Talk:Unicycle

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Unicycle is also used when surveying land to measure distances walked. Of course the geologists do not sit on it, they just push it in front of them and read the revolutions from the counter. This is largely obsolete since GPS came into fashion. 195.70.32.136 15:58, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

Are you thinking of a trundle wheel? 86.12.249.63 20:45, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

As far as I know monocycle, rather than referring to a monowheel as in English, is the word for unicycle in most of Europe. Can anyone confirm? If so, maybe it should be mentioned.

I've heard many Europeans use "monocycle" to refer to a unicycle, but they were all non-native English speakers. Infotrope 23:08, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

There are many languages in Europe. "monocycle" is the french for unicycle. In german it is "einrad", in spanish it is monocyclo and in english (yes the UK is part of europe) a "unicycle". So let's not claim people in europe call it a "monocycle" --83.41.88.238 (talk) 21:07, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

History

The article currently states "The unicycle's history began before the invention of the bicycle" then goes on to explain how the unicycle developed from the bicycle. Should this be altered? —Preceding unsigned comment added by DangerLaef (talk • contribs) 02:04, 27 November 2008 (UTC)

Yes, it is pretty goofy. -AndrewDressel (talk) 18:19, 27 November 2008 (UTC)

New Picture

The first (main) picture (captioned "Unicycling - Harvard, Illinois - 2006") added by Cosmo1976 at 23:10 on 10 January 2007 does not appear to be of unicycles at all. Instead, it appears to depict two men riding Penny-farthings. Anyone have a better picture than that? -AndrewDressel 20:14, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

I apologize for the mis-identification, and appreciate the correction. Cosmo1976 17:12, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

No sweat at all. -AndrewDressel 17:57, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

However, a question comes to mind as I look over the article: The other photograph is also a Penny-Farthing. If my image of a Penny Farthing is inappropriate, isn't it inconsistent to have another image of a Penny Farthing? Cosmo1976 17:30, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

The differences are that this second, remaining image is clearly labeled as that of a Penny-farthing, and it is positioned next to the paragraph that describes the theory that unicycles evolved from Penny-farthings in order to illustrate the point. Without a good lead image that clearly shows what a unicycle looks like (a temporary situation, I hope), it is not ideal, but I believe it is appropriate. Your Penny-farthing image, if apppropriately captioned, would work just as well here, but I think two would be over-kill, given the situation. -AndrewDressel 17:57, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Wikibooks Unicyclopedia

Any guidelines on how to split or overlap the material between these two articles? -AndrewDressel 21:13, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

of course we should do it--69.134.182.42 23:43, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

Proposed WikiProject: Unicycling

I've proposed creating a new project to promote and coordinate unicycle and unicycling related articles. Please comment here. -AndrewDressel 18:39, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Seems better suited to inclusion in the cycle, would you expect more than a dozen articles? 86.12.249.63 20:42, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Leonardo Da Vinci

This is the discussion from the bicycle page. Perhaps it applies to unicycles as well.

Where is the mention of Leonardo Da Vinci in this article? Even IBM has a replica of his bike in their museum next to all the vintage computing paraphernalia. http://www.nkj.ru/en/news/5195/ —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Root Beers (talk • contribs) 12:17, 22 March 2007 (UTC).

Perhaps because it is a hoax: The Leonardo da Vinci Bicycle Hoax. -AndrewDressel 14:45, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

Separate articles for 'Unicycling' and 'Unicycle'

I am thinking about (not quite yet proposing) separating 'Unicycling' - the history, different sports, international organisation - from 'Unicycle - design/construction, different types.

The article already has separate lists of 'types of unicycles' and 'riding styles'. And 'cycling' and 'bicycle' have their own entries.

Any comments? Earthlyreason (talk) 04:21, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

Seems a bit unnecessary at this point. It hasn't grown long enough yet for the split to be useful. Nwimpney (talk) 20:07, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

So where does the Motor-Hoop belong in all this?

So where does the one-wheeled motorcycle motor-hoop fit into this series of articles?

It's much easier to just tell you to click on this link and read the article yourself:

"Speedy New Motor-Hoop Amazes Italians", Popular Science, December 1924, page 40
Scanned by Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=FSkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40

DMahalko (talk) 22:24, 5 February 2009 (UTC)

The motor-hoop as pictured on the cover of Popular Science in 1924 is a Monowheel, about which there is already an article. -AndrewDressel (talk) 23:14, 5 February 2009 (UTC)

Turning

How will a unicycle negotiate a curve? No mention in the article! --Sganesh 88 (talk) 09:33, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

Actually, there's no real explanation of how it works at all. The theory section just links to a slightly related article. A proper explanation of how it works should be added which would include turning. It'll probably be a tricky one to write though, since most people who can ride balance instinctively and their explanations of what they think they're doing aren't technically correct. Nwimpney (talk) 20:25, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

There should be an explanation. We're not talking quantum mechanics here. :) What i thought was that to go left the rider twists his upper torso along with his hands (outstretched preferably) right. So to conserve angular momentum, the lower part twists left dragging the wheel left. Steering accomplished. Watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaH1vKvVo1g Sganesh 88 (talk) 05:32, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

An explanation would be nice. However, the physics are a lot more complicated than they initally appear, and most explanations I've seen are at best incomplete, and more often incorrect. There are a lot of other how-to type websites where that kind of info can be found.

Your example, for example, is incorrect, and isn't really what the guy's doing in the example video. He's turning using 2 techniques simultaneously to make his left turns. First he's turning his torso in the direction he wants to turn(left), then he's applying a heavy force to the downward stroke of the left pedal, while simultaneously pivoting his legs to match the direction his torso was turned to.

The heavy pedal stroke simultaneously shifts the centre-of-gravity/centre-of-mass to the left (which will require/cause a left turn to prevent a fall) and applies a strong torque to the wheel, which is actually to the right of the centre of mass causing a rotation.

Turning the torso serves two purposes. The more obvious of the two is to provide an inertia to swing the lower body against (following the torso with the legs), but the more important and less obvious is that it's somewhat easier to turn the torso at the hips, and lean slightly forward (into the turn) than it is to bend the back to the left to get the same CG/CM. Of course, there's also the psychological "look where you're going" factor.

To further complicate things, very few unicyclists really understand what they're doing. It basically becomes instinct in the same way that you don't fall over when you start, stop, or turn corners when you walk.

Even most explanations of how to balance fore/aft are flawed. Lean forward to go forward, etc. This leads most beginners to lean their torsos forward, which causes their butt to go backwards with no net change of CG. More accurately, you need to shift your CG forward of the wheel's contact point to accellerate, shift it behind to decelerate (or accelerate in reverse), and keep your CG over the contact point to maintain a constant velocity. Of course, you shift your cg by adjusting your speed, not by leaning your body.

So, while I agree it's not "quantum mechanics" it is a lot more in-depth than could(or should) be explained by a short paragraph. The fact that there's more than one way to do most things makes it pretty much impossible. Nwimpney (talk) 05:17, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

I just realized the irony of giving a detailed description of how to turn as an example of why there shouldn't be a description of how to turn. ;) Nwimpney (talk) 05:20, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Turning is effectively the same as not falling over in the other (wrong) directions. So as far as general theory for riding is concerned - try this.

OK I'm feeling bold - I'm going to add this to the Article <snipped> hope that meets approval EdwardLane (talk) 15:26, 8 December 2010 (UTC)

I would really like to see a link to the countersteering wikipedia page, and also a Physics of Unicycling video that explains at least half of the basics of balancing on a unicycle: http://mit.tv/ICHbbM. Jabbott.mit (talk) 19:25, 10 November 2012 (UTC)jabbott.mit Would this video be appropriate? Would the link?

The link would only be appropriate if it merely illustrated details already provided by reliable sources. As I have stated elsewhere in the past, videos may be fine to prove that something is possible, such as riding a unicycle, but do a poor job of proving how something is possible, especially something as complicated and subtle as riding a unicycle. For example, the researchers at TU Delft have captured a lot of video of people riding bicycles in very controlled circumstances [1] and have yet to publish a paper explaining just how people ride bicycles, despite publishing quite often. -AndrewDressel (talk) 16:20, 11 November 2012 (UTC)

UNICON

Is "North shore downhill" really a type of muni riding at UNICON? Nwimpney (talk) 20:31, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

Have a look at the disciplines here http://www.unicon14.dk/gb/programme/. There is Downhill unicycling (or downhill muni) nearly every year. Northshore single track muni is often also done downhill. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.49.27.191 (talk) 12:38, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

Trials Uni, Splined hub/cranks

Splined cranks aren't really a recent development are they? Archive.org has some Unicycle.com catalog pages which list the profile splined hub in mid 2002, so it's been around at least 7 years.

Also, it says that it's a "very useful" feature without explaining how it's useful. Nwimpney (talk) 18:27, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Mounting

Methods of mounting a unicycle

There are various different methods used when mounting a unicycle. Individual opinions vary about which of these methods is easiest. Most if not all of these can be done with the assistance of a spotter or by holding a wall but can also be done as a form of 'free mount' without that assistance.

• Standing mount

Standing with the saddle between the legs, placing one foot on the lower pedal, with half the rider's weight on the pedal and half on the saddle, picking up the second foot.

• Rolling mount

Begun by walking with the saddle between the legs, and unicycle rolling slowly forward in front of the rider, then stepping onto the pedals in a fluid motion.

• Ladies mount

Similar to a standing mount, except the saddle does not start between the legs and is held facing front but with the unicycle leaning out to one side, the foot furthest from the saddle is placed on the pedal, then the leg nearest the saddle is moved forward and the saddle is placed into the correct position before the leg returns to the other pedal. This mount would allow someone wearing a medium length skirt to sit on a unicycle in a 'ladylike' manner.

• Kick mount

With the unicycle lying on the floor, step onto a pedal, putting your foot under the saddle, and kicking the saddle upward to a position where you can sit on it, then placing that foot on the remaining pedal.

• Suicide mount

Standing the unicycle (unsupported) with the pedals level (facing away from you) - and jumping into a riding position. The name for this means of mounting the unicycle derives from the inherent danger of missing either one or both pedals.

Mounting Giraffe Unicycles

Either standing on the lower pedal and jumping smoothly to the saddle. or (for taller giraffe unicycles) Standing with one foot on both the frame and the tyre (to stop it rotating), before jumping the first foot to the lower pedal and pushing off that to get to the saddle.

Please suggest improvements

Well that's an attempt at a rough section on mounting unicycles - if someone would like to suggest improvements that would be great, otherwise next time I drift past this page I may well move it into the article. EdwardLane (talk) 20:56, 15 April 2011 (UTC)

"Known in other fields" unicyclists

Hi. There are references for only a few in that long and growing list. For most, there is currently no way to verify that they are unicyclists. (BTW, is learning to ride and riding a few times enough to earn a spot on this list?) Anyways, I checked each of the supporting articles and nothing on unicycling was offered there. So as references are found, we can delete these tags. --Ds13 (talk) 03:22, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

Thinking about this section, how 'uncommon' does a thing have to be before you get a 'known in other fields' section? I'm guessing there is no list of notable bicyclists known in other fields. I think I'd suggest removing all except the known as unicyclists section. EdwardLane (talk) 08:54, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

Team sports

Unicycle quidditch has not been mentioned - though I don't know if its actually played outside the BJC ? "Unicycle Quidditch Rules". Retrieved 10 October 2011.  EdwardLane (talk) 10:37, 8 March 2012 (UTC)

BBC article

[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18215674 this might be of some interest. EdwardLane (talk) 13:05, 28 May 2012 (UTC)

24hr distance unicycle (probably not a relay) record

New World record set [2] riders covered combined distance of 2742.5 kilometres in 24hrs EdwardLane (talk) 17:20, 13 June 2012 (UTC)