OK, so we want to improve the unicycle. Let our imaginations run free.
This is the unicycle of tomorrow...
The standard unicycle is slow, wobbly, and hard work. It has no gears,
can't coast, and can only go up and down steps by hopping. Often it
would be quicker to jog.
So, let's deal with the wobbly thing first. It's primarily the result
of one design aspect (I won't call it a flaw): the unicycle has only
one wheel.
Mr. Honda and Mr. Ford did not make their fortunes from selling one
wheeled vehicles. Long experience and testing has shown that for power
to weight ratio and speed, two wheels is best; for stability and
cornering, four wheels is best. Three wheels is a poor combination of
the worst aspects of each.
I'd say let's be conservative and go for just the one extra wheel,
making two in all.
That of course will necessitate a more complex frame. It also brings
in the need for some direct form of steering. On the plus side, there
is now no need for direct drive, because there is plenty of room for a
chain final drive, or even a shaft. That introduces the possibility of
more gears. That gives a greater range of speeds, too, so brakes would
be handy. Fortunately, we now have two wheels for them to operate on,
steering bars to mount them on, and a platform that is stable fore and
aft, unlike a one wheeled vehicle.
With the position of the pedals now being independent of the position
of hte wheel, we can introduce independent suspension front and rear.
Of course, all this is quite heavy, but then again, we have room to add
an engine. Wow! We now have a unicycle capable of very high speed,
controlled turning, and rapid braking. With the right tyres and long
travel suspension, we could ride it up and down steps, on mud, or on
the road. It would be possible to get "big air" on it and do stunts.
But the more I think about it, the more I realise that "big air" and
"stunts" are what drives the younger generation. Why not optimise the
new unicycle for that.
I did some Googling and came up with this:
http://tinyurl.com/2pnv32
I also googled "big air" and came up with this:
http://www.doublewdesigns.com/images/big%20hair.gif
--
Mikefule
I once had a bad experience with a bigot. Now I hate them all - even
the ones I haven't met.
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