Hi all,
I recently (2months) started riding a Uni and like everything I’m going all in. I’m a pretty heavily committed mountain biker so I figured why not try Muni?
My first Uni was a Torker 26", I learned to ride across the parking lot and bought a Torker Pro 20". The Pro is a step above, quality wise. The cotter-less crank on the 26" has already come loose…
OK, got side tracked…
I see a lot of people hanging on to the front of their seat while riding. I can free mount (after one or two goes at it) but if I keep hanging onto the handle, or try and grab it later it spells disaster. Should I not worry about and keep doing what I do? I’ve seen some on here have mixed opinions.
I took the 26er to my mountain bike trail yesterday and did pretty good If I do say so myself. Can’t wait to give it another go!
Thanks everybody
hello and welcome.
I am also in the learning stages of muni and trials, and the handle on the seat is like the bars on a bike, trying to drop off a curb, root, rock, or do a hop is almost impossible without holding onto it >< but i myself have balance issues in technical terrain while holding the handle >_< so i keep practicing =D
The handle gives quite a bit of control in some situations. For steep climbing I can’t imagine getting too far without one. When I’m riding rough terrain it helps me keep my feet on the pedals.
As you ride more you will find that you can ride without holding it when you used to feel it was necessary. A case in point is one day after a MUni ride I did a hop and landed it before I realized I wasn’t holding the handle. I haven’t done that again, but even just the once was an eye opener for me.
I would say not to worry about the handle until you feel like it might be useful to you.
If you are still getting used to balancing some, it might just throw you off if you try to keep your hand on it after mounting. Thats how I felt when I started riding my 36" anyways. If I didn’t let go of it, I would just lean off to one side. But once I got really used to riding, I was able to realize the usefulness of a handle/bar and now use it all the time.
So basically just keep riding and it will get better! 
I think I could see the usefulness of bars later on but for now I’ll just keep doing what works.
My first time on the mountain bike trail was fun. Some rider passed by and said “Oh sick, dude!”. Of course at that point I was walking/panting along. But it was fun for sure. I think the hills, rocks, and roots give your mind something else to think about besides just balancing. There aren’t many places in Dallas where the trails get too extreme. Mostly used for speed and distance with little climbs.
I think I’m going to start looking at a higher quality 26er with Isis cranks. But for now I’ll ride my torker until the WHEEL falls off.
Thanks for your input. I may give it another go tonite
Hey hey another unicyclist in Dallas 
There’s a small group doing a muni ride tomorrow at L.B. Houston. If you would like to come with us, that would great. We’re meeting at 7am (I know that’s the arse-crack of dawn. It wasn’t my idea) in the California Crossing parking lot. I hope you get this in time…
If you’re on Facebook, there’s a group of us called the DFW Unicycle Club. If you’re interested, join up. We’re always happy to find new riders.
I had a similar experience when learning. I could ride along fine hands-free, but when I tried to hold the handle I’d veer off to the side. It just took practise. When you’re riding hand-free, the uni weaves from side-to-side as you pedal. When you hold the seat, it prevents some of that weaving but if you’re “expecting” that amount of weave you’ll end up out of balance. I think that when I grab the seat these days, I must subconsciously adjust how much force I apply to the pedal to compensate for the fact that the uni is no longer so free to twist. But then, that’s the big advantage of holding the seat - you can regulate twisting better, eg. on rough ground or going down steep hills (stops the pedals from lifting you up).
Oh that sounds great but I have to work. May be a reason to be “sick.” I don’t know if your group would want me along though. I am pretty “beginner” especially the “longer” I ride. HA!
I asked to join the group on facebook so hopefully I’ll meet some of you soon.