Naomi said:*I dunno: years ago cars had starting "handles" which you
certainly had to turn by hand, so a precedent has been decades ago. *
Though I don't think either of us is old enough to remember first-hand,
these were also called cranks.
Since it is possible to buy "pedals" that are made for hand-cranking, I
would presume there is already a name for them. When I hand-crank my
giraffe I just use pedals, though I switched from spikey rat-traps back
to the original block ones for this purpose.
Since the rest of the system is all built from a drivetrain designed for
foot operation, I don't have a problem with calling them hand-pedals or
something similar.
Gearing:
I'd start low. It's a lot of work learning to hand-crank a giraffe, and
a higher ratio will only make it harder. I'd start with either 1:1 or
something not much higher. Don't gear your wheel size past 24" at
first.
All of my giraffe hand-cranking is done with one hand on the pedal and
the other holding either the frame or the seat. It is possible also to
work the pedals with both hands, and I've seen people do this very well.
I've never seen anyone bash themselves in the face while doing it, but
this has inhibited me from learning the both-handed cranking. If you're
sitting on a seat it will help hold the frame in place.
--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
"Read the rules!" -- 'IUF Rulebook'
(http://www.unicycling.org/iuf/rulebook/) -- 'USA Rulebook'
(http://www.unicycling.org/usa/competition/)
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