What is a unicycle, and why is it considered one of the most adrenaline-filled forms of entertainment?
You might think that descending mountain slopes on two wheels is already challenging enough, but thrill-seekers have devised an even crazier extreme sport — mountain unicycling (mountain unicycling, muni).
Mountain unicycle
To say that unicycling is difficult and dangerous would be a significant understatement.
The one-wheeled bike goes by several common names: unicycle, monowheel, or unicycle. The term “unicycle” is the most widely used. It evolved from the penny-farthing—an old bicycle with a giant front wheel popular in the late 19th century. Until around the 1970s, this device was used only by acrobats and built to order, but nowadays, unicycles are often part of urban extreme sports gear.
Unicycle Construction Details
The construction of a one-wheeled bike includes a wheel, crank arms, frame, pedals, and seat. The unicycle’s wheel differs from a bicycle wheel in its direct-drive mechanism — the axle and hub are combined, so pedal rotation is directly transferred to the wheel. The frame resembles the fork of a two-wheeled bike, and the seat mount is located at the top of the frame. Handlebars don’t steer the movement but help control the unicycle as an additional point of support.
All types of unicycles
Additional equipment:
- Cargo rack
- Horn
- Lights
- Fender
- Reflectors
- Brake
Unicycle seats differ from bicycle seats, with ergonomics designed for an upright seating position. Foot straps aren’t included due to frequent dismounts when losing balance.
Types of Unicycles
Currently, there are about 12 types of unicycles. Even the unicycle community is still adapting to the massive surge in interest in this subculture and the variety of devices — there are almost as many as types of bicycles or even cars. This also applies to the price range and their usage potential.
Let’s examine the types of unicycles and their intended purposes.
Beginner Series Unicycles (Neighborhood/Gym)
Strictly speaking, these are “simple” unicycles suitable for beginners. Most unicyclists start by learning on universal models and later decide on a specific riding style.
Beginner unicycles
About fifteen years ago, shops only stocked this category, differing solely by wheel size, ranging from 12" to 24". The appropriate size by riding style is chosen approximately as follows:
- 12"-16" — chosen by circus performers for comedic effect and also for children. Convenient for transportation and storage.
- 20" — the most common size for learning unicycling, plus offers a large selection of tires.
- 24" — a transitional shape between basic models and cruisers. Suitable for basic tricks and riding around local areas.
- 26" and larger — racing models and those intended for long trips.
The 24" cruiser unicycles fall under the universal category but can cover longer distances due to the larger wheel size. They are suited for improving riding skills and learning a few tricks.
Touring, Racing Unicycles, and Regular Commuter Models 26"-36" (Touring/Commuter Unicycles)
Unicycles are speed-limited by wheel diameter, so models for long-distance travel are produced with impressive 26"–29" wheels. These are the classic sizes of road-type bicycle wheels. In addition to size, touring unicycles feature robust tires. These models can still fit into a car trunk while being more comfortable for long rides.
Speed unicycle
Even a large wheel is less efficient compared to two wheels, but a unicycle rider gets an intense workout, engaging muscles from the lower back to the calves.
Unicycle for regular rides
Unicycles for regular commuting feature wheels with diameters of 32"-36", sometimes equipped with two-speed freewheel hubs, disc brakes, and handlebars. Hubs can accelerate a 24" wheel to mimic a 36" wheel, a 29" wheel to act as a 42" wheel, and a 36" wheel to simulate a 54" wheel, allowing coasting without pedaling. Models with handlebars shift some of the rider’s weight forward, enabling a more aerodynamic position while riding.
Is it harder to ride larger wheels? It requires a bit of practice, but beginners are recommended to start with diameters of 20"-24".
How far can you travel on one wheel? The experience of hundreds of travelers proves that distance is not a limitation—dozens of unicyclists have completed thousands of miles on world tours using unicycles. Even if you’re not planning a continental unicycle trip, it is a fantastic way to commute to work or school while staying fit and attracting plenty of attention.
Mountain Unicycles (Muni), Off-Road, and Cross-Country
Anywhere a mountain bike can go, a mountain unicycle can follow. Mountain unicycling is a rapidly growing extreme sport with its own International Federation , headquartered in Auckland.
To tackle rough terrain, enthusiasts started modifying simple unicycles by adding spikes and pedal grips. Then manufacturers jumped in, creating wider frames and tires. But the majority of attention was focused on the heart of the unicycle—the axle/hub assembly. BMX-style hubs were adapted for unicycles. Regular single-lever axles couldn’t handle the stress, so mountain models introduced Q-Axle splined systems—a reliable mechanism for attaching cranks to the hub.
Trial, Street, and Flatland Unicycles
These types of unicycles are specifically designed for jumping and obstacle riding, including stairs, fences, railings, and more. Wheel sizes range from 19" to 20"—perfect for lightweight, agile maneuvering. Due to constant impacts and jumps, street models are equipped with reinforced axles and cranks, as well as thick tires.
Extreme unicycles
The trial format is great for children and shorter riders. For street riding and tricks, unicycles have similar standards. However, they are not ideal for very high jumps and are slower than racing models.
Extreme unicycling
Flatland models are suitable for the streets but without tricks or obstacles. This is an intermediary type between freestyle and trials, representing a relatively new category of unicycling.
Freestyle Unicycles
These unicycles are 100% geared for tricks and performances. Competitions in individual freestyle, pairs, and group routines are held on these models. What makes a unicycle freestyling compatible? A 20" wheel; optimized for indoor riding (without metal parts that touch the floor and with tires that don’t leave marks); high-quality and durable construction designed for unconventional stress; and often a crowned fork for foot placement.
Freestyle unicycle
Can freestyle be practiced on other types of unicycles? Yes, but models specifically designed for freestyle offer better floor grip and other advantages: non-marking tires, shortened cranks for easier trick execution, optimal pedal spacing for acrobatics and maneuvering, specialized forks for foot placement, and less hazardous pedals.
A 20" size is convenient for indoor use, suitable for specific tricks, and provides a lightweight design.
Ultimate Wheel: Unicycle Without a Seat or Frame
The simplest unicycle design, consisting of just a wheel with two pedals. Challenging, but the most desirable type of unicycle to master. Consider watching some ultimate wheel videos here . Ultimate wheels can be custom-designed and made at home. As a training device, it is an excellent tool.
ultimate wheel
Any unicycle can have two additional training wheels attached for balance during learning. If this type of urban extreme sport seems too extravagant, check out stunt scooters .
How to Choose a Unicycle
First, you need to decide on the type of riding you plan to do, and based on this, choose the appropriate unicycle. Ideal wheel sizes for beginners were mentioned earlier, but this is not the only criterion—the unicycle’s size should match your leg length. Determine this by measuring from your crotch to the floor while wearing shoes, not based on pant inseam sizes:
How to choose a unicycle
You also need to decide what kind of activity you’re interested in on a unicycle. Here’s a quick guide to wheel sizes:
- 12": Designed for preschool-age children, not quite suitable for outdoor activities as it requires a smooth surface. Fun fact: the youngest unicyclist was just 18 months old.
- 16": A unicycle for children aged 5–8 years, suitable only for perfect road conditions or indoor use.
- 20": the most popular size, ideal for both learning and sports. Many tires are available for this diameter. Such models are already quite fast and suitable for tricks, yet convenient for storage and transportation.
- 24": a versatile size among unicycles for adults. Suitable for outdoor use and rough terrain but too large for indoor use. Slightly oversized for freestyle and tricks, yet good for learning and Muni.
- 29": a great diameter for long rides, with a large wheel offering speed and smooth movement on road surfaces. Designed for experienced riders.
- 36": ideal for long rides, daily commuting, and high-speed riding. Not recommended for beginners.
If the wheel turns out to be too small for you, the ride will feel like using a child’s tricycle. With a larger wheel, different problems arise: it becomes harder to maintain balance and maneuver. The choice of frame height is no less important—a seat post that’s too high won’t allow for stable control of the unicycle, while a short one will make you feel like a circus clown and cause discomfort in your knees.
A few words about unicycle saddles. A seat for recreational models and regular riding should be wider, like the Kris Holm Freeride Saddle. Trick models are equipped with narrow saddles, and freestyle saddles often feature plastic components.
Long legs are not a limitation. You can purchase a taller frame suited to your dimensions for any wheel size. It’s great to know that unicycles have no weight restrictions. If you weigh over 100 kg, simply choose a Muni or a reinforced freestyle model.
How to learn to ride a unicycle?
Theory alone won’t suffice, but there are a few truly important tips for mastering the unicycle:
- You must learn to keep your weight on the saddle, not the pedals.
- Sit perfectly upright, as if the frame is an extension of your spine.
- Once you start moving, keep pedaling—forward momentum helps you maintain balance.
- The ideal place for your first practice sessions is a narrow, long hallway where you can touch both walls.
- Don’t look down; only look ahead. This rule applies wherever maintaining balance is critical.
A fantastic article on learning to ride a unicycle can be found on the jugglers’ website , which I strongly recommend exploring. The author interviews several professional unicyclists, each of whom details their personal learning methods. You could say this link provides a comprehensive theory—you just need to put it into practice. Everyone agrees that mastering the unicycle isn’t difficult, but the learning process isn’t linear: breakthroughs often happen after several unsuccessful attempts, and everything progresses smoothly from there.
Family recreational time with unicycles
I haven’t mentioned prices. The cheapest beginner-level unicycle costs around $80, while the most expensive model from the Kris Holm series is $770. I often see almost-new second-hand unicycles on trading websites, sold for symbolic sums. It might be a good idea to start with a used unicycle to determine whether this hobby is right for you.
