is it easier or harder to ride uphill a 36" unicycle Vs. 24" ?

Answer 1

Interesting question. The size of the wheel is not the issue. What IS the issue is the ratio of pedal radius to wheel radius.

PedR:WhlR

We'll throw in numbers to make it easier, and say the pedR is 5 inches, and the WhlR is 10 inches.

PedR:WhlR
5:10

Now, that can be simplified to 1/2. The higher that number is, the easier it is to pedal, but the slower you'll go per pedal rotation. The lower the number is, the harder it is to pedal, but the faster you'll go.

Therefore, assuming the pedal radius is the same on both the 36" and the 24" wheels, it would be easier to pedal up a hill on a 24" unicycle.

...I think.

Answer 2

The crank arm to wheel radius equation has gotton alot of milage over a unicyclist.com...and that is for sure part of the equation..anyont that has expermented with large difference on crank lenght on a unicycle with the training wheel (a bicycle) will have observed the difference the longer crank lengths let you push a much larger gear ratio(equivelent to a larger wheel on a unicycle)with the same pedal force becuase the longer cranks give you more leverage which translates to more torque of course the longer cranks won't let you spinn as fast becuase the circle they describe has a much bigger circumference-the cadence is the determining factor for top speed for unicycles so I have observed that many uni riders ride the shortest cranks possible..this still doesn't answer you question....BUT if the crank to radius diameter was the same I would think that the 24 would be much easier becuase it has less mass and mass times distance is the equation I would associate with harder and easier..the 36 has more mass in the worst place too as the tire and the rim are heavier and those are the parts that move the furthest on a uni--that being said if the hill is rather short the larger wheel might be easier becuase the larger wheel has more inertia and will "carry you up the hill some"..
the debate betewwn the two wheel sizes rages and if you want to go far or fast the 36 is the one..the real distance riders run gears on the 36 wheel running an equivelent wheel size of 45-60 inches..I wonder what would be easier a 36" or a 24" geared up to 36....

Answer 3

the smaller diameter requires lower torque of course