Looking Back (Fondly): These Are The Innovations That Have Changed Unicycle Riding for the Better

As in every industry, there are technological innovations and just plain cool ideas that, while not categorically representative of technological improvement, revolutionize the way we do what we do.

Unicycling is no different. Even though we’ve reduced the machinations of the wheeled device to the bare fundamentals in this sport, there are still ideas that come along that completely change the way we ride.

Having been the preeminent authority in this field for several decades, and seen what has come about in unicycles and odd bikes, we feel uniquely positioned to reflect on some of the greatest of these.

So here they are the top developments that have forever changed the course of unicycle riding for the better.

1.The ISIS Hub

Back in the day, unicycle riding was more or less defined by the stone-age implements and features of BMX technology. You practically needed a sledgehammer to remove your crank arms.

Things have come a long way, especially with the development and implementation of splined hubs - specifically ISIS hubs.

Though ISIS hubs were actually developed for the bike industry but have since been adopted by unicycle manufacturers.

Basically, the ISIS hub interface improved the standard at the time by creating a hollow, splined spindle that was lighter and stronger, than its predecessors, and much stronger than a cotterless hub designed for square taper cranks.

The difference between, say, a 19mm solid racing hub and a hollow chromoly ISIS hub is night and day. The splined hub is not only lighter and stronger, but there is also more surface area in contact between the spindle and hub axle, creating a much more solid juncture between the two.

The ISIS hub created an entirely new standard that you can see today in the highest-quality unicycles on the market.

While some beginner and affordable unicycles still have square taper cranks, higher-end models tend to be made with ISIS hubs that are stronger, lighter, and more tolerant of hard use, making them better for mountain riding, trick riding, and touring.

2. Disk Brakes

Disk brakes represent another huge improvement in the history of unicycle technology.

Where can we even start with the enumeration of benefits that these confer? They are enormously superior to hydraulic rim brakes.

First, hydraulic rim brakes heat up substantially, which can be a big problem when descending a grade. When the brake and rim heat up, the brake can get gummy and sticky, causing it to arrest the motion of the wheel in a jerky, pulsating fashion. If the brake grabs and holds, it can cause you to pitch forward off the unicycle, which can be dangerous.

Also, if the rim gets too hot (which often happens with hydraulic rim brakes) it can actually cause damage to the rim-tire interface, creating a greater risk of blowouts.

By contrast, disk brakes offer greater mechanical advantage. To put it generally, since a disk brake is lower on the frame, you have more control over the unicycle, whereas a rim brake has more leverage over you.

For instance, if rim brake grabs, it’s much harder for you to autocorrect. If a disk brake grabs, it has less leverage to pull you forward.

Moreover, disk brakes are less affected by adverse conditions. For example, when it’s raining, if the rim is wet, you lose about 40% of your braking efficiency with a rim brake; disk brakes only lose about 7% of their advantage in similar conditions.

Ultimately, like ISIS hubs, disk brakes have been a very welcome innovation in the world of unicycling, and carry significant mechanical advantages for the rider.

3. Handle Systems

All in all, the inclusion of handle systems, which you can see on some Kris Holm and Nimbus unicycles, gives the rider greater control over the unicycle.

Handle systems not only provide greater leverage over the wheel, but they also provide a potential attachment point for bags and other accessories, leaving your hands free.

Even for riders that don’t use their unicycle’s handle systems for accessories or control, handle systems are a big bonus because, quite frankly, they simply give you a place to rest your hands.

Hanging your arms out to the side gets tiring, and often, sooner rather than later. Resting your hands on the handles takes weight not only off your arms and shoulders but off your seat as well.

So, ultimately, you can ride longer and will become fatigued less quickly.

4.The 32” Tire

While the 32-inch tire is not a technological innovation in the same sense as some of the others featured here, it has still brought a welcome change to the sport.

This is a wheel size that the unicycle world more or less pioneered, and the bike industry is still discovering. In a nutshell, it was a bike company by the name of Kent created a bike with a 32” tire; but a unicyclist saw it, thought, “I want that,” and the rest is history.

The 32” tire carries less rotational mass than a 36”, which makes it easier to start and stop and more agile as well. The 32” is faster than the 29”, but much more responsive than the 36”.

With a 36” on a crowded street, it can feel like you’re a bull in a china shop, or like you’re driving an 18-wheeler instead of a passenger car; you need to relearn accelerating, braking, and maneuvering. With the 32”,  these factors are less significant.

That is, there’s less of a delay in all aspects of riding a 32” unicycle, and less relearning you’ll need to do.

We covered the virtues of the 32” unicycle at length, previously. For a more detailed overview, take a look at our blog, A Vindication of 32-Inch Tires.

Make the Most of These Technological Improvements Today

These are some of the top innovations that have driven the most significant changes in unicycling. Fortunately, if you’re just getting into the sport, you can reap the benefits with which experience has blessed us.

Whether you’re looking at getting a clown circus bike, a mountain unicycle, or a beginner one-wheeler, keep these features in mind.

For instance, while many beginner unicycles are still made with square taper cranks, you can still find quality one-wheelers on our site with ISIS hubs and the other features mentioned here.

Take a look through our catalog and if you have any questions, get in touch with us!