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size of wheel



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 21st 05, 11:01 PM
evenstar981
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Default size of wheel


I'm a new rider, but I believe I may have purchased a uni much too big
for me. I am 5'5, and was recomended the 20'' wheel. However, my legs
appear to be fully extended at the lowest pedal, does anyone know which
size would be more appropriate for me, and where I can go to trade in my
bike?
Thanks


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  #2  
Old August 21st 05, 11:08 PM
Mikefule
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Default size of wheel


Don't panic!

I am 5'7" - only 2 inches taller than you, and I regularly ride a 28 and
a 36.

The height of the seat is of course easily adjustable.

However, you may find on some models that you can't lower the seat far
enough if you have fairly short legs. The bottom of the seatpost may
stick out and hit the tyre.

The simple answer is to take the seat post completely out of the frame
and cut a couple of inches off the bottom of the seatpost. This is
easily done in a few minutes with a junior hacksaw. (Or, indeed, a
senior one.)

Ideally, take any burrs off with a round file. Hey presto! Your seat
now goes lower.


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  #3  
Old August 21st 05, 11:19 PM
MERCYME
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Default size of wheel


evenstar981 wrote:
*I'm a new rider, but I believe I may have purchased a uni much too
big for me. I am 5'5, and was recomended the 20'' wheel. However, my
legs appear to be fully extended at the lowest pedal, does anyone know
which size would be more appropriate for me, and where I can go to
trade in my bike?
Thanks *



Yeah you can surely lower the seat, but....do you mean trade in your
unicycle?


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"Your like water for my soul When it gets thirsty"-Matisyahu
Yams
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  #4  
Old August 22nd 05, 12:20 AM
peter.bier
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Default size of wheel


evenstar981 wrote:
* However, my legs appear to be fully extended at the lowest pedal *



This may not be a bad thing! How extended are your legs? At the lowest
pedal position, your leg should be fully extended and your foot at a
similar angle to what it would be when standing on the ground (so you
shouldn't feel like you are on tippy toes). Many beginners have there
set level set way too low.

If you are felling over extended then as previously suggested, a hacksaw
can be used on the seat post to shorten it, allowing it to go down
further. Bear in mind that your legs should be extended in the lowest
position when you shorten your seat post so you do not take too much off
it. It is easy to cut bits off but not easy to add them back on!

There is also a nifty device called a pipecutter which is even easier to
use than a hack saw, but most people don't have access to one unless
they know a friendly machinist. (You can buy them for around $50 or
less if you plan on shortening a lot of seat posts :-)

The height you can lower the seat down to is limited by the unicycle
frame. Once your seat is sitting on the top of the frame you will not
be able to put it down any further without modifying the actual frame.
Given your height the only kind of unicycle that would cause you a
problem is one with a long stem frame. Even a 36" wheel is easily
rideable at your height. Note unicycles with long stem frames tend to
be more expensive to buy so you will probably know if you own one. What
model unicycle did you purchase?


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  #5  
Old August 22nd 05, 12:20 AM
peter.bier
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Posts: n/a
Default size of wheel


evenstar981 wrote:
* However, my legs appear to be fully extended at the lowest pedal *



This may not be a bad thing! How extended are your legs? At the lowest
pedal position, your leg should be fully extended and your foot at a
similar angle to what it would be when standing on the ground (so you
shouldn't feel like you are on tippy toes). Many beginners have there
set level set way too low.

If you are felling over extended then as previously suggested, a hacksaw
can be used on the seat post to shorten it, allowing it to go down
further. Bear in mind that your legs should be extended in the lowest
position when you shorten your seat post so you do not take too much off
it. It is easy to cut bits off but not easy to add them back on!

There is also a nifty device called a pipecutter which is even easier to
use than a hack saw, but most people don't have access to one unless
they know a friendly machinist. (You can buy them for around $50 or
less if you plan on shortening a lot of seat posts :-)

The height you can lower the seat down to is limited by the unicycle
frame. Once your seat is sitting on the top of the frame you will not
be able to put it down any further without modifying the actual frame.
Given your height the only kind of unicycle that would cause you a
problem is one with a long stem frame. Even a 36" wheel is easily
rideable at your height. Note unicycles with long stem frames tend to
be more expensive to buy so you will probably know if you own one. What
model unicycle did you purchase?


--
peter.bier - Posting since 97

-Peter Bier

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  #6  
Old August 22nd 05, 12:20 AM
peter.bier
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Posts: n/a
Default size of wheel


evenstar981 wrote:
* However, my legs appear to be fully extended at the lowest pedal *



This may not be a bad thing! How extended are your legs? At the lowest
pedal position, your leg should be fully extended and your foot at a
similar angle to what it would be when standing on the ground (so you
shouldn't feel like you are on tippy toes). Many beginners have there
set level set way too low.

If you are felling over extended then as previously suggested, a hacksaw
can be used on the seat post to shorten it, allowing it to go down
further. Bear in mind that your legs should be extended in the lowest
position when you shorten your seat post so you do not take too much off
it. It is easy to cut bits off but not easy to add them back on!

There is also a nifty device called a pipecutter which is even easier to
use than a hack saw, but most people don't have access to one unless
they know a friendly machinist. (You can buy them for around $50 or
less if you plan on shortening a lot of seat posts :-)

The height you can lower the seat down to is limited by the unicycle
frame. Once your seat is sitting on the top of the frame you will not
be able to put it down any further without modifying the actual frame.
Given your height the only kind of unicycle that would cause you a
problem is one with a long stem frame. Even a 36" wheel is easily
rideable at your height. Note unicycles with long stem frames tend to
be more expensive to buy so you will probably know if you own one. What
model unicycle did you purchase?


--
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-Peter Bier

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  #7  
Old August 22nd 05, 05:04 AM
unick 8133
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Default size of wheel


actually i personally like to put my seat at least 2 inches lower than
"recommended" so more weight goes on my butt but i ride long
distance,so....


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