Return, Across Slovakia and Questions

Hey all,

It's been a long time since I've been on these forums. Maybe some of
you remember me. When I was last here I was living in Western New York
and unicycling every day on my 24" Torker XL, which I tweaked and
upgraded as much as possible. That was up to the end of the summer of
2005. After that I moved to the Czech Republic, to Prague, and have
been living here teaching English ever since. I haven't unicycled
since as well (besides a few little spins I've taken when I've met a
unicyclist here on the road...happened twice...and when I was home in
the States for Christmases and the summer). I didn't bring my unicycle
because I was trying to travel light.

Anyways, after acquiring two bicycles for a really cheap price and
working on them, I started really thinking about unicycling again. I
mean, it's been on my mind constantly, like it used to be. I want to
get back into it and moreso I've got the crazy idea to unicycle across
Slovakia, perhaps as early as this summer. Now, I need a unicycle.

I'm not sure what to do and what you all would suggest. I could have
my Torker sent over here, but it's going to cost me at least $80. It's
only a 24" though and I think my main occupation will be riding
distances. Money is a major limiting factor here. English teachers in
Prague make pretty poor money comparatively, about the equivalent of a
fry cook in America, maybe a little more. Despite this, I have some
money saved and have been looking at unicycle.com's German page. I was
thinking about the 89 Euro 26" Qu-ax "Standard". This would be fine for
my wallet, but something in my gut tells me it wouldn't be adequate. I
was also considering (pining for) the 29" Nimbus Tour Unicycle,
clocking in at 249 Euro....considerably more and out of my range unless
I did some serious pinching. I can't seem to find anything in between
these two.

What do you all think? If I'm planning on attempting some serious
distances, should I go for it and spend the big bucks or is that 26"
Qu-ax decent enough to get me through, especially if I get some shorter
cranks for it? I'd really like to go the cheaper route if you all
advise it, but I'll listen if you advise against it.

I'm looking forward to getting back into this world. Thanks in advance
for any suggestions.

Justin

p.s. On a 26" or 29" wheel would I be able to keep up with a bike that
is going a moderate speed? My girlfriend thinks we won't be able to
ride together if I get a unicycle and I keep telling her we will....I
remember how fast I could go on my 24" with short cranks.


--
HistoricalGoof
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if you really want to get into distance, 'this'
(http://tinyurl.com/2v9xrj) wouldn't be too bad to buy, even if you
have to save a while. other than that, you could just buy the 26 and
get shorter cranks, which wouldn't be too bad of a compromise.


--
zfreak220

iridemymuni wrote:
i think everybody agrees when i say you lucky son of a bitch



howdigetsogood wrote:
man i used to think scooters were totally lame, but after that 'video'
(http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=57071), oh wait
nevermind i still do.
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Yeah, I know the 36" would really be the way to go for distance, but
I've also got to take size into consideration because someday in the
not too distant future I'll have to try to get the thing on an airplane
back to America as well. So that rules out the Coker.

You think a 26" with shorter cranks would suffice? The Qu-ax is a
relatively decent uni? I was learning to do some muni when I last was
riding too. Could I take that Qu-ax into the forest? I'm a pretty big
guy, 6'2" and about 225 lbs.


--
HistoricalGoof
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