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From: braver@ucbvax.ARPA (Michael Braverman)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Unicycles
Message-ID: <8162@ucbvax.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 14-Jun-85 13:12:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.8162
Posted: Fri Jun 14 13:12:44 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Jun-85 07:24:58 EDT
References: <447@mmintl.UUCP>
Reply-To: braver@ucbvax.UUCP (Michael Braverman)
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
Lines: 35

In article <447@mmintl.UUCP> dikiw@mmintl.UUCP (Diki Wozniak) writes:
>I am considering buying a unicycle, as I have finally learned how to juggle :-)
>Several questions:
>Any brand better than others?
>20 vs. 24" wheel?  What are the advantages of either.
>Lastly, is it possible to save some cash buy building your own wheel?  
>How are the cranks connected?

	In unicycling circles, Schwinn has earned a reputation as making the
best unicycles.  I have one which I've ridden a few hundered miles in the
past two years and it has given me no problems.  Unfortunately, Schwinn
stopped making unicycles a year or two ago.  It seems that they were only
being sold in certain pockets of the country, so Schwinn decided to discontinue
making them (although my local Schwinn dealer says that there has been such
a demand for them that Schwinn may start producing them again). 
	I'm aware of two other companies making unicycles; Cyclepro and Miyata.
Having never ridden either, I won't give an opinion.  They are, however, less
expensive than Schwinn unicycles were the last time they were sold (in case
you try to buy a used one).  I saw a Cyclepro advertised in a nashbar catalog
for about $60.  The Miyatas run about $70-90.
	A 24" wheel is good if you are planning any long distance riding.
With a 20" wheel your legs fly around a lot for little distance gained.
On the flip side, its easier to get up hills with the 20" wheel (its like
using a smaller front gear on a bicycle).  In fact, I have done all my riding
on a 20" wheel, so its not all that bad.  If you are planning to do juggling
on your unicycle, I suggest the 20" wheel since you'll have greater 
maneuverability (I learned to juggle after learning to unicycle).
	I don't know about building wheels.  The Schwinns have cottered cranks.
The Miyata's come both cottered and cotterless (the most expensive version).
I have no information on the Cyclepro.
	Good luck.


				Michael Braverman
				braver@ucbvax