Wilder MUnis

rick_else said:

*The Wilder frames look to me to be ideal for MUni; light weight,
narrow profile etc, but I've heard some people really dislike the way
they ride. Just what is it that people don't like about them?

I'd like to know so that I know what to avoid when making a frame of
my own. Are the problems serious? If anyone who owns a Wilder can
describe any problems it will be much appreciated.

Thanks. *

I consider the Wilder/Lyte Ryder frame to be ideal also. I have never
heard anyone that owned one say they didn't like the way they ride. I
did hear one person on the forum who has never ridden one say he heard
of "some people" disliking them because thaey are "too stiff". For the
life of me I can't figure that one out.
I have been riding mine for 3 years, and I like them enough that I set
up to do brake mount installations on them. 'Brake installation
gallery' (http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Wilder-brake-project)
There have been a very few (only 3 I know of) instances of the crowns
cracking from hard climbing, but the builder has long since beefed up
the welds in the problem area. At only 1.45 pounds, it is on the edge
of the strength/weight envelope but is very well designed.

Scott

--
S_Wallis - MUni Motivated

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn
how to do it." Pablo Picasso
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S_Wallis's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/1520
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

I also have not heard any complaints about the Wilder frame. These may
have trickled down brom the bicycling community, where there is a lot
more experience with different frame materials.

All other things being equal, an aluminum frame is stiffer than a steel
frame. This can be a minus on a bike because a bike frame can flex in
multiple directions, robbing you of some of your control and handling.
Other forms of flex are good, as they provide a light form of
suspension.

A unicycle frame can only really flex one way, which is twisting to the
left and right. In this area, less flex is best. Based on those
assumptions, a unicycle frame can never be too stiff.

I chose the Wilder because I liked the way it looks, wanted something
other than steel, and especially because I know Scott Bridgeman is a
perfectionist. He did extensive testing on his frames before making them
for public consumption. You want a light, stiff, solid frame? That's a
great example of one.

If making your own, the thing to remember about aluminum is its lower
tolerance to flex, which can cause it to crack. So you have to balance
the weight/strength thing appropriately for the material. I don't know
what this translates out to, other than keeping your eyes out for cracks
*after* you build and ride it.

--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com

"It's good to find something that makes boys into men and men into boys,
my opinion is that unicycling fits the bill." -- Lloyd Johnson

"Read the rules!" -- 'IUF Rulebook'
(http://www.unicycling.org/iuf/rulebook/) -- 'USA Rulebook'
(http://www.unicycling.org/usa/competition/)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

rick_else said:

*Just what is it that people don't like about them?*

i dont like how short the seat tube is and of course the five-hundred
an fifty dollar price tag.

--
jagur - #3649_all fluff i hear?

'BUY MY KH24 FRAME...CLICK HERE!' (http://tinyurl.com/3je7r)
---------------------------------------------------
-Forget_Your_Life-
--------------------------------------
-------*muni militia *-------
*one wheeled death squad*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
jagur's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/502
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

jagur said:

*i dont like how short the seat tube is and of course the five-hundred
an fifty dollar price tag. *

So true!

Scott: That was me who has heard of folks not liking them. I'm not
really a picky enough rider to care, although from what I hear, there's
a few people who are.

As for building a frame, I'm currently working an a frame, and something
I've been having to think lots about is heat treating vs. cost, ease of
design, and strength. I designed mine so it didn't need any welding, but
at the crown I had to enlare it enough that it was becoming excessive,
when a simple weld would suffice. The only problem with welding is that
it's very difficult on aluminum, and you need to heat treat it
afterwards.

Things I considered in my design were, in order of importance, strength,
weight, crown profile, cost and looks. I wanted it to be strong enough
that it wouldn't break (of course). I wanted to make it as light as
possible, while retaining adaquate strength. I decided that cutting half
and ounce here and a half ounce there would eventually add up, so there
is very little extranneous material on my frame. I wanted a low profile
crown for seat out. My ideal situation would be a 4" wide crown, but the
best I could do, with 1/4" clearance on both sides, was 4.5". I assumed
that costs would be low since I'm doing all the work, and that was
accurate, although if I had someone else do this things would quickly
reach and break $150. The looks aren't a worry, since aluminum frames
look super cool already, and I have enouygh troubles satisfying all the
other requirements. And, of course, it wouldn't be an aluminum frame
without pins in the crown.

--
gerblefranklin - Trials Unicyclist

http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Trials-Muni

"When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use." "It is
enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast
the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide
everything." - Joseph Stalin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
gerblefranklin's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4295
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

(really dont care)

do u think u typed enough?

--
total uni

two wrongs dont make a right, but three rights make a left
------------------------------------------------------------------------
total uni's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8125
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

total uni said:

*(really dont care)

do u think u typed enough? *

If you don't care, why did you post?

Also, some people actually use more than 3 words when they post,
especially when they are explaining something. If you're going to post,
make it worthwhile, instead of wasting everyone's time.

--
loosejello
------------------------------------------------------------------------
loosejello's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8295
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

If you are going to make your own frame and can build it in aluminium
yourself, then you probably have enough knowledge about the material's
properties already to go ahead and build it. If, like I have done, you
are about to enlist the services of a bike builder then most likely your
frame will be made in steel. There are many more bike builders around
who build in steel than aluminium.

General considerations for frame building:
-Find the best bike builder in your area (ask cyclists and the local
bike shops) who you trust. You want to be sure that you're going to end
up with the unicycle you want, rather than a costly mistake. Oh yes,
custom building is not cheap but you will end up with a unicycle exactly
as you want it.

-Don't overbuild! A well designed frame will be very strong yet still
light in weight. It is *very* uncommon for frames to break. They don't
need to be built like tanks.

-In my experience the hardest part of a unicycle to build is the bearing
holders. You need a design which will prevent side-to-side movement of
the frame on the bearings and one which doesn't allow the frame to flex
through the bearing. ie enclose those bearings on both sides, top and
bottom.

-Try and assemble all the components of your new uni-to-be before
starting building as you will need to take dimensions off the hub and
the width of the tyre (the same tyre will have a different width on
different rims)

-Think of the diameter of seatpost you want to use - you have more
choice in 25.4mm and 27.2mm posts. (I have 22.2mm posts in my custom
unicycles and getting good seatposts is difficult.)
- Make sure tyre clearance is adequate if you ever go to a bigger tyre
(ie up to a 3" Gazz)

- You can use a 24" wheel in your frame designed for a 26" (provided the
tyre is not too wide) but not the other way round - something to think
about should you ever want to change wheel size.

-Try and plan for all eventualities - do you want to be able to do
one-foot riding with this frame? Will you ever want to add brakes? (its
much easier and cheaper to get brake bosses added when the frame is
first built.)

That's enough for now, but as you can see, there is a *lot* to think
about when you're building a frame!

--
TonyMelton - Skinny butt

13 new photos added to my fresh 'Spring Freestylin' Album!'
(http://gallery.unicyclist.com/album360)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TonyMelton's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/2118
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436

I think that it is unneccessary to enclose the bearings from the inside.
It is prefferable, but rather redundant. I have flexed the beeariong
caps off an old SH frame, but that was to the inside. It seems that
every pedal stoke pushes the fork inward, meaning that there is plenty
of force to keep the frame on there, as long as you have an outer lip.

BTW, I know this is off topic and I'm sorry, but Total is the first and
only person ever on my ignore list. I guess he now has an achievement
that's almost worth something.

--
gerblefranklin - Trials Unicyclist

http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Trials-Muni

"When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use." "It is
enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast
the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide
everything." - Joseph Stalin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
gerblefranklin's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4295
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/36436