My new Coker



C

cyberbellum

Guest
'gallery photos' (http://tinyurl.com/2tvov)

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
A photo:


+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Attachment filename: comparison with 700c fixed gear.jpg |
|Download attachment: http://www.unicyclist.com/attachment/207134|
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

--
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
She's a real looker, alright. And if I ever get a coker, it'll be from
U-turn. They're awesome! I can't imagine how you could stand to leave
it unattended away from home though, locked up or not!

Congratulations!


--
elmer - uniimpaired

"At 40 life begins...to show."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
elmer's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5193
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
Very very nice!
I know someone else who just got a new coker today. I've been sworn to
secrecy, so I can't say any more. :)

It is very odd seeing a Coker with such a short seatpost. It just
doesn't look right to me. And more importantly, it's way to short for
me to ride.


--
john_childs - Guinness Mojo

john_childs (at) hotmail (dot) com
Gallery: '' (http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/john_childs)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
john_childs's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/449
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
john_childs wrote:
> *I've been sworn to secrecy, so I can't say any more. :)
>
> *
i havent,but i will keep to the code.....


--
forget_your_life - #3649 plus_your_life

[image:
http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/albums/albup23/bunnyjumping.gif]
dream one dream many....
*'R.I.P' (http://tinyurl.com/vr86)*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
forget_your_life's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4558
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
john_childs wrote:
> * It is very odd seeing a Coker with such a short seatpost. It just
> doesn't look right to me. And more importantly, it's way to short for
> me to ride. *

It was odd watching tall people ride it at the Grant's tomb
get-together. One of the guys had size 12 shoes so his heels nearly hit
his butt!

Free-mounting it is going to be very difficult. The frame is almost
horizontal when I stand behind it with the seat in my crotch. That
means the extension is leaning backwards at a 30 degree angle which
prevents me from leaning forward. It was pretty comical trying to get
on that way at the meet because I couldn't hold the seat between my
legs.

One or two women riders have suggested that I "ride the seat up", which
would be great if my balls could start out in front of the seat.
Somewhere between "balls behind the seat" and "balls in front of the
seat" there is phase where the balls screw up the mount with "cease and
desist" alerts. Willpower is never going to overcome the male body's
natural reluctance to "do a grind" on its testicles. Somehow I've got
to find a way to make first contact with the seat when it is near
vertical.

My best hope is to either perfect the side mount or do a rolling mount
with brake assist, or some "saddle-em up cowboy" combination of the two.



--
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
cyberbellum wrote:
> *
>
>
> Free-mounting it is going to be very difficult. *



Jayne Z A, do you have any pointers for this cat?


--
Sofa - you - pee - dee

'Mommy!!! :eek: He's on a..........thing!!!!!........Wheel!!!!!!!!!!'
- Some kid

'Unicycle Product Reviews' (http://tinyurl.com/368h6) *107* reviews on
*72* products

'London Unicycling Club Website ' (http://www.brianmackenzie.com/LUC/)
version 3.02


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sofa's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/706
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
That is a beautiful machine:D
I have only been riding my Coker a short time and am also cursed with a
short inseam. As for as freemounting is concerned, try my method. I put
one foot on the rear pedal, reach over the saddle and grab the wheel
with one hand and pull myself up onto the Coker. I'll probably start
trying to do a rolling mount on it tomorrow


--
Krashin'Kenny - Crash Tested

If you ain't crashing, you ain't going fast enough!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krashin'Kenny's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3420
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
Krashin'Kenny wrote:
> *That is a beautiful machine:D
> I have only been riding my Coker a short time and am also cursed with
> a short inseam. As for as freemounting is concerned, try my method. I
> put one foot on the rear pedal, reach over the saddle and grab the
> wheel with one hand and pull myself up onto the Coker. I'll probably
> start trying to do a rolling mount on it tomorrow *

Yeah, I tried that at Grant's tomb. It wasn't enough at the time but it
has potential for the future.

The brake approach I intend to try this afternoon is essentially the
same thing. My plan is to hold the seat vertical and get a bit of
forward roll, then when the left crank is back and down at about 45
degrees push the seat forward, step on the left pedal, lock the brake,
haul myself up, plant the right foot, release the brake and settle into
the saddle. Then fall over sideways. My goal is to get at least 15
attepts every day until I make one.


--
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
cyberbellum wrote:
> *
> Yeah, I tried that at Grant's tomb. It wasn't enough at the time but
> it has potential for the future.
>
> The brake approach I intend to try this afternoon is essentially the
> same thing. My plan is to hold the seat vertical and get a bit of
> forward roll, then when the left crank is back and down at about 45
> degrees push the seat forward, step on the left pedal, lock the brake,
> haul myself up, plant the right foot, release the brake and settle
> into the saddle. Then fall over sideways. My goal is to get at least
> 15 attepts every day until I make one. *
My legs are short, too, though cyber's are 4.5 cm shorter. The Coker is
a lot harder to mount for us leg-length challenged people. One exercise
I've done is ride the path around the local track (so a lap is a little
more than 1/4 mile). Every lap or so I dismount, then mount again.
With all the remounts and failed attempts, it's a real workout. Doing
10 miles this way, even though the ground is flat and smooth, is pretty
tough until mounting becomes easy. This exercise is good also because
it helps avoid the "Now I've ridden 8 miles of cool road riding, but I'm
afraid to get off because there's no lamp post around" syndrome. I have
to admit, though, that I still find mounting the Coker a challenge too
much of the time, despite a lot of practice.


--
U-Turn - Member of Generation XO

Weep in the dojo... laugh on the battlefield.

'29er Tire Study' (http://u-turn.unicyclist.com/29erTireStudy/)

'Strongest Coker Wheel in the World'
(http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/albup39)

'New York Unicycle Club' (http://www.newyorkunicycle.com)

-- Dave Stockton
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U-Turn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/691
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
Try the rolling mount technique, it is the easiest way I have found,
because the momentum of the wheel already moving takes away from the
initial pedal moving problem, and the little jump you need to do would
solve your small inseam problems.

Walk behind the Coker, then time your hop to land you good foot on the
pedal as it comes up to parellel.

This mount was by far my favourite, easiest, Coker mount, and I was
mounting with 99% success (because come on, we all miss a mount once or
twice a year!) within a month or two.


--
Sofa - you - pee - dee

'Mommy!!! :eek: He's on a..........thing!!!!!........Wheel!!!!!!!!!!'
- Some kid

'Unicycle Product Reviews' (http://tinyurl.com/368h6) *107* reviews on
*72* products

'London Unicycling Club Website ' (http://www.brianmackenzie.com/LUC/)
version 3.02


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sofa's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/706
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
Sofa wrote:
> *Try the rolling mount technique,... *


Thanks Sofa. It might take me a bit longer since I'm not as gifted
athletically, but I'll get there.

That video of you suicide mounting a Coker with 2" of snow on the ground
is inspirational. All I need is snow... :) :)


--
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
one wheeled stallion wrote:
> *How much does one of those awesome 36" Hunter frames cost? *

You'll have to ask Rick; mine had a few custom modifications.

'Hunter Price List' (http://www.huntercycles.com/pricelist.html)


--
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
Sofa wrote:
> *Jayne Z A, do you have any pointers for this cat? *

Is this in connection with freemounting a coker (which I still can't do)
or are you implying that, as a woman, I am short, and can thus give
helpful advice to a short coker rider?

I am about 175cm tall, my coker is standard in every way (other than the
airseat and the rider), and my current experience of freemounting is
pretty nonexistant.

The best advice for mounting the coker is along the line of Kenny's
method. My only variation is that I have a "support point" on the same
side as the rear pedal as I tend to veer in that direction when I put my
weight on the pedal. I do find that, with practice, I am putting less
weight on the support point and can sometimes almost do without it.

Being accustomed to this method has caused some hilarity at the juggling
club as I (as you may guess) am not accustomed to riding small
unicycles. I seldom venture out on smaller wheels as I can't always
bend down far enough to grab onto the wheel to mount. You get FUNNY
looks when you try to mount a 20 inch unicycle this way.

Jayne


--
Jayne ZA - Learning to ride on a Coker

Being a statistician means never having to say you're certain


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jayne ZA's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4878
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
I was just pointing our your recent success


--
Sofa - you - pee - dee

'Mommy!!! :eek: He's on a..........thing!!!!!........Wheel!!!!!!!!!!'
- Some kid

'Unicycle Product Reviews' (http://tinyurl.com/368h6) *107* reviews on
*72* products

'London Unicycling Club Website ' (http://www.brianmackenzie.com/LUC/)
version 3.02


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sofa's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/706
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
Jayne ZA wrote:
> * I am about 175cm tall, my coker is standard in every way *

For the record my unicycle is short because most of me is torso. I'm
170 cm tall (5'7"), which is only about 5 cm shorter than average, but
my leg length is average for people 152 cm tall (5'0"). Next Haloween I
think I'll go as a Flintsone.


--
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
cyberbellum wrote:
> *
> For the record my unicycle is short because most of me is torso. I'm
> 170 cm tall (5'7"), which is only about 5 cm shorter than average, but
> my leg length is average for people 152 cm tall (5'0"). Next Haloween
> I think I'll go as a Flintsone. *


That's a very nice looking Coker!

My Coker is set as low as it can go- which looks similar to yours- I use
a KH seat which probably is shorter than your airseat. I'm 1.65m tall
and my legs are probably the shortest part of me!

I agree with what's been said- a rolling mount is the most essential
mount for any sort of riding- especially for Coker riding. It's the
only mount you will ever need for general riding. You might find you
overshoot initially, but the worst that can happen is the wheel rolls
out from behind you . It's a great mount for off-road/mounting on
uneven surfaces.


--
GizmoDuck - Adventure unicyclist

o-kO


------------------------------------------------------------------------
GizmoDuck's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/794
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
GizmoDuck wrote:
> *Have a look in my Cambodia/Vietnam ride gallery... *

Whoa - that must have been a great trip! Great photos!

Today's trip report: I only managed to UPD 7 times on the Coker today.
I gave up on the rolling mount after three tries and decided to just
spend time in the saddle. The seventh UPD was more of a crash, since I
didn't land on my feet. I was going about 10mph. The roll-out went
well, no serious damage. (My left shin/knee pad now has a nice scar but
I don't. :) :) ) I decided to add elbow and hip protection to my
suite of protective gear.

My 661 wrist protectors were virtually worthless. This was the first
time I needed them and they shredded. I have the same complaint against
most modern cycling gloves, too. It's as if the manufacturers don't
understand the function of protective gear. The old cowhide-palm
cycling gloves could take a couple of crashes before losing their
protective value. The new ones with the wonder fabrics come apart the
first time they kiss the road leaving your palms exposed (personal
experience).

Since it was raining a bit I took the 24" out (it has spiky pedals) and
worked on my mounts until it got dark. It's strange but I really can't
tell the difference between my 20" and my 24" unicycles anymore. I have
to check the color of the rim and the pedals to tell which one is which.
They both feel like toys.

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4550
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32190
 
cyberbellum wrote:
> john_childs wrote:
>> * It is very odd seeing a Coker with such a short seatpost. It just
>> doesn't look right to me. And more importantly, it's way to short
>> for me to ride. *
>
> It was odd watching tall people ride it at the Grant's tomb
> get-together. One of the guys had size 12 shoes so his heels nearly
> hit his butt!
>
> Free-mounting it is going to be very difficult. The frame is almost
> horizontal when I stand behind it with the seat in my crotch. That
> means the extension is leaning backwards at a 30 degree angle which
> prevents me from leaning forward. It was pretty comical trying to get
> on that way at the meet because I couldn't hold the seat between my
> legs.
>
> One or two women riders have suggested that I "ride the seat up",
> which would be great if my balls could start out in front of the seat.
> Somewhere between "balls behind the seat" and "balls in front of the
> seat" there is phase where the balls screw up the mount with "cease
> and desist" alerts. Willpower is never going to overcome the male
> body's natural reluctance to "do a grind" on its testicles. Somehow
> I've got to find a way to make first contact with the seat when it is
> near vertical.

Seat-out mount? Hold the seat in front of you, hop onto the pedals....
>
> My best hope is to either perfect the side mount or do a rolling mount
> with brake assist, or some "saddle-em up cowboy" combination of the
> two.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom Back