A Couple of Things To Look for in An Extreme Mountain Unicycle

Learning to ride an extreme mountain unicycle is a great way to engage the mind and body. Like learning any new difficult skill, it will require commitment, observation, perseverance, and will couple this with athletic demands that few other sports can provide. Becoming a proficient unicyclist isn’t just taxing on the mind, it is taxing on the body.

Put away any preconceived notions you might have had about riding a unicycle. It might be obvious enough to you that it requires immense concentration and attention to balance, but it requires much more from the adept rider.

Unicyclists must be extremely strong and possess exemplary endurance in order to balance and make constant forward and rearward adjustments. It really is a full mind-body workout.

That goes for any unicycling, whether on the streets or the trails. But there is a growing community within the greater community of unicyclists dedicated to extreme mountain unicycling, also known affectionately as muni riding. If you thought that learning to ride a unicycle on flat and level terrain was enough of a challenge, just wait until you throw your hat into the muni ring.

Muni riders brave a diverse array of environments on mountain slopes, ranging from obstacles like rocks and logs to streams. The terrain is constantly shifting, which requires a keen sense of awareness and reaction. Jumping, hopping, and braking are only some of the skills that you may have to master to become a proficient muni rider. If you are interested, you’ll have to start with an extreme mountain unicycle, and here are a few things to look out for in one.

Pick Out The Right Rim
The rim of a unicycle supports the tire and is subject to some of the greatest, if not the greatest forces, of any part of an extreme mountain unicycle. So what do we mean when we say pick out the right one?

The first thing is to pick out a size that works for you. You’ll have to pick out a size that you can comfortably ride, but your personal dimensions notwithstanding, you may want to consider a model with a rim with a diameter smaller than one you would use for street riding. Balance and dexterity are more important in mountain unicycling, and you won’t need any extra diameter for long, smooth straightaways that you might experience on the road. Give us a call at 800-864-2925 and consult us about your height and inseam and we’ll help you find a size that can work for mountain unicycling.

The other thing you might want to look out for is a model with a double-wall rim. A double wall adds very little weight but quite a lot of strength, and that can make quite a difference in extreme mountain unicycling.

Consider A Round Crown
The crown is the portion of the unicycle frame where the forks intersect with the seat post. There are many options available in crowns, including square, flat and round. For example, square crowns are very popular because they enable the rider to rest his or her feet on the frame. However, square crowns have edges that can become hazardous to the rider’s knees or in the event of a fall.

Consider a round crown because it will smooth out the edges of the crown, minimizing the occurrence of painful knee strikes while still allowing the rider to rest his or her feet on the frame if that is something so desired.

Look for A Wide Tire
Most extreme mountain unicycles feature a wide tire, to begin with, but that’s something you should almost certainly look for without question. While many unicycles designed for street riding have narrower, smoother tires that can make street riding more enjoyable and faster, you won’t necessarily need these in an extreme mountain unicycle.

What you will need is a maximized amount of surface area paired with an aggressive tread so that you can maintain traction on unforgiving surfaces. If you want to perform, say, a standstill, a wider tire can make that much less demanding on you. A bigger, wider tire will have the added benefit of helping to absorb some of the shocks of riding.

Consider Frame Weight
Frame weight might be a matter of personal preference, and there are plenty of models out there with aluminum and steel frames. Steel is strong, but very heavy, while aluminum is very strong and weighs a fraction of a similar volume of steel. For that reason, many muni riders choose models with aluminum frames. It’s just one more thing to keep in mind when shopping for an extreme mountain unicycle.

We here at Unicycle.com are proud to call ourselves the authority on all things related to unicycling, so if you’re serious about investing in an extreme mountain unicycle, or just about getting into the great sport of unicycle riding, give us a call at 678-494-4962. We’d be more than happy to explore your goals and give you some helpful tips in starting out.