Cycles of all sorts

A unicycle is a one-wheeled human powered vehicle. Unicycles are similar to, but less complex than, bicycles.

Construction

Unicycles are composed of a few key parts: the wheel (which includes the tire, tube, rim, spokes, hub and axle), the cranks, pedals, fork-style frame, seatpost, and saddle (the seat of the unicycle). The wheel is usually a bicycle wheel type with a special hub designed so the axle is a fixed part of the hub. This means the rotation of the cranks directly controls the rotation of the wheel (called direct drive). The frame sits on top of the axle bearings, while the cranks attach to the ends of the axle. The seatpost links the frame to the saddle.

There are many different types of unicycles, which can include (but are not limited to): freestyle unicycles, trial unicycles, MUnis, giraffes, and long distance unicycles, which all have special components unique to that type of unicycle. See below for more detailed descriptions.

Since the unicycle requires a greater degree of skill to ride than a bicycle, many people who could ride them became entertainers. Over the years, unicycle enthusiasts have inspired manufacturers to create new designs such as seatless (the ultimate wheel) and tall (giraffe unicycle) unicycles. During the late 1980s some extreme sportsmen took an interest in the unicycle and off-road unicycling (MUni) was born.

Riding

Learning to ride a unicycle takes, above all, patience. It can take from 5 to 15 hours to learn to ride. When you first begin learning to ride, make sure to wear a helmet. The helmet can be eliminated once you get more comfortable on the unicycle, but is still recommended for trials, MUni, and other more dangerous types of riding. First, find a flat hard surface to ride on and find someone or something ot hold onto. Practice rocking back and forth to get a feel for how the pedals affect your balance. Often a doorway in a gymnasium or a porch are good areas to practice. When you feel you are not completely dependent on the railing or wall you are using for balance, try riding foward, trying to keep your weight slightly ahead of the wheel. It can be frustrating trying to get the hang of it, but keep practicing and eventually it will "click" for you.

Extreme Unicycling

Recently, unicycling has gained popularity as a sport, and as a general means of transport. In the last 10 years, unicyclists have taken unicycles out of the traditional parade, gym, or circus setting and have created new areas of unicycling. These areas can be described as:

• Unicycle trials: Trials involves riding over obstacles of any sort, either in natural terrain or in an urban environment. The challenge relates to technical difficulty over short distances, and the objective is to use any riding techniques necessary to ride up, over, or down an obstacle without falling.

• Mountain unicycling (Muni): Combines cross-country and trials challenges, where the objective is to ride technically difficult terrain over some distance. Extreme sport videos and films typically show Muni as primarily descents of difficult terrain, but the term also includes difficult uphill riding. The other purpose of this venture is to practice leaps using the wheel pressure to propel yourself up to a rock, or up a slope.

• Flatland : The purpose of flatland (also known as freestyle) is to ride a unicycle in different ways, collectively referred to as “freestyle tricks”. There are thousands of different ways to ride a unicycle, but the most popular tricks have been grouped into categories called the “10 skill levels of unicycling”. Flatland is typically done indoors in a gymnasium or outside on pavement where the terrain is smooth and predictable.

• Street unicycling: Combines Trials and Freestyle techniques, and is typically done in urban areas. The objective is to perform freestyle tricks on obstacles. The overall difficulty relates not only to the difficulty of the obstacles but also to the difficulty of the tricks. This is different from pure trials because just riding over obstacles is not the ultimate objective; rather, the obstacles are used as props to set up the tricks.

Main Types of Unicycles

Freestyle unicycle

Generally used for flatland skills and routines. Usually has a relatively high seatpost, a narrow saddle, a squared fork (used like pegs), and cotterless cranks, as they do not need to withstand too much pressure. These unicycles are used similarly to flatland bicycles. Some examples of a freestyle unicycle include: Miyata, Nimbus, Schwinn, and Semcycle brands. Prices can range from less than $100 USD to over $300 USD.

Trials unicycle

Designed for unicycle trials, trials unicycles are stronger than standard unicycles in order to withstand the stresses caused by jumping, dropping, and supporting the weight of the unicycle and rider on components such as the pedals and cranks. A recent development in trials unicycles is splined cranks, a feature that is very useful and somewhat expensive. Many trials unicycles also have wide, knobby tires to absorb some of the impact on drops. For more info, see the trials unicyle page.

MUnis

MUni is the shortened phrase for mountain unicycling. Munis have many of the same components as trials unicycles, but have a few key differences. Usually, the tire diameters on mountain unicycles are either 24 or 26 in., allowing the rider to more easily roll over obstacles such as roots and rocks. The seat is also thicker and more comfortable on MUnis to compensate for the rough terrain. Brakes are sometimes used for steep descents. KH unicycles and Schlumpf Innovations are currently working together to make the worlds first geared MUni.

Touring unicycles

used mainly for long distances, these unicycles have a large wheel diameter, between 26 and 36 in., so more distance is covered in less pedal rotation. A 36" unicycle made by the Coker company started the big wheel trend. Some variations on the traditional touring unicycle include the 'Schlumpf GUni' (geared unicycle), which uses a unique two-speed internal fixed-geared hub. Larger direct-drive wheels tend to have shorter cranks to allow for easier cadence and more speed. Geared wheels, with an effective diameter larger than the wheel itself, tend to use longer cranks for control, as the speed comes from the gear ratio not the wheel itself. Modern unicyclists routinely cover distances unheard of just a few decades ago.