My new Coker



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"). *


My problem is the opposite. I'm 175 cm tall and almost half of my
height is in my legs. My inseam (depending on the shoes I'm wearing,
and ignoring high heels) is 33-34 inches. I wasn't making any "short"
comments, I just wanted to point out that I didn't really have any
"short leg" specific advice.

What I have found, and what might not really help you, is that as I
became more comfortable with the size of the coker I gradually raised
the seat height. I started out with a short seat post and my feet
fairly far forward on the pedals. It was almost like I was trying to
"hook" my feet onto the pedals. I now have the longer seat post on and
have gradually raised the seat height. At about 9 hours I moved to
pedalling with the balls of my feet and I think I'll probably have about
1 more raise of the seat before it is the right height for me.

As far as freemounting goes, when I first tried to get on to the coker I
felt like I was made of lead. Now I usually hop up like I've got wings
on my feet. Once I'm a bit more stable on the wheel (and you should
have no problems with this as you can already ride) I'm going to give
the rollback mount a try. Maybe it's a girl thing but I can usually
find a friendly shoulder when I need one ;)

I must mention that, despite laughs and pointing from juggling club
members, I always wear my protective stuff. I'd rather have it on and
not need it than need it and not have it on. It doesn't matter with a
coker - you can be standing still and manage a bad fall (at least I can,
it's a gift). I have managed to shred my wrist guards in learning to
ride. You can actually see where the hard plastic inserts are worn
away. They are a set I liberated from my 14YO and are (apparently)
designed for rollerbladers. Most of the cycling gloves I have seen look
like cycling shorts for hands - no protection other than against
chafing.

Also, and I have no PERSONAL experience of this, for your "riding the
seat up" dilemma, I always tell the gentlemen about to mount a uni for
the first time to imagine that they are in a Michael Jackson video.
They look blank until I tell them to do the "OOH" bit BEFORE putting
their crotch into the seat ;)

Jayne


--
Jayne ZA - Learning to ride on a Coker

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


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cyberbellum wrote:
> *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. *
I use inline skate wrist protectors; they’re stretch mesh and Velcro
with hard plastic on outside (top and bottom). The bottoms now have
many scratches, although one major UPD on a Coker (without prejudice due
to the wrist protectors) did shred one a little - I still use it. On
hitting pavement, they slide easily instead of stopping, less broken
bones that way. The ones I have I got from ****'s Sporting Goods and
have an “X” in a circle for a logo.

Note: The color of your new Coker matches me, as I'm green with
jealousy/envy.:mad: ;) :eek: :cool:


--
brian.slater - Nellfurtiti, the Wonder Cat

Brian C. Slater
AKA: Snoopy

Ok, I am now officially in my normal state of -advanced- confusion.
Don't try to confuse me, it won't make any difference.

"To not decide is to decide" - undecided
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Jayne ZA wrote:
> * Maybe it's a girl thing but I can usually find a friendly shoulder
> when I need one ;) *

I suppose I could try lipstick and mascara, but so far none of the lamp
posts, stop signs or trees I've been using have complained about my
appearance so for the sake of neighborhood aesthetics I'll just stick
with my normal attire. :)

Jayne ZA wrote:*
> Also, and I have no PERSONAL experience of this, for your "riding the
> seat up" dilemma, I always tell the gentlemen about to mount a uni for
> the first time to imagine that they are in a Michael Jackson video.
> They look blank until I tell them to do the "OOH" bit BEFORE putting
> their crotch into the seat ;)
> *

Hmmm... how to put this? Since I do most of my practice riding in an
elementary school parking lot I can't afford any comparison with Michael
Jackson. Wouldn't want the locals to kick me out.

Using the brake I was able to get the Coker to balance quite nicely.
Since the braking hand is forward of the frame axis the "stopped" pedal
has to be behind the wheel axis a few inches. When I got the angles
right the Coker stopped twisting around and became like a giant stilt.
It was no problem just hauling myself up (while hanging onto a wall or
pole for balance). When I get up I release the brake and do either a
roll-back or roll-forward to cranks level.

I don't know if this will eventually turn into a real mount - the more
dynamic approaches suggested in this thread seem more promising - but
for now it is my preferred way of climbing aboard.


--
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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cyberbellum wrote:
> *I suppose I could try lipstick and mascara, but so far none of the
> lamp posts, stop signs or trees I've been using have complained about
> my appearance so for the sake of neighborhood aesthetics I'll just
> stick with my normal attire. :)
> *

Well, whatever revs your motor. I actually DON'T wear lipstick and/or
mascara at any time, let alone when riding the unicycle. Is there
anybody out there who feels the need to "put on their face" before going
out unicycling?

cyberbellum wrote:
> *I don't know if this will eventually turn into a real mount - the
> more dynamic approaches suggested in this thread seem more promising -
> but for now it is my preferred way of climbing aboard. *

Whatever works for you is fine! There's only one thing you need to do
to get the other mounts sorted out - practice! I'd suggest we race to
see who gets freemounting the coker down first but you'd probably win.

Jayne


--
Jayne ZA - Learning to ride on a Coker

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


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That's a beautiful 36 there Cyber. I like the color, it seems to be
almost the same color as my muni. Very nice components and with Dave
setting it up you know you are off to a great start.

I am glad to see you really staying with this one wheel endeavor.
Congrats on the equipment and the progress. How is your knee?

Scott


--
S_Wallis - Back in the saddle

"I am always doing that which I can not do,
in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso
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S_Wallis wrote:
> *I am glad to see you really staying with this one wheel endeavor.
> Congrats on the equipment and the progress. How is your knee?
>
> Scott *

My left knee is now beter than my right. 100% repaired. How's yours?

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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cyberbellum wrote:
> *
> My left knee is now beter than my right. 100% repaired. How's
> yours?
>
> Tim *
That's good to hear. I am 5 1/2 months out and riding again. Feels
100% except when I push it too hard as I did a few days ago with a lot
of climbing and one crash... on my knee. But it is fine today. Doctor
was thrilled with my recovery. Thanks again for the advice you gave
me.

Scott


--
S_Wallis - Back in the saddle

"I am always doing that which I can not do,
in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso
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S_Wallis wrote:
> * I am 5 1/2 months out and riding again. *

Hey, take it easy! You've got a component with 5 1/2 months of wear and
no maintenance! It's just beginning to have the ability to repair
itself. It will take another couple of months to get back to
post-operation strength, and another year before it even begins to
aproach 50% of it's original strength.

My surgical nurse told me about one guy (a mountain biker) who kept
getting cocky after 6 months and ripped up his repairs 3 TIMES!! Each
time the repair is less optimal, so the best the doc was hoping for was
that his knee would bend in -aproximately- the right direction. The doc
wasn't hopeful about that and was already planning for a complete knee
replacement.

I guess what I'm saying is - chose your crashes wisely. Don't twist
anything on the way down.

And thanks everyone for the complements on my new Coker. I was very
particular about everything - I let Dave make all the decisions. Since
the only decision I made was to go with the lime green, all the kudos
rightfully belong to U-Turn.

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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cyberbellum wrote:
> *
> Hey, take it easy! You've got a component with 5 1/2 months of wear
> and no maintenance! It's just beginning to have the ability to repair
> itself. It will take another couple of months to get back to
> post-operation strength, and another year before it even begins to
> aproach 50% of it's original strength.
> Tim *
Not to knee-jack this thread, but I have done everything to doctors
orders and am VERY aware and careful. The doc said at this point my new
ACL is at 100% original strength, and in another 6 months will be 120%.
Because I have built my legs up over the last several months he said I
am no more prone to injury than before the first one. He is a pretty
aggresive sports OS, and I think there have been some great advances
made in procedures and rehab over the last few years. Believe me, I
don't want to go down again. And remember, I took your advice and had
the surgery done right away, which put me way ahead of the curve.

And I am sure U-Turn could never have picked lime green without you.:)


Scott


--
S_Wallis - Back in the saddle

"I am always doing that which I can not do,
in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso
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It's good to hear this knee stuff because I'm currently out with a torn
MCL. No surgery required, but immensely frustrating. I'm walking
fairly well now and have done some 9 mile walks but I have to be very
careful how I step. I'm hoping that I'll come back to 100% because I
have skills to learn! However, this summer has changed significantly.

As far as decisions, cyber's cross bar I believe is ingenious and future
riders will benefit from his generosity in sharing the modification. It
does cost extra from Rick but is worth it. By comparing with my
experimental Hunter 36, Rick and I were able to improve the positioning
of the Magura double bolt mounts on cyber's and that improvement too,
will find its way to future frames. Rick has to actually cut down the
bracket before brazing it on but the additional brake positioning
flexibility is worth it.

As far as color, the actual color is more of a nice apple green than
lime green. I liked it! And Rick's powdercoater does a great job; with
Rick's smooth brazing, the finish looks like icing on a cake.

Now we'll have to get Steve Howard to make apple-green seat bumpers...


--
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
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U-Turn wrote:
> *Rick has to actually cut down the bracket before brazing it on but
> the additional brake positioning flexibility is worth it.*


Interesting. I was a little amazed that the brakes went back on so
easily. All I had to do was align everything to the middle of the range
and the shoes were perfectly aligned. I didn't realize that this was a
modified setup.

Agreed that the coating is flawless. Tough too - I nicked it with a
wrench by mistake and didn't even scuff it.

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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Jayne ZA wrote:

> I'm 175 cm tall and almost half of my
> height is in my legs. My inseam (depending on the shoes I'm wearing,
> and ignoring high heels) is 33-34 inches.

Thank you for that vision of loveliness.
 
Jayne ZA wrote:

> anybody out there who feels the need to "put on their face" before
> going out unicycling?

Not the way you mean.
 
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