Learning to ride a unicycle might be tough, but it still isn’t rocket science. Keeping a few fundamentals in mind, here’s just about what you need to know, at least to get started.
Adjusting Saddle Height
First, make sure you have a unicycle that is appropriately sized for your measurements. Your inseam measurements are the primary determinant of this; for more information and a detailed breakdown of sizing, visit Unicycle.com.
Within reason, you can also adjust the saddle height to get a fit by loosening the bike seatpost clamp that secures the tube, then adjusting the tube up and down. You want the height such that you can comfortably sit in the saddle, with your knees still slightly bent with your pedal all the way at the bottom of the wheel.
Getting the right height is important as, if the saddle is too high or too low, the wrong posture will make learning to ride much more difficult than it needs to be.
Another note: when you’re starting out, you should wear a helmet, close-toed shoes, wrist guards, and if you want extra protection, knee and elbow pads. The vast majority of unicycle falls result in the rider landing on their feet, with no injuries – but we call it an “unplanned dismount” for a reason; scrapes can and do manifest.
How to Mount
Learning to mount a unicycle is one of the most basic skills of all. To do so, stand with both feet flat on the ground and the unicycle in front of you.
Hold the saddle between your legs, so that the unicycle’s wheel is angled under you and slightly away from you.
Walk forward until one of the pedals is in the 4 o’clock position; then step onto the rearmost pedal. If you step onto the forward pedal, you’ll pull the unicycle out and away from you.
Stepping onto the rear pedal will bring the saddle in closer to you; grab something nearby for support, and as you step up, the wheel will rotate, bringing the other pedal up to the 12 o’clock position.
You can now step onto this pedal and will be on the saddle with the wheel underneath you.
Where to Learn
Now that you know (at least in theory) how to mount a unicycle, you need to know some safe(ish) areas where you can learn to ride.
The best place to learn, if you can find one, is a narrow hallway with a smooth floor and a handrail on each side. Ideally the hallway should be narrow enough that you can reach both walls with your hands.
Another great place to learn is outside along a fence, assuming the ground is flat and even. When you’re learning, you’ll ideally want to be on a smooth, level, paved surface. A grade and bumps will work against you.
You can use the fence on one side to help stabilize you as you learn the ropes.
Here for a Unicycle, Parts or Tools?
Whether you need a new unicycle or want to swap out the bike seatpost clamp that’s on it, get what you need at Unicycle.com (link above). They carry a wide variety of unicycle parts and tools, along with the expertise needed to make basic upgrades.
