FUnny this isn't it? It's such an easy thing to do, rotate the tyre,
but I don't think I've ever bothered. Ah well, new tires look nice
anyway :)
> So now the questions: How much difference is there
> between a 'real' unicycle tire and the more readily
> available bike tires? If I were to buy a bike tire for
If this isn't in the FAQ it ought to be. Basically there isn't any
difference that I'm aware of. In fact generally speaking unicycle
manufacturers are so cut-throat on quality that you'll probably find the
tyres that come with your unicycle are about the lowest quality money
can buy imported in huge quantities from an Eastern country where no-one
gets paid.
The usual fare is some rubber/plastic compound which slips in the wet,
wears out quickly, has ridiculously high hysteresis (ie absorbs loads of
energy when it flexes: so feels like it's flat+like riding in treacle
even though there's 100psi in it), and can't take high pressure
(although it's worth trying!). Essentially they're crap.
I'd recommend a good quality BMX tire as it's a sufficiently large
market to demand quality. What's more, you don't have to get out a
second mortgage like you would if you had a mountain bike - the most
expensive (although _nice_) are Redline's which here are about 15 quid
(ie 15 dollars, you lucky people). Tioga Comp ST are semi-grippy road
tyres. Tioga Comp Ramp's are worth looking at. The Comp Pool's are
totally slick (ie no grip whatsoever) and are phenomenal on concrete.
All these will happily take 100psi (thin lightweight skinwalls).
Chunkier are GTs whose grips are actually loads of GT logos. Those come
in 2.125" too (as opposed to 1.75). Haro also produce OKish ones,
although they're somewhere between the plastic tires and gorgeous
tiogas.
Oh, you want a 24" tyre? Too bad. If anyone's found a decent manu. of
these, let me know. One day I'll get round to putting a narrow ally rim
and thin tire on...
Upshot: go to a respectable BMX shop and have a look around, armed with
the words 'Tioga', 'Redline', and 'GT'. There may be others that are
good, but those three spring fondly to mind. *sigh*.
Cheers, Paul.
> use on my uni, would I regret it and end up ordering
> a better tire anyway? And how fast do experienced
> riders wear out tires when riding on asphalt, or more
> to the point, if I do order a new 'real' unicycle tire,
> should I order several at once?)
>
> TIA!
>
> Paul
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Paul Halter o o "I can't remember when I've felt
> Software Engineer and o o o better!" - Ralph Wilson after
> Juggler-in-Training o O trying new Norecog vitamins with
> (paulha@postalsoft.com) _/[ ]\_o special memory inhibitors
>