is unicycling easier than riding a bike?

[sunnyd]

hi, i'm new to this forum..
i dont know how to ride a unicycle, but i've always wanted to. i don't know how to ride a bike either.. :o
anyway, can i learn how to ride the unicycle w/o knowing how to ride a bike?

[unicycler100]

heck yes....

[sunnyd]

so.... how do i go about learning how to ride? i don't know anyone who does, so i have no one to teach me.
also, i was wondering if these were ok to get..

Amazon.com: Avenir Deluxe Unicycle (20-Inch Wheel): Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Unicycle 20" In & Out Door Chrome clolored, Brand New!: Sports & Outdoors

[saskatchewanian]

Biking is easier but I don't think that knowing how to bike is really that much of an advantage since they ride so different.

You might even be better off since you don't have ingrained bad habits that are not good for learning (like most bike riders want to step on the front pedal instead of the rear one when mounting)



Just curious. If you always wanted to unicycle what has stopped you?

[saskatchewanian]

That second one actually looks like a great deal.

double wall aluminum rim
saddle with a handle
25.4mm seatpost
split bearing holders
looks like 125mm aluminum cranks
large platform plastic pedals


Looks like a winner when combined with that price.


Edit: about learning to ride

I learnt by going along a wall. Lots of people find somewhere flat with a railing to go along. There is a lot of advice on learning on this site.


check out http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64940

[CoreTechs]

Interesting that you this was brought up just now. I just started teaching my girlfriend to ride a unicycle and she doesn't know how to ride a bike... Or at least she can't control it when she's on one. She's taking it slow, but she's getting the basics down while riding along the wall in her basement (it's cold outside).

Edit: She's learning on a Nimbus Club unicycle (http://www.unicycle.com/unicycles/beginner-series/club-20-inch-freestyle-black.html). One of the more basic unicycles out there, but the white tire is great for not marking the floor.

[sunnyd]

Biking is easier but I don't think that knowing how to bike is really that much of an advantage since they ride so different.

You might even be better off since you don't have ingrained bad habits that are not good for learning (like most bike riders want to step on the front pedal instead of the rear one when mounting)

ok.., that's good to know. once upon a time, someone tried teaching me how to ride a bike and that didn't go so well. but back then, i was too scared of falling to really try.


Just curious. If you always wanted to unicycle what has stopped you?

hmm.. well, its just one of many things i've wanted to learn, but never did for some reason. that includes riding a bike, swimming, skate boarding, snow boarding, skiing, etc.. anyway, my 7yo has been BEGGING for a flowboard for xmas and we got it for her.., so of course i had to test it out. although i was embarrasingly bad at it, i LOVED it! and that got me wanting to really learn how to do other things (instead of just talking about it).
also, i see that unicycles are so much more inexpensive than i thought, which is a good thing. :)

[sunnyd]

That second one actually looks like a great deal.

double wall aluminum rim
saddle with a handle
25.4mm seatpost
split bearing holders
looks like 125mm aluminum cranks
large platform plastic pedals


Looks like a winner when combined with that price.


Edit: about learning to ride

I learnt by going along a wall. Lots of people find somewhere flat with a railing to go along. There is a lot of advice on learning on this site.


check out http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64940

great, and thanks for the link.
i really really want to do this. dont think my hubby will be happy about it though.. oh well..

[sunnyd]

Interesting that you this was brought up just now. I just started teaching my girlfriend to ride a unicycle and she doesn't know how to ride a bike... Or at least she can't control it when she's on one. She's taking it slow, but she's getting the basics down while riding along the wall in her basement (it's cold outside).

Edit: She's learning on a Nimbus Club unicycle (http://www.unicycle.com/unicycles/beginner-series/club-20-inch-freestyle-black.html). One of the more basic unicycles out there, but the white tire is great for not marking the floor.

that is awesome you're teacher her how to ride!
i really like the look of that unicycle your gf has, but i don't think i could spend that much (yet) when there are cheaper ones & i'm just starting out. I have hardwood floors (no carpets).. would the black tires be a problem?

[saskatchewanian]

I looked at the add again and I guess I misread some of the parts. I guess it would have a 22.2mm seatpost (25.4mm seat-tube) and the cranks are steel.

Generally most people here will suggest either a club freestyle or a Torker LX for a beginner unicycle. Generally it is tough to find a quality unicycle for under $100.

The club or LX are definitely nicer unicycles that will last you a long time but, for the price difference I can not see any blazingly obvious problems with the In & Out. You might eventually have problems with the cranks (steel cranks of unknown quality on steel hub hub of unknown quality/harness) but it might be just fine.



The black tire should be OK. Some mark and some do not. If it does mark it is generally pretty easy to just rub them out. Just like running shoe marks in a gym.



And if you LOVED something you were embarrassingly bad at you are going to have a blast learning to unicycle. Sounds like your kid just opened your eyes to how much fun you could be having :)

[CoreTechs]

Maybe try a Torker CX (http://www.unicycle.com/torker-unistar-cx-20-inch.html). It might be the only lower price range beginner unicycle worth getting. Personally, I would save for the Nimbus Club unicycle if you were looking at getting a decent beginner cycle. I find the seat to be comfortable enough to sit on for somewhat extended periods of time.
That's one of those things you should look at when buying a unicycle: how comfortable are you going to be while riding? If you aren't comfortable... you probably aren't going to enjoy it as much.
I notice that you're in NYC. Assuming that is New York City (dunno what else it could be, hehe), check out http://www.just1wheel.com/. Adam Cohen runs the place and he is a very cool guy to talk to. Email or call him and he'll help sort something out for you.

Edit: As Sasky said, the LX is also good from what I've read. CX isn't /as/ comfortable or strong.

Edit of the edit: Forgot to welcome you to the forum....

Welcome to the forum! As you may have guessed, we are generally quite friendly and ready to help you if you need it.

[BillyTheMountain]

Since you are in NYC, come to a unicycle club meeting with your child. http://www.newyorkunicycle.com/blog/

You can contact David Stone first, but there are almost always unicycles you and your child can practice on for the day. It meets twice a month, kids and adults.

The next meeting is Dec 20.

You can also check out the different kinds of unicycles in person, and talk to people who will help you.

Welcome!

Billy

[justtysen]

The next meeting is Dec 20.

It's actually the 19th and it's well worth going. Don't worry, you likely won't be the only one there who can't ride a unicycle (yet).


Sat, December 19, 1pm – 5pm
122 Riverside Dr (In front of Grant's Tomb), New York, NY 10027

[feel the light]

Since you are in NYC, come to a unicycle club meeting with your child. http://www.newyorkunicycle.com/blog/

You can contact David Stone first, but there are almost always unicycles you and your child can practice on for the day. It meets twice a month, kids and adults.

The next meeting is Dec 20.

You can also check out the different kinds of unicycles in person, and talk to people who will help you.

Welcome!

Billy

That sounds like the best idea. When I lived in big cities that had juggling meet ups, it was fantastic. Definitely the way to learn if you live in a big city.

I'm doubtful about the 40$ uni. Sounds to good of a price to not be made of crap metal. I vote with ^ for a Torker lx. Decent seat on a cheap uni made of decent parts. Goggle for the best price, likely 100 +$. You don't get what you don't pay for.

[Jerrick]

Yes, Torker LX is the go-to unicycle for learning and beginners. The Club unicyles are nice, and same with some Nimbus unicycles.

Youll be fine with any of them.

Go to the club meeting. Youll love it, meet some great people, make a few friends, and have endless support. Literally, they will hold you up to help you learn to ride.

Welcome to the forums. Soon youll be one of us.

[GILD]

What they said.

Please keep us posted with your developments.

[Hazmat]

hi, i'm new to this forum..
i dont know how to ride a unicycle, but i've always wanted to. i don't know how to ride a bike either.. :o
anyway, can i learn how to ride the unicycle w/o knowing how to ride a bike?
I think if you start off with a unicycle, it will eventually become easier to learn. The same goes for a bike, start with a bike and it will become easier to learn on a bike.

Does that make sense???


Also welcome to the forums my friend. :D