How to Buy a Unicycle

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

If you’re just diving into the world of unicycling, it can all feel a little bit overwhelming. Different sizes, brands, and types of unicycles might all sound appealing, but they aren’t all great for everyone. You can pick out the right size, type, and brand of unicycle to fit your needs today. Don’t forget your helmet!

Question 1

Question 1 of 5:
What’s the best unicycle for beginners?

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Look for a beginner or learner unicycle. Learner unicycles are usually the same as freestyle unicycles, but they have thinner tires so they’re easier to practice on. You can get them in both kid and adult sizes, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking as you learn.^{[1]
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- Beginner unicycles can be a little less sturdy than regular ones. If you want to do a ton of cool tricks and you’re worried about hurting your new unicycle, go for a freestyle one instead.
- Try to go for a unicycle that’s $100 or less when you’re first starting out. When it comes time to upgrade your unicycle, you can afford to spend more on a more specialized model.^{[2]
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Question 2

Question 2 of 5:
What style of unicycle should I buy after a beginner’s?

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First, you need to decide what kind of ride you want to have. If you’re looking to do tricks on your unicycle, go for a freestyle one, since it has slick tires to help you do tricks. If you want to jump over obstacles or onto railings, buy a trials unicycle with 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wheels. If you want to commute on your unicycle, buy a road one with thin tires. And if you’re looking to go mountain biking on your unicycle, find a muni unicycle with knobbly tires.^{[3]
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- If you’re looking for a unicycle to ride in a parade, go for a giraffe unicycle. You can get one between 4 and 8 feet (1.2 and 2.4 m) tall, and it has a skinny wheel that doesn’t take up much space.
- Most unicycles have similar seat and pedal styles, so you don't have to worry about choosing that part.

Question 3

Question 3 of 5:
How do you size a unicycle?

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Go for a 20 to 24 in (51 to 61 cm) wheel when you’re starting out. This is the easiest length to control, so it’s great for beginners. If you’re working with a 20 in (51 cm) wheel, fit it with a crank, or the part that attaches to the pedals, that’s at least 114 millimetres (4.5 in) long. For a 24 in (61 cm) wheel, fit it with a 125 mm (4.9 in) crank.^{[4]
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- If you’re buying a unicycle for a child under 7 years old, start them with a 16 in (41 cm) wheel.
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Situate the seat 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below your belly button. If your seat is too long, you can cut off some length with a pipe cutter or a saw. Detach the seat post from your wheel, then hold it steady with one hand. Mark the length you’d like to cut off with a marker, then carefully saw back and forth with your tool.
- If your seat is too short, add some height by buying a longer seat post.^{[5]
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  Research source} Seat posts are usually around $10, so you won’t have to break the bank if you need one.

Question 4

Question 4 of 5:
What’s the best unicycle brand?

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Sun, Raleigh, Club, Fun, and Nimbus are some of the most popular unicycle brands. Fun and Club unicycles have a large range for kids and beginners, while Raleigh and Nimbus are more for sport or trick unicycles. Each brand has a wide price range depending on what you’re looking for.^{[6]
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- You can look for these brands at a large online retailer like Amazon, or you can visit a unicycle-specific website, like unicycles.com, Compulsion Cycles, or Mad4One.^{[7]
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Question 5

Question 5 of 5:
Is it hard to learn how to ride the unicycle?

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It takes time, practice, and lots of falling down. As long as you get back up again, you’ll be able to master the unicycle in no time. To mount your unicycle, put the seat in between your legs, then place your dominant foot on one pedal. Hold onto a wall or a railing to steady yourself as you pick up your other foot.^{[8]
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- It might be helpful to have someone nearby in case you start to fall.
- Always wear a helmet when you unicycle. You can also put on wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads, if you want them.
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Keep your back straight and your head facing forward. Put your arms out to the side for balance, then slowly pedal forwards, moving your feet about 1/4 of a full rotation. Now you’re pedaling!^{[9]
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- If you start to lose your balance, keep your motion going forward so you can put one foot down before you fall over.