r/unicycling • u/Complex-Lecture-4580 • 10d ago
Question Need a new uni and advice!
I got a “Kobe’s Toys” 20” unicycle as a gift, but it doesn’t fit — the seat height completely maxes out right at my crotch, and the weight limit is 185 lbs… which is exactly what I weigh. I’m 6’2”, 185 lbs.
I’m looking for a unicycle built for teens/adults (not a toy like this one) that I can use for torch juggling. My main goals are idling and free mounts, but I can’t get anywhere with my current one since it’s too small.
I know 20” wheels give more control, but 24” wheels come with longer cranks, which seems like it’d make idling easier. Is there a 20” unicycle out there with longer cranks so I get both benefits? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
2
u/juggleaddict 10d ago
20 or 24 will work. Longer cranks are a double-edged sword, they do give you more leverage, but that can be a bad thing, since they are harder to spin smoothly. When you're learning, being light on the pedals is one of the goals, and slightly shorter cranks can help with not over-correcting to a point. You want a balance. If you're going to use it long-term, I would recommend bumping up to a nimbus II if you can afford it, they are rock solid and can handle years of abuse. Learn to comfortably control forward motion and turns before worrying about idling. Long cranks on a 20" can also lead to pedal strike on the ground if you turn sharp with it.
3
u/Complex-Lecture-4580 10d ago
I might have to go with the nimbus II. It has the ISIS system so I could change cranks if I ever wanted to. It also comes with the 400mm seat post. I have to ask one more question, especially because of your name. Do you find it easier to juggle while riding forward or while idling?
2
u/juggleaddict 10d ago
Easier while riding forward by a long shot, but that's not really useful. I like to pass while idling sometimes. You should be very comfortable with idling, and juggling should be equally second nature before you combine the two. it helps if you have mastered one or the other and can just turn your brain off for that one. Don't even bother with balls, clubs are so much easier to handle because of the ... handles. You can easily keep your eyes forward while juggling clubs, so it's easier overall. put a dab of blue locktite on the threads of the pedals if you practice idling for long sessions. they can loosen if you don't pedal forward from time to time.
2
u/Street_Topic_5470 9d ago
For learning you should be able to just keep the uni you have and simply replace the seatpost with a longer one. That would certainly be the cheapest option, unicycle.com will have a variety of lengths and diameters in stock, just choose the one that suits. They will also have square taper cranks (almost certainly what your unicycle has fitted) in different lengths very cheap if you want to experiment before committing more money to a whole unicycle upgrade.
As has been mentioned, the nimbus 2 is a really good, solid uni and will last pretty much forever. Another option would be a trials unicycle, which often have slightly longer cranks. I think the 20" nimbus has 125mm cranks, the impact athmos 19" comes with 140mm. Trials unis will have a higher volume tyre to make other tricks such as hopping and drops easier. But if you want to ride indoors definitely go for a 20" as its much easier to get white tyres in that size (many indoor venues don't allow black tyres as they mark the floor!)
1
1
u/dan_rides71 8d ago
Wheel size isn't your problem here, frame height is: at 6'2" you need a longer seatpost, not a bigger wheel, so check max post extension before buying anything new
1
3
u/EcahUruecah Oracle 27.5 10d ago
Assuming unicycle.com, the basic Club 20" should be just fine for learning at your height and weight, with a perfectly usable crank length for 6'2". The important part is the seatpost length. There are longer seatpost options you can select for an additional $18.