'gallery photos' (tinyurl.com2tvovOpen ↗)
This is my new Coker. Dave Stockton (U-Turn) built it for me
over the winter. I picked it up in NYC at the regular
meeting at Grant's tomb.
Rick Hunter made a custom 36" frame in a very cool lime
green. The seat tube is extra short because I've got very
short legs. I had him add stiffening bridges between the
front and back struts at the brake mounting points. The
brake feel is very positive, and my unicycle is now unique.
I felt this was important because in DC there are quite a
few fixed-gear riders who would love to own a new Coker.
Since the frame is distinctive I've got a good chance of
getting it back even if it is repainted. Theft was also a
prime reason for requesting a Hunter, as it can be
positively locked.
The air seat is a Dave Stockton special. I haven't
managed any rides longer than a mile so far so I can't
give a credible sense of how it would feel for a long
ride. It's less comfortable than my broken-in Brooks
Swift saddle on my road bike, but more comfortable than
my other unicycle saddles. I'll post an update when I
break the 10 mile barrier.
I can't free-mount well yet. Anything bigger than a 20" I
have to side-mount it while holding onto something solid. So
in order to get on I removed the brake and extension. Now
that I've put them on again for the photos I think I'll try
free-mounting using the brake tommorow.
It's very strange going from a spin on the Coker to
practicing my mounts on the 20". In some ways the Coker is
the easiest of my unicycles to ride (I have a 20" and a
24"😉 because it is so smooth and full of momentum. On the
other hand it's a little strange tooling along at 10+ mph
knowing that I could face-plant in a hearbeat. I've got no
fear on a bike at 60+mph despite a few bad crashes, but
somehow even with armor the Coker has my full attention.
One thing is for sure - I'll never be intimidated riding a
small unicycle again.
Tim
--
cyberbellum - Level 1.0 rider!
Optimists think the glass is half full. Pesimists think the glass is
half empty. Engineers think the glass is too big.
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