Making a uni for a 3 year old

[BenNC]

My wife and I have agreed to not push things on our children - even
unicycling. They are free to have their own interests and hobbies.
Earlier this year, I told my friends that I was ordering a 12 inch Sun
for my 2 1/2 year old daughter just to have ready in the garage so that
if she asked for a unicycle I would have one ready to go - just in
case! I never did get around to making the order.

Last week, my daughter surprised me by asking for a "pink unicycle". I
was so excited I nearly jumped to the moon, but was initially caught
off guard. I placed an order and received the unicycle today, but it
doesn't fit her. Cutting the seat post down won't be enough to make it
fit her. I think I will have to modify the frame too. I want to fix
it while she is still interested in riding.

Has anyone out there made modifications to the 12 inch Sun so that it
will fit a small child?

Has anyone out there taught a three year old to unicycle?


--
BenNC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BenNC's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15479
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[wumpus]

nope.
My 4 yr old has been riding a skut bike( see balance bike) so has ok
balance I looked at small unicycles but realized they still were too
big... but I too am interested in what people have done for their
kiddos, because ever since I received my nimbus 36er, my 4 yr has been
asking for a 1 inch coker :)


--
wumpus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
wumpus's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11764
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[mgrant]

BenNC wrote:
> My wife and I have agreed to not push things on our children - even
> unicycling. They are free to have their own interests and hobbies.
> Earlier this year, I told my friends that I was ordering a 12 inch Sun
> for my 2 1/2 year old daughter just to have ready in the garage so that
> if she asked for a unicycle I would have one ready to go - just in
> case! I never did get around to making the order.
>
> Last week, my daughter surprised me by asking for a "pink unicycle". I
> was so excited I nearly jumped to the moon, but was initially caught
> off guard. I placed an order and received the unicycle today, but it
> doesn't fit her. Cutting the seat post down won't be enough to make it
> fit her. I think I will have to modify the frame too. I want to fix
> it while she is still interested in riding.
>
> Has anyone out there made modifications to the 12 inch Sun so that it
> will fit a small child?
>
> Has anyone out there taught a three year old to unicycle?



I cut down a 16" for my
daughter.(http://mgrant.unicyclist.com/16inch_unicycle.html)

and I also have a little 12" for my other daughter (who will soon be
3). But, like you I noticed it had a tall frame. Steve Howard came to
the rescue and built me a short frame for the little wheel.

It's actually in one of the GSN videos (I cannot remember where they
can be found - I have them locally).

A picture of the little uni (along with most of my other UNIs) can be
found at:
http://tinyurl.com/343r8d


-mg


--
mgrant

The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older, shorter of
breath, and one day closer to death.
michael_j_grant (at) yahoo (dot) com
Gallery: http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Michael_Grant/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mgrant's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/440
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[tholub]

I can't help you with the teaching issue, except to say it's probably
about the same as everyone else; try a whole lot, fall a few times, and
eventually get it. The main factor will be her persistence and
dedication.

I think it would be reasonable to do a chop-shop job on the Sun; it's a
cheap uni anyway. You can use a hacksaw or jigsaw to cut down the seat
tube, to maybe 1-2" above where the fork tubes are welded on. Then cut
a slot on the back of the tube to give it some flexibility for
inserting the seat post. Use a metal file to file down any burrs.

The seat post clamp on that uni looks like it's welded to the seat
tube, so you'll also need to pick up a seat post clamp at a local bike
shop.

That should work fine. Cutting down the seat tube will reduce how long
she'll be able to use the uni as she gets bigger, but she'll probably
be ready for a 16" or 20" by the time she outgrows it anyway.


--
tholub
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tholub's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/804
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[dman1234]

nice collection!


--
dman1234
------------------------------------------------------------------------
dman1234's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15062
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[skilewis74]

tholub wrote:
> Cutting down the seat tube will reduce how long she'll be able to use
> the uni as she gets bigger, but she'll probably be ready for a 16" or
> 20" by the time she outgrows it anyway.


Or get a new post. She could use it as a stepping stone to learning
new skills, like riding backwards, SIF, and SIB.

My 16" was much better for getting comfortable w/ these for me, since I
would be falling from a lower hight and speed.


--
skilewis74

Ride everywhere and never just ride anywhere. If you can ride where you
are going within a hour, do it, and if you can do a trick 50-75% of the
time do it along the way.
Parafrasing a pro skater when asked for advise to kids who wanted to
get much better and maybee turn pro one day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
skilewis74's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12404
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[feel the light]

I'm no expert. But as I recall, a 3 yr. old starts on a little tricycle.
Then a bike with training wheels, then a regular bike. I think I was
about 5 or 6 when I got to the regular bike stage. I think kids need to
learn to pedal, balance a bike first.
So perhaps her natural progression will have her ready to try a uni
in 2 years or so. If you start her on the uni first, she may get
frustrated and learn to dislike it. She likely has the coordination and
patience of a 3 year old. So I wouldn't make her a uni until she wants
one, and can already ride a bike. If you make her one now, it is
unlikely she will understand why it doesn't "work".:(


--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[tholub]

feel the light wrote:
> I'm no expert. But as I recall, a 3 yr. old starts on a little tricycle.
> Then a bike with training wheels, then a regular bike. I think I was
> about 5 or 6 when I got to the regular bike stage. I think kids need to
> learn to pedal, balance a bike first.
>



The youngest report I've seen is of an 18-month-old learning to
unicycle. Kids don't know what's impossible.

Also, the skills required to ride a bike are really not relevant to
learning how to unicycle.


--
tholub
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tholub's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/804
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[skilewis74]

feel the light wrote:
> I'm no expert. But as I recall, a 3 yr. old starts on a little tricycle.
> Then a bike with training wheels, then a regular bike. I think I was
> about 5 or 6 when I got to the regular bike stage. I think kids need to
> learn to pedal, balance a bike first.
> So perhaps her natural progression will have her ready to try a uni
> in 2 years or so. If you start her on the uni first, she may get
> frustrated and learn to dislike it. She likely has the coordination and
> patience of a 3 year old. So I wouldn't make her a uni until she wants
> one, and can already ride a bike. If you make her one now, it is
> unlikely she will understand why it doesn't "work".:(


Although unicyling is definately harder than biking, but they are
somewhat different skills. But generally I agree w/ you.

The youngest person to learn to ride: 18 months. I saw a pic a while
ago of a 6 yr old, from the Tri Cities Unicle Club, doing some doing
some level 6 skills.


--
skilewis74

Ride everywhere and never just ride anywhere. If you can ride where you
are going within a hour, do it, and if you can do a trick 50-75% of the
time do it along the way.
Parafrasing a pro skater when asked for advise to kids who wanted to
get much better and maybee turn pro one day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
skilewis74's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12404
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[feel the light]

Anthony Gatto could juggle 5 balls when he was 5, and 7 by seven. I
guess what I meant was she might still benefit from learning the easy
stuff first. But maybe I'm a bit prejudiced cause I liked my tricycle
so much !:)


--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Wheeliefine[_2_]]

A girl in our group was confidently riding her uni at 3yrs 0 mths.
Later, when her parents introduced her to a bike, she didn't
understand why she had to hold on to the stupid metal thing in front
of her, and why turning was so complicated. (But now she's nine, and
represents Hong Kong at indoor (bi)cycling, as well as unicycle
hockey.)

[Hugh]

There was a 4 year old at NAUCC last year that was riding quite well.
Her mother said she learned when she was 3. I have a pair of 4 year
olds that I bought Sun unicycles for. UDC swapped out the seat post
with an old coker seat post (I think) which was much shorter. Anyway,
it made it small enough for my girls to put their feet on the pedals.
That may not be small enough for a 2.5 yr old though. My girls can't
ride a unicycle yet, but they like to get on them with me holding them
up and pushing them around- back breaking job.

It might also help to get shorter cranks. The cranks for the 12" sun
are still farily long and any lean at all makes the pedal hit the
ground. Not sure if shorter cranks are available or not.


--
Hugh

--
Hugh
MUC Member
"Uni"fied
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hugh's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12695
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Unicorn]

I have a 12" SUN Unicycle that I bought for my 3 year old son. (His
Birthday is today!) He does not seem to know how to pedal a tricycle
yet but he is pretty coordinated. He jump off of 5 foot high monkey
bars no problem and climbs right over our yard fence wchich is about 4
1/2 ft. tall. I think even if you just put a 3 year old kid on the
pedals of a unicycle they will automaticaly start balancing on it while
holding onto something. It can't be bad to try. I also don't think that
kids need to learn tricycles or bicycles first.

Unicorn


--
Unicorn

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the pedals, and you will
accomplish great feats!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12801
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Chrashing]

here is a link to some info on shortening a frame,' link'
(http://tinyurl.com/y59gfm)


--
Chrashing

Regards,
Ken ... I say it's a great exercise. They say it's a mid-life thing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chrashing's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/7501
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Jethro]

I have a son who is 2 and a half. We had the same problem wth the 12"
Sun. A friend took a child's tricycle and cut it down then welded it
back together as a very short uni. A tricycle woks well for that since
it already has the cranks attached to the wheel. I will try to find a
better pic for you.

[image: http://xc8.xanga.com/3868315274468117403133/b84244522.jpg]


--
Jethro

New Blog:'Unicycle Nation' (http://unicyclenation.wordpress.com/)

I Unicycle for Squirrels. I have't gotten one yet, but I keep trying.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jethro's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/9413
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[scotthue]

Hugh wrote:
>
> It might also help to get shorter cranks. The cranks for the 12" sun
> are still farily long and any lean at all makes the pedal hit the
> ground. Not sure if shorter cranks are available or not.



for shorter cranks on UDC there is
http://unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=179

which the 89-mm ones are .5 inches shorter than the sun ones


also most tricycles have the pedals through the front wheel so a shop
job to turn the handles into a seat should work


--
scotthue
------------------------------------------------------------------------
scotthue's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14601
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[sarah.miller]

Have seen small british uni kids with variously
blocks on the pedals and or cut down frames. one lad also has a parent
handle on the back of his uni so dad or mum ( who are rather tall) can
support/push him with out breaking their own backs. a number of these
j=kids have had a uni of their own from age 3 or so but realy only go
going solo at 5ish. However they have enjoyed bringing THEIR uni to
conventions as soon as they had one. The sight of a toddler pushing
his uni across the hall in a pushchair is quite funny.


--
sarah.miller

South West Unicycle Meet
www.uk.unicyclist.com/swum.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
sarah.miller's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/1694
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[hobo_chuck]

feel the light wrote:
> Anthony Gatto could juggle 5 balls when he was 5, and 7 by seven. I
> guess what I meant was she might still benefit from learning the easy
> stuff first. But maybe I'm a bit prejudiced cause I liked my tricycle
> so much !:)



tricycles are a total waste, and so are training wheels*...they don't
teach side-side balance at all(especially if they touch the ground),
which is the only point i can see in starting out with a bike...
and by "easy stuff", i hope you mean unicycling.....



*also very dangerous for a kid trying to turn, easy way to end up
crashing...


--
hobo_chuck

':confused:' (http://www.lost.eu/53187)its not easy being
gold!':confused:' (http://www.lost.eu/53187)
'a hobo named chuck eats a sandwich!-youtube'
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO5XlmxIcAo)......'blue man
group-global warming' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snPdEl0Duoo)
Sesquipedalophobia- Fear of long words
*The best way to support our troops is to bring them home.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hobo_chuck's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14113
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Danny Colyer]

BenNC wrote:
> My wife and I have agreed to not push things on our children - even
> unicycling. They are free to have their own interests and hobbies.
> Earlier this year, I told my friends that I was ordering a 12 inch Sun
> for my 2 1/2 year old daughter just to have ready in the garage so that
> if she asked for a unicycle I would have one ready to go - just in
> case! I never did get around to making the order.

I ordered 12" Dodgers for both of my kids.

My daughter asked for a unicycle for her 4th birthday. Even with the
seatpost cut down and wooden blocks on the pedals she was only just
able to reach the pedals. That was 18 months ago and I'm hoping that
her legs will soon be long enough to remove the wooden blocks (she's
very small for her age). Then she can start learning properly.

I believe that being pushed around has been enough for her to start
getting a feel for the balance and to learn how to dismount safely.
And, of course, she loves having her own unicycle.

My son, jealous of his big sister's unicycle, asked for one for his 3rd
birthday. He's fairly big for his age, so I should hopefully be able
to remove the wooden blocks from his pedals before he turns 5. He,
too, loves having his own unicycle.

I don't think it would be realistic for any child to learn to ride solo
on a 12" with wooden blocks on the pedals.


--
Danny Colyer

http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danny Colyer's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11637
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Danny Colyer]

hobo_chuck wrote:
> tricycles are a total waste, and so are training wheels*...they don't
> teach side-side balance at all(especially if they touch the ground),
> which is the only point i can see in starting out with a bike...
> and by "easy stuff", i hope you mean unicycling.....

Tricycles do, however, teach pedalling, which turns out to be a very
useful skill when the child is ready for a bike.

I agree wholeheartedly that stabilisers are a waste of time. My
daughter doesn't even know that her bike came with stabilisers - I
never fitted them. Having been using a Like-a-Bike clone for some time
before I bought her bike, once she got the bike she was off and
pedalling on our second trip to the park :-)


--
Danny Colyer

http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danny Colyer's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11637
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Jettmaster]

That is so cool if I saw a 3 year old on a unicycle I would be
*--*AMAZED:D


--
Jettmaster
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jettmaster's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16440
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[StephenH]

Just a thought. Can you make a unicycle using the wheel and possibly
fork off of a tricycle? You'd have smaller stuff to work with that
way.


--
StephenH
------------------------------------------------------------------------
StephenH's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16659
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[_Ground_Zero_]

Maybe you should just get your child balance practicing toys such as a
rola bola. Or, like MGrant said, get a custom frame.


--
_Ground_Zero_
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_Ground_Zero_'s Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15520
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[boisei]

I modded a 12" Sun for my daughter. She's 2, not yet ready to ride it,
but I keep it around so that she knows its there. Not pushing it on
her, but our philosophy is to have things in her environment so that
she can pick from them as she's ready. Plus, it's just tremendously
cute.

I cut down the seat post and frame, cut out a slot so that the clamp
would hold tight on the seat post, and got 89mm cranks, as linked
earlier in the thread.

She likes to spin the wheels, and every once in a while sit on the seat
with our help. Her legs are just a bit too short for it still.


--
boisei
------------------------------------------------------------------------
boisei's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16116
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[SkierAlex]

I have a five year old brother and find it hard to believe that anyone
that young could ride a unicycle! But if they can it's pretty amazing,
unicycling is pretty hard to learn.


--
SkierAlex
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SkierAlex's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16317
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[evil-nick]

I met a girl at university who's father had told her and her siblings
they had to learn to ride one wheel before he'd give them 2!

I'll have to try the trike-chop for my son (~10 weeks to diaper time!)


--
evil-nick

Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total
obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and
through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see
its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will
remain.

* Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear.

I'm late for checkers with the Dalai Lama!

My gallery:
http://evil.linuxfreak.ca/uni.html
Our Club:
http://cs.ubishops.ca/~buuc/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
evil-nick's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6692
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/62891


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com