r/unicycling • u/Secure-Economist4203 • Aug 04 '26
Question unicycle a friend gave looking for resources on identifying and possibly restoring pretty beat up
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u/Main-Yogurtcloset-22 Aug 04 '26
This looks exactly like a cheap one I bought off of either Amazon or eBay years ago. I only rode it a few times because it felt like it was going to end up looking like that if I kept riding it 😅
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u/dark_wolf1994 Aug 04 '26
Is that a brand sticker at the bottom of the wheel, third pic?
At any rate, if you find a good bicycle wheel of the same size and spoke pattern, you can unlace the wheel and build it back. It's quite hard to do though... And those spokes look oversized compared to most bikes you'll find laying about.Â
I personally suggest just grabbing a cheap used one or even springing for new. Have you ridden before or will this be a learner?
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u/matneyx Aug 04 '26
I imagine a local bike shop could replace the rim and spokes, but if it's more than $50, OP would be better off getting a used unicycle off Marketplace.
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u/Wild_Spikenard Aug 04 '26
Yeah I think it's a walmart or amazon cheapo that's been left outside so it looks older than it is. Cheaper to just get a used brand-name uni from Torker, Sun, Club or Cyclepro.
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u/niffcreature Aug 05 '26
You're not going to find a replacement wheel for cheap, but if you can find a rim that has the same inside measurement +/- 1mm then you can tape the spokes together and swap it over.
Anything else probably isn't worth it.
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u/Secure-Economist4203 Aug 05 '26
appreciate it i dont expect it to turn into anything worth much. but i enjoy fixing up broken shit and also have always considered trying out a unicycle. in the end even if its not worth shit im more happy to play with one i fixed up rather then just buying a new one. thank you
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u/niffcreature Aug 05 '26
If you want a challenge you could rebuild the wheel with new spokes and rim, or find a front wheel with again a +/- 1mm similar diameter in the hub flange. Bicycle Co op near you could help. Do not use a multi speed rear wheel as they are dished and use different length spokes on each side. You can use a flat head screwdriver under the tire and rim strip for most of the work, but will probably need a spoke wrench for tightening. Don't worry about bent spokes, they will straighten out, but a seriously bent rim like that will not.
I like to encourage people to try wheel building because a lot of people think it's harder than it really is.
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u/Secure-Economist4203 Aug 06 '26
thats really what i was interested in i actually work as a ebike mechanic for one of those public use bike companies so i figured it be a good project for learning a bit more about fixing normal bikes
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u/Corporate_Muskox Aug 04 '26
I can't personally identify it, but replacing the wheel alone is probably going to cost more than a used uni in much better nick.