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Advice Please: N + 0.5

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  • January 2, 2017 at 4:55 pm #26616
    CygnusX1

    So, Santa brought me half a new bike for christmas, one of these…

    http://www.unicycle.uk.com/20-adult-trainer-unicycle.html 

    Whilst I am making some progress, its frustratingly slow – I think one of my issues is my pedal stroke – my feet seem to get stuck in the dead zone (top/bottom dead centre) and then I come unstuck (lose balance/come off).

    Anybody got any tips to improve my stroke either on the unicycle, or exercises that I could do on the road bike or MTB that may help?

    I’m used to clipless/SPDs on my bikes, is that working against me on the flat pedals and fixed gearing of a unicycle? 

    Any other tips for beginners other than the standard ones in all the  youtube videos?

    e.g.  Tyre pressure – hard or soft? Best crank position when setting off?  Where to buy a clown suit with built in spine protector?   

     

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  • January 3, 2017 at 9:50 pm #884291
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    barbarus

    Excellent fun! I started

    Excellent fun! I started learning in a corridor with hands available to touch both sides of the wall. This quickly progressed to balancing on with one had on a tree in the garden, leaning forwards and pedalling as quickly as possible.

    With unicycles, smaller wheels are harder and your pedal stroke will definitely be choppy at first. Bigger wheels are easier and apparently, giraffe unicycles (high, with chain) are easiest because the motion is slower.  I wouldn’t go for ski poles, you need your hands to catch the saddle when you fall off.  Otherwise you will soon need a new saddle.

    I found higher tyre pressures easier and having a properly raised saddle helps.

    Have fun!

    January 3, 2017 at 11:50 am #884289
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Yep, sounds like you’ve got

    Yep, sounds like you’ve got the right idea. I’m not so sure about the herky-jerky pedalling – I prefer a smooth pedalling style, but that needs some experience.

    Another tip – don’t spend too long practising. 45 minutes should be plenty, but needs to be every day to get your muscle memory working.

    January 3, 2017 at 11:32 am #884287
    0
    CygnusX1

    Thanks Velo & Hawkins,

    Thanks Velo & Hawkins,

    Had seen a couple of people on the interweb saying they had used ski/walking poles, adjustable walking sticks and even a supermarket shopping trolley for support but most guides suggest the wall/fence or just going for it approach.  

    Not sure the local supermarket would be too happy with me ‘borrowing’ a trolley to take home and I don’t fancy making a fool of myself in their car park so might try a couple of broom handles (cheaper than ski poles, and my boys can use them afterwards as lightsabres / ‘bo’ staffs / longswords).

    I’m okay at mounting with one hand on a wall, and getting very good at falling off – mostly off the front although the few times I’ve come off the back have resulted in minor wrist and ankle injuries.

    So if I follow, I should be starting upright with pedals at 3/9, lean/fall forwards, catch the fall by pedalling a half rev, bringing me upright again, rinse and repeat?   

    By the way, “herky-jerky” my new favourite ride snack đŸ™‚

     

     

    January 2, 2017 at 7:50 pm #884285
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Also lots of advice here:

    Also lots of advice here: http://www.juggling.org/help/circus-arts/unicycling/starting.html

    January 2, 2017 at 7:28 pm #884283
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Unicycling is probably closer

    Unicycling is probably closer to learning to walk than it to cycling.

    First, you need to get over the fear of falling as when you go forwards, you’ll be continuously falling forwards and ideally keeping the wheel moving as fast as you fall. If you practise falling off the front, you should be able to easily “step off” it and land on your feet. Falling off backwards is when you tend to actually hurt yourself (or hitting your shin with a pedal).

    I learnt by positioning myself with my back to a wall, mounting the uni (using the wall for stability) and then launching/falling forwards and slowly learning how to pedal for a few strokes. A smooth concrete floor is preferable.

    However, I’ve seen a teaching technique that involves practising a step-over technique first. Position the unicycle as if you’re about to do a free-mount – saddle in your groin, wheel in front and one foot on a pedal that’s down and towards you. Put weight on the pedal to push the uni under you and swing your other foot forwards as if taking a step (a free-mount would involve putting that foot on the other pedal – takes some practise). Practise that with both feet until it feels like a simple flowing movement – this should be very similar to a dismount (extra points for catching the saddle behind you). After that, try using a wall/support to mount the uni and launch yourself forwards until you get the hang of it.

    I reckon that you’re not leaning forwards (falling) enough, which is why you’ve got no forwards momentum when your foot hits the 6 o’clock position. Keep in mind “controlled falling”.

    Keep with it, it’s a lot of fun when you get to grips with it.

    January 2, 2017 at 6:20 pm #884281
    0
    VeloUSA

    Google tips here https://www

    Google tips here https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+ride+a+unicycle&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

    I used a set of ski poles. It helped a lot with balance and pedal strokes until I got the hang of things. Learning balance first was the key as unicycle pedal stroke is herky-jerky, the very opposite of road cycling.

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