That’s a great little video up there (post #7) with the three examples of the range of unicycles on the electric market. Ironic that they keep mentioning “the Miata” when talking about the little one. Apparently one of them owns a Mazda Miata, but they don’t seem to realize that was the most popular brand of unicycles for many years. The name Mazda chose for their MX-5 sports car, which debuted in the USA in 1989 may have been inspired by the name of the Japanese bicycle company, Miyata, which goes back to the late 19th century. The quick little Korean unicycle is “the Miata”.
I am also the owner of an electric unicycle. Jacquie bought me one for Christmas in 2021, the Segway Ninebot. It’s a smaller, more entry-level one, with a top speed of about 12 mph. Comes with an app, that keeps you from going top speed and doing other things until you’ve completed a little training course of learning a small list of skills, which will keep you safer before you start adding on speed.
It’s fun to ride, but just when the speed is about to get interesting, you’ve topped it out. So mostly I’ve used it to play around with tiny circles and curves, attempts at idling (doable, but strains the motor; it’s not designed for constant starts/stops) and other types of tricks. But mostly it sits, waiting for me to ride it again. Like most of my unicycles.
You can get some crazy fast and powerful e-unicycles now. I would consider them more dangerous than motorcycles, since there is a much higher likelihood of being dumped when things go wrong. I have more experience with motorcycles than e-unicycles; I used to work for a motorcycle school.
The thing that keeps me from being very attracted to riding long distances on an e-unicycle is the standing. You’re just standing. Where’s the seat? Why can’t we sit down? I think it’s a maneuverability thing; you have better control when standing up. Also, adding a seat will make the cycle bigger and heavier, affecting range, etc.
When I get too old to ride non-powered unicycles, maybe I’ll look into those things again…
I haven’t tried it since mine doesn’t have a seat and I haven’t done enough long distance riding to feel the need for one. While I often get uncomfortable standing in one place normally, I haven’t found it to be an issue on an EUC, probably because you’re constantly shifting your weight. Even when riding in a straight path, best practice is to carve side to side a bit.
Exactly! But then again, one doesn’t preclude the other. I just did a little uni show at my office on the day of my retirement from STEP (a sponsor of Ride the Lobster). I have not pulled out the old “show” unicycles in quite a long time, and the key descriptor would be RUSTY!! Took many tries to do a safe freemount onto my 6’ Giraffe (in practice). In the show, I was riding it in a room with about 1" of clearance above my head. Different unicycles use different muscles! All the practice on the 6-footer has left me with some sore hamstrings!
I have a little bit better one, Solowheel Glide 3 aka InMotion V8, which tops out at 18.6 mph (30 kmh), I often wish I could sit down too (and wish it would go faster too, although I can make much better pace on it than anything I have requiring pedaling!).
I have had this idea to try welding up something resembling a uni frame, but where the bearing caps would be, instead have the frame have legs with holes that pick up the pins used to hold the e-uni foot plates on (remove those and attach frame instead), and just have footpegs on the outside of the frame legs instead of spinning pedals. It would have a standard uni saddle you could sit on.
I thought this might feel more like regular uni riding and you could ride seated… But maybe it wouldn’t, I think the self balancing might insist on keeping the frame more perfectly vertical whereas I believe regular uni riders usually have the frame tilted back to enable absorbing surface irregularities without falling forward.
Maybe somebody else has already tried that?
Seems like something @JimT would have tried with his many clever homemade creations, haha!
I also have an inMotion V8, and I can ride it seated (on the occasional times I take it for a ride).
I have even ridden it seated with no feet (my butt on the frame, and my legs on both sides, holding it pretty tight so I have control on the wheel.
