When u just learn to ride uni I certainly recommend 150mm cranks for 26” and up. You can do shorter cranks when youve already learned to ride a few kms. The 26 was also my first real uni, after the learner 20”
Maybe @slamdance can chime in, cause he follows a more rational approach at unicycling and seems to be more aware of those aspects.
Maybe you can try and observe what are the mechanics behind your trying to keep the balance. Do you purely try to stay in balance with your arms (aka flailing about)? Do you use your hip (aka twisting)? Maybe it‘s still too early for these questions because your legs first (both) have to get the feel of riding a unicycle.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your body probably has to adapt by the way of building up the specific muscles that are required to successfully ride a uni. That will take some time.
Thanks for the guidance, as I plan/hope to get to 26" and up
Trying to be mindful on this, and I’m definitely still building up the muscle. One thing I didn’t mention: Got a new seat post coming today, as the standard post brings the seat about three or so inches below my navel at the highest recommended set point, which I’ve read is about three inches low where I’d want it.
A longer seat post (as long as it’s not too long, obviously) definitely makes it easier to learn to ride.
Yeah, I have my fingers crossed on the not-too-long part. Even more so on the easier-to-ride bit.
The navel can only be a rough guidance. What’s important is the actual distance between the pedals and the seat. Your leg shouldn’t be fully extended when you sit on the uni and the pedal is at its lowest point.
Maybe you can post a picture of you, sitting on your uni with the pedals in the 6/12 position. So our experts can give you tips on the issue of saddle height. I’m not an expert, but I seem to remember that the heel (not the toes!) should barely touch the pedal when the leg is extended. This refers to road use - just about right for what you’re aiming at, in my opinion. Personally, I would lower it a wee bit; a tad too low is easier to ride than too high.
For freewheeling indoors the seat needs to be as high as possible but when riding outside with bumps it is nice to have some space so you can stand and catch them. The space is also nice at long rides so the blood can flow again while riding upright
What I read said that the knee is almost straight with the heel on the pedal at 6 o’clock. It’ll be a little less straight with the ball of the foot on the pedal. I’m going to give that a go and see how it feels.
Got it. I’m only outdoors, so a bit of space is in order. Thanks for the guidance.
oh I knew I there was something wrong with my “freewheeling”. What I meant was freestyle, which is done with those 20" unicycles with white wheels. They are also used for basket unicycle and hockey unicycle.
Yep, specific requirements for the saddle height for each form of unicyclism.
Right a day ago I thought I might have to replace the seat clamp of my muni with one that has quick release levers.
When on the trail I need the saddle to be rather low. But before and after the interesting part (i.e. when riding on tarmac or gravel roads) the saddle should be higher. Too bad I’m too lazy to grab an allen key and adjust it…
Welp, since this topic will automatically close in a day, I’ll say thanks again. The guidance I’ve received here has been super useful and, probably more importantly, super encouraging.
Today I finally, FINALLY got both left and right through the dead zone and completed two full rotations. On one hand, no big deal. On the other, whoo-wee, I now know I can ride a unicycle.
I leave in the morning with my wife on a two-week driving vacation. I’m packing light, so as to have enough room for the unicycle.
I hope to one day contribute to others as you have to me.
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Seems like most people think ski poles and alike are not helpful to learn. But my experience was, that in the state where i was able to one, two maybe three free revs, i got sort of stuck.
Using nordic ski poles was a goundbreaking change for me then.
I think mainly because i did not have to restart every time after dismount.
And i can tell you i will never forget the feeling when it suddenly worked. It was so fascinating because i did not know who was riding that unicycle. It made sudden curves my arms slang around but none of this was conscious action, it just happened.
So good luck to you. It enjoyed following your thread, thanks for beeing here!
Claus
At 12 years old with no YouTube or mentors I taught myself to ride a $5 unicycle I bought at a fireman’s auction. I taught myself using two wood tomatoes stakes from my dad’s garage. I practiced on the street in front of our house where there was no wall or fence to hold onto. It was totally effective . This method lets you keep moving straight ahead building momentum and then dropping the poles when you feel comfortable to do so. Why anyone who did not learn that way can say it’s not effective is beyond me. I t worked for me .
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At age 20 something, when I got my first uni, I did this. Found some cross country ski poles in the garage (much longer than downhill ski poles) and I became very proficient with them. But as soon as I tried to drop them, I would fall instantaneously. My brain had integrated them so well that it refused to let go. It took me a while to abandon them and I had to go back to the very basics and learn from scratch.
This is why I don’t recommend ski poles.
The club in Grenoble uses portable metal fences to create a corridor where your hands are at the right height to slide on their top. It’s neat as you learn to sit straight on the uni and not lean towards a wall, and when you reach the end of the corridor, you can continue in the wide open with momentum once you have the speed/confidence. Only problem is that it’s the kind of logistics only a club can organise!
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metal fences are a very good option. May be your home town can organise some event with these.
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Heh. I learned at 10 years old using some old backyard chairs and the hallway walls at school and a cheap 16" that lasted for me for 2 years before I got my Nimbus 20" in February. Now my 29" should be arriving next week.
It sounds like you had a mental block which is very common in developing unicycling skills. One technique works for one and not the other. When I learned there was nobody there to tell me what I was doing was wrong or right. Fortunately the pole method was effective and got me rolling quite quickly.
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