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Long Distance Unicycle
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For the NUT, below is what I would recommend for a long distance unicycle. These suggestions are from my experience from riding in UAM and EUT. Any suggestions or more info is always welcome.
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Coker
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I would recommend the Coker for long distance riding for many good reasons. If you want to use a 28” or a something like a 40” non-pneumatic tire, let me know and I’ll give you the reasons I have for using a Coker.
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AirFoil Rim
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This is for riders who are using a Coker, I would suggest investing in the new rim being sold at Unicycle.com. While it is too new to really know how much better it is, the preliminary tests are showing that it is a lot stronger. And, more importantly, if you use a brake, this rim can actually be trued so the brake is applied evenly around the wheel.
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Cranks
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There are two sizes that most people use. 125 mm (5 inch) or 140 mm (5.5 inch). I wouldn’t recommend going over 140 mm. Some people go under 125 mm but if you do decide to do that, make sure you can handle steep hills, up and down.
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Brake
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Some kind of brake is recommended, most likely a drag brake. There are some situations on EUT where riders who didn’t have a brake had a scary fall. What we found about a brake is that the better the long distance rider, the less they need their brake. But, the shorter the cranks, the more a brake may be needed. NUT is going up and over mountains so if you decide to not use a brake, make sure you can handle mountainous terrain.
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Handle
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The handle that Paul Wyganowski made for the EUT riders turned out to be one of the best additions for long distance riding. Even those that were skeptical at first turned to really like it after some riding. There are other handles out there as well, find something that works well for you. The Paul Wyganowski handle is selling for $150.
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Cycle Computer
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This is a necessary piece of equipment for any sort of objective training. It is the best way to find out how your training is progressing. The kind that I use is the CatEye Mity3. The number I use to calibrate the cycle computer is 281. I also have mine set to metric as Norway will be in metric.
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Seat
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I don’t have any good suggestions here. Just find something that doesn’t suck. If you find something really good. Let me know.
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Pedals
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Use whatever works for you. I like pedals that have minimal slip, regardless of the weather.
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Bell
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In most European countries, it is a law to have a bell on a bicycle/unicycle. I’m not sure about the laws in Norway but it is a really nice to let people know you are behind them. Anyway, it also sounds way cool when everybody in the group is ringing their bell.
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Rack
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This is an optional piece. Scot Cooper has a bike rack on his Coker for carrying extra stuff. Because of this, we nicknamed his unicycle 'The Unibago'. I’m going to try working with a rack as well. NUT will be quite a bit cooler and most likely wetter than EUT and I’ll want to make sure I carry extra clothes with me. The biggest drawback with the rack, according to Scot, that if it weighs too much it is harder to balance coming out of a turn.
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Hub
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If you are going with a stock Coker, you may want to consider having your hub changed out to the Miyata hub. There have been a few problems with the stock Coker hub.
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Bearings
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For the stock Coker, the bearings are awful. Make sure you replace them. New bearings only cost about $20.
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Custom Frame
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It seems that the stock Coker frame works just fine. While there are some advantages to a custom frame, this would be a good place to save money. Unless of course, you are building a Coker from parts. Then it would be cheaper to get a frame made then to buy a whole stock Coker and throw most of it away.
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Where to buy Coker components
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There are three places that I have bought parts for my Coker.
- Unicycle.Com. They have most of what I need. Now that they are selling the custom rim, they are even more important as a resource.
- Paul Wyganowski. He can build pretty much anything. He built my frame, brake system, and handle. While you can email him, I would also try to call him. He is better about returning phone calls then email. His number is 651.772.2861
- Local bike store. Some things, like a bell or rack bag, may be easier to buy at the local bike store.
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