Unicycles

Fiddlestix H. McWhiskers · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 03:01 AM

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 and should probably try to incorporate that into something as well, seeing that I alrady have it.

Scruffy · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 04:56 AM

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.

pixcoco · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 08:00 AM

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?

Jolly Well · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 08:22 AM

You can get a starter unicycle for around $100 at Dube'.

Grandpa Weatherbie · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 11:43 AM

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"

Jolly Well · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 07:16 PM

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...

Sir Toony Van Dukes · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 09:12 PM

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.

Fitzwilly · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 10:48 PM

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.

pixcoco · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 09:12 AM

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?

Finito · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 08:27 PM

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.