I tend to have the same opinion as @Hammer.
If you have 50$ to spend, I’ll buy a 20 or 24" used unicycle. It’s likely you’ll be able to re-sell it for the same price so, it’s kind of a “free” unicycle.
Also, wear at least basic protecting gear:
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Shin Guards: beginners always will hurt their shin with the pedals (happens way less when you get to be more skillful). Very painful. If you have trousers or high socks, you can even just use a piece of cardboard under these clothes, that does the job very well.
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Wrist guards: Usually, you’ll fall on your feet. But if you don’t, then there are chances that you’ll fall on your hands.
I started to use wrist guards very late after starting unicycling. I never almost fall, and even less on my wrists, but here is how they look as today:
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Helmet It’s less likely you’ll hurt your head while learning unicycling, but you definitely don’t want a trauma here.
And finally, some advice I don’t see often, but is from my own experience and what I have suffered multiple times… If possible, try to be aware of the position of your feet when they touch the ground if you fall or dismount.
I twisted my ankle 2 weeks after starting to learn unicycling. It was not serious and I could ride again after 2 weeks only.
I twisted it very bad a few years ago while being an “experimented” rider: see What Was Your Worst Unicycling Injury? - #197 by Canapin
Now, I pay attention to my feet very much when they’re about to touch the ground.
