I just recieved my first unicycle this Monday. I finally had a break-thru on my third 30 minute session and I rode for 7 pedals. I’m happy about that, but I have a few questions.
Should I be looking forward? Right now I’m looking at the tire, but I think I read that I should be looking forward. Is that important to start now?
Should the arch of my foot or the ball of my foot be on the pedals? Does it matter? I really don’t want to get into a bad habit.
Tire pressure. The wheel says 35 psi, but this has got to be too low. I have it at nearly 50 psi, is this ok?
All of these are just my opinion. Others may have the opposite opinion. Collect a likely answer after reviewing all responses, I suppose?
I have heard others say to start looking forward, even when learning. I find it the most natural to look forward as I ride. However, you will want to periodically glance down to look for obstacles, cracks, or whatnot. Try to learn in a place free of these so you don’t have to look down.
I personally put my foot down so that the firm part of the front of my foot, just behind the toes, is on the pedal. Is that the ball of the foot? I can never remember. I only use the arch when I need less control and more power. I never use my heel.
Tire pressure is a personal issue. What kind of tire do you have? A street tire or an off-road one? I personally favor a higher tire pressure, especially for street riding. It just feels right, for me. For off-road, many prefer a low pressure, for absorbing roots and bumps. Also, some people like low pressures (and low seats) because it gives them a more springy hop and/or pre-hop. Just make sure you don’t over-inflate the tire too much. I have heard that some people ride their tires at 50% over the rated pressure! I guess that’s what you are doing now.
etc) Finally, the tip that helped me the most, was to put my weight firmly on the seat. Try to take as much pressure as you can off the pedals. Use them only to pedal and control the cycle, not to balance all your weight on the cycle. This was difficult for me, but as soon as I did it, and got used to it, riding got much easier. Now, I almost never have to bear down on the pedals very much, even up hills.
I’m a pretty princess, tall and straight,
My eyes are looking forward,
My booty holds my weight.
My pressure runs at 50 pounds, or none at all,
I use my footsies for control,
So I won’t fall.
That’s my little mantra for success. And again, shop around for more answers.
Hey, thanks a lot for the answers. The first day I was trying to put all of my weight on the pedals. Made a big difference when I put the weight on the seat. Thanks again.
The words… they burn, they burn! Mommy, Mommy- make it stop! All I can see is ‘I’m a pretty princess’ burned into my retina… I must have screen frosted and not blinked for an hour…
“I was burning his dinner when I was 17, and now I’m still burning it when
I’m 52.” – Brett Bymaster’s mom Rita, talking about how she met husband
Frank at age 17, while at Brett’s wedding in July
here’s my opnion, others probably said it, but i didn’t want to read the whole post
Should I be looking forward? Right now I’m looking at the tire, but I think I read that I should be looking forward. Is that important to start now?
look forward on cemment, but if you go to a beach or place with a lot of rocks, look on the ground to avoid impossible stuff, and keep an eye on the ground at all times for tough stuff, but mainly look in front
Should the arch of my foot or the ball of my foot be on the pedals? Does it matter? I really don’t want to get into a bad habit.
probably the ball of your foot. The reason for this is that when your foot slips, you'll have something to regain your foot, instead of your foot hitting air
Tire pressure. The wheel says 35 psi, but this has got to be too low. I have it at nearly 50 psi, is this ok?
I quote:
I’m a pretty princess, tall and straight,
My eyes are looking forward,
My booty holds my weight.
My pressure runs at 50 pounds, or none at all,
I use my footsies for control,
So I won’t fall.
Over here, a Princess is a rather unsatisfactory medium sized family saloon from the 1970s, and a booty is a knitted item of footwear for a child who isn’t walking yet. I find this verse perplexing.
>1. Should I be looking forward? Right now I’m looking at the tire, but
>I think I read that I should be looking forward. Is that important to
>start now?
I knew that everyone would say “yes” on that one. From purely personal
experience I tend to disagree. When learning, I found it helpful to
look at the ground a couple of metres before me. OK that’s not at the
tyre which even I think is too close. But I felt that the input from
my visual system to my balance perception (and correction ability) was
more helpful this way as compared to looking far forward.
Now that keeping balance is easier I generally look further ahead (and
around, or I even close my eyes for fun).
