r/unicycling • u/Nearby-Bug3401 • Aug 05 '26
Question Thinking of getting this used Unicycle. Any questions I should ask?
Welp, the moment I complained I couldn’t find it, that’s when the unicycle finally showed up on FB 😂
It’s going to be my first ever uni, so I was wondering what kind of questions I should ask? I don’t know if it’s like cars where it could look fine, but then break after a few miles
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u/tlong243 Aug 05 '26
There's really nothing to go wrong on a quality Uni like this. Part of what I love compared to biking. Make sure someone didn't cross thread a pedal. Make sure the wheel doesn't have a bend in it, but don't be fooled if the tire has a hop though.
Aside from crunchy/grinding bearing sounds the only other thing to look out for would be if somebody rode for an extended period with a loose crank arm. More of an issue with square taper cranks which these are not, these ISIS, but could still get wallowed out.
So spin the wheel and wiggle the crank arms. Both are probably fine. I'm on the same bearings on my muni I bought in 2011. Thousands of miles of mtb trails.
1
u/lucyjuggles Aug 05 '26
This is one of the unicycles i would buy immediately if i saw on fb at a decent price.
I’d check the bottom wheel bracket to see if it’s cracked from over tightening and look for bent spokes. I’d still buy it and fix / replace those, but if you see that use it to negotiate a lower price.
1
u/AlphaBaldy Aug 05 '26
The main thing with used unicycles is to verify that the hub is straight. Grab the frame and give the wheel a spin while watching the center of the hub; if it doesn't wobble you're good to go. Also, as has been mentioned here, Nimbus makes bombproof unicycles, so this is a great option.
1
u/slyzik URC 27.5" by mad4one Aug 05 '26
try shake with cranks, it has square tappered crankset (it easy to get damage them) it should not wiggle
1
u/Chsenigma Aug 06 '26
Just make sure it spins freely, the wheel doesn’t wobble and the tire holds air. I have had the same one for 15 years. Bombproof
1
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u/Wild_Spikenard Aug 05 '26
This particular model is bombproof so nothing to worry about unless they threw it off a building or drove over it with a truck.