since10 wrote:
I have never been riding with another unicyclist so I have many
questions. When clinbing hills over 18% grade, What size wheels and
cranks should I expect to be using. My 700c with 170mm cranks is very
hard to climb these. On a 26 inch with 170's it is easier but the tire
only goes to 65psi and 80psi seems to be the minimum. Am I just an old
guy 50 pounds overweight and out of shape? Are other people climbing
up these types of hills easily? If so how are you doing it. What
should I expect to be climbing on my coker with 170mm cranks? When
other riders go for a hill climbing rides, are people going for 7-10
mile rides or more than that? Do riders use brakes on unicycles other
than their cokers. Is going down 18% grade without a brake standard or
foolish? THANKS FOR THE ADVICE


I'm a hill-climber. On my 36er, I've only used 150s which climb OK,
and now I have 125s, but they make the hills harder (duh!).

I've had the best success w/KH29 uni (29" wheel), Big Apple 2.0 tire
(maybe 45PSI) and 165mm cranks. The races I've done have not averaged
18% grade, but many of my training hills are over 20%. 'The uni record
on Mt. Washington was set with 29\" wheel/165 cranks, as well, by Mike
Tierney in 2005. He beat 200 bikers.'
(http://www.tinmtn.org/hillclimb/results_05/index.cfm)

Obviously the lighter everything is, the better, including you, the
rider. I'm 5'6", 150ish lbs, and the KH29 is around 14 lbs. I've
participated in several hillclimb bike races, which are linked down
below in my sig line.


--
steveyo

steveyo

...like having your own personal rollercoaster...

Check out my 'uni race write-ups'
(http://home.nycap.rr.com/rduhan/uni_race_writeups/)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
steveyo's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/7228
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/58221