Hi all, I’ve been an avid bicyclist for quite some time, and now I’d like
to make it even more challenging. I’m looking for tips on learning to Uni.
First off, I guess, what size would be easiest to learn on? There’s a
bunch on eBay that seem very reasonably priced, but I don’t know what size
wheeled Unicyle to buy. What is a good way to start off learning? I’ve
heard to keep one hand on a wall, or use poles or something. Any tips?
Basically whatever anyone thinks can help me, I’d appreciate hearing.
Thanks! Pete
I learned on a 20 when I was about 13, then took an 18-year break and
started back up a couple of months ago. I got a 20 because I figured it
would be easier to learn on, and it was, but I had a hard time keeping up
with the people with who I rode. They have 26" Pashley MUnis and Cokers. I
bought a 26" Semcycle XL and it has made a huge difference. My opinion
would be to start on a 20 and move up from there. 20s are good for tight
spots, and I definitely plan to keep mine.
John
Pete wrote:
> Hi all, I’ve been an avid bicyclist for quite some time, and now I’d
> like to make it even more challenging. I’m looking for tips on learning
> to Uni. First off, I guess, what size would be easiest to learn on?
> There’s a bunch on eBay that seem very reasonably priced, but I don’t
> know what size wheeled Unicyle to buy. What is a good way to start off
> learning? I’ve heard to keep one hand on a wall, or use poles or
> something. Any tips? Basically whatever anyone thinks can help me, I’d
> appreciate hearing. Thanks! Pete
Practice in a empty parking lot (I go on weekends). That’s what I have
been doing currently. Hopefully, there will be a lamp post near by for you
to lean onto your unicycle. If not, use your car or a chair. Before, I
used two chairs to hop on the unicycle. Of course, I did this inside my
house. No more! It really is better to practice outside on the parking
lot. I bought my $100.00 24" unicycle at unicycle.com, and it seems to
work great.
Just start pedaling from the support chair, lamp, or car. Just do it -
just pedal, even though you know 100% for sure you will fall over. Accept
the “falling” down part.
As of now, I have practice 22 hours of it. I can go, maybe, about 30-50
feet without too much trouble (right now wobbling seems to be my biggest
obstacle, but I am slowly overcoming that).
Good luck! 
got syrup?
“Pete” <steel_ht@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7a6753d7.0109301146.4fd4323d@posting.google.com…
> Hi all, I’ve been an avid bicyclist for quite some time, and now I’d
> like to make it even more challenging. I’m looking for tips on learning
> to Uni. First off, I guess, what size would be easiest to learn on?
> There’s a bunch on eBay that seem very reasonably priced, but I don’t
> know what size wheeled Unicyle to buy. What is a good way to start off
> learning? I’ve heard to keep one hand on a wall, or use poles or
> something. Any tips? Basically whatever anyone thinks can help me, I’d
> appreciate hearing. Thanks! Pete
Hi Pete,
I started about 3 weeks ago and I can ride pretty easily now (after ~20
hours of it). The key to success is practice and perseverance. I can not
count the number of times I had this thaught : “That’s Impossible, I’ll
never do it !” and then “I will give it the time it takes and I’ll be able
to do it…”. After every session of practice (20 minutes to 2 hours) I
felt improvement and that’s what’s so fascinating (even though very small
improvements…).
Here’s how I suggest you to begin :
-
At firts, get used to your uni. Just stand on it holding something and
make 1/4 of a revolution back and forth. Your body, mind and reflexes
will gradually adapt to it. -
Once you feel it’s time to ride (it might take a couple of hours
though…), go outside and find something to hold on to while you ride.
I didn’t stick to it as I soon found that the object prevented me from
keeping my balance and it sometimes caused me to lose balance. -
Start from an object (a car…) an begin to ride. One foot, two feet,
and so on… -
Read on the subject: http://www.unicycling.org,
http://www.unicycle.com, http://wobbling.unicyclist.com/ and as
suggested below http://www.theonion.com
Good Luck !
Christ.
Pete a écrit :
> Hi all, I’ve been an avid bicyclist for quite some time, and now I’d
> like to make it even more challenging. I’m looking for tips on learning
> to Uni. First off, I guess, what size would be easiest to learn on?
> There’s a bunch on eBay that seem very reasonably priced, but I don’t
> know what size wheeled Unicyle to buy. What is a good way to start off
> learning? I’ve heard to keep one hand on a wall, or use poles or
> something. Any tips? Basically whatever anyone thinks can help me, I’d
> appreciate hearing. Thanks! Pete
Don’t buy a unicycle off ebay unless you know how to identify the very few
quality unicycles listed there from the mass of junk. I just looked at
ebay. The unicycle that claims to have a “special comfort seat” actually
has a seat that is an instrument of torture that is capable of cutting the
insides of your thighs. The one that claims to have “extra heavy duty
bearings” has the weakest and worst bearing mount of any production
unicycle. In short both unicycles are pieces of junk that I wouldn’t waste
my money on.
To be fair, someone is selling Torker unicycles on ebay. The Torker is a
good uni, but it comes with a small seat. If you’re an adult you’ll want
to get the Torker with an adult sized seat. I doubt the guy on ebay will
be able to swap the seat for you or would even know enough to suggest that
you get a different seat.
Your best bet is to look at http://www.unicyclesource.com/ if you’re in
the USA or http://www.unicycle.uk.com/ if you’re in the UK. You’ll get a
better quality unicycle from them than you will from some of the
swindlers on ebay.
To be fair again, UnicycleSource does sell a uni with the seat that I hate
and the bearing design I just dissed, but they don’t hype it up as a high
quality uni and if you call them up asking about a good starter uni they
most likely will not even mention that one. Your best bet IMHO for a
quality starter uni is a Torker with an upgraded seat.
For an adult a 24" wheel is a good size to learn on. After you learn you
can think about other wheel sizes. If you get interested in freestyle
riding then you’ll want a 20". If you want to use the uni for commuting or
distance riding then a 28" or 36" would be the ticket.
john_childs
>From: steel_ht@hotmail.com (Pete)
>
>Hi all, I’ve been an avid bicyclist for quite some time, and now I’d like
>to make it even more challenging. I’m looking for tips on learning to
>Uni. First off, I guess, what size would be easiest to learn on? There’s
>a bunch on eBay that seem very reasonably priced, but I don’t know what
>size wheeled Unicyle to buy. What is a good way to start off learning?
>I’ve heard to keep one hand on a wall, or use poles or something. Any
>tips? Basically whatever anyone thinks can help me, I’d appreciate
>hearing. Thanks! Pete
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