Wizards 50th Birthday

Quote: Ayecarumba

Could the opposite approach help? With longer cranks, you will have more leverage on the 36, and it should be easier on your legs. Since you will cover more distance with each revolution, maybe this is a better approach than using shorter cranks on a larger wheel?

In the short run (especially on hills) the longer cranks are helpful. In the long run you are pitching more, and you are moving your legs more. The fatigue is worse, and your speed is lower.

The wizard's fundamental difficulty is he is going to try and meet the challenge on a flat track, but he is training on hills. On a bicycle that would be easy as you just change gears. But he has to switch his pedal position for the 29" unicycle, and he has to change out his cranks on the 36" unicycle.

Quote: Pacomartin

River Mountains Loop Trail Info...

I advise caution on the portion of the trail in the Lake Mead NRA. The road can be narrow, and portions are fairly remote. The traffic that is there, is often pulling a trailer. The last time I was there, a triathalon was going on, so there were bike riders and runners on a coned off section of the road, with traffic allowed on the balance of the pavement. It didn't feel safe... and I was the one in a car.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Could the opposite approach help? With longer cranks, you will have more leverage on the 36, and it should be easier on your legs. Since you will cover more distance with each revolution, maybe this is a better approach than using shorter cranks on a larger wheel?

I don't think so. It would indeed be less fatiguing but I would also go slower. The 36" unicycle should be a useful tool to build up leg muscle because the feeling is a lot like going uphill on a smaller unicycle. As I wrote before, once I'm more comfortable with the 150mm cranks on that, I'll switch to 125mm, for increased strength. However, when I go out for long distance rides, I'm going to use my 29".

Quote: Pacomartin

I think you need a friend who will drop you off at Bootleg Trails and pick you up at the Marina. That way you have an hour to work on your balance with the shorter cranks without having to worry about hills.

You should measure your heart rate as well. I keep going back to Ace's warning about exercising for longer times than a marathon (3-6 hours). You have to stay out of the aerobic zone or the pain from the lactate threshold is difficult to recover from.

Nice chart. It illustrates why I go counter-clockwise when I bike it, to avoid the otherwise steep prolonged uphill section from the Marina to Bootleg Canyon. I'd rather the uphill part be more gradual and prolonged.

I don't enjoy going downhill on a unicycle. It is like walking on a tight rope -- you have to go slow to avoid falling. Steep downhill areas are exactly where you would want longer cranks. I think the River Mountain Loop would be helpful to build strength going uphill on a smaller unicycle. I'd like to unicycle the whole thing but I'd have to do it in pieces.

How to mount a six-foot unicycle.

This gives me hope I'll be able to mount by 36" unicycle.

Quote: Wizard

How to mount a six-foot unicycle. This gives me hope I'll be able to mount by 36" unicycle.

These giraffes use a 2 to 1 gear ratio, so that the 20" wheel is effectively acting like a 40" wheel. Maybe you should consider one of these for the birthday challenge.

Of course there is something terrifying about going 15 mph while 6' off the ground on a single wheel.

Quote: Pacomartin

These giraffes use a 2 to 1 gear ratio, so that the 20" wheel is effectively acting like a 40" wheel. Maybe you should consider one of these for the birthday challenge.

I don't think that is true. What is your source? I didn't pay close attention but what few I've seen looked like 1 to 1 to me.

Quote: Wizard

I don't think that is true. What is your source? I didn't pay close attention but what few I've seen looked like 1 to 1 to me.

Okay, I don't dispute that some giraffe unicycles exist that are not geared 1 to 1. However, I maintain they are not the norm. I know that one example doesn't prove a generalization but I'll submit it anyway. My daughter went to a birthday party today and the hosts hired a magician/juggler/unicylist. His normal gig is in the O show at the Bellagio but he does parties on the side. Here are some photos I took specifically to defend my position on this.






I challenge you to find a 2 to 1 geared unicycle in person.

I also continue to maintain that I've seen lots of giraffe unicycles used by street performers and they were all geared 1 to 1, as that is the standard and appropriate for idling (rocking back and forth) while juggling.

In other unicycle news, my 36" was squeaky today. I tried tightening the axle bolt but it was already tight and further tightening didn't help. I fear it is the ball bearings. After many years of non-use, I am afraid the sudden usage has been a shock to it. Further riding it would probably make it worse so I will have to take it to a professional before I get back on. Meanwhile, I will return to my 29" unicycle.

Quote: Wizard

Okay, I don't dispute that some giraffe unicycles exist that are not geared 1 to 1. However, I maintain they are not the norm.
I also continue to maintain that I've seen lots of giraffe unicycles used by street performers and they were all geared 1 to 1, as that is the standard and appropriate for idling (rocking back and forth) while juggling.

I was reacting to the comment made in the video that you posted where the guy states "once you mount a giraffe, it's easier to ride than a standard unicycle ... it's physics" (time 0:45 in the video).

The physics may be obvious to him, but not to me. I can't make out the gearing on the giraffe he is using, so I googled a few references. I assumed they were easier to ride because of a gearing advantage.


I did notice a tendency in some cases to sell bicycles with smaller wheels but higher gearing ratios. For example the Origami 11 Urban Bike uses an 8 speed cassette. It gives you the same range with 20" wheels as a 1980's ten speed with 27" wheels. Also it is much easier to shift as you have no FRONT DERAILLEUR.

Ten Speed
teeth	14	17	20	24	28
39	279%	229%	195%	163%	139%
52	371%	306%	260%	217%	186%
27"	Wheel
Big Wheel
39	75.2"	61.9"	52.7"	43.9"	37.6"
52	100.3"	82.6"	70.2"	58.5"	50.1"
ORIGAMI 1.1
teeth	11	13	15	17	19	21	24	28
52	473%	400%	347%	306%	274%	248%	217%	186%
20"	Wheel
Big Wheel	94.5"	80.0"	69.3"	61.2"	54.7"	49.5"	43.3"	37.1"