September 5, 1995
*: Means the item is new or recently changed.
1. Why ride a unicycle?
2. Who invented the unicycle?
3. How long does it take to learn?
4. How do you learn to ride?
5. Is unicycling dangerous?
6. How do unicycles work?
7. How much should I inflate the tires?
8. Where can I get more information on unicycling?
9. Where can I get a unicycle?
10. Where can I get parts for my unicycle?
11. What makes a good unicycle?
12. What are the 10 skill levels?
13. What are some different mounts?
14. Where can I find a unicycle club or organization?
15. What are the different types of unicycles?
16. What size wheel should I get?
17. Why don't you get a unicycle with multiple speeds?
18. What unicycling events can I attend?
19. Which end is the front?
20. Where's the other wheel?
21. What is a unicycle under the law?
22. What are some names for unicycles?
23. How do you say unicycle in different languages?
1. Why ride a unicycle?
The first and most important reason is that it is fun. It's neat
being up on one wheel, in control. There are other good reasons,
though:
Exercise
You are always pedaling a unicycle, so riding is a good
workout. Riding is a low-impact activity, so it is good
for people like me with legs wrecked by jogging.
Transportation
Cruising speed is 8-9 miles an hour on a standard 24"
unicycle, fast enough to use an alternative to a car for
local trips. I have commuted 3 miles to work up to 5 days
a week, and I use it to run errands. I am not going to
pick on bicycles, but I feel safer commuting with the
unicycle than with a bike. I can ride the unicycle on the
sidewalk, out of the way of traffic, without affecting my
speed.
Challenges
You never run out of unicycling challenges. After you
learn to ride forward, you can learn to ride backwards.
When you have done that you can learn to ride one-footed.
You can enjoy what you know, but you can always learn
more.
2. Who invented the unicycle?
No one knows. The accepted theory is that in the days of the
penny-farthing bicycle people found they could ride with the small
back wheel up in the air. Soon the back wheel was removed.
3. How long does it take to learn?
There is a wide variation in athletic fitness, balance perception,
and reaction time among those learning to ride a unicycle. So it
is difficult to predict roughly how many hours it will take to
learn certain unicycling skills. An experienced unicycling
instructor may be able to make a good guess after watching someone
ride, but it is impossible without first seeing the rider in
action.
It has taken people as short as 15 min. and as long as 6 months to
learn to ride. However, it generally takes 2-6 weeks of regular
practice to learn to ride and a few more weeks to learn to do
turns.
Ken Fuchs <kfuchs@icicle.winternet.com>
A good rule of thumb is that it will take about one week for every
day it took you to learn to ride a bike.
Ed Falk<Ed.Falk@Eng.Sun.COM>
4. How do you learn to ride?
This comes from a posting by Robert
Bernstein(rbernstein@igc.apc.org):
I am a big proponent of the getting friends to help school. I do
not like falling down!
I learned by the MIT Unicycle Club method:
1. Get two friends to stand on either side of you and get up on
the unicycle with your arms around their shoulders.
2. Sit up straight; look straight ahead; weight on seat, not on
pedals. Rock the pedals to get a sense of balance. Get the
pedals level; this is when you are in control.
3. Pedal half turns then stop. Then full turns, two turns, etc.
Doing multiples of half turns (from pedals level to pedals
level again) is harder than continuously pedaling, but keeps
you in control.
4. Switch to holding on to your friends' wrists.
5. Switch to holding on to one friend's wrist.
6. Go off and use a wall instead of your one friend. (If you
can't find a wall and a flat surface to ride on then continue
with one friend, but let go as much as you can. Ed.)
Steps 1-5 should not take more than an hour (perhaps in 10 minute
sessions). The thing I liked about learning this way is that I
never hurt myself in the process. I have used this technique to
teach a couple of dozen people.
For some people, the get on, fall off do-it-yourself cycle works
best. It's a matter of personality!
5. Is unicycling dangerous?
As dangerous as you want it to be. The vast majority of falls
leave the rider on their feet, as dismounting is a skill learned
while learning to ride. Most falls occur for just a few reasons:
excessive speed, exhaustion, lack of attention to the road, and
learning new tricks. The rider can control all of these factors to
their desired comfort and safety level.
6. How do unicycles work?
The key is to keep the center of gravity over the axle. If you
start to fall forward, you will pedal faster, bringing the wheel
back under the seat. If you start to fall backward you will slow
down, allowing the seat to catch up with the wheel.
7. How much should I inflate the tires?
Generally, unicyclists overinflate their tires by as much as 50%
and sometimes even more. However, if one is learning to ride on a
slippery surface (gym floor) and wheel twisting becomes difficult
to control, the tires can be underinflated to increase the tire
area that comes in contact with the floor. This will make wheel
twisting easier to control. Once one has learned to ride, the tire
should be inflated to at least the recommended pressure.
Try to get 40-50 psi or more rated tires and you may overinflate
these as well if you like. However, a 32psi tire will work fine,
too.
Ken Fuchs <kfuchs@icicle.winternet.com>
8. Where can I get more information on unicycling?
+ Books I only know of one book that has been available outside
of unicycling circles, and that is "The Unicycle Book" by
Jack Wiley. Fortunately many libraries bought it; I
discovered it at my high school library in the Dominican
Republic. Even though the book was written in the early 70's
most of the information is still current. It tells how the
unicycle works, how to learn to ride (the author has since
promoted simpler methods), how to do some tricks, organize a
club, build a unicycle, and includes other features as well.
The book also features a variety of unicyclists, many of whom
you can meet at the National Unicycle Meet today. This book
is out of print and replaced by "The Complete Book of
Unicycling".
o From Solipaz Publishing and the Unicycling Society of
America, all by Jack Wiley
# How to Ride a Unicycle: This book covers unicycle
physics, how to ride, and how to do some basic
tricks. Its method is simpler than that of "The
Unicycle Book". It is basically several chapters
extracted from "The Complete Book of Unicycling".
# Novelty Unicycling
# The Ultimate Wheel Book
# The Complete Book of Unicycling: This book replaces
"The Unicycle Book". Much of the content will look
familiar if you have seen "The Unicycle Book", but
it goes into a lot more detail on tricks and
history. The book is slightly out of date but it is
still worth getting, because you will find more
unicycling information here than anywhere else. It
covers solo tricks, group tricks, clubs, history,
records, and props, among other things.
# Basic Circus Skills
# How to Build Unicycles and Artistic Bicycles
# The Whole Unicycle Catalog
# Inside the Wheel: The Complete Guide to Monocycles
Solipaz Publishing Company
P.O. Box 366
Lodi, CA 95241
o From the Unicycling Society of America
# Tidbits for Beginners. This contains a variety of
articles from "One One Wheel", the newsletter of
the Unicycling Society of America.
# Complete set of all Unicycling Society of America
Newsletters since 1974
# Official Competition Rulebook
# "On One Wheel" is the newsletter of the Unicycling
Society of America. You need to be a member to
receive it but it is worth the price.
Unicycling Society of America, P.O. Box 40534, Redford, MI
48240.
o From Semcycle
# Learning to Ride by Teresa and Sem Abrahams
This is really a pamphlet rather than a book. It
has no big secrets, but it does contain a good
method for learning to ride.
o From the New Zealand Juggling Association & Unicycling
New Zealand
Uni News is the newsletter for NZ unicyclists. It is
published in conjunction with the Flying Kiwi the
magazine produced quarterly by the NZ Juggling
Association. Uni News provides information on the
National and International scene, featuring articles on
technique, construction and events. Road tests, Buy,
sell & Swap. etc.
For suscription information call, fax or write the
Unicycle Hotline
Phone: +64 (07) 839 9005 or 025 761 141
Fax: +64 (07) 839 9006
PO Box 776 Hamilton New Zealand
o From IUF and Miyata
# Anyone Can Ride a Unicycle by Jack Halpern
For the material it covers this is the best book on
unicycling. In particular, book tells how to learn
to ride, as well as a variety of beginning and
intermediate skills. It also covers practical
issues like unicycling attire, adjusting the
unicycle, and theory.
The book is based on what are considered the most
effective ways of learning. John Foss helped a lot
with reviewing the manuscript and by providing
excellent photographs. Much credit is also due to
Bill Jenack,the founder of modern unicycling, who
has developed most of the techniques introduced in
the book.
The book comes with Miyata unicycles, and you can
also get it from Jack Halpern while supplies last.
Miyata is out of stock at the moment, and has no
definite plans at this time to reprint it. In the
meantime, he will be glad to send you photocopies
for $15, including airmail.
The amount you send need not be $15 exactly if you
send it in another currency. You should send this
in cash form, not a check, since it is very
difficult to cash a check in dollars in Japan.
Supplies are short, so you may want to send e-mail
to Jack before sending cash to verify availability.
His address is:
Jack Halpern
1-3-502 3-Chome Niiza
Niiza-shi
Saitama 352 JAPAN
E-mail: jhalpern@super.win.or.jp
Beirne Konarski bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu
o From Dube and probably elsewhere
# Unicycling From Beginner to Expert
I think Mr. Hoehr's book is pretty good. It's a
translation from German, with some resultant
oddities, but on the whole I think it is
comprehensive, and provides good learning
progressions. The book covers learning steps, and
some more advanced riding. It also has sections on
specialty cycles (mainly giraffes), and a brief
history section. I think that this is now one of
the better books out on the subject, but could
still be improved upon.
Jasan Catan CATANZ47@snycorva.cortland.edu
+ Videos From the Unicycling Society of America
o I.U.F. Achievement Skill Levels. This is the easiest way
for most people to see what the 10 skill levels look
like. It was filmed at a past National Unicycle Meet and
has a different person do each skill level, and then
give some hints.
o Rough Terrain Unicycling by George Peck. This is a good
tape to get even if you don't want to ride over boulders
or picnic tables, as George does in this tape. It is
good to see even if you just want to do better on rough
roads, trails, and curbs.
o Unicycle by Cory Riback
Unicycling Society of America, P.O. Box 40534, Redford, MI
48240.
If you live in the UK be careful when ordering Video's from
the states (or anywhere abroad), as the NTSC video system
used there is not compatible with your UK PAL video. If you
do order specify a PAL version of the tape, which ther may or
may not be able to provide !
A good video specialist could convert an NTSC video to PAL
format, but this is going to cost you !
+ The Internet
Newsgroup
There is a newsgroup, rec.sport.unicycling, for
discussing all aspects of unicycling.
Mailing list
The mailing list is a bi-directional mirror of the
group rec.sport.unicycling. You can subscribe to
the Unicycling mailing list by sending the message
"subscribe unicycling" to
majordomo@winternet.com. You can un-subscribe to
the same address.
FTP You can get files on unicycling topics from
ftp.mcs.kent.edu in directory pub/Unicycling. The
same directory is available via mosaic at URL
ftp://ftp.mcs.kent.edu/pub/Unicycling
World Wide Web
Unicycling Home Page
This is the original unicyling page. It has
hypertext access to various unicycling
topics, and includes two movies. The URL is
http://nimitz.mcs.kent.edu/~bkonarsk/
Unicycling NZ
This covers unicycling in New Zealand, the
home of unigrid, and includes lots of
material of general interest as well. The URL
is http://central.co.nz/~hjarvie/nzuni.html
Quebec Unicycle Association This page covers various
topics, including unicycle history, unicycle
basketball, and the health benefits of
unicycling.
URLS: http://www.gel.ulaval.ca/~stpier02/amq/
(French)
http://www.gel.ulaval.ca/~stpier02/amq/homean
gl.html (English)
The German Unicycle Hockey League
This page contains information on unicycle
hockey in Germany. Most of it is in English,
some of it is in German.
URL:
http://roma.dbis.informatik.uni-frankfurt.de/
~lauteman/unicycling/index_e.html
9. Where can I get a unicycle?
Manufacturers
Miyata This is a popular Japanese brand that recently quit
selling in the US due to the cheap dollar. You may be
able to find some leftover in the retail channels in the
US. You may also be able to get them in Canada, and you
can of course get them in Japan. There are rumors that
they will be imported into the US from Canada. I don't
know about availability in countries other than Japan.
The Standard and Deluxe Miyata both have an extremely
loyal following, and have been used by nearly every world
champion unicyclist thus far. They also make a 5' blue
painted giraffe unicycle.
Semcycle
Run by Sem and Theresa Abrahams, who were actually
married on unicycles. There are two regular models, and a
giraffe. The Semcycle, though relatively expensive, has
extremely strong axle and crank arms, and is intended for
heavy use by the most demanding of riders. The XL models
are much less expensive, and built more along the lines
of many other brands of Taiwanese origin, but with an
above-average saddle. Both regular wheel models come in
26" wheel size, as well as the usual 24" and 20". The 6'
giraffe is a chrome A-frame, available with either one or
two chains. John Foss (Unicycle@aol.com).
DM DMs are very sturdy and look good. The contour saddles
are matched only by Semcycles for comfort, though DM
straight saddles are an instrument of torture (some
people apparently prefer them, it takes all sorts...). DM
contour saddles also have front and back grab rails which
do duty for holding on to, wheeling, catching while
dismounting, but mostly taking all the knocks when
dropped; my saddle is unscathed after a year's abuse,
though there's no chrome left on the grab rails.
DM's giraffes are works of art with twin chains for real
durability and no twist. The only complaint is that
they're a bit heavy, but they're built to last. DM's
classic design is the 5' to 8' convertible, where the
frame has a 3' extension tube and a long set of chains.
Peter Lister (p.lister@cranfield.ac.uk).
Unicycle Factory
The Unicycle Factory is your one stop source for custom
cycles, parts, and expert information about unicycles. If
you can't find it anywhere else, it's because Tom Miller
has it. Some of his custom models are big wheels (up to
56"), multi-wheels, tennis shoe wheels, ultimate wheel
kits, giraffes up to 24', basketball-wheeled unicycles,
etc. John Foss (Unicycle@aol.com).
Pashley
Pashley is a British unicycle that has gone from making
junky beginner's unicycles to be the first company to
make production mountain unicycles.
The older Pashley's have one screw holding each bearing
to the fork. Once these get stripped (it won't take
long), you are out of luck.
The new mountain Pashley is sold by the Ugly Juggling Co,
of Newcastle on Tyne, UK. It was built by Pashley, to
Ugly's design they say. Pashley have been actively
involved in developing a specific machine for mountain
unicyling. Their products are the most cost effective way
of riding uni's off-road and new products are in the
pipeline. The bearings are double bolted into the forks,
and show no trace of looseness. The saddle is contoured,
completely resilient to hitting the concrete (still looks
like new), and comfortable. The weight is about 6Kg,
which is not excessively heavy. After a year of use (by
Chris Hughes) the whole thing is like new except for tyre
wear and bashed pedals.
Chris Hughes cdh@wg.icl.co.uk
Duncan Castling Davies@octacon.co.uk
Beirne Konarski bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu
Cyclepro
Another decent value for the price. Made in Taiwan, steel
fork with bearing holders as described in
Pashley/Absolute. Different colors. Taiwan steel countour
seat with chrome bumpers. Available in 20", 24", and
sometimes 16". John Foss (Unicycle@aol.com).
Bogglefingers
Butterfingers and Boggle, juggling shops based in Bristol
and Bath respectively import these. Can't really comment
on the quality, but they look a better "budget" option
than Pashley, for those people who can't afford DMs or
Sems.
Peter Lister (p.lister@cranfield.ac.uk).
Oddcycle
Oddball's own uni, built by Sem, looks much like a
rebadged Sem trainer.
Emory Frames are made in USA! They are the only ones left!
Steel with split block bearing holder (similar to
Pashley).
John Foss (Unicycle@aol.com)
Osells Custom Frames
The fork comes together in a curve, the wheel is held in
place by vertical screws connecting two metal parts
arround the bearing on each side. Bolts hold the pedals
on. Quick release seat adjust. Plastic protectors are on
the seat but the bolts underneath make the seat a little
hard to catch. We bought a 20" for around $135
I have heard some people refer to it as a Landis, but I
am pretty sure that Osell's built it.
Jan Stefan (JStefan@aol.com)
Cycle Designs
Cycle Designs is a part of a company named "Ridgeway
Products" that sells bike parts (not whole bikes). They
also carry both a 24" and a 20" uni. I have heard the
name "Zephyr" when referring to these unis -- I don't
know if that came from the company or is a Muddism.
The unis are medium quality: they are definitely superior
to the generic kind that probably all come from the same
factory in Taiwan. They have a tubular fork with a
sloping face where the Miatas have a flat one. The fork
is very lightweight, but very strong. It is chromed from
top to bottom.
The seat is (in my opinion) very comfortable. It is made
out of a hard plastic frame with black foam molded around
it. It is very easy to catch when dismounting either
forwards or backwards. This is a good thing, since there
is NO protection for the seat (like a metal bar, or a
plastic piece). The first damage that happens to them is
that the foam cracks in the front as a result of falling
on the ground. The seat uses a standard Schwinn seat
mount (the curved piece of metal with four oval holes) so
you can easily replace the seat. Seats that fit this
mounting style are easy to come by.
The seat post connects to the frame by a standard seat
clamp. People have a lot of trouble keeping these tight
enough to resist rotation during tricks. One solution is
to put a machine screw through the fork and post just to
hold the alignment and keep the clamp to transfer the
rider's weight. The metal is almost definitely too thin
to handle system like Schwinn unis use.
There's not much to be said about the wheel. It's got a
chromed rim and some spokes. It seems to be well built.
It comes with a black tire that looks sharp with the
black pedals and seat. The biggest problem in the design
is in the axle. The axles of the unis belonging to our
two most demanding riders (hopping, curbs, jump mounts,
etc.) have been sheared off at the connection between the
crank arm and the axle. This does not bode well for
long-term reliability. These unis were less than six
months old when they broke. The bike shop has been very
friendly about getting them repaired, though.
The bearing mounts are also only rank 5 on a scale of 1
to 10. They are mounted directly at the end of the fork,
providing a good metal to metal fit. From the bottom,
though, four small bolts hold a piece of metal over them
to keep them connected to the fork. This looks like an
accident waiting to happen, since the bolts are very
small, but we have had no problems with it. I suppose I
am spoiled by what I consider a 10: the Schwinn method of
surrounding the bearing with 1/4 inch steel.
The pedals are standard bicycle types of some sort. They
have reflectors and little pegs to help keep your foot
on. They work ok, but this is another place where there
is room for modification. The cranks connect to the axle
just like a Schwinn -- no bolts to forever be tightening
here! They are 180mm long, from end to end (155mm from
center to center).
All in all, I'd say that for the $100 we paid (I think we
got a slight bulk discount) these unis are good beginner
models. If you buy one, and really get into the sport,
don't expect it to last much more than a year or two. Use
it to learn on, then buy a real uni, like a Semcycle or a
Miyata.
The company can be reached at (US only, sorry)
800-869-9866. They only sell to dealers, but they can
probably find you a dealer in your area. The bike shop we
(the HMC uni club) does business with is Mulrooney's Sea
Schwinn in Newport Beach. Their number is (714) 646-7706.
Jeff R. Allen jeff@hmc.edu
Discontinued Brands
Schwinn
Schwinn has been out of the unicycle business for several
years now, due to problems like near-bankruptcy. If you
call bike shops you may still find some around, though.
Schwinn may reenter this market when they are in better
shape with their new management.
Matthews
Matthews has recently withdrawn from the unicycle market.
Retailers
+ Canada
Darren Bedford
71 Jasper Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M6N 2N2
(416) 767-6074
Sells Miyatas (while available) and Semcycles.
+ France
Unicycle
3 Impass Jules Dalou
9100 Evry
France
phone number is: (33-1)60 77 37 36
fax number : (33-1)60 78 09 88
Sells Miyatas and Semcycles, including giraffes and
models with wheels of 26", 28", and 30".
+ Holland
Semcycle
Box 1675
3600 Br Maarssen
Holland
Tel: 03465-7 05 63
Fax: 03465-7 60 07
+ New Zealand
Ross Mackintosh
Ross sells Taiwanese unicycles. They have fully
welded frames, 36 spokes, cotterless cranks and
seats with crash bars
Ross Mackintosh
romack@midland.co.nz
* Phone: (07) 839 9005 * Shoe: (025) 761 141
* Fax: (07) 839 9006
* Snail mail: Box 776, Hamilton, New Zealand
+ United Kingdom
DM Unicycles
DM Unicycles
59 Fairmile Rd, Christchurch,
Dorset, BH23 2LA
Tel: 0202 471943
The Ugly Juggling Company
For anyone who wants to know (or for the FAQ), the
address of Ugly Juggling for callers and mail order
is
The Ugly Juggling Company
73 Westgate Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 1SG
UK
Phone: +44 191 232 0297
They also have a callers-only shop at
Durham Indoor Market
Market Place
Durham
UK
They sell both their own unis (made by Pashley) and
DM ones, as well as a wide variety of other circus
kit, books, etc. The 1995 catalogue (free, I think)
lists the Ugly 20" mountain uni (mk 3) mentioned in
previous emails by Duncan (95 gbp), plus a 5'
giraffe (195 gbp); it also says that 24" and 28"
1994 (mk 2) models (narrow wheel) are still
available while stocks last (85-90gbp) (has anyone
tried either of these? I'm tempted by a 28", then I
might be able to keep up with the kids on bikes
...). The 95 catalogue also lists DMs from 12" to
28" (95-128 gbp), chrome DMs with square frame (up
to 175 gbp) and DM giraffes (265-449 gbp). They
don't keep all of these in stock all the time,
however.
Chris Hughs
Zero G Juggling Co.
Zero G Juggling Co.
The Victoria Centre
Mostyn Street
Llandudno
Gwnedd
Tel: 0492-514039
Freaks Unlimited
Freaks Unlimited
Park Street
Bristol, UK
Retail and Mail Order equipment, supplies and
Unicycles. Send SAE for price list.
+ United States
Dube Juggling Equipment
Dube Juggling Equipment
520 Broadway 3rd. Floor
New York, NY 10012
Voice: 212-941-0060
Fax: 212-941-0793
WWW: http://www.panix.com/dube
E-mail: dube@panix.com
This company sells 24" and 20" Semcycles. Most of
their business is mail order, but you can stop in
at their showroom as well.
Semcycle
Semcycle
P.O. Box 40353
Redford, MI 48240
(313) 537-8175
The Unicycle Factory
The Unicycle Factory
2711 N. Apperson
Kokomo, IN 46901
(317) 452-2692
Tom Miller sells custom built unicycles and resells
some other brands, such as Semcycles, Zephyrs and
Miyatas (He currently only has the 16" model in
stock). You should call with inquiries rather than
writing. He does not have business hours per-se,
since he works out of his house. His waking hours
are between 9am and 1am Eastern time.
Infinite Illusions
E-mail: infinite@io.com
WWW: http://pd.net/catalog
Phone: 1-800-54-TORCH
This juggling supply business has recently started
selling the Emory unicycle. Emory started making
unicycles since the early seventies, and stopped in
the late eighties. They are making them again for
Infinite Illusions.
Osell's Custom Frames
Osell's Custom Frames
2908 Pentagon Drive NE
St. Anthony, MN 55418
(612) 788-5200 (ask for Terry)
They sell their own brand, called the Landis. They
also sometimes get Miyatas from Canada. Call for
availability.
10. Where can I get parts for my unicycle?
Depending on what you are looking for, you might find the parts at
a bike shop. If not, though, Tom Miller at the Unicycle Factory
probably has it. You can call him in Indiana at (317) 452-2692 to
place your order.
11. What makes a good unicycle?
Each set of part types [a-d] are listed in increasing order of
quality or beauty [chrome types]. Anyone in a bike shop should be
able to explain the following terminology.
0) Type of tire - One can always buy a better tire, although
quality unicycle should come with a unicycle tire (round
cross-section; relatively flat or smooth tread for flat surfaces
[mountain unicycles should come with knobbies :^]
1.1 Type of rim
a) chromed steel
b) chromed tubular steel
c) alloy
d) chromed alloy
1.2 Type of spoke holes in rim
a) simple straight radial hole
b) simple straight radial hole with recess for spoke's nipple
c) angle of holes matches angle of spokes
d) angle of holes matches angle of spokes; recess for nipple
2.1 Number of spokes (more is better, if all spokes are kept
tight)
a) 28
b) 36
c) 40
d) 48
2.2 Thickness of spokes (thicker is better, but weighs a little
more)
a) .080 in. (14 gauge)
b) .092 in. (13 gauge)
c) .105 in. (12 gauge)
d) .125 in. (?? gauge)
2.3 Spoking pattern
a) 3 cross
b) 4 cross
c) 3 cross interleaved
d) 4 cross interleaved
2.4 Spoke material
a) coat hanger :^&
b) normal (steel zinc plated)
c) stainless steel
d) steel chrome plated
3.1 Hub (Various types of heat treating add to the confusion
here.)
a) cottered shaft, straight flanges
b) cottered shaft, dished flanges
c) cotterless shaft, straight flanges
d) cotterless shaft, dished flanges
4.1 Bearings (More info welcome here.)
a) unsealed roller bearings
b) unsealed ball bearings
c) sealed roller bearings (less prone to damage when jumping)
d) sealed ball bearings (jumping may cause flat spots on balls)
5.1 Bearing holders
a) bolted on C-bracket (may apply excessive vertical force)
b) snap ring (bearing may be minutely loose in all directions)
c) pressed in holder (bearing must be pressed in with equal force)
d) bolted on pressed in holder (same as c above, except the
pressed fit may be looser as bolts keep bearing from moving.)
5.2 Frame type (Which is better is quite controversial.)
a) flat pressed fork halves bolted together with seat post
b) same as a) with curved sections pressed in for greater rigidity
c) tubular one piece frame with rounded fork crown
d) tubular one piece frame with square fork crown (to put feet on)
5.3 Frame finish
a) amateur spray painted ;^)
b) baked-on enamel
c) powder coated
d) chrome plated
5.4 Seat post clamp
Z) A bolt for split forks
a) welded on clamp with single bolt
b) separate BMX type clamp with single allen wrench screw
c) separate BMX type clamp with two allen wrench screws
d) same as c), except one screw clamps top of head tube and the
other clamps around the seat post - two inside diameters
6.1 Seat post
a) has holes at 1 inch increments for height adjustment
b) same as a) with seat tilt adjustment
c) straight tube with no holes - very fine height adjustment
d) same as c) with seat tilt adjustment (not really needed)
7.1 Seat (style should fit the individual)
a) poorly designed - self destructs in 1 month of use
b) Schwinn / Semcycle design (does it have bumpers now?)
c) Wide Miyata type design without front handle
d) Narrow Miyata type design with front handle
7.2 Seat should be broken down further, but the author is getting
tired and sleepy [ 8^) -> :^O zzz -> 8^| -> :^O zzz -> 8^( ]
8.1 Crank arms
a) solid oak [ :^O -> :^o -> :^O ] author lapses into dream land
(be careful, the author seems to be getting cranky too :^)
b) steel cottered
c) steel cotterless
d) alloy cotterless
9.1 Pedals
a) rubber block, no spindle adjustment
b) plastic, no spindle adjustment
c) rattrap with spindle adjustment (eats shins 8^)
d) plastic with spindle adjustment
Ken Fuchs kfuchs@winternet.com
12. What are the 10 skill levels?
Here is the list thanks to Andy Cotter (cotter@cae.wisc.edu).
Comments in parentheses are mine.
GENERAL INFORMATION
In order to be eligible to achieve a level, a rider must have achieved
all previous levels. All skills start and end with the rider
riding forward, seated with both feet on the pedals. All mounts
end with the rider riding forward with both feet on the pedals.
PROCEDURE FOR TESTING
To achieve a skill level a rider must pass a skill level exam with an
authorized examiner. Examiners must be authorized by the
Unicycling Society of America, the IUF, or by a connected
organization. In order to pass an exam a rider must perform all
skills in the level at the first attempt except for 3 skills
maximum which must be performed at the second attempt.
For some advice on preparing for a level test, check out the level
testing hints on the unicycle home page.
Level 1
o Mount Unicycle unassisted
o Ride 50 meters
o Dismount gracefully with unicycle in front
Level 2
o Mount with left foot
o Mount with right foot
o Ride 10 m between two parallel lines 30 cm apart
o Ride a figure 8 with circle diameters smaller then 3 m
o Ride down a 15 cm vertical drop
o Make a sharp 90 degree turn to the left
o Make a sharp 90 degree turn to the right
Level 3
o Demonstrate 3 types of mounts
o Ride a figure 8 with circle diameters smaller than 1.5 m
o Come to stop, pedal half a revolution backward and
continue forward
o Ride with the stomach on the seat for 10 m
o Make a sharp 180 degree turn to the left
o Make a sharp 180 degree turn to the right
o Hop 5 times
o Ride over a 10 X 10 cm obstacle
Level 4
o Demonstrate 4 types of mounts
o Ride backward for 10 m
o Ride one footed for 10 m
o Idle with left foot down 25 times
o Idle with right foot down 25 times
o Ride with the seat out in front for 10 m
o Ride with the seat out in back for 10 m
o Make a sharp 360 degree turn the left
o Make a sharp 360 degree turn the right
Level 5
o Demonstrate 5 types of mounts
o Ride backward in a circle
o Ride one footed in a figure eight
o Idle one footed with left foot down 25 times
o Idle one footed with right foot down 25 times
o Ride with the seat out in front in a circle
o Ride with the seat out in back in a circle
o Ride with the seat on the side in a circle
o Hop-twist 90 degrees to the left
o Hop-twist 90 degrees to the right
o Hop standing on wheel 5 times (IUF)
o Walk the wheel for 10 m (USA) (No feet on the pedals,
instead you propel the unicycle by walking on the
surface of the tire while sitting)
Level 6
o Demonstrate 6 types of mounts
o Ride backward in a figure 8
o Ride with the seat out in front in a figure eight
o Ride with the seat out in back in a figure eight
o Ride backward with the seat out in front for 10 m
o Walk the wheel for 10 m (IUF) (No feet on the pedals,
instead you propel the unicycle by walking on the
surface of the tire while sitting)
o Ride with seat on the side in a circle to the left
o Ride with seat on the side in a circle to the right
o Ride one footed with the left foot for 10 m
o Ride one footed with the right foot for 10 m
o Backspin
o Frontspin
o Spin
o Hop standing on wheel 5 times (USA)
Level 7
o Demonstrate 7 types of mounts
o Ride backward with seat out in front in a circle
o Ride one footed with left foot in a circle
o Ride one footed with right foot in a circle
o Walk the wheel in a circle
o Walk the wheel one footed for 10 m
o Hop-twist 180 degrees to the left
o Hop-twist 180 degrees to the right
o Ride backward with the seat out in back for 10 m
o Spin the left
o Spin to the right
Level 8
o Demonstrate 8 types of mounts
o Ride one footed with the left foot in a figure 8
o Ride one footed with the right foot in a figure 8
o Walk the wheel in a figure eight
o Walk the wheel one footed in a circle
o Ride backward one footed for 10 m
o Glide for 10 m (no feet on the pedals, you can use a
foot on the surface of the tire as a brake.)
o Hand wheel walk for 10 m
o Pirouette
o Backward spin
Level 9
o Demonstrate 9 types of mounts
o Walk the wheel one footed in a figure 8
o Ride backward one footed in a circle
o Ride backward with the seat out in front in figure 8
o Ride backward with the seat out in back in a circle
o Walk the wheel one footed with left foot for 10 m
o Walk the wheel one footed with right foot for 10 m
o Walk the wheel backward for 10 m
o Drag seat in front 10 m
o Drag seat in back for 10 m
o Ride backward one footed with the left foot 10 m
o Ride backward one footed with the right foot 10 m
o Ride one footed with the seat out in front for 10 m
o Backward pirouette
Level 10
o Demonstrate 10 types of mounts
o Ride backward with seat out in back in a figure 8
o Ride backward one footed in a figure 8
o Walk the wheel one footed with left foot in circle
o Walk the wheel one footed with right foot in circle
o Walk the wheel backward in a circle
o 180 uni spin
o Sideways wheel walk for 10 m
o Coast for 10 m
o Side ride for 10 m
o Walk the wheel one footed backward for 10 m
13. What are some different mounts?
Left and right can be switched in the descriptions if you are left
footed.
Standard
Put a foot on the rear pedal and the seat underneath you.
Step up onto the unicycle.
Side Put your left foot on the left pedal and hold the seat in
your hand. Move your right foot between your left leg and
the unicycle. Swing it around the front of the seat, put
the seat underneath you, and your right foot on the
pedal.
side mount with foot around twice
Like the side mount, but your foot makes an extra trip
around the seat.
side mount with foot around 3X
Like the side mount, but your foot makes an extra two
trips around the seat.
side mount reverse
Put your left foot on the left pedal and hold the seat in
your hand. Move your right foot around the back of the
seat, put the seat underneath you, and your right foot on
the pedal.
side mount reverse, leg around
Put your left foot on the left pedal and hold the seat in
your hand. Move your right foot around the back of the
seat, swing your foot 360 degrees around the seat again,
put the seat underneath you, and your right foot on the
pedal.
stepover mount
Start on the side holding onto the seat with both hands
bring the other foot up over the seat without releasing
the seat with either hand. Step over the top of the seat
without letting go of the seat. It is not a fun way to
crash if you have your foot on the seat, but a good high
step and its no more difficult than one of the other side
mounts.
Reverse
Stand in front of the unicycle with the seat underneath
you. Put one foot on the lower pedal. Step back and up so
that the unicycle is underneath you. The motion will be
similar to idling once you are up.
Jump Hold the unicycle upright and jump up onto the pedals and
the seat. Land with all your weight on the pedals or you
will be unhappy.
180 spin mount
Hold the unicycle in front of you with the front facing
you. Jump into the air, spin the unicycle around 180
degrees, and land on it.
360 spin mount
Hold the unicycle in front of you with the front facing
away from you. Jump into the air, spin the unicycle
around 360 degrees, and land on it.
kick up
Lay the unicycle on its side. Put your foot on the pedal
that is pointing up. Use your other foot to kick the seat
up underneath you, and put the free foot on its pedal.
rolling mount
Roll the unicycle, put your foot on one pedal and get up,
without the wheel ever stopping.
one foot mount
Like a standard mount, but the second foot goes over the
pedal and the stays in the air. You can then go backwards
or forwards with one foot.
one foot reverse mount
Like the reverse mount, but the second foot goes over the
pedal and the stays in the air. You can then go backwards
or forwards with one foot.
side mount from standing on wheel
side jump mount
Start at the side of the unicycle, then jump on the
pedals and settle on the seat.
free side jump mount
Start at the side of the unicycle, let go of the
unicycle, then jump on the pedals and settle on the seat.
jump mount
Stand behind the unicycle, jump up on both pedals simultaneously,
and settle on the seat.
free jump mount
Like a regular jump mount, but the rider lets go of the
seat before their feet leave the ground.
rolling mount to one foot
jump mount to one foot idle
kick up to walk the wheel
kick up to walk the wheel one footed
kick up to spin
side jump mount to walk the wheel
Like jump mount, but land in the wheel walk position.
side mount to seat out in front
frog mount
rolling jump mount to seat in back
jump mount to seat in front
Like a jump mount, but you leave the seat out front and
ride this way.
pick up mount
spin mount
spin mount to one foot riding
kick up with foot wrapped around frame
side jump mount to seat at back
jump mount with 180 seat spin whilst airborne
jump mount with 360 seat spin whilst airborne
turn around jump mount
The rider turns around 180 degrees before landing on the
unicycle.
Andy Cotter/cotter@cae.wisc.edu
Beirne Konarski/bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu
Doug Borngasser/dborngas@sdcc3.ucsd.edu
14. Where can I find a unicycle club or organization?
Unicycling Society of America
The Unicycling Society of America distributes a quarterly
newsletter, sponsors an annual conference/meet, sells all
known unicycle literature, and serves as an information
clearinghouse. Dues are currently $15 a year. It is well
worth the cost. You can reach them at: Unicycling Society
of America, P.O. Box 40534, Redford, MI 48240. The USA
also has a 1-800 voice mail number, 1-800-783-2425. There
are local clubs in many areas. Detroit, Minneapolis, New
York City and Bowling Green OH are three cities with
large clubs. The Unicycling Society of America has a
clubs registry and will send out club lists for a small
cost. They encourage people to register as clubs, even if
they are only few or one person.
I will need some help in this section for more club
information, especially from foreign countries.
Unicycling New Zealand
This is a new club, founded by Ross Mackintosh, editor of
UniNews.
15. What are the different types of unicycles?
Standard
This is your average unicycle. The cranks connect to the
axle. It has a seat above the wheel.
Giraffe
These are the taller chain-driven unicycles. You can buy
them from Semcycle or the Unicycle Factory. The record
height is about 100'(31m).
Monocycle
This is a wheel with the seat inside. These are fairly
rare.
Ultimate Wheel
This is the standard unicycle without forks or a seat. A
plywood disk usually replace the spokes, which keeps your
ankles from getting beat up. You can buy these from the
Unicycle Factory.
Impossible Wheel
Also called the BC wheel. This is a plain wheel with the
axle extended on both sides with posts. You stand on the
posts and roll along, assuming you figure out how to
propel yourself.
16. What size wheel should I get?
In general the smaller the wheel, the easier it is to learn to
ride and learn new skills. Larger wheels are better for
transportation and speed. 12" and 16" wheels are good for
children. 20" wheels are good trick unicycles for adults. 24"
wheels still work for a lot of tricks and gives you decent speed.
This is the best general-purpose size. Bigger wheels are better
for higher speed riding. The Unicycle Factory advertises models up
to 40".
Check the rules if you are buying a unicycle for competition.
Races generally require a specific size, such as 24" for adults.
British juggling competitions usually limit you to a 20" model.
17. Why don't you get a unicycle with multiple speeds?
Someone has built a unicycle with multiple gearings. Here is an
account from Peter Lister (p.lister@cranfield.ac.uk):
I know Bob Knight who built it. I haven't had the opportunity to
have a go on it (I haven't really got the hang of giraffes yet -
severe lack of people prepared to lend me theirs to practise on).
I can assure you that it's no problem to change gear. Bob can
shift up and down happily while going forward or idling, or
probably backwards, knowing him. As I understand it, the only
requirement is that one reduce the pedal pressure during a shift,
but then as anyone (like me) who rides a two-wheeler with a
Sturmey hub knows, that applies to normal bikes and isn't a
problem unless one is really standing on the pedals.
Just in case it isn't clear from the photo(another person brought
up this topic when they saw a picture of the unicycle. ed.), this
beast uses a fixed Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub *not* a derailleur
(it's surprising how many people assume that the derailleur is the
only possible cycle gear shift). The hub itself is an antique
(early 1950s I think), probably worth more than the rest of the
unicycle (which was made by Bob and his dad). The equivalent wheel
sizes are 20", 24" and 28".
18. What unicycling events can I attend?
UNITED STATES
National Unicycle Convention
Late July, 1996
Chariton, Iowa
19. Which end is the front?
Yes, the unicycle has a front and a back, even when the seat
doesn't. The two pedals are threaded in opposite directions and
are normally marked 'L' and 'R' on the ends of the shafts. The
side designation is from the viewpoint of the rider. Forward
riding on either a unicycle or bicycle will tend to tighten the
pedals. However, backward riding on a unicycle will tend to loosen
the pedals.
Also, some tires have a direction on them, due to the tread
pattern.
Beirne Konarski bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu
Ken Fuchs kfuchs@icicle.winternet.com
20. Where's the other wheel?
+ In Nanny's room, behind the clock.
+ It'll be along in a minute.
+ Where's your originality?
+ That's the nth time I've heard that one today.
+ Real men (women) don't need two wheels.
+ I'm paying for it in installments.
+ You're kidding, it was there last time I looked (and promptly
fall off)
+ I didn't put enough locks on it.
+ I loaned the other wheel to a friend. Sit here and make sure
he comes by.
+ I don't need it!
+ I got the bike on sale, half off...I didn't realize they
meant the bike.
+ It's the economy; can't afford the other wheel.
+ This is the recession model.
+ I'm on a time payment plan.
+ It's this downsizing thing.
+ It's on the train to Glasgow. It's on an exchange program
with another wheel.
+ It fell behind the fridge.
+ Two wheels? That's twice as hard!
+ Don't be daft, where would I put a second wheel?
21. What is a unicycle under the law?
Note: These are the opinions of laymen, and should not be
considered legal advice.
United Kingdom
Someone recently posted on uk.rec.cycling implying that
it is legal to ride a bicycle on the pavement (US
Sidewalk) as long as the wheel size doesn't exceed 20".
This got me wondering whether it was true, and if so what
the implications might be for unicyclists. So, it was
back to the library to look through the law books.
The Highway Code goes through the cycling laws and makes
it fairly clear that there should be no problem with
riding on the road. But forget about The Highway Code,
what it *doesn't* give is a legal definition of a cycle.
That's what I managed to find:
'"Cycle" means a bicycle, tricycle, or cycle having four
or more wheels, not being in any case a motor vehicle.'
So cycle laws don't cover a unicycle. There is nothing
about unicycles anywhere in the road traffic legislation.
I'm not going to wade through the whole of English law
looking for any reference to unicycling, so if anyone
knows of a reference elsewhere I'd be interested. It
seems that it is quite legal to ride a unicycle on the
pavement in England. Does anyone know what the law says
in the rest of the UK?
If anyone fancies getting a copy of this definition (you
never know when it might be useful), my source is:
Halsbury's Laws of England, 4th edn, vol. 40 (Road
Traffic), published in 1983 by Butterworths, London.
Danny Colyer/bs1dwc@bath.ac.uk
New Zealand
Before starting Unicycling New Zealand back in March
1993, I approached Transit NZ to find out the real truth
about unicycling in this country... Several letters
between myself and the Minister of Transport brought us
both to the following conclusion...
A bicycle, by NZ law, must have AT LEAST TWO wheels.
...well, that rules out a standard unicycle instantly!
So was it a toy? In the book of NZ road religion, a toy
may have a wheel diametre no larger than 355mm (14inches)
INCLUDING any tyre. ...rules out the standard uni again!
therefore we came to the conclusion that in NZ, the
unicycle, fell in to the catagory of a "vehicle" by
default. this means it is quite legal to ride the
unicycle on the roads, as you would any vehicle in this
country, accomodating the laws of hand signals at all
times, and lights at night, etc. No helmet is required
(as compulsory with a bicycle in this country), no brakes
or steering etc.
I guess we are lucky as I believe unicycling is not cool
with authorities in some states in America... wot a
bummer!
Ross Mackintosh romack@midland.co.nz
22. What are some names for unicycles I appreciate everyone's
cooparation in building our list of synonyms for unicycle. The
time has come to organize the list, and eventually I'll try to
make it real "scientific" based on lexicographic principles. Here
is a preliminary version.
I would be nice if can make a more precise classification, with
perhaps info on frequency of use. Anyone want to try?
+ Lexical Items ("real words")
These are more or less established words, albeit some are
very limited while others are colloquial. What they have in
common is that the are used by unicyclists.
1. UNICYCLE Standard American
2. MONOCYCLE Traditional (obsolescent?) British
3. ONE-WHEELED VEHICLE "Scientific"
4. ICICLE Colloquial (I know one family who use it)
5. IKE Colloquial (not sure where from -- attested)
6. YIKE Colloquial (according to Adam Stork)
7. UNI Colloquial, very common
8. WHEEL Colloquial
+ Nonce (uneducated) Words
The *nonce* words below are often used by the nonunicycling
public, though I've heard unicyclists using numbers 11 and 17
on occasion. (may they dangle from the Tokyo Tower on a
50-foot giraffe!). It is rather difficult to draw the
distinction between this classfication, and the one below,
but the nonce words here do seem to have a more or less
"semilexicalized" existence.
9. ONE-WHEELER Unattested, but I think I've heard it
10. ONE-WHEEL BICYCLE Unattested, uneducated
11. BIKE Substandard, uneducated, illiterate, stupid!
12. ONE-WHEELED BICYCLE Colloquial, uneducated
13. ONE-WHEELED BIKE Colloquial, uneducated
14. TRICYCLE Colloquial, uneducated, childish
15. UNI-BIKE Colloquial, uneducated
16. ONE TRICYCLE Colloquial, uneducated, childish
17. BICYCLE Substandard, uneducated, illiterate, stupid!
+ Informal Decsriptions
The items below are not word or phrases, they are just
*descriptions* by someone who doesn't know the proper word. I
suppose they are never used by unicyclists, except in jest.
18. FUNNY LOOKING BIKE Uneducated nonce word?
19. FUNNY THING Uneducated, childish nonce word?
20. FUNNY LOOKING THING Uneducated nonce word?
21. THAT WEIRD THING
22. THAT SILLY THING
23. THAT THING
24. THAT
25. WHAT THAT FUNNY MAN'S RIDING
26. THAT OVER THERE
Jack Halpern/jhalpern@super.win.or.jp
-------------------------------------------------------
23. How do you say unicycle in different languages?
Dutch: eenwieler
English: unicycle
French: monocycle
German: einrad
Japanese: ichirinsha(preferred), yunisaikuru
Spanish: monociclo(preferred), uniciclo
Swedish: enhjuling
Finnish: Yksipyora
Greek: monopodeloto
_________________________________________________________________
Beirne Konarski/Kent State University/bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu