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Unicycling
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Unicycle

A unicycle is a one-wheeled human powered vehicle. Unicycles are similar to, but less complex than, bicycles.

Table of contents
1 Construction
2 Riding
3 History
4 Recent developments
5 Unicycle hockey
6 Variations
7 External links

Construction

Unicycles comprise a few key parts: the wheel and axle, the frame, the seat, and crankss and pedals. The wheel is the main part of the unicycle; it is essentially a bicycle wheel with a special hub so that the frame and cranks can attach to the side. Unicycles use direct drive, with the crank's rotation directly connected to that of the wheel. The frame sits above the wheel, and the seat is located on top of the frame.

Riding

Unicycles are more difficult to ride than bicycles. They require the rider to maintain balance in two dimensions rather than one, and with their slower speeds their motion has less gyroscopic assistance for maintaining stability.

Balancing a robotic unicycle forms an interesting problem in control theory.

History

Unicycles are thought to descend from the penny-farthing bicycles of the late 19th century. These bicycles had a large wheel in front, to which the pedals were attached, and a much smaller wheel behind for balance. When these bicycles hit a bump, the rear wheel would come off the ground, forcing the rider to balance on one wheel. Early unicycle photographs, which show unicycles with very large wheels, support this explanation.

Recent developments

Unicycles have traditionally had circus connotations, but in recent years unicycles have gained a following as a means of everyday transportation. Unicycling has also gained popularity as a sport. The bi-annual world championship UNICON holds Unicycle races. Riding a unicycle in off-road conditions is known as mountain unicycling, which is similar to mountain biking. In unicycle trials the unicyclist aims to negotiate a series of obstacles without any part of the rider touching the ground. Freestyle Unicycling contains a style of tricks seen in skateboarding, aggressive in-line skating, BMX, and freestyle biking including jumps, spins, and grinds.

Unicycle hockey

In the UK, Unicycle Hockey has become a small, niche sport, with 5-a-side rule (5 members on each team). Games are played at Uni meets, club meets and the British Unicycle Convention.

Variations

  • Giraffe unicycles: tall, chain-driven unicycles.
  • Mountain unicycles: unicycles made for the sport of mountain unicycling.
  • Kangaroo unicycles: unicycles with an off-center wheel and cranks that face the same direction. The rider of a kangaroo unicycle appears to be hopping about like a kangaroo, hence the name.
  • Ultimate wheel: a unicycle with no frame or seat, just a wheel, cranks, and pedals.
  • Impossible wheel: a wheel with pegs sticking out for the rider to stand on. Theoretically, this works like log-rolling.
  • Multi-wheeled unicycle: Still a unicycle since the wheels are stacked on top of each other so only one touches the ground. The wheels are linked together by chains or friction.
  • A quick list of other variations: Tandem, Recumbent, Hydraulic Giraffe, Unibike, Motorized, Suicycle
  • Monowheel (also known as a monocycle) : a large wheel in which the rider sits inside (like a hamster wheel) and either pedals an internal drive or is motorized. It is not plagued by the normal unicycle balance problems because of the greater gyroscopic properties and lower center of mass.

External links


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The Unicycle Page
The original and most comprehensive page on unicycling.
http://www.unicycling.org

Unicycling.com
Provides a variety of pictures from various unicycling meetings, as well as the pictures from the legendary Things not to do on a Unicycle series.
http://www.unicycling.com

Dustin Kelm
Three-time national, and international freestyle unicycling champion.
http://www.dustin.kelm.com/

Seth and His Unicycle
I learned to ride in 1994 on Ian's 24" Schwinn, which I borrowed while he was traveling. Now I own a Miyata Standard 24".
http://www.thehouse.org/~seth/uni/

Gilby's Unicycling Site
The homepage of unicyclist Kevin Gilbertson; contains cool unicycling T-shirts created and sold by Gilby, photographs of different unicycles such as the double wheel unicycle, and unicyclng tips.
http://www.gilby.com/unicycling/

Only 1 Wheel
How to ride, tricks, funny, links, games, guest book, chat, and photographs.
http://onlyonewheel.tripod.com/

Unicycle Frenzy - Home of Club UFT
Sydney, Australia. How to build a unicycle, learn to ride, mini giraffe, projects, united unicycles, and product test.
http://www.geocities.com/unicyclefrenzy

Wobbling Unicyclist
This site offers help and advice for unicyclists looking to learn the basics. Written and maintained by someone who was a beginner once.
http://wobbling.unicyclist.com/

uniThom
The mad unicyclist of Ann Arbor.
http://www.unithom.com/

British Unicycle Conventions
Information for British Unicycle Conventions.
http://web.onyxnet.co.uk/Roger.Davies-octacon.co.uk/

Our Uni Page
Two unicyclists in South Dakota who have gotten hooked on unicycling. Fun activities to do on a unicycle, tricks and pictures.
http://MarshT.tripod.com/

On One Wheel
A site on unicycling made by James Potter. Several tricks to try on a unicycle.
http://www31.brinkster.com/on1wheel

Creative Geckos
Offers rigid and suspension mountain unicycles.
http://www.creativegeckos.com/

Vincent's Uni and MUni Page
Vincent runs a chat room for unicyclists that is open on the weekends.
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Unicycling/

rec.sport.unicycling FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions on unicycling.
http://www.unicycling.org/unicycling/faq.html

The Unicycling Site
Unicycle and MUni pictures. Learn the basics of Unicycling plus some advanced skills. Links to other Unicycle sites. Where to buy Unicycles and Juggling Equipment.
http://www.Unicycling.net/

Ype Homebuilt Unicycle
Page showing the project, execution and pictures about a homebuilt unicycle.
http://www.ype.unicyclist.com/enindex.htm

The Unicycle Webring
Unicycle webring links great unicycle websites together.
http://p.webring.com/hub?ring=onewheel

Unicycle Maniacs
Pictures, videos, tips, and links.
http://www.unisteve.unicyclist.com/

Unicycle Community
Forums, news, chat, links, auctions, and free email.
http://www.unicyclist.com/



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