Anyone have any experience with unicycles? I'm thinking of getting one for my schtick. Know of anyone selling their old one? Kknow of inexpensive sources? Any thoughts or suggestions?

I do have a Trikke8 (http://www.trikke.com/home.php) and should probably try to incorporate that into something as well, seeing that I alrady have it.

We have one. But, sorry. We just got it. We might entertain selling it later this summer though. It depends on the casualty rates.....
I see them pop up on Ebay very frequently. I'd try pawn shops. or, check the second hand stores like Goodwill or Value Village. Give them your name and tell them what you're looking for. Craigslist might be another alternative.

I have a shwinn (sp) I bought a long time ago off a shriner clown. I tried to learn it. That was a long time ago also. It is a nice full size one. You might have to put a tire on by now.
The only real problem is I am in upstate NY. It's a little big to mail. You coming this way? Know someone coming this way?

You can get a starter unicycle for around $100 at Dube' (http://www.dube.com/unicycle/).

Thats about the same price for new ones I found at Bicycle Shops near and around La Habra, Ca.
I know Jolly Well is an expert with things like this, but another clown posted some suggestions on how to get started such as finding a cyclone fence in a grassy area of a park to hold on to, to sort of get a sense of balance before falling where the good lord "splitcha." The other suggestion that I found helpful was, elbow and knee pads. The thing that I came with on my own was the gloves that I usually wear while riding my bicycle. It seems to be a new experience for the brain to deal with. Once you get control of the new balance requirements it just requires "doin it often" like every day. People seem to love watching. I just tell'em like Peewee Herman, "I meant to do that"

Gloves are a good idea, and Shin Guards are a must. Unicycles are fairly difficult to learn, but if you're patient, basic riding ability comes surprisingly fast. 99.9% of the time, the uni will just pop out from under you and you won't fall; so while the other pads and helmets are probably a good precautionary idea - I didn't feel they were needed and skipped them (I'm a bad example though as I don't wear pads for powerbocking either). Gloves will keep your hands from getting skuffed in the occasion you catch yourself on a stumble; and you Will bang your shins with the pedals - get pads.

Like Grandpa W said; finding a fence or wall to help balance yourself is a good starting option. Alternatives are finding two anchors (trees or poles) that are an adequate distance apart where you can tie two ropes together at armpit height (while on the uni) and ride the cycle with the ropes under your arms so you can catch yourself. Finally, get 2 pals to walk beside you and hold onto them (wrap your arms around their shoulders).

Are you going to Advance Studies in Virginia this year? If so, I have a used unicycle I can give you a deal on. If not, I don't think I could get it to you any cheaper than a new one, with shipping costs and all...

I would like to get a unicycle. Since my schedule is pretty full, I have decided that I should wait until summer to start. There is a group that offers classes in my area, so I will likely have some help learning. I was looking at the Torker Unistar for my first unicycle. I have seen it on Amazon and a few online bike stores for about $100.

Coco, are you going to COAI this year? If so I can pick it up from you and get it back to the Indiana/Michigan state line since I am driving. Then it would be up to Fiddlestix and I to figure out the rest.

I wish I could. But no. I have been trying to think of where I will be to get it over there. Travel for me right now is NYC and Burlington. Maybe Sturbridge MA. Driving anyways. Anyone out there be hooking up with these guys and going to be any of these places?

Sturbridge Mass is my neck of the woods, more or less! What brings you out here?

I own a torker, by the way...I'm pretty happy with it.

My sister has a Torker, also. She wanted a unicycle when she was 12, so we got her one for her 13th b-day. She learned how to ride the thing around the block non stop in about 2 weeks. A week or 2 later, she was juggling clubs and gong around the block.

I, on the other hand, can only get about 10 ft on a unicycle, and that's with a guy on each arm.

What a great line to pick up guys. I need help riding my unicycle. Wish I'd thought of that one back when I was looking to meet guys.

[quote=Harpoetta;

I, on the other hand, can only get about 10 ft on a unicycle, and that's with a guy on each arm.[/quote]

Gee, Katie. You say that like it's a bad thing for you....

What's the most common size for adult unicycles? Looking on Amazon, seems like 24" is the largest they sell. Is that about right for an adult uni?

If I remember reading, the 20" are said by some to be easier to learn on (but I never found out why) and then transition to the 24" wheels. Most people don't have the desire or excess cash to buy 2 or 3 unicycles in different sizes. The 24" is the most common size for adults. We need Oki to come back on and answer this question, he is the real unicycle man.

Depends on how tall you are, but generally speaking a 20" is easier than a 24" because it lowers your center of gravity...or something. :O) From what I understand, there's not all that much difference. I'm 6' and I ride a 24".

Gee, Katie. You say that like it's a bad thing for you....

That all depends on who the guys are, Scruffy.

If you're planning on using the unicycle in your act, best to get a smaller diameter; You won't need to cover so much ground while you idle, or rock, in place - best for confined areas, such as stages and the like.

You might check out: Unicycle.com :: Products :: Adult Trainers - 20 & 24 inch wheels (http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1&subcat=2&cat=Adult+Trainers+%2D+20+%26+24+inch+wheels&L2=Beginner+Series&L3=Adult+Trainers+%2D+20+%26+24+inch+wheels)

So, for Christmas my family got me a unicycle and, since it has rained for the past couple of weeks on my day off (Friday) I have not had much of a chance to ride it. My cousin showed me (he got on the thing and started riding it the first time...jerk) I got on it, fell into my truck, fell on the ground and even managed to get my leg stuck between the pedal and my truck. Obviously, I am still learning.

BTW, should I be wearing a cup when doing this, because, well, it hurts. I guess the only thing I could say is thank God priests are celibate ;)

Don't worry noname, I'm sure there's always room in the choir for a soprano :)

Don't worry noname, I'm sure there's always room in the choir for a soprano :)

True. Hey, maybe I will finally be able to sing, well, at least sound much better than something that sounds like a cross between a dying bear and a teenager going through puberty :)

Guess what, clowns, I bought a unicycle today!

I'd been toying with the idea for a few years, but yesterday I started chatting with another parent at my kid's tennis lesson. It turns out she rides a unicycle, and she was encouraging me give it a try.

This morning, just for the heck of it, I checked to see what was available on Craig's List, and, there was one in my area! The seller met me at our public library, so I didn't even have to drive out of town to get it.

I feel like it was fate. We'll see if I feel the same way when I show up at Moose Camp on crutches!

Good luck with the unicycle, Pickles!!

You'll pardon the pun, but it certainly seems like you relished the opportunity to snatch that unicycle up!

I'm excited for you. I've been toying with the idea of picking one up as well, and also contemplating new juggling clubs. You'll have to keep us posted on your progress.

Guess what, clowns, I bought a unicycle today!

I'd been toying with the idea for a few years, but yesterday I started chatting with another parent at my kid's tennis lesson. It turns out she rides a unicycle, and she was encouraging me give it a try.

This morning, just for the heck of it, I checked to see what was available on Craig's List, and, there was one in my area! The seller met me at our public library, so I didn't even have to drive out of town to get it.

I feel like it was fate. We'll see if I feel the same way when I show up at Moose Camp on crutches!

Good luck! I have been trying for the past month, my cousin, on the other hand, can get on it and go...son of a...

I, on the other hand can get on it and fall, it is amazing the different ways you can fall and the variety of ways in which your body can bend itself when falling.

I think i discovered the secret, my cousin has usually had a few beers by that time, you would think it would impair your ability, but apparently not. I guess next time I'll get myself a six pack and see if I can do it...well, even stay on it by that time. Maybe one or two beers since balance is important ;)

I'm rambling. Good luck with it!

I haven't seriously tried to ride it yet. However, this afternoon, I decided I would at least attempt to get on the thing. I was clutching the side of the garage with both of my arms and tottering back and forth precariously when my eight-year-old discovered me and started lecturing me about not wearing a helmet.

Believe me, when it's time for lesson #1 I'll be wearing a full suit of armor!

You can say you've got 3 no I'm sorry 4 different disciplines in unicycling. They all ask different things of the unicycling.
You've got muni/trial, freestyle,long distance, entertainment.

For muni and trial you will need the ATB of the unicycle. Strong,heavy big tyres etc.
For freestyle you need a unicycle that is manoeuvrable, stable and made so you can put your feet hands etc. al over the place.
For long distance that you can go a long way without getting exausted. With unicycles that means bigger wheels
For entertainment they must be weird, high etc.

Dependiong on what you want you need a unicycle. For instance for pure freestyle is 20" wheels most common while for pur long distance some even chose 26" wheels. 24" is a chose between both.

It's not like with normal bikes that the inch depends on how tall you are altough a child of 4 can't unicycle on a bike with 26" wheels because it is just to big.

The price I wouldn't go for the cheapest ones of $50 but one of $100 will be a good starters unicycle.

I still have one bought for that price and it still does the job alright.

For more inf.:

Wobbling Unicyclist.com :: Home Page (http://wobbling.unicyclist.com/)
Unicyclist Community (http://www.unicyclist.com/)
The Unicycle Page (http://www.unicycling.org/)

Okay, clowns, I had my first unicycle "lesson" yesterday in the middle school parking lot during my kid's tennis lesson. The other mom brought hers, too, to show me how she does it. At first she thought I had mistakenly purchased a kids' unicycle, because mine is so much smaller than hers. (Hers is a 24-in; mine is a 20-in.) However, I have determined that the size of mine is fine. I just need to raise the seat. How high should the seat be?

I spent the entire hour hanging on to the bars of the car-top carrier and just trying to rock back and forth and figure out the balance thing. I had a few exciting moments where I attempted to leave the safety of the car and actually move on the thing. My record was a few feet without hanging onto the car, stopping, and balancing for three or four seconds before I fell off. (okay, I might have only balanced for one or two seconds, but who's counting? Nevertheless, it was quite exciting.)

At one point, while I was clinging to the car, a child and her mom walked by, pointed at me, and said, "look, she's riding a unicycle." I think they were humoring me, but it was kind of them to pretend that I was actually riding the thing.

Later, I tried again in my drive-way and had a couple more tiny successes before I wiped out and landed on my hands. I am leaving for vacation Friday and would prefer NOT to have broken wrists, so.... I moved the unicycle into the house and practiced more on the carpeting, hanging on to the back of the couch.

Unicyclists: any advice for a beginner? Is this what I need to do until I feel like I've got a handle on balancing myself?

No-name, how is your unicycling advancing?

Keep your shoulders back, and your spine aligned with the seat post. Despite however tempting it might be to stare at the ground looking for obstacles, keep your eyes forward - you'll tend to go towards whatever you're looking at so if you're watching the ground, that's where you'll end up.

Believe in yourself.

And to anyone else considering learning, a word of advice - It only looks easy.

:pie:

And to anyone else considering learning, a word of advice - It only looks easy.

:pie:

Ain't that the truth.

Pickles, I have all but given up on it. It is frustrating watching my cousin get on and ride it, and me, after countless hours, unable to do the same. Besides, I have a pacemaker to worry about, and would rather not test its strength with the limits of gravity and gravel.

:applause: :applause: :applause: I'm so impressed Pickles! Good luck learning to master your unicycle. Keep us posted on your progress and let us know where to send the get well cards.

Hers is a 24-in; mine is a 20-in.)
20-in is just fine, porbably even easier

How high should the seat be?
About just above your bellybutton


I spent the entire hour hanging on to the bars of the car-top carrier and just trying to rock back and forth and figure out the balance thing....... Is this what I need to do until I feel like I've got a handle on balancing myself?
Well it is a good start but idling as they call this back and forth movement is actualy much harder than driving a unicycle. So no this is not the way to go along to long. It's much better to actually try to cycle whether it is with or without a fence/wall/shoulder etc. which gives you the opportunity to cycle instead of idling while holding on something if nessecary.

Here are a few things I always say before people start to try to learn to unicycle:
1: act as if there is thread going from the top of your head into the sky that is constantly pulled up. It's similar to keep your back straight and your shoulders backwards.
2: Like Finito said never look down but focus on a point straight in front of you.
3: Think about anything except unicycling.
4: Let go of the wall and go for it. paddle, paddle and fall. Try again and now hopefully it will be paddle,paddle, paddle and fall etc. etc.
5: While going for it your body better hangs over a little to the front than to the back.
6: Don't be afraid, I've hardly seen people make dangerous falls from unicycles. It hardly happens

I just got a 24 inch Torker. I was hoping to take lessons, but after I ordered it, I learned that the group that gives lessons takes the summer off because their meeting place isn't air conditioned.

I have heard some say that learning with a wall actually slows your progress. One place suggested starting with the wheel against a curb (if you position the pedals correctly, it won't roll away when you get on.)

There are a few videos on YouTube that show how to ride. I know one recommended starting with rocking back and forth.

I hope to find time to take it out to an empty parking lot to practice this summer.

Just be sure someone is around with a camera or two. I have been trying to learn off and on for years so I know that there will be some great You Tube opportunities before all is said and done.

I have heard some say that learning with a wall actually slows your progress. One place suggested starting with the wheel against a curb (if you position the pedals correctly, it won't roll away when you get on.)
There are a few videos on YouTube that show how to ride. I know one recommended starting with rocking back and forth.


I also absolutely believe that it is better to do it without a wall or fence as quick as possible. That is theory the reality is that I found that a lot of people find it too scary to directly start without. So the purpose of the hold should not be more than getting confidence. Whether it is idling or riding.
I love the suggestion of starting the wheel against a curb. Thanks
Sorry the one who recommended to start with idling should first learn his/her theory before shooting his/her advise. It just goes straight against it.
Therefor if iddling holding a chair gives you confidence please continu. But beware that riding is easier. If you find it too dificult to just go for it to drive but first need a wall or fence to gain confidence please do so and continu. But be aware that learning goes quicker if you do it without even if that means that you will "fall" a lot of times. I will still say the best way is go for it because I've hardly seen people fall badly from unicycles.

Just my 2 cents

I have had mine for over a year now and I'll try it every so often but I really want to get good at it by next summer, sooo I'll just keep up the practice and practice and practice..................

I haven't done much on my unicycle yet. I have gone out and sat on the seat and tried to balance myself without moving. But I start taking lessons this week. I hope that I can learn how to ride.

I just got back from my first unicycle lesson. A group in the neighboring county has lessons through their county's parks and recreation. The mom who runs the program said she set it up that way to limit liability. They ride in a dozen parades around the Northern Virginia/DC area each year.

Before class, I had only tried to mount my unicycle in the basement and in my garage, and always while holding on to something. They had me begin using the wall as support. One of the guys who has been riding for ages, suggested using the curb method and just going for it. I had read about both wall and curb method and knew the pros and cons to each method. For some reason, the wall, and riding in a gym with a smooth floor seemed more appealing to me.

When I first started, I couldn't do much besides hold on for dear life. The lesson was officially 30 minutes, but they have the gym for 90 minutes because their group practices after the beginner lessons. They said I was free to stay around and practice, but they would mainly ignore me after the lesson. By the end, I was still using the wall for support, but definitely was having an easier time staying on my unicycle. I have a crazy schedule, so I don't know how I will find time to practice, but I would like to be able to ride without a wall or other support by the end of September. There, I set a goal for myself.

Thanks for the update, Toony. So cool that you're taking lessons.

My new unicycling friend is trying to convince me to join the unicycle club in the Twin Cities. She says that you don't have to know how to ride to join -- that they teach you. I think I'll try on my own first though. My problem is that I keep thinking of reasons why I don't want to get injured now, and that is keeping me from practicing. Maybe tomorrow though.

Thanks for the update, Toony. So cool that you're taking lessons.

My new unicycling friend is trying to convince me to join the unicycle club in the Twin Cities. She says that you don't have to know how to ride to join -- that they teach you. I think I'll try on my own first though. My problem is that I keep thinking of reasons why I don't want to get injured now, and that is keeping me from practicing. Maybe tomorrow though.

My reason is simple. It's bad enough that I have to get up in the middle of the night because I don't get to sleep very well. A Cast or three would onlf serve to complicate things.....

Thanks for the update, Toony. So cool that you're taking lessons.

My new unicycling friend is trying to convince me to join the unicycle club in the Twin Cities. She says that you don't have to know how to ride to join -- that they teach you. I think I'll try on my own first though. My problem is that I keep thinking of reasons why I don't want to get injured now, and that is keeping me from practicing. Maybe tomorrow though.

My reason is simple. It's bad enough that I have to get up in the middle of the night because I don't get to sleep very well. A Cast or three would only serve to complicate things.....

I just got done practicing and man my crotch area hurts!!!!

Thanks for the update, Toony. So cool that you're taking lessons.

My new unicycling friend is trying to convince me to join the unicycle club in the Twin Cities. She says that you don't have to know how to ride to join -- that they teach you. I think I'll try on my own first though. My problem is that I keep thinking of reasons why I don't want to get injured now, and that is keeping me from practicing. Maybe tomorrow though.

I had my second lesson on Wednesday. I am definitely getting a little more comfortable on my unicycle, but can't go more than a few feet from the wall without "falling." OK, falling isn't really the right word. Unlike a bike, there isn't much to a unicycle, so it is more like you stepped off. I haven't fallen to the ground yet. I always land on my feet.

I was out practicing today. I started in the garage so I could use the wall for support, but the garage isn't long enough for me to really get moving. I tried the parking area, but still can't mount my unicycle without something to lean against. Then I found a small retaining wall. There was a plant bed between the sidewalk and wall, but I was able to use the steps in the center of the wall as a starting point. At my lesson, they said find a school as they usually have concrete right up to the walls.

Just got done practicing and man did I take a big one right on my Tootenbottom....ouch.

Well, Wednesday was the last day of my beginner unicyle lessons. I am getting closer to being able to really ride. I signed up to continue in November.

There is something about riding inside that seems easier. I made good progress. It was fun and I made more time to practice than I have for other activities. When I arrived, the lady in charge paired me with one of the teens who has been riding a year or two and we rode as a pair around the gym. I thought for sure that I would have problems since I am not always able to ride straight or at a constant speed, but it wasn't bad. We tried doing laps around the gym, but I usually fell at some point making the turns at the end. After that, I tried to mount without using the wall or other support. Still need work on that one. But, by the end of the night, I was riding the length of the basketball court without help.

I am going on vacation and won't be able to ride again until near the end of October. I hope I don't forget everything I have learned.

So, Toony, it sounds like you are actually riding! Good for you. You are an inspiration to all of us wanna-be unicyclists.

im gettin better at riding it, lol