How to idle on a unicycle

A video that teaches you how to idle on a unicycle. It's best to learn to idle on either a 20" or 24" inch unicycle. It's okay to use your arms a lot, and it's best to learn along a wall or fence like I did. Learning to idle is a great prerequisite for more advanced unicycling skills. I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[@nruruguay8118]

Very nice and clear video. Thanks from a unicyclist from Uruguay.

[@charlotteczerny4347]

This video is great! Thanks, hopefully I get my idle down someday.

[@thewildjuggler]

I'm glad you liked it, Charlotte. I hope it was helpful. With enough dedication idling will become second nature to you. Have fun!

[@fogrunr5075]

I'm making great progress by blending in idling with my straight riding! I do an odd number of revs forward, then idle briefly, then move forward an odd number of revs. By doing an odd number of revs, I change my dominant foot for each idling, and it helps me get a better balance left and right. Really feel a lot more confident! Thank you!

[@thewildjuggler]

That sounds fantastic! It's great hearing that blending works for you. Great way to learn new skills in my experience. And you're welcome!

[@sop81740]

You seem to love and enjoy unicycling and you're so kind, instructive. I just started to learn how to unicycle and it's so much fun. I will keep what you taught in mind. Thank you! Have a good day:)

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you, I really appreciate your support, Irene! Take care!

[@andersisaac7511]

Pro trick: watch series on instaflixxer. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@edwinroger1718]

@Anders Isaac yup, I've been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself :)

[@luisphoenix2334]

@Anders Isaac Definitely, have been watching on instaflixxer for since november myself :)

[@datdada8563]

Being able to ride a unicycle is an awesome ability. You make it look ez riding it backwards. Thanks for the awesome video.

[@raphaelcayouette]

Great detailed tutorial. Thank you for posting. Gonna try this when the snow melts :)

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you, glad you appreciate this, Raphaël! It can take a while but learning to idle is definitely worth it.

[@jcmssm]

Very helpful. Thanks for creating and posting.

[@thewildjuggler]

You're welcome! I'm glad you liked it, Scott.

[@fogrunr5075]

Thank you so much. This is the skill I need to work on now to bridge the gap to free mounting and riding away.

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you for commenting, I'm glad you found my video helpful.

[@tinabunck5541]

Thank you this is so helpful! Been meaning to learn this for a while but didn’t really know how to practice. This video is exactly what I needed!

[@thewildjuggler]

You're welcome, Tina! I'm glad you found it helpful. One of the reasons I did my video was because the other idling videos didn't go into enough depth on the subject.

[@jco7551]

This long idle is perfect for animation reference. I'll be sure to give you credit in the work I'm doing.

[@thewildjuggler]

I hope to see this animation of yours when it's done!

[@stephanielunaa]

Dude you deserve more subs! I'm definitely recommending your channel to my peeps!

[@thewildjuggler]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it.

[@spyroxsp7068]

Thank you for the detailed and informative video - really helped me!

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you got something out of it.

[@jumpropestairs6129]

Good vid.

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful.

[@bikerdude22]

Awesome video thanks!

[@ericschweitzer7543]

awesome video man!

[@thewildjuggler]

Thanks, I'm glad you got something from it, Eric.

[@jairodavetv]

thanks

[@christophergarrettkroll8651]

Helpful video! Question: While idling, how much weight should you be putting on the pedals vs your seat?

[@thewildjuggler]

Glad you liked it! You should be putting most of your weight on the seat, only a little on the lower pedal.

[@thewildjuggler]

Hi Christopher! To answer your question from my blog (my blog is very buggy and I wasn't receiving messages until recently). 1) I don't do online coaching 2) Going from forwards from backwards can be very tricky. You may be better off going into an idle to go from backward to forward or making sure your pedals are horizontal before going forward. Also a big help to lean forward just as you're transitioning to forward. Be sure to wear a helmet and other safety gear. Good luck!

[@pchengi1786]

Thanks very much for this. It's a very clear explanation. I can already ride backwards, but I'm yet to learn to idle, and I hope your video can help me nail it. I'm learning to ride backwards and to idle on a 20", but do you think it's something one also do on a 36-er? I like the 36-er, as it's easy to ride longer distances, but I have to dismount at every stop sign or intersection, and that's annoying.

[@thewildjuggler]

You're welcome! It's impractical learning to idle on a 36-er, but you can do it if you really want to and have a lot of open space. If there is anything or anyone around while you're idling on a 36-er, you may hit it with your wheel. It's also similarly impractical to ride backwards on a 36-er due to its speed. Idling on a 36-er is also tiring and cumbersome. A 29-er is a better option for learning to idle if you want to incorporate this skill into distance riding (though it's slower than a 36-er) when you have to stop since it's smaller and more maneuverable than a 36-er. Still, it's still best to learn idling and freestyle on a 20 inch. When stopping at intersections with the 36-er you may be better off doing mini hops, or just holding onto something until you're ready to go to avoid having to dismount. Good luck!

[@pchengi1786]

@@thewildjuggler , this was today :) Many thanks for your video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJCYn4aiicieY6M

[@BennieSantiago]

i just started learning how to ride unicycle, but im using 18" inch only , is it possible for me to learn how to idle? thanks for your tutorial video.

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you! 18" is fine for learning to idle. Good luck!

[@trexinvert]

at 1:44 shouldn't you just do a simple "rock back mount"? Just step down on the pedal with all your weight? Let the unicycle rock back and forth, and let your other foot "learn" to catch it on the top? This teaches you to trust/get used to the natural pendulum stability. Also, get used to the top foot landing and immediately "pulling backwards" on the top pedal. That "rock back mount" move is already 50% of idling. Right?

[@thewildjuggler]

Hi! I could have done that and often do these days and find it the most natural way to mount and idle but this tutorial was more about idling than mounting. Still, good observation.

[@demosthenes995]

I can confidently ride my 26 in unicycle to commute and turn as much as I want, but I still can't get idling down. I'm not giving up of course, but everytime I go backward I fear of falling.

[@thewildjuggler]

A 26" unicycle is a little on the big side for idling. A 20" or 24" may be more appropriate, though a 20" is ideal for most people. I do most idling these days with my 20"; it's a struggle idling with my 29". This doesn't mean it's not possible to idle well with a 26", just that it requires more effort to get the wheel moving and will likely tire you more quickly. Also consider mixing in some backwards practice to get used to the backwards aspect of idling. Good luck!

[@demosthenes995]

@@trexinvert I've heard of cranks before, but never really knew what they do. So I'm just going to say no for now.

[@LiamS4444]

I know I'm pretty late but if you see this stay safe

[@thewildjuggler]

Thank you! And same to you, Liam!

[@miroro755]

Thank you Chris , for this great lesson of Unicycling . I just wanted to have your expert opinion : is it possible to learn riding backward before to learn idling ? For the moment I can ride all right and also I can do the free mount, I wonder whether I should learn riding backward before with a fence or learn to idle first ? Thank you very much, Louis ( France )

[@thewildjuggler]

Hi Loic! Sure you can learn to ride backwards first before idling. Whichever one feels more comfortable for you. I learned riding backwards on a fence but some people do it without the fence. Have fun!

[@RorschachB1]

How high would i need my seat post? im 5 ' 7 and i have it to hip level but ive notice i dont sit on the seat

[@thewildjuggler]

While standing off unicycle, the seat should be about belly button height or a little more or less. Whatever feels most comfortable. Your lower leg should not be stretched to the max when one pedal is in the lower position during idle, it should be slightly bent. Good luck!

[@kizzymello2366]

Seriously thought this said how to die on a unicycle But thank you

[@thewildjuggler]

Ha! Not something I specialize in.

[@kizzymello2366]

@@thewildjuggler i see that, you do very well!

[@karlao9593]

Hello! What size wheel is this?

[@thewildjuggler]

It's a 24" wheel, but I think a 20" is generally better for idling.

[@LegenDerek]

Your head stays SOO STILL!

[@lucillesilver3949]

Another unicyclist who doesn't show you anything useful; he just shows off.

[@kwombat5306]

Thank you!