unicycle helmets

Unicycles and Equipment
1

normac@angstrom.net wrote:
>
> I have asked one of our local bike shops to let me know the next time they
> have a used uni for sale. They do get some because they do repair work for a
> circus troupe.
>
> This could raise some question about my sanity, since I am turning 46
> momentarily and have never been on a uni. (I’m not buying a giraffe.)
>
> On the off chance that there is a brain in my head, I want to protect it.
>
> Are there any helmets made specifically for unicycling? One helmet site I
> looked at explained why regular bicycling helmets were not adequate protection
> for horseback riding: people riding horseback can fall backwards, bicyclists
> usually don’t, so equestrian helmets (in addition to undergoing more rigorous
> materials testing designed to simulate being kicked in the head by a horse)
> have more protection in back.
>
> It seems to me that the same logic would apply to unicycles and that an
> equestrian helmet might be the best choice if there is no uni-specific helmet
> manufactured.
>
> Just trying to use a little horse sense here. Advice welcome.
>
> Norma

If you plan on hitting your head, get a helmet. :slight_smile: Actually, a bicycle helmet
should be enough protection. I’ve been unicycling for two years and have hit my
head only twice. Neither time was really very serious. Use your best judgement.

–Aaron

2

I have asked one of our local bike shops to let me know the next time they
have a used uni for sale. They do get some because they do repair work for a
circus troupe.

This could raise some question about my sanity, since I am turning 46
momentarily and have never been on a uni. (I’m not buying a giraffe.)

On the off chance that there is a brain in my head, I want to protect it.

Are there any helmets made specifically for unicycling? One helmet site I looked
at explained why regular bicycling helmets were not adequate protection for
horseback riding: people riding horseback can fall backwards, bicyclists usually
don’t, so equestrian helmets (in addition to undergoing more rigorous materials
testing designed to simulate being kicked in the head by a horse) have more
protection in back.

It seems to me that the same logic would apply to unicycles and that an
equestrian helmet might be the best choice if there is no uni-specific helmet
manufactured.

Just trying to use a little horse sense here. Advice welcome.

Norma

3

RE: unicycle helmets

> > Are there any helmets made specifically for unicycling?

No. Nor are there pedals, rims, spokes, crank arms, etc. Fortunately there have
been a few attempts at seats & forks.

A bicycle helmet should provide all the protection you need for unicycling. Bike
riders go at higher speeds and have less control over their body positions when
they go down due to possibly being tangled in the bike.

An equestrian helmet is very different. Though it’s designed to protect you from
a higher fall and a hoof upside the head, it doesn’t need to be light (you
aren’t providing the horsepower to move it), and it doesn’t need the same
ventilation (you aren’t expending much energy to ride). And knowing what I know
about the horse biz, they’re probably real expensive!

Bike helmets can be very cheap, plus a bike helmet just looks more appropriate
when you’re on wheels.

jf

4

Re: unicycle helmets

A bicycle helmet should be adequate. Mountain biking helmets usually have more
protection for the back of the head than road cycling helmets.

If you really want more protection for the back of your head you can try some of
the helmets for skateboarding, inline skating, or BMX riding. Unfortunately
those styles of helmets usually don’t offer much ventilation so your head will
get very sweaty. You should be able to find BMX helmets at a bike shop that
carries BMX bikes. For skating helmets look for a store that specializes in
skateboarding and inline skating. Helmets designed for aggressive skating will
have more protection for the back of the head than helmets designed for
recreational skating.

I would agree that it would be a good idea to look for a helmet that has more
protection for the back of the head. I can think of situations where it would be
possible to hit the back of your head after falling off the uni or after being
hit by a bicycle or car. A helmet designed for aggressive skating will have the
most protection for the back of the head but it also will not be as comfortable
as a cycling helmet. A helmet designed for recreational skating or mountain
biking might be the best compromise.

And don’t forget to wear cycling gloves (or equestrian gloves) so you don’t
scuff up your hands when you fall. But first you are going to have to buy a
unicycle. <g>

John john_childs@hotmail.com

----Original Message Follows---- To: UNICYCLING@winternet.com From:
<normac@angstrom.net> Subject: unicycle helmets Date: 29 Dec 1998 23:32:46 -0500
Reply-To: <normac@angstrom.net>

I have asked one of our local bike shops to let me know the next time they
have a used uni for sale. They do get some because they do repair work for a
circus troupe.

This could raise some question about my sanity, since I am turning 46
momentarily and have never been on a uni. (I’m not buying a giraffe.)

On the off chance that there is a brain in my head, I want to protect
it.

Are there any helmets made specifically for unicycling? One helmet site I looked
at explained why regular bicycling helmets were not adequate protection for
horseback riding: people riding horseback can fall backwards, bicyclists usually
don’t, so equestrian helmets (in addition to undergoing more rigorous materials
testing designed to simulate being kicked in the head by a horse) have more
protection in back.

It seems to me that the same logic would apply to unicycles and that an
equestrian helmet might be the best choice if there is no uni-specific helmet
manufactured.

Just trying to use a little horse sense here. Advice welcome.

Norma

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

5

Re: unicycle helmets

In article <01be33ac$deb8d840$a3a9ddcf@mercury>, <normac@angstrom.net> writes:

>This could raise some question about my sanity, since I am turning 46
>momentarily and have never been on a uni. (I’m not buying a giraffe.)
>
>On the off chance that there is a brain in my head, I want to protect it.
>
>Are there any helmets made specifically for unicycling?

Nothing wrong with your sanity - it’s non-uni riders who should worry! I was
given my first uni last march for my 47th birthday and I have recently bought a
26" Pashley Muni which is BRILLIANT. On helmets though, I have never injured
myself on the uni apart from gravel rash on my hands once or twice. This is in
stark contrast to riding my mtb when I have had major crashes and will always
wear a helmet, having recently cracked a Giro helmet in half following a
meeting with a hedge and then the ground! At present riding the uni, even off
road, I don’t feel particularly at risk to head injuries; however as yet I am
not good enough to attempt any radical riding such as riding over big rocks,
drop-offs etc which would be a different proposition and would definitely
require a helmet :slight_smile:

Best of luck

Jerry

6

Re: unicycle helmets

On 29 Dec 1998 normac@angstrom.net wrote:

>
> Are there any helmets made specifically for unicycling? One helmet site I

>

As you have probably been told already you are not very likely to hit your head.
Once you are stable enough to be riding in or near traffic it’s a different
matter. Those cars can get you from any direction.

When I was first getting mu uni-legs people would ask me if it was dangerous and
I would, of course, say no. Then somebody pointed out all the band-aids on my
knees and I had to admit that unicycling, at least the way I did it, was a very
falling-down intensive activity.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is to learn to fall well. My most
serious injury to date was about two months ago when playing uni-tag. My
opponent was ‘it’ and had hidden behind a big post and when I passed by he came
after me. I dug in hard for maximum acceleration and the unicycle didn’t quite
keep up with me and I fell forward and caught myself on my hands bending both
wrists too far back. One wrist has not recoverd yet and may require surgery. The
point being, your hands are not suitable for catching yourself when falling.
It’s better to learn to roll off your shoulder ala judo. The first couple of
months of judo classes are lessons in proper falling technique and when my wrist
is better that is where I’ll be.

My second most serious injury happened when I was trying to go very slow. I
fell straight down and hit my tailbone. It’s easier to roll when you have
forward momentum.

jh

7

RE: unicycle helmets

Excellent helmet advice from John Hoy:
> As you have probably been told already you are not very likely to hit
> your head.

Another guy mentioned hitting his head twice recently. From all my contact with
other unicyclists, hitting the head is very rare, but of course it can happen,
especially to small children or people on radical trails.

For a contrasting statistic, I have no head hits in over 19 years and a lot
of riding.

> different matter. Those cars can get you from any direction.

Yup, one of the main reasons for bicyclists to wear helmets as well.

> The most important thing, in my opinion, is to learn to fall well. My most

Too true. I especially drill this into anyone learning to ride a giraffe. But as
long as you’re trying new things, you’re going to fall down occasionally. Know
how to do it, and protect the parts of the body that take the main brunt, the
hands and knees. When I ride the trails, it’s always with a helmet, (bicycling)
gloves, and (volleyball) kneepads. At this point, if I ride without them I know
something will happen to me because of Murphy’s Law, like that little drive down
to the store without your seat belt…

Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone

jfoss@unicycling.com http://www.unicycling.com