Ken Fuchs
August 24th 03, 05:48 AM
> >We decided to spray paint the tire yellow (and the wooden disk purple;
> >sorry no camera = no pictures) The spray paint was still a bit sticky,
> >so there was a lot of friction. How much friction is there usually? I was
> >also wearing hospital scrubs, which may also be a big factor.
Zero friction is best, so the wheel doesn't slow down in case one's leg
rubs against the tire or wheel. Some people spray the tire sidewall or
rim (which ever sticks out more) with something that provides lower
friction than the tire or rim by itself.
However, low friction of the tire sidewall or rim is not required, since
it is quite possible (though more difficult) to ride an ultimate wheel
without the legs rubbing the tire sidewall or rim.
> >I read that it is easier if the pedals are very close to the disk. But
> >mine are so close, that my feet, usually my heel, hit the tire as i
> >pedal. I placed the pedals as if there were 5 inch cranks (125mm). Is
> >this normal? Or am i standing on the pedals wrong?
Usually, the pedals are placed as close to the plane of the wheel as
possible to reduce the so called Q factor. However, it is also possible
to simply remove a wheel from a standard unicycle and ride it as an
ultimate wheel. This will place the legs further from the wheel, so for
that reason alone, the legs rubbing the tire sidewall or rim would be
less likely. However, the larger Q factor may cause more "leg rubbing".
Pedals set at 125mm from the center of the disk should work just fine.
Sincerely,
Ken Fuchs >
> >sorry no camera = no pictures) The spray paint was still a bit sticky,
> >so there was a lot of friction. How much friction is there usually? I was
> >also wearing hospital scrubs, which may also be a big factor.
Zero friction is best, so the wheel doesn't slow down in case one's leg
rubs against the tire or wheel. Some people spray the tire sidewall or
rim (which ever sticks out more) with something that provides lower
friction than the tire or rim by itself.
However, low friction of the tire sidewall or rim is not required, since
it is quite possible (though more difficult) to ride an ultimate wheel
without the legs rubbing the tire sidewall or rim.
> >I read that it is easier if the pedals are very close to the disk. But
> >mine are so close, that my feet, usually my heel, hit the tire as i
> >pedal. I placed the pedals as if there were 5 inch cranks (125mm). Is
> >this normal? Or am i standing on the pedals wrong?
Usually, the pedals are placed as close to the plane of the wheel as
possible to reduce the so called Q factor. However, it is also possible
to simply remove a wheel from a standard unicycle and ride it as an
ultimate wheel. This will place the legs further from the wheel, so for
that reason alone, the legs rubbing the tire sidewall or rim would be
less likely. However, the larger Q factor may cause more "leg rubbing".
Pedals set at 125mm from the center of the disk should work just fine.
Sincerely,
Ken Fuchs >