torch then cutting off the wheel dropouts then welding on bearing
holders and then useing a unicycle wheel, but you can buy an entry
level unicycle for less money than the parts will cost you to build
one.

If you are not yet a rider and have limited funds I would recomend
trying to find a unicycle second hand or buying an entry level uni
like a sun. You can get a new unicycle for as little as $75 possibly
less on ebay.

Definitly get a uni and learn to ride you won't be sorry. 🙂[/quote]



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Tellurider - Dan Wilson

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A new unicycle is cheaper than you think. Unicycle.com has new Sun 20"s
for $59 and the really well made 48 spoke Torker LX 20" is either $86
(2003 model) or $96 (2004 model). Don't make your entry into the sport
difficult by wrestling with (and waiting for) an ebay seller or building
yourself a substandard uni. Get a good, new uni and learn to step off,
not fall off of your new ride. You will thank yourself as soon as you
get the box in the mail and assemble your uni.

-Reid

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reidj - Looking for a uni-basketball game
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It's definitely worth buying a Uni!!!

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UNIquelyCanadian - Muni Rider
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Tellurider said:

[This will not work. It would sort of work if your intentions were to
build a chain drive unicycle (giraffe) but even then it would have to
much slack and wouldn't hold up to the forces involved. Remember that
the standard unicycle has the crank arms and pedals directly out of
the hub and the bearings are on the outside of the hub not internal
like a bicycle hub.]

I have made a giraffe to that discription, unfortunatly I used a
27" wheel so it turned into giraffe big wheel unicycle. I sprained my
wrist and badly twisted an ankle after a bad fall so I haven't riden
it since. However the design did work but would be unridable to a
learner.

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reidj said:

*.... Don't make your entry into the sport difficult by wrestling with
... a substandard uni. *

This is great advice! I spent a good month designing and building a
substandard muni after my "flea market special" disintegrated. My
prototype never rode very well and ended up costing me way more time and
money than it's worth.

If you're serious about riding, buy a halfway decent entry-level model
(Yuni, Nimbus, Torker, etc.) You'll save money in the long run as
anything less will break after a few months and you'll have to buy a
second uni!

If you're really interested in building your own unicycle, it's best to
know exactly what you want. Learn to ride first, then take a look at
some other rider's designs (online, or in person). Your work in
designing and building your own uni will be easier and much more
rewarding if you "do your homework" first!

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maestro8 - Mad Scientists for World Domination
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easy answer...........e b a y . 😄

starting from £1.00 in the UK! I paid £40.00 for mine, new and
delivered! a bargin😄

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jonjon

..... where's your big shoes and squirty flower?
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