From previous unicycling experience I have decided that my legs are just too short for 150mm cranks. Unfortunately there were no 140mm cranks available when I ordered my semi-coker. So I set off on the 150 cranks and have had great fun on them. On Friday I rode my longest ride so far - 16 miles down the coast to Colwyn Bay.
However UDC have since got some 140mm cranks in and on Friday evening I changed the cranks myself (for the first time - hurrah!). The ride with the shorter cranks is much smoother and I have more control of the unicycle. It felt like my legs had to outreach themselves just a bit too much with the longer cranks and had therefore less power to control the unicycle.
So the moral of the story is - experiment with the length of your cranks, especially if your legs are shorter than the average.
Cathy
-- cathwood
Say no to unicycle genre discrimination! - MrBoogiejuice
Don't stop at 140! In my experience, going from 140s to 125s made the ride soo much smoother! ...longer stopping distances though, but worth it.
cathwood said:
From previous unicycling experience I have decided that my legs are just too short for 150mm cranks. Unfortunately there were no 140mm cranks available when I ordered my semi-coker. So I set off on the 150 cranks and have had great fun on them. On Friday I rode my longest ride so far - 16 miles down the coast to Colwyn Bay.
However UDC have since got some 140mm cranks in and on Friday evening I changed the cranks myself (for the first time - hurrah!). The ride with the shorter cranks is much smoother and I have more control of the unicycle. It felt like my legs had to outreach themselves just a bit too much with the longer cranks and had therefore less power to control the unicycle.
So the moral of the story is - experiment with the length of your cranks, especially if your legs are shorter than the average.
Don't stop at 140! In my experience, going from 140s to 125s made the ride soo much smoother! ...longer stopping distances though, but worth it.
The trouble is, if I go any smaller with the cranks, I might need to raise the seat so much that I could fit a proper coker/36". Another excuse for another unicycle. MMM.
Cathy
-- cathwood
Say no to unicycle genre discrimination! - MrBoogiejuice
So, Ben.... Now that you can ride that modified big wheel, you'll be joining us for the park ride on Monday, right?
Hiya, Kathy!
Yes, I want to, but I seem to have missed the details for this one. Send me an email (QUICK!), or reply here if we haven't jacked this thread too badly yet.
I missed Saturday practice because -i forgot about it-. :p
You keep writing about those short legs of yours. Wouldn't it be easier just to post photos?😉
It is strange how these tiny changes of crank length can make a big difference. I never really got on with 170s on my MUni, but I find 165s OK - a change of only 5 mm! It's nothing to do with mathematics, torque and constant foot speed, it's just comfort.
It sounds to me like your Coker was a good purchase. 16 miles down the Welsh coast in one day. No doubt you are writing it up at this very moment...:p
-- Mikefule
If you meet someone superior to yourself, imagine yourself his equal; if you meet someone inferior, look carefully at yourself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879 View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51190
Cathy, I agree about experimenting crank length on your Coker. I started with 170, then ordered 155, 110, and even 89! At the beginning I was a speed freak so I was using 110 exclusively. Then later I got into MUni so I used 170 exclusively. Now a days, I switch from 170(for MUni) and 150(cruising flats).
I DON'T recommend 89, you have NO control what's so ever! 🙄
I just recently ordered 127 from UDC and have not tried yet. I hope to use the 127 for cruising more soon.
