Capac
So I was browsing the net looking for random pictures of unitrikes to 'borrow' for this here website when I happened across the most amazing looking unitrike I'd ever seen. Much bigger than the Le Run's or Max Skatebikes - double the wheelbase, much bigger wheels front and back - with a lower centre of gravity and a cable brake. I knew I had to get me one of those so I emailed Casey, the guy who ran the site. Very friendly guy in Montana who told me it was up for sale! Took about a week before it was shipped!
Casey had already done an amazing custom job, with about 2 inches of metalwork added betwixt truck and frame to shift the centre of gravity back and the addition of a whole new truck and seat. It already rode better than I could imagine, so much so that I actually think this could be a valid mode of transport. I'm not cutting any corners with its modding, we're having new brake pads and cables, a longer seat stem, a secondary handheld brake lever, the usual truck tensioning work, and a few accessories. I'm blinging it right up.
Capac has been a great ride from the beginning, more of a street unitrike than an off-roader but can't be beat for an amble round the park.
Named Capac after Manco Capac, son of Inti the Sun God and first ruler of the Incas. He appeared out of Lake Titicaca in Southern Peru, founded the Incan Empire and got himself worshipped by all his subjects. He was The Daddy the moment he appeared, just like this unitrike :)
Judas
Another German Ebay purchase, this is my second original LeRun. It arrived in pretty good condition, of all the unitrikes it seemed like the one that had been ridden most yet also loved most. I had to swap the Presta tube for a Schrader simply because I don't have a Presta pump and do some repair work on the truck but beyond that I was very please with the state of it.
I have called this one Judas because, although I had to spend a fair bit of time tuning it, I was delighted with the handling on its inaugural ride. So much so that I took it down a moderately steep hill in the park (coasting with gentle pressure on the brake) which again went beautifully until I reached the bottom and started pedalling. At that point I was launched into the ground and mashed myself and my favourite pair of jeans. Like Judas of the stories, it pretended to be my friend and then screwed me over big-time!
So I now proclaim the first law of unitriking to be 'Always wear padding and old clothes when doing initial test rides'.
Judas now resides in Manchester, 90 miles from Unitrike HQ 'cos 5 unitrikes in my front room was getting silly. Also now I can do some northern unitriking whenever I please :-)
Rameses
My third unitrike is an Ebay acquisition from Germany, another Max Skatebike like Lazarus yet with a solid metal truck like Atisha. And I approve with some force. The only major issues with it were a bald tyre on the main wheel and a dodgy valve on the inner tube. As ever though, it did also require a fair bit of truck tuning.
The seat post that came with it is a little short for my giant legs so I often use Atisha's seat and post with it.
Named Rameses because Rameses II was the third Pharoah of his dynasty and was famous for his brutal conquests plowing ahead through all obstacles. Just as this is my third unitrike and initially it was plowing ahead through all obstacles 'cos it couldn't turn properly ;-)
Rameses is up for sale. If anyone is interested please contact me on the email address below.
Atisha
The second is my only unitrike bought new, shipped straight in from California. Ooh she's a tricky lady. It took 5 weeks for me and my other, non angry housemate to get her tuned and into good riding condition. Due to being sat in a box for 20 years the rubber truck tensioners were perished, the wheel bearings were loose, the truck bolt was bent and the chain cogs were out of alignment. I eventually managed to find a new imperial bolt, padded the wheel bearings out with rubber washer I had to cut myself, cut and fitted some new truck tensioners and re-aligned the back wheel. Now it's an absolute joy to ride.
I have named it Atisha after the Buddhist monk who spent many many years learning from over 100 teachers before becoming a great Buddhist master. Just like this took weeks of tuning before it became the pimp-daddy of unitrikes.
Lazarus
The first is my original unitrike which is a 'Max Skatebike', a copy of the original Le Run. This was retrived from a police auction by a colleague of mine after which it rotted in his garage for a few years. It was in a state by the time I got it but after some serious cleaning, oiling, tweaking and painting (it was originally pink) it became an amazing ride. Unfortunately the truck snapped and, while I was able to machine a skateboard truck to fit the bracket, the wheels couldn't be transferred.
Lazarus was out of action for a long while as I searched for suitable wheels. In desperation I tried attaching some funky 100mm trolley wheels (£1.49 each from Homebase) but the stability and turning ability just didn't cut it. This compounded with the strange grinding noise emanating from the pedal bearings meant that Lazarus was never going to ride again.
This one is named Lazarus because although it died, it rose again (only to die once more in a more permanent sorta way).
Hermes
This is my unicycle. I've had this for years, it was a crimbo present when I was 17 but I've only recently blinged the crap out of it with new cranks, new pedals, new tyre, quick release seat bolt and assembly to hold my pump, water bottle and lock for some proper distance riding.
Great manoeverability, good at handling bumps and one of a very small number of unicycles I have encountered that are big enough for my giraffe legs. Seat can sometimes generate a bit of numbness after a long ride though...
It is named Hermes after the greek god of transportation 'cos hey, it was my first comedy vehicle. Also the new pedals made me think of Hermes' winged shoes.
Thor
My new off-roader unicycle with a 29 inch wheel for greater speed and better terrain handling. Woooo! I bought it half price from a lass at my circus group but as expected had to buy a new extra long seat post for it to account for my geneous proportions. Not as easy to mount or idle on as Hermes but once you get going it's plain sailing all the way - speed but with great control.
Recently rode it along the Birmingham canal to Sainsburys without any difficulties and even manages to buy eggs a get them home safely. Eggs on a unicycle - the definition of 'pushing your luck'?
It is a mighty beast that will crush anything that stands in its way. Thus it is called Thor! And it is manly!