Why do YOU choose to ride a unicycle over a bike?

[bigwhite138]

Whether it be the skill required, the funny looks you get, or whatever other reason... why have you decided you would rather work at mastering something like a unicycle rather than a bike?

[Rowan]

Because the bike is in the way and it is easier to ride over it than go around it.

It is more fun on one! And much safer.

[Sycamore]

Because I could easily bring the unicycle into my dorm room. With a bike it would just get rusty sitting in a bike rack outside.

[Dane M]

Because I'm a freak and I like weird stuff.

Because it's small and easy to transport.

Because it's low maitenance.

Because you can do really impressive and challenging stuff on a unicycle without having to hit crazy speeds and risk death or severe and life-altering injury.

Because it's a challenge, and something I can constantly work on to improve or learn new things.

Because it's a REALLY cool feeling, which I crave.

Because it has a wonderfully small, and nice community.

Not because of all the un-original comments that funny jokesters make.

[AustinLee]

Originally Posted by Dane M

Not because of all the un-original comments that funny jokesters make.

A little off-topic, but I have been wanting to know this:

Why do so many people say "Where's your other wheel?"? I had never heard this before I learned to ride, and I have never heard it while I am not riding. Is it just that it is the first witty remark that pops in to people's minds? Or was it in some old television show I've never heard of? I really can't figure this one out...

[Dane M]

Originally Posted by AustinLee

A little off-topic, but I have been wanting to know this:

Why do so many people say "Where's your other wheel?"? I had never heard this before I learned to ride, and I have never heard it while I am not riding. Is it just that it is the first witty remark that pops in to people's minds? Or was it in some old television show I've never heard of? I really can't figure this one out...

It's just the first thing that pops into their head, because their mind is used to seeing 2 wheels.

Here is the thought process broken down.
1. Unicyclist is spotted
2. Confused
3. Why is there only one wheel?
4. Oh it's a unicycle
5. This will be funny......

[MuniOrBust]

Originally Posted by AustinLee

Why do so many people say "Where's your other wheel?"?

It's just in reference to a bike. People see a uni as a bike but with only one wheel... because it pretty much is.
I know a lot of riders get annoyed at that particular comment (not necessarily you AustinLee), but since it's usually a new person saying it each time, I think it's excusable. It's new and witty to them.

Originally Posted by Dane M

Because it's a challenge, and something I can constantly work on to improve or learn new things.

Because it's a REALLY cool feeling, which I crave.

Because it has a wonderfully small, and nice community.

For me too.

It was/is also something entertaining to do in the driveway while my young kids are playing outside with their friends. They don't always want to play with dad anymore.

[4umfreak]

Originally Posted by MuniOrBust

It was/is also something entertaining to do in the driveway while my young kids are playing outside with their friends. They don't always want to play with dad anymore.

Yeah, what he said.

[maestro8]

Bike fast, speed bad, big ouch when fall off.

Unicycle slow, not hurt so much when fall down.

[4umfreak]

Because to have as much fun on a bicycle, I'd need to be Danny MacAskill!

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddball...m-youtube-hits

I'm not so I uni.

[OneWheelLess]

Biking is boring. Very utilitarian, however most of the time unnecessary. Muni saved me from abandoning my beloved trails. Also seems to be easier on my knees for some reason..

Aside from that I 'd have to agree with Rowan :-)

[deadbeatpope]

I may choose to ride a unicycle because it is cold and find it easier to maintain body temp on a unicycle. Slower speed means less wind.Its harder to cool down on a uni too when it is hot out. I tend to ride more uni in the winter and bmx in the summer.

I may choose to ride a unicycle because I have fun riding on crappy terrain that would suck on a bike and it can make less interesting paths more fun to ride on.

Because I don't always want to go so far from home but still want to get a good ride in.

Because sometimes I am too overworked and weary to feel good about pushing my heart rate up as high as I tend to on a bike.

Because it is easy to work on new challenges without really going anywhere which means I can go practice idling for 5 minutes when that's all the time I have.

I choose to do it because it consumes all of my attention and is in that way a form of meditation. It takes my mind off of my worries and pressures.

Originally Posted by maestro8

Bike fast, speed bad, big ouch when fall off.
Unicycle slow, not hurt so much when fall down.

And that.

[jaco_flans]

Unicycles are cooler! More fun to ride, safer, I can go where ever I want with it (not with my bike), no handle bars to hold on and my bikes are all crap

[KcTheAcy]

Originally Posted by maestro8

Bike fast, speed bad, big ouch when fall off.

Unicycle slow, not hurt so much when fall down.

BAHH!

3 of the 5 points you made have been scientifically tested and proven to be false.

[jtrops]

Originally Posted by bigwhite138

Why have you decided you would rather work at mastering something like a unicycle rather than a bike?

I feel like I'm about to commit blasphemy in the church of uni, but here it goes.

When I ride my uni it's because I want to ride my uni. It is more fun for some things than a bike, but bikes are more practical for some things. If I'm hitting the trails alone I always take my MUni. If I'm with lower skilled friends I may ride my MUni, or maybe my single speed mountain bike. If I'm with my more advanced friends I'll take the single speed, or my Slingshot.

Riding alone for exercise I'll usually hit the bike path with my Coker. If I need to run errands, and pick up groceries or kids I'll ride my Big Dummy.

I would love to be able to ride my uni all of the time. I have so much fun riding it that if I could make it more practical I would in a heartbeat. As it is, I'm riding some sort of "cycle" everyday whether it is for my commute, errands, or recreation. I somehow find a place for most of my cycles in the rotation. Now that I think about it I may have too many.