How to Idle (Why It Matters)

Like learning how to mount and dismount gracefully, learning how to idle in a unicycle is an absolutely critical skill, as it is the jumping off point for so many other techniques, skills, and, if you will, tricks.

You need to learn to walk before you can run, so to speak, and this is one of the most fundamental skills to master. It should be one of the first you attempt to get down-pat.

So, here’s how you do it.

Notes: Make Sure Your Saddle Height Is Adjusted (Check the Seatpost Clamp)

Just a note: before attempting to mount the unicycle, make sure your saddle height is adjusted properly for comfort and control.

You should be able to move the seatpost tube up and down in the frame (thereby raising or lowering the saddle) with a simple adjustment of the seatpost clamp.

For more information on adjusting saddle height via the seatpost clamp, or how high or low it should be, please see our previous post on the subject: Adjusting Unicycle Saddle Height: What You Need to Know.

How to Idle on a Unicycle

Once you’ve got your saddle height adjusted, and are comfortable mounting and dismounting, it’s time to get on learning how to idle.

Basically, the ability to idle on a unicycle consists of coming to a stop and rocking back and forwards, under control, in a more or less static position.

A skilled rider can not only come to an idle, but come out of an idle and continue riding at will.

Pick a nice flat area - indoors on a hard surface is great. Ideally, you want something to be able to hold onto as well - a wall will work in a pinch, as will chairs or the back of a sofa. If you have nothing else, use a wall. This will provide stability and a hedge against unplanned dismounts as you learn.

Mount the unicycle, using the wall or whatever else you’re using for support, and what you want to do is rock backwards and forwards. For this you want to use your dominant foot.

Keep all the pressure on your dominant foot, to the point that, when you get comfortable idling, you should nearly be able to remove your non-dominant foot from the pedal without losing control.

While rocking the pedals back and forth, ideally, you want to move them between a 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock position, to maintain control of the unicycle. You don’t want to exaggerate the motion too heavily or at a certain point you’ll be wobbling back and forth, instead of idling properly.

When you feel comfortable, let go of your support. At first, your idles will be wide and you’ll be rocking back and forth pretty hard. You’ll probably need to use your arms to stabilize yourself, too. This is normal and expected while you’re learning.

Keep at it, and try to get your idle rocking under control until you’re not rocking back and forth dramatically. Practice, practice, practice.

For a completely detailed breakdown of how to idle on a unicycle, check out our official YouTube channel where we break this skill down to the fundamentals (Idling on a Unicycle).

Why You Need to Know How to Idle a Unicycle

While it does look cool to be able to idle on a unicycle, that’s not even half of the reason to learn how to do it.

Of course, the main thing is being able to idle gives you the ability to stop and start riding in forward or reverse at will, not to mention it gives you the ability to hover in one spot without requiring you to dismount.

In fact, idling is the segway into being able to ride backwards, or for that matter, since you should be able to idle with one foot, to be able to ride forwards with one foot, too.

But, on top of that, being able to idle on a unicycle is a fundamental skill, without which you wouldn’t be able to learn many other essential skills and tricks.

Take, for instance, wheel walking and gliding.

Wheelwalking is another unicycle skill that is more intermediate to advanced. When wheelwalking, you take your feet off the pedals and use them to directly manipulate the wheel “walking” it forward.

Gliding, on the other hand, is another skill but one in which the unicycle is allowed to coast, typically downhill, using gravity. When gliding, the rider customarily removes both feet from the pedals, places one foot on the frame, and the other on the wheel to control descent.

We also have videos for both of these skills on our YouTube channel. Check out “How to Wheelwalk a Unicycle” and “How to Do a Pull Glide” for more information.

Riding over obstacles, like a log in the trail, or learning how to hop over them, are two other skills you wouldn’t really be able to learn without knowing how to idle.

After all, the first step in riding over or hopping over any obstacle is to ride up to it, come to a standstill and assess it. You can’t do that without being able to idle (unless you dismount every time).

Again, though, before attempting any of these tricks or techniques, you should know how to freemount, ride, and then idle.

Questions? Contact Usi

Regardless of whether you’re here for unicycle parts, tools, safety gear, or just helpful information, we have your back.

If you’re just starting out, get in touch with us and we’ll offer you helpful tips and insight to make the herculean task of mastering the onewheeler just a little bit easier. We were there once and know what it takes to learn!

So, come to us with your questions about mounting, idling, wheelwalking, gliding, and hopping, and we will be more than happy to offer you advice to help you tackle those techniques with confidence.

Till then, keep at it. No skill worth having comes easy!