habbywall said:dude, you guys should make one cheaper, and make it like a 20 inch fixed
geared type thing with a 40 inch virtual wheel, that would be awsome,
but not like a giraffe, like a normal uni, you know those mini-giraffe
things
Todd, if you're looking for feedback on the Coker tire and the unicycle
Coker sells, you'll get some from this thread although not all of it
may be relevant to your business model. For a broader picture, I'd
also recommend you use the Search feature on this forum to peruse
through some of the many many threads that have been focused on Cokers.
Try a few different keywords, i.e. Coker, Custom 36, Distance Riding,
etc.
One thing to be aware of is that due to some of the limitations of
stock Coker unicycle (already mentioned...flexy, weak steel wheel,
heavy tire/tube combo, uncomfy seat, etc.), most Coker riders do some
level of customization to their unicycles. At the low end of the
spectrum is a seat replacement to a KH/Velo or custom airseat, and at
the high end of the spectrum are $1000+ unis with custom frame, custom
wheel-build with extra-wide hub and aluminum rim, and swapping of the
Coker inner tube for a lighter 28" tube or a tubeless system. Example:
on my custom 36" shown 'here' (http://tinyurl.com/d93n5), the only
component in common with the standard Coker unicycle is the tire
itself.
Regarding the tire, I have nothing but good things to say. I like the
traction, width, smoothness of ride, on/off road flexibility, and
durability. Especially durability. I rode my first Coker tire for 1,300
miles and it probably had another hundred or two left when I changed
it. Never a flat or leak in all that time. You're probably aware
there is now an alternative 36" tire on the market with a more
traditional tread pattern. It rides well, although I can't speak for
its durability. There may be riders on this forum--especially in
Europe where the tire has been on the market longer--that can.
Given that a definite "aftermarket" now exists to support the
customization of distance unicycles based on the Coker tire, it's hard
to say what areas would make sense to change or upgrade on the standard
Coker. I think the suggestions from John Foss and Gilby around
wheel/rim/seat improvements would probably have the most immediate
return relative to sales of your unicycle versus just sales of the
tire.
Happy searching! If you ever get to the point you're looking for
"focus group" type feedback, I bet you'd get some takers here as well.
Tom
--
tomblackwood
Tailgate at your own risk...
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