"Steaming my commute..."

[MechanicalMouse]

If your planning on modding a modern helmet, leather clad it (but don't glue) + a few very low profile brass studs. Beyond that, the chances are you are turning your head protection into an enhanced cranial skewer system.

Or get an equestrian riding hat. Less impact absorption than a modern cycle helmet, but very hard.

[Ben Hudson, Esq.]

Cycle helmets are annoying in that they don't really fit in with steampunk. A BMX-type one could be etched or painted, but it would be more steam-inspired. Still, I would rather have my brains securely inside my head than look cool.

[Klynt Mahryd]

Wear a modified WW1 or WW2 helmet?

[Von Gast]

If your planning on modding a modern helmet, leather clad it (but don't glue) + a few very low profile brass studs. Beyond that, the chances are you are turning your head protection into an enhanced cranial skewer system.

Or get an equestrian riding hat. Less impact absorption than a modern cycle helmet, but very hard.

I would be inclined to agree. The alternative danger is of skewering some hapless bystander in the event of collision...

[Prof. Brockworth]

Good work that man.  And a fig to these lily-livered naysayers!  Cycling in London is merely bracing.  It's sport!

Bike helmets are only built to protect you from falls, and on a 36" wheel you won't be going fast enough to fall hard - so I say yes! yes! yes! to a top hat and a Devil-may-care grin.  And a pipe.

[Ben Hudson, Esq.]

I agree, urban cycling is somewhat... exhiliarating. However, I would want to be wearing a helmet just in case I were hit by a flexible omnibus or some other contraption.

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Mechanical Mouse - hmmm leather cover and brass studs. I like that  Thank you for the suggestion!

Ben Hudson - True. Looking at my trusty Giro "Havoc", it's about as un-steamy as it gets..

Klynt Mahryd - Military helmet is probably going to be too heavy and would be a risk in a fall. The more I think about it though, the more it kind of appeals.

Herr Von Gast - I am currently considering equestrian headwear as one of the more steamy options...

Prof Brockworth -  Thank you good sir! I have a hankering for a topper, I must admit, although as a non smoker I would forgo the pipe! (Hmmm, an alternative would be a bowler hat perhaps).

-------------

I shall probably start off riding with my bike helmet firmly in place because having got it home (I had to unbox it to get it in the car) and assembled it, I find myself looking at a bicycle whose saddle is at about the same height as the top of my hip (I'm just under 6'7" tall) and thinking to myself "what in blazes have I done? I'm going to ride that???" 

It arrived in one large box as seperate parts - frame & fork assembled, wheel had cranks fitted already, I just had to fit the wheels to the frame, run the brake cables, install the handlebar and saddle, and fit the pedals.

I am somewhat terrified of trying to ride the beast tomorrow!!

P.S. as a follow up to my earlier response to Smaggers' question about stopping at traffic lights, I'm either going to have to get very good at balancing while standing on the pedals, or going to have to lean on something or be very uncomfortable! I can get tip toes down on the ground while in the saddle by stretching somewhat, but doing so squishes one's parts against the saddle in a painful manner!  . Should probably be OK if next to the kerb though as the extra couple of inches height should make it less of a stretch to get the toes down.

[Prof. Brockworth]

Pictures!  We demand pictures!

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Pictures will be taken tomorrow in daylight of yours truly with his new pride and joy! And I may even let the beloved film it (cameraphone only I'm afraid) and post to YouTube!

[Jemima Annabelle Clough]

I'm more likely to be hiding behind the sofa in fear than videoing it in motion 

[Luella Dobson]

ohh, I'd love one. do they ship over the pond?

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

ohh, I'd love one. do they ship over the pond?

Unfortunately the folks I bought mine from don't.

According to qu-ax.de (the people who supply this one to the bods in the UK I bought mine from) a US supplier is http://www.unicycle.com

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

I'm more likely to be hiding behind the sofa in fear than videoing it in motion 

Oh, go on! Pretty Please?

I'll get you some chocolate while I'm out on it 

[Jemima Annabelle Clough]

Mmmm bribery with chocolate...

So long as it's decent 

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Mmmm bribery with chocolate...

So long as it's decent 

Well I won't be riding naked! 

Oh hang on, you mean "decent chocolate". Ahhh, but of course ma cherie!

[theMadTinker]

As one with personal experience in the matter of automobile vs. bicycle, I would be cautious, even at low speed, about not wearing a helmet.  Certainly a topper has a certain appeal, but it's no good when encountering an SUV that has decided to turn left in front of you despite the fact that you're already in the intersection and have right of way.

[Prometheus Culier]

Fill the topper with a great quantity of soft foam and loose cotton batting.  Consider it a crumple zone. (Official disclaimer:  that was a joke.  Don't try this at home.)

Helmets protect against side impacts as well as the top of your head.  I've rung my chimes rather convincingly once or twice while clutching at a street sign trying to stop myself on roller blades.  Meaning I'd grabbed the sign, spun around it once or twice, then whacked my head against the pole on my way to the ground because my feet wouldn't stay under me.  That's about as slow-speed an impact as I can imagine while still calling it "traffic-related." And this was with a helmet on.  I can tell you, you are going much faster than you think, and you will hit your head much harder than you think.

[Prof. Brockworth]

You have a video-capable camera?  We need toppercam footage

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Here she is propped up against the sofa post-assembly...



Finished the build-up this morning, and took her for a test ride. Turns out that as I am somewhat chubby, the top of the handlebar stem pokes me badly at the top of the stomach, and lowering the bars to avoid that (even then turning the bars in the clamp) means that my thighs hit the bottom of the bars at the top of the pedal stroke.

In short, I can't ride her! 

So, I've emailed the supplier and requested a returns number and I am now going to dismantle her ready to take to work on monday, re-package and return her.

NOOOOOOOOOO! 

- Addendum -

Just had an email back from the MD of the suppliers (unicycle.uk.com)

David,

Oh that is a pain, sorry it doesn't fit you.  Send it back with a note quoting your invoice number (I don't have it here, I am at home).  The Weight is 14kg from what I remember, it is certainly less than 30 which is the magic number for Parcel Force. Check the price first, if it is more than £9, tell me and I can arrange a pick-up on our account... don't like giving parcel force money for nothing!

Regards

Now that is what I call excellent customer service!

[Prof. Brockworth]

Damn but that's tragic.  Could you not swap the stem for a lower one?  It's a standard quill item.

[Stirling_Cycle]

WAIT!!!!!! you can just get a different handlebar! take off the straight bar and get you a cows horn style. This will make the handlebars lower at the tummy and the S shape of the handle bars will make clearance for your legs!

If there is a will there is a way!!!

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Damn but that's tragic.  Could you not swap the stem for a lower one?  It's a standard quill item.

You got it, "tragic" is definately the right word. I almost cried when I realised that I wouldn't be riding her.

I could drop the existing stem right down, but I'd need to replace the existing bars with some bars that more resemble the McDonalds "M" to allow my them to clear my thighs at the top of the pedal, and it would need a very long riser to get the bars to the right height, which might then also affect the steering geometry. I'd also need to replace the brake cables as they are only long enough for the existing bar position.

So in practice it might be feasible, but having to fork out on expensive custom made handlebars that might or might not work, and possibly making the steering very twitchy as a result doesn't really strike me as a good idea.

Looks like I will have to keep looking and see if I can find something like the Pashley Sovereign that doesn't cost £600...

WAIT!!!!!! you can just get a different handlebar! take off the straight bar and get you a cows horn style. This will make the handlebars lower at the tummy and the S shape of the handle bars will make clearance for your legs!

If there is a will there is a way!!!

I've been looking for similar bars and I think it's going to be serious trial and error to find a suitable one. Combine that with the steep learning curve that goes with riding something that has no freewheel and a totally different C.O.G. than a normal bicycle and I think that I might have let my romantic, eccentric side get the better of me.

(Plus I'm not going to find a suitable set of bars within the 7 day "no questions asked" returns period from the supplier, and if I then discover that I don't get on with riding a hi-wheel because of the C.O.G. combined with no freewheel, I'll be stuck with it and unable to afford to replace it with a "normal" bicycle).

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Well, I got a full refund, same day that they received the Penny Farthing back. Let me just say now that if any UK forum members (who are smaller than me) want a Penny Farthing, a unicycle, or any juggling stuff, I can totally recommend the guys at http://unicycle.uk.com. They have been 100% helpful, professional and fantastic to deal with.

In other news, it turns out that I can afford a Pashley after all. YAY!



So, as I have the day off tomorrow, I'm popping into the centre of London to take one for a test ride  and if I like it I will order the 24.5" frame version as shown above (suitable for 35" to 39" inside leg, so is the right size for me - I can ride the 22.5" version, but seeing my inside leg length turns out to be almost at it's maximum supported length and the bigger frame is slightly heavier built for "larger riders" I figure that's the best bet.)

So steamy cycling is definately still a "go" 

[chironex]

I'm more likely to be hiding behind the sofa in fear than videoing it in motion 

Behind the sofa? It's a bike not a Dalek...

[Silas P. Morgan]

Well, I got a full refund, same day that they received the Penny Farthing back. Let me just say now that if any UK forum members (who are smaller than me) want a Penny Farthing, a unicycle, or any juggling stuff, I can totally recommend the guys at http://unicycle.uk.com. They have been 100% helpful, professional and fantastic to deal with.

I'm not in the UK, but it is good to hear about Great Service.... That kind of advertising, can not be bought, it has to be earned.... sounds like they earned it.