Learner: uni size and seat type

Find a nice neighborhood with little traffic if you can. I wouldn't
consider buying a new uni or seat until you can ride 1/2 mile or so.
That much experience will help steel your imagination about where you
want to go next. Arranging stuff on the seat, and other comfort issues
will rapidly get better by themselves. I think you are doing fine, and
need to have more fun exploring riding around your area.🙂

--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Thanks for replying. I know you get a lot of newbies here asking
questions like this. Believe me, I read a lot of them and the replies
and it helps me a lot.

I have been holding on to the fence around a tennis court, but I'm
letting go more and more. That nice neighborhood with little
traffic--I live there!🙂 I'm not quite ready for that yet. The streets
are a bit uneven and my uni-buddy said he tried it today, but it was
much harder than the court.

About the seat, I'm not worried about arranging stuff😕 ; I
don't have anything to arrange and no built-in padding whatsoever. I'm
just a very thin bony female with very sensitive skin. My seat has to
have padding or else!

--
Universal Unicorn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15518
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

If you are thin and bony try bicycling shorts with plenty of padding.
Seams in pants like jeans are a no-no. Sweat pants or shorts made from
them are pretty good, too. A good combination is thick padded bike
shorts worn without underwear and a sweat pant outer layer. By the way,
"arranging stuff" means moving your genitals out of the way and applies
primarily to males.

--
harper

-Greg Harper

*jc is the only main man. there can be no other.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
harper's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/426
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

The sweat pants sound like a great idea (if a bit hot for July). Thanks!
Essentially the b*** shorts would be my underwear. They probably cost
$$$, though. Incidentally, my uni-buddy tried b*** shorts yesterday on
the uni and they didn't work out for him at all (even without
underwear). He is a guy, though, and obviously built differently.

--
Universal Unicorn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15518
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I'm a noob as well. I just started this summer, so I know how it feels
like. At the moment my longest runs are a about a mile, but I still
can't free mount :o I'm going to tackle that next.

Universal Unicorn said:

I have been holding on to the fence around a tennis court, but I'm
letting go more and more. That nice neighborhood with little
traffic--I live there!🙂 I'm not quite ready for that yet. The streets
are a bit uneven and my uni-buddy said he tried it today, but it was
much harder than the court.

Give it a try! As soon as you can let go of the fence, wobble a couple
of yards and hop off safely, try it outside. Every time as you are done
practicing and leaving the court, grab a lamp post or a traffic sign
pole and go for it. It will feel very different from the court, but you
have to get used to it.

Otherwise you will develop a comfort zone inside the court and great
mental barrier for the outside. You won't ever feel "ready" for the big
world. This was happening to me, when I realized I have to try the
pavement someday. Should have done it way earlier. Don't worry if you
can't turn yet. Your first runs on the pavement won't be that long
anyway :p

Universal Unicorn said:

About the seat, I'm not worried about arranging stuff; I don't have
anything to arrange and no built-in padding whatsoever. I'm just a
very thin bony female with very sensitive skin. My seat has to have
padding or else!

I got a 20" no-name unicycle as a present. The seat was horrible!
Nevertheless I started with it. As soon as I was convinced I just might
be able learn this unicycling thing, I ordered a longer seatpost and a
Kris Holm Fusion Freeride Saddle. That was what the salesperson
recommended as a most comfortable seat at the moment. It feels sooo
much better! I have never tried (or even seen) and air seat, though.

Now I have also a 26" uni wich came with a Viscount saddle, but I like
the KH so much better I switched the KH on the 26" and the Viscount to
the 20" uni. (I am still practising new stuff on the 20". The 26" uni
feels like a freight train compared to the 20".) I have now three
saddles and I can tell the saddle does make a difference.

You might also want to read
http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60936

--
petri
------------------------------------------------------------------------
petri's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15522
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Being able to ride a mile after a few months is great! We have been at
it a lot longer and are nowhere near that point. I'll tell the story
here sometime.

As far as learning is concerned, my current barrier is a pair of bad
habits I have to get rid of. One is not enough weight on the seat. The
other is not being forward enough. I guess these are common for
beginners. Even if I can start out okay, I always slip into those and
can't get back. The good thing is that I know these are my problems and
the other good thing is I now can detect the moment I lose either or
both of these. The tennis court fence is helpful in case I get off to
a bad start, so I can restart easily. Once I get consistently able to
do 3 to 4 revolutions without my bad habits, I should be able to
control them well enough to just ride away from the fence. I did 4 once
and boy did it feel good!

I doubt the "real world" would be much harder for me, once I'm at that
point, but my friend should heed your advice. He can ride great across
the tennis court, but if he goes over a dip, crack or tiny pebble he
falls off.

Regarding the seat issue, thanks for the link to the other thread. I
actually had started to read it a while back, but they kind of went off
on a tangent. I went back and read it more carefully and here is what
I learned.

1. The seat can be tilted. I didn't know that before. I looked under
it and the bolts attach to the seat not through holes, but slots. It
came from the store with the front tilted all the way down. I'll try a
different position and see what happens.

2. People need to be more specific with their seat complaints.
Everyone has different issues, and therefore there is no universal
solution. My pain comes from where the edges of the seat press into
the crease at the top of my legs. It is a very sensitive area for me
and the bone presses me hard into the hard seat edge.

3. People offering solutions need to qualify them with at minimum their
gender, since their priorities seem to vary a great deal. Ideally,
they should state clearly what problem their solution is intened to
solve and how it does solve it.

I think a padded seat may help me a lot. This is only becoming a
problem now because I'm learning to actually put my weight on it.

I still don't know whether it would be a plus or a minus to upgrade to
a bigger and better unicycle at this point.

--
Universal Unicorn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15518
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Don't worry too much about putting weight on the seat, yes it is
important and is something that you will eventually need to do, but as
a fairly new rider (6 months) I found it pretty much comes by just
riding alot. The more comfortable I got riding, the more weight I put
on the seat. Like most everything in this sport, it seems impossible
at first, but with practice it becomes doable, then with more practice
it becomes second nature.

--
anton005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
anton005's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14941
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

anton005 said:

Don't worry too much about putting weight on the seat, yes it is
important and is something that you will eventually need to do, but as
a fairly new rider (6 months) I found it pretty much comes by just
riding alot. The more comfortable I got riding, the more weight I put
on the seat. Like most everything in this sport, it seems impossible
at first, but with practice it becomes doable, then with more practice
it becomes second nature.

I'd have to agree with this. I'm still struggling to get all my weight
in the seat, but it is getting better the more I ride. The runs are
getting longer and more comfortable. I've been riding for a little over
a month. Today I am absolutely knackered after going for a rad 1 1/2hr
ride yesterday 🙂

--
JohnnyReggae
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JohnnyReggae's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15061
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Don't fret. I am maybe four months old at unicycling now, and I can ride
like no other. Can't really do tricks just yet, but i can free mount
and longest ride to date is about 5.5 miles.

I upgraded once I knew I could ride decently to a Nimbus II. It made a
HUGE difference from the no-name uni I was riding. I had to get a new
seat, the free style. But as far as upgrading, I would upgrade as soon
as you think you need to.

And get away from the fence! I learned how to ride by pushing myself
off a basketball post time and time again. Eventually (two weeks) I was
able to ride a decent amount, and got out in the real world. It truly
is a different world from the courts, but boy is it fun!!

Rubix

--
Rubix

Unicycle
Not just for clowns anymore!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubix's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14793
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Universal Unicorn said:

Being able to ride a mile after a few months is great! We have been at
it a lot longer and are nowhere near that point.

Thanks! I thought everybody else learned it in hours or days max! I am
old and slow to learn, but I am also stubborn. I like to call it
determination, though.

Universal Unicorn said:

As far as learning is concerned, my current barrier is a pair of bad
habits I have to get rid of. One is not enough weight on the seat. The
other is not being forward enough.

I practiced sitting on the seat in a standstill or supported idling. I
just sat there holding on a post and concentrated on putting my weight
on the saddle. When I felt relaxed I pushed off and did a few
revolutions trying to stay relaxed and sit down. When I go through my
UPDs, the most common reason is to not sit in. Very soon after I start
taking my weight off I UPD. For some reason that happens when I am
getting exhausted, although it is much less tiring to sit in.

I was leaning too much forward. I was pedalling like crazy just to keep
up. Only recently have I been able to slow down a bit. The idea of
falling backwards just doesn't tempt me at all. I still unmount in
front of the uni, need to practice that as well.

Universal Unicorn said:

The tennis court fence is helpful in case I get off to a bad start, so I
can restart easily.

Does your court have a door narrow enough for you to hold both hands?
(I read somebody used a phone booth.) I found it best to start through
a narrow opening, where I can balance myself exactly, push some initial
momentum and start pedalling in the open without obstructions. I didn't
mind walking back a long way after a successful run, I was smiling all
the way 🙂 Mark the spot where you UPD so you can monitor your
progress. When you are no longer reaching the previous mark, it is time
to take a break or call it a day. (...And if you are leaving the court,
remember to give it a try on the pavement!)

Universal Unicorn said:

He can ride great across the tennis court, but if he goes over a dip,
crack or tiny pebble he falls off.

That's when you need to get your weight briefly off the saddle! It also
helps to lower the pressure in the tire. You can practice "muni" in the
court by using some scrap as obstacles. Or you might want to use a
piece of soft rope to run over.

Keep it up!

--
petri
------------------------------------------------------------------------
petri's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15522
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Weight on the seat not that important? Then why oh why do my knees
hurt? I have never, ever had any trouble with my knees (they are like
steel and I baby them) until just a few weeks ago as I started to
practice hard almost daily. Nothing else had changed (in my life), so
I assumed it was because I keep standing on the pedals. When I ride
with sore knees, the more weight that gets distributed on the seat, the
less my knees hurt. Also, a while back I kept getting stuck with one
pedal up and one down. More weight on the seat solved that problem
right away. I think there is a minimum amount that makes it work well
(and saves knees) and I'm trying to get to that point- and stay
there-.

Right now I'm taking a few days off and resting so my knees can
recover.🙁 One day on and three days off will make learning take
forever. I'm not kidding. At my age and this rate, I just won't live
long enough to learn this.🙂

Quoted message said:

Thanks! I thought everybody else learned it in hours or days max! I am
old and slow to learn, but I am also stubborn. I like to call it
determination, though.

Don't let people give you that impression. We have now totally
rejected the idea that it takes 10 hours or whatever because we are on
our way to setting a new kind of record😉 Setting an expected learning
time just causes people to give up. We won't, but there must be a lot
of people who got frustrated and gave up when it didn't come in a week
or so.

Quoted message said:

I practiced sitting on the seat in a standstill or supported idling. I
just sat there holding on a post and concentrated on putting my weight
on the saddle. When I felt relaxed I pushed off and did a few
revolutions trying to stay relaxed and sit down. When I go through my
UPDs, the most common reason is to not sit in. Very soon after I start
taking my weight off I UPD. For some reason that happens when I am
getting exhausted, although it is much less tiring to sit in.

Pretty much the same here, except I'm taking that weight off pretty
quickly, usually. *That* is the thing I must change. When I fix that,
watch out!

There is a place where the fence just ends and it is open. If I start
about 10 feet before that, and I can get that far ok, then I just keep
going in the open.

Oh, and I don't need to mark distances, because I naturally count pedal
steps (I can't help it, actually). So I know exactly when I'm getting
better or worse.
I tried to get my buddy to mark his progress, but he rejected the idea
for some reason.

Quoted message said:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Universal Unicorn
He can ride great across the tennis court, but if he goes over a dip,
crack or tiny pebble he falls off.

That's when you need to get your weight briefly off the saddle! It also
helps to lower the pressure in the tire. You can practice "muni" in the
court by using some scrap as obstacles. Or you might want to use a
piece of soft rope to run over.

That makes sense. I think I'll be good at that part, but my
buddy...I'll suggest the rope idea and watch him go

:eek:

--
Universal Unicorn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15518
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Universal Unicorn said:

Weight on the seat not that important? Then why oh why do my knees
hurt? I have never, ever had any trouble with my knees (they are like
steel and I baby them) until just a few weeks ago as I started to
practice hard almost daily. Nothing else had changed (in my life), so
I assumed it was because I keep standing on the pedals.

I found weight on the seat to be important. When I finally sat down I
doubled my record instantly. It is still my main cause for UPDs.
Somebody recommended one third on the saddle and the other thirds on
the pedals. I can't estimate my distribution though. I just try to sit
down.

I've never had any problem with my knees, not even now when unicycling.
It is my thighs that are killing me. The reason is my leaning forward,
so I have to pedal like a madman to not fall forward. My thighs are
growing stronger, though, and I am learning to slow down :o

How about changing your foot position a little? It might change the
stress on your knee. By nature I walk toes slightly outwards. That made
my heels grab the cranks (I've never noticed this on a bike), so I had
to turn my toes in for unicycling. It was very difficult to change the
position, it was like starting from zero again. You might also try to
move your foot a little forward or back on the pedal (half an inch is
plenty). The pedal should still be under the ball of the foot, so don't
exaggerate.

Universal Unicorn said:

At my age and this rate, I just won't live long enough to learn this.

This thought crossed my mind as well 😄

Universal Unicorn said:

I'm taking that weight off pretty quickly, usually. *That* is the thing
I must change.

If you try my exercise, try concentrating on your weight on the saddle
and relax. Keep holding the support until you are feeling comfortable
on the seat. Then try supported idling. When you let go of the support,
pedal only as long as you are relaxed. Don't try to break any record.
Make up your mind that you'll stop if you are getting tensioned.

Universal Unicorn said:

There is a place where the fence just ends and it is open. If I start
about 10 feet before that, and I can get that far ok, then I just keep
going in the open.

Could it be that you are still leaning on the fence? Between two
supports I can check that I only hold the supports by fingertips and
equal pressure. That way I start well balanced.

Unicycling (like many other things) is mental to a high degree. Just
knowing there is no fence may cause you to fall. The first couple of
times I tried to run over a piece of cardboard or a twig, I UPDd five
yards in front of it. Just for the thought of it.

--
petri
------------------------------------------------------------------------
petri's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15522
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I will agree that learning is mostly mental. You have a crutch (the
fence) and might be afraid to get away from it. Leave the crutch behind
and start unicycling! You can also try to mount up holding on to the
tennis net posts. This way, you have to get out there and pedal. That's
how I learned, I jsut shoved off and rode till I managed to get it
solid.

Also, make sure your seat is high enough. I had this problem when I
first started out. It killed me legs till someone here told me to make
sure my seat was just below my belly button. It made a HGUE difference,
and made getting my weight on the seat so much easier.

As far as your knees, i'm gonna bet you have them at an angle they
aren't use to being. In due time, it will sort itself out you won't
hardly notice it. Once you get riding down, learning to turn and ride
over bumps will be fun. All I will say on turning is swivel at the
waist on the way you want to turn.

Don't give up, check your seat height, and get rid of the crutch. In
due time, you will be on the mean streets of (your town here) making
people throw tasteless unicycle jokes your way!!

Rubix

--
Rubix

Unicycle
Not just for clowns anymore!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubix's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14793
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

petri said:

Thanks! I thought everybody else learned it in hours or days max! I am
old and slow to learn, but I am also stubborn. I like to call it
determination, though.

From my unicycling website, specifically from the 'Tips for Beginners '
(http://www.xs4all.nl/~klaasbil/uni_beginners.htm)page, you can
download a spreadsheet that will calculate how long it will take you to
learn riding, depending on age, sex, wheel size etc. In fact, it
doesn't give a single expected time but a probability histogram. That
should prevent Universal Unicorn to give up as per her last post above.
:-)

--
Klaas Bil
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Klaas Bil's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3442
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I started out with a no name unicycle in my backyard on the patio which
is very small. After about a month of trying to go from one end to the
next I gave up. But about five months later summer came along and I
went out in the street to try once more. Didn't hold onto anything and
just tried to freemount and three days later I was cruising everywhere.
I've taught two of my friends to ride with this method and they can
both ride fairly good now. When your practicing my advice to you is
when you feel like giving up keep going until you get one good run and
then you stop. Good Luck, and keep riding!

--
littleman
------------------------------------------------------------------------
littleman's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15401
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

petri said:

I found weight on the seat to be important. When I finally sat down I
doubled my record instantly. It is still my main cause for UPDs.
Somebody recommended one third on the saddle and the other thirds on
the pedals. I can't estimate my distribution though. I just try to sit
down.

Keeping your weight in the seat is very important. I never heard of the
1/3 - 2/3 ratio. When you go over bumps, you will lift yourself out of
the seat slightly to compensate, but your weight should be in the seat
most of the time. It's a lot easier on your knees. Once your balance
develops, you will do it without thinking about it.

--tom

--
tomkarches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tomkarches's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12418
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

littleman said:

I started out with a no name unicycle in my backyard on the patio which
is very small. After about a month of trying to go from one end to the
next I gave up. But about five months later summer came along and I
went out in the street to try once more. Didn't hold onto anything and
just tried to freemount and three days later I was cruising everywhere.
I've taught two of my friends to ride with this method and they can
both ride fairly good now. When your practicing my advice to you is
when you feel like giving up keep going until you get one good run and
then you stop. Good Luck, and keep riding!

Not to discourage you, but I found it important to limit my daily
practicing as I was learning. Early on, after about 30 minutes I was so
tired that it was pointless to continue. I rode every day though. I'm
46 and started learning last year. If you are younger, you might be
able to have longer sessions.

--tom

--
tomkarches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tomkarches's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12418
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

tomkarches said:

When you go over bumps, you will lift yourself out of the seat slightly
to compensate, but your weight should be in the seat most of the time.

That is good advice for beginner riders. But once you master basic
riding, it depends on riding style. Especially for trials and technical
MUni, your weight is not much on the seat.

--
Klaas Bil
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Klaas Bil's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3442
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63050

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com