Newbie Question

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by epicfall

I've already raised the seat as high as it goes - whenever my legs started hurting I would raise it, since at first it was especially hurting my knees and I figured from bike riding that meant the seat was too low. But now I've had it on its maximum height for a couple weeks (this is my friend's unicycle and she's quite a bit shorter than me) and I think it feels pretty good at this height, is there a particular way to tell how high it should be?

I tell my students that it is best for their leg to be nearly straight when it is at the bottom of a pedal stroke. The optimum height can be different for everyone- bellybutton height seat is a rough guide but legs and cranks and wheels are all different sizes so you are better off measuring between the pedal and the seat.

It feels a lot better when you stop battling your other leg each time you pedal and the balance allows you to put minimal effort into pedaling. Put your feet on straight, relax, sit up straight, arms out, only use gentle pressure on the pedals and keep most of your weight in the seat.

Don't worry there are plenty more plateaus ahead of you which will tempt you to reach even further into what you once thought impossible-

I never thought I'd be able to coast and now I can do it on purpose!

Good luck and keep persisting!