How to ride a unicycle - 10 tips

Growing up, my sister had a unicycle. She didn't know how to ride it and neither did I. As far as we knew, it was completely impossible to ride. Fast forward about 20 years, and i now know how to ride a unicycle. I learned in about an hour. Maybe I’m more coordinated now, or maybe I have an easier time wrapping my head around the concept. Maybe I just have a longer attention span. Whatever the reason, I only learned to ride recently, so the learning process is still fresh in my mind. Here are the ten key things that I learned.
First of all, forget free mounting. That's when you try to start riding without holding on to something. This is for after you learn how to balance on a unicycle, so save it for later. Wasting your time on free mounting before you can ride will only hold you back.
Second, forget about idling. That's when you kinda rock back and forth to stand in place. I still haven't learned how to do this, but I couldn’t imagine it being the first thing I learned. Riding forwards and staying up will be your first goal.
Third, adjust the seat at a medium height, not all the way up like you would on a bike. This will allow you to move around a bit and keep your balance. It’ll also be a little easier on your-parts.
Fourth, keep the tires at a medium pressure. Of course you don't want them super mushy, but you also don't want them rock solid like a road bike. This delays the movements of the unicycle slightly and makes it easier to balance on.
Fifth, find a wide open area with something to hold on to. This hockey rink is where I learned to stay up, as there's plenty of space and a barrier for support. The space must be sufficiently large because you’re going to be going all over the place once you learn to stay up.
Sixth, scoot along a fence or wall, holding on. This helps you get comfortable sitting on the unicycle and pealing. As you scoot along, try to direct yourself away from the wall and attempt to stay up. This is something you’ll need to do repeatedly to finally learn.
Seventh, keep your eyes straight ahead. You'll have a natural tendency to look down, but that'll only make you fall down instantly. Imagine how disorienting it would be to run while looking straight down. Runners look straight ahead and so do unicyclists.
Number 8: Flail your arms around to keep your balance. Someone told me this in the comments of a video and I thought they were kidding. Your arms will be key in keeping your balance when you first start out, and as dumb as it looks, it works. As you get more comfortable you can ride along with your hands at your side, but this might take a little time.
Number 9: Lean forwards. The unicycle should be tilted in the direction you want to ride. By pedaling forwards you keep the unicycle from falling over. This takes some commitment at first, and maybe even some time to wrap your head around, but it’s the key to actually making some distance. If you throw your weight too far forwards you can always just step off on to the ground. It’s when you don’t lean forwards that you end up falling off the back and getting hurt.
Number 10: Hold your back straight. If you’re flopping around everywhere, you’re not going to be able to hold your balance. This is one of the reasons unicycling is such a good core workout. Your torso is your center of gravity, which your arms, legs, and unicycle will move around to stay balanced.
Now that you know these ten tips, you should be up and riding within an hour or two. If you practice for a while and get nowhere, put it down and try again the next day. Riding a unicycle is a matter of learning to stay up through trial and error, and then doing it enough times to burn it into your brain. Just like riding a bike, you’ll never forget how.
Check out unicycle.com

[@thesmileshow9651]

"Stay in an open space." Me: *tries to ride in my bedroom.*

[@walmar8778]

Yes

[@leigh4841]

Yup, same.

[@Sampson2012bot]

Yeah, I don't want people to see me failing over and over.

[@naomihill495]

Same

[@necc6992]

Yes

[@vuktang2277]

I learned it faster due to me riding my bike without hands, still got hit by a car

[@aidangreen6376]

0 0 F

[@MrDino-hp7fy]

Oof

[@dsadasfdsagf4351]

F

[@centreplay]

F

[@alfwar2398]

Weres the reebot card lol 🚗

[@cheems5643]

I’m learning to use one so I can fallow my friend around school in a clown outfit while honking a horn

[@charissaschoon9206]

Not juggling balls??

[@MrDino-hp7fy]

Relatable

[@jonnieasmr420]

Lol

[@nolanwattman8453]

Any update? Did you do it?

[@cheems5643]

@@nolanwattman8453 she died in a crash

[@giulianotesta1847]

2:39 Seth disappears into the horizon, dabbing all the way

[@MrLilzman8]

Guys help I’ve been unicycling all around my city and I’ve been on KZbin trying to figure out how to stop

[@leigh4841]

Some say he's still unicycling to this day.

[@wsmith4020]

Just stop peddling and let gravity do it's thing.

[@labauer5314]

@@leigh4841 you made me pee!

[@labauer5314]

@@leigh4841 im still peeing! You're a FUNNY GUY!!

[@sweettea735]

*John Smith* can you buy me a carton of milk, I ran out yesterday.

[@joku_ukko]

I got into unicycling about one week ago because this video, and now I can ride like 25 meters and ride down from a curb. Thanks for tips and this video in ceneral.

[@ChrisCoolski]

Keep going unicycling is so much fun... Learn the 36er so so much fun.

[@labauer5314]

I just got a unicycle! I'm so determined to tame this beast! I've disassembled/cut down fork & seat post, now I'm ready to start! This video is best, most motivational thing I've seen yet!

[@MannyQuacioua]

How’s your cycling going everyone?

[@wooopwopwopwwooo609]

Ur lying

[@joku_ukko]

@@wooopwopwopwwooo609 no I'm not.

[@michiel3880]

I've added some Dutch subtitles for all you Dutch people. Not sure if any of you will find it helpful, but thought I'd do it anyways as a thank you to Seth :D

[@flatgroundtv7097]

"Just riding a bike. You'll never forget it how." It can be apply to other discipline as well. Thank you for the great advice and motivation.

[@FaeriePuck]

This is such a bold-faced lie. I have logged hundreds if not thousands of hours in unicycling and after two years of no practice, I am an uncoordinated baby again.

[@asdfoifhvjbkaos]

@@FaeriePuckthat just means you're rusty

[@FaeriePuck]

@@asdfoifhvjbkaos thanks I’m sure you know better than I do

[@Yanai_H]

I just learned to ride a unicycle 2 weeks ago. You and Mike Boyd inspired me to, and these tips were really helpful. I saw that using your method of learning I progressed much quicker than everyone around me. Thanks!

[@BadIdeas101]

The most unexpected part of learning to ride a unicycle was all the comments you get from strangers and how many drunk people want to try it

[@wddub9075]

😂😂😂

[@embededfabrication4482]

I hate it, leave me alone!....no! I'm not from the circus!

[@cgraham5275]

🤣🤣

[@tecraig1]

Me looking it up while I'm drunk and my uni just a few away...

[@alwayselite3229]

Lmaooo I’m hammered and I finally just went to the block and back pretty proud while being on the potato water

[@carsonpautz7446]

0:48 dab 0:53 dab 0:57 dab 0:58 dab 1:13 dab 1:17 dab 1:23 dab 1:26 dab 1:28 dab 1:35 dab 1:37 dab 1:44 dab 1:58 first person dab 2:00 dab 2:19 dab 2:20 dab 2:23 dab 2:25 dab 2:27 dab 2:32 dab 2:34 dab 2:37 dab

[@lightningdev1]

10/10 IGN

[@samrostetter228]

Lmao I wasn't expecting that

[@davidkendall2518]

Carson Pautz now I gotta rewatch it hahah

[@ralfrufus6573]

What does "dab" mean?

[@vrsce0178]

@@ralfrufus6573 Google is your friend

[@ForbinColossus]

@2:06 your advice to not look straight down is universally true!. It especially applies to seniors who begin looking down, wary of where they step, yet become at greater risk for hip injuries from falling. Your whole life you walk by looking where youre going. So looking down at your feet at any time is unnatural and makes a fall more likely, not less.

[@kaspertanghe]

2:20 just get on the bike and dab constantly

[@kadenlacey3205]

this comment made me laugh so hard i couldn't breathe

[@carsonpautz7446]

omfg i was laughing so hard i spit out my food

[@PaintbrushSparkle70]

kasper 741 it's not a bike it's a unicycle

[@eucfng]

man, 4 years later still one of the best and informative video. Thank you for making this i will use this as a guide as i make my unicycling journey🤙

[@Smokeyx195]

check us out my guy ... KING CHARLES TROUPE

[@TheThercdriver]

The arm flailing is absolutely hilarious. Also I can barely ride single-track let alone ride a unicycle so kudos to you man!

[@owenschroeder7041]

“I learned in just one hour” I just got a uni and I have spent over 3 hours strait and still cant go 10 feet without falling

[@adamatkinson2728]

@P PA you mean the road snacks?

[@NoahThinks]

The dude’s definition of learning it, is prolly staying balanced for like 5 seconds, it took me 4 hours with no progress practicing and magically the next day I could go for abt 1 block, but ur good dw

[@littlebeef2456]

I think you just suck

[@JohnJohn-yh9hx]

I just learned unicycling in a month, my friend can go 10.5 feet atleast with some practice.

[@crosisofborg5524]

I was able to ride about a mile at the end of my first day but never learned to ride backwards or idle.

[@goodoletom_1776]

A handicap ramp works great to learn on. It has the hand rails and the downward angle that allows you sit upright. Great video!

[@Africanfrogs]

Got one when I was 11, rode it everywhere for about a month than never rode* it again

[@VccTn]

lol

[@Megamare1]

Can also hold onto a open garage door( bottom ). This helped a lot. The tire size is critical too. Small ones will be a very nimble but larger will be much more stable and easier to learn on. 🚲 🤙🏽

[@timparkin485]

Pretty much spot on.... good tips Seth. Will we be seeing more unicycling? I'd love to see you progress and even get a trials one so you can ride street too. Learning unispins, 360s, big drops and grinds is great fun and very rewarding. Everyone thinks you're insane!!!!

[@humannamedisaac6976]

I've been ridding my unicycle for like a year now and I can ride it really good and all your tips I never did.

[@markmanbeck5210]

Hey Seth I've had a unicycle for almost a year and I still can't idle so don't get discouraged if you really want to learn to idle you need to learn to ride backwards. For me idling isn't super important but I learned how to roll and hop up or down curbs and I'd love tom see you take a shot at it

[@trexinvert]

Hey I'm beginner trying to learn to roll off/hop curbs, but I figured out how to idle(without going backward...still working on that). So, the idea you need backwards to idle ain't true. Anybody can learn. Here's my tip. Most everyone free mounts 3/9 o'clock position(which...I can't do) start trying at 6/12 o'clock. This forces you to do a "half rock back" which makes you kinda idle. So, keep on doing that. Now, for specific idle practice focus on this. Weight transfer left/right. You've tried it and you should feel it's not forward/back that's issue. So "which side" do you fall? Remember it and now "lean" the opposite. Second tip, also use aggressive hip/shoulder/elbow twist action into the mix. That's how to "cheat balance". It's ugly but works(versus the nice back straight look forward hands out...you'll get to that eventually). Keep practicing. You will get it. At first you will use upper body, but later you will use hips. Why hips? It's faster/more effective. Also, it is "invisible/subtle/lightning quick" when done right. You cannot see this action when watching others idle. When you learn this it feels almost natural. So give it a try. If you are doing stunts and trying backwards you can definitely push yourself to idle. Keep on.

[@Beaks-gw2iz]

T gay

[@frankmilkovics7598]

@@Beaks-gw2iz Does that T stand for Totally? lol ,, i'm serious, does it??

[@japhethgadygarcia9277]

The scene that you fall on your back its really hurts

[@effyleven]

What a superb instructional video. Brilliant! Thank you, Seth.

[@helenecornwall9428]

Thank you soooo much! Haven't had a chance to have a go on my unicycle yet, apart from holding onto the fridge in my kitchen! I really look forward to it! H from Kent in England.

[@taiziamorris7862]

I've tried lots of videos and many techniques but this one was by far the most helpful! Thank you so much!😁😁

[@ChrisCoolski]

Great learning video tips on how to ride. Once you learn the smaller wheel move up to a 36-inch there is nothing like it.

[@Candyapplebone]

These tips are great, I'm going to send to this my friend who's still learning

[@frankzaffuto3670]

I got most of those on my own intuitively, and you're right about the flailing feeling dumb, thanks for the reminder that that's what I want to do, along with firming my core.

[@sahilraina4349]

I just love your videos man keep making great videos like these.

[@hovafl]

Every time I pic up a new toy and wanna learn a trick you recently posted a video on it. Lol 80's Babies think alike and wanna be kids forever. Great video my friend.

[@calvintrainer1212]

I bought a used unibike last week, and I haven't get around to really try it. After watching this tutorial, I definitely will try it sooner

[@fiskz]

I'll disagree with one point you can forget how. I've been relearning after thirty years. Great tips.

[@ChrisCoolski]

Nothing like riding a 36er I love unicycling the city so so much fun. Great video my man.

[@wddub9075]

Good tips. I’ve just started learning but on an improper unicycle Tip number 1 should be get a unicycle that’s right for your size. Both 1st and second ones were too short for my 6’1” frame. My legs were not extending on the down stroke.

[@timzippenfennig2892]

You are the best, riding every bike is so cool 👍

[@littlebeef2456]

This is a very good way to learn it helped me a lot

[@waltysalamander]

We want more unicycling videos, Seth!!! Seriously though, this series is one of your best.

[@GoonzyTheClown]

I just bought one. Thanks for the tips!

[@LolganSaucey]

How’s it going?

[@michaelglezer2363]

Thank you very much 9 found this very useful

[@levivangenderen5914]

Thx for the tips I have been atempting to ride a unicycle for about 2 days now ever since I watch you video I can go about 50m without falling off so I’m getting a bit better I also found out that if you lean back and fall your body always reminds you not to lean back again I found out the hard way

[@Ape88678]

Thank you now I can ride a unicycle because of your video

[@iliketowatch.]

I took unicycle lessons many years ago from a guy who used to perform in the Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Circus. He taught me many of the things that were covered in this video. These tips will get you up and riding. Great job.

[@RtB68]

well...you've inspired me. I saw one on the street today and though "I've always wanted to..." but I thought I'd check it out on KZbin first. Piece of cake. lol. The best bit is - they sell for like 20 bucks on eBay.

[@labauer5314]

Wow! Great video!

[@Dmanrocks206]

so happy this is back😇😇

[@user-gu6qb9mt2q]

HERE COMES DAT SETH!!!!!

[@trevortesluk123]

great video, thanks !!

[@bigbattenberg]

Great skill to learn next. I just got a kickbike which is an interesting new workout.

[@Macwood94]

I’ve been riding a unicycle since I was 8 (I’m 30 now) and one thing that I notice most people don’t realize is that you control your unicycle with your hips more than anything so it’s important to think about the placement of your hips and the direction your trying to go!

[@ajstordeur1857]

Well this video definitely helped because the first thing I was trying to learn was to stand stationary and get on without a wall

[@trexinvert]

Seth you don't realize it, but your prior bmx skills really helps to be able to master the unicycle. Riding bmx develops a lot of leg strength from constantly riding "off-seat". Then doing a wheelie on a bike? Well, isn't that unicycling? Thirdly, you learn not to be afraid of falling. Keep on.

[@darraghnolan7396]

I want to ride a unicycle and all these tips will help greatly when i start.

[@katedunno1230]

thanks for this video it looks really good compared to a lot of scene

[@oldschoolcuc]

What about a challenge...ride a uni with clipless pedals.

[@charissaschoon9206]

He doesn't have clips on his unicycle..

[@DaGleese]

@@charissaschoon9206 Clipless pedals are ironically named, because they actually do clip your feet to the pedal. They are called "clipless" because instead of clips over your feet they have a mount on the bottom that sticks the sole of your foot to it and you can't release your foot without twisting it inwards. On a unicycle they would probably be a nightmare.

[@Neeko_Z]

Very good info and edit.

[@mattcook6868]

I love unicycling I ride mine often but I’ve always wanted a nice mountain unicycle like that one

[@rayrous8229]

Glad I checked this out. Lower tire pressure, lower the seat, and flail my arms. I'm sure that will help.

[@fogrunr5075]

I have a 29 in inseam for my pants. My unicycle came with two posts. Because the shorter one was already on the seat I just started with that. I started at 28 to 29 in from the top of the seat to the bottom pedal. But I was struggling to have weight on the seat and not have too much weight on the pedals. So I measured the longer seatpost to have somebody cut it to give me a nice seat height range from low to well above what I knew would work. Now I'm riding comfortably with the seat at 32 in. Big difference. The other thing this helped me do was to relax my ankles and lower my heels, then I'm bringing my glutes more into play and my core muscles more into play. Much much easier. It's been two weeks and now I can go for 5 minutes with a very light touch on a low fence. Longest workout I did today was 3 miles. About the seat... It's too high when you go to push on the puddles and your feet are becoming less weighted. Lower down to where you can keep a good weight on the seat but also on the pedals and you have room to stand up on the pedals if you need to.

[@oofchan6889]

i think ur balancing looks like ur doing a dab

[@nerdexproject]

Thought the same thing! xD haha

[@ei_s-etukorttia]

i agree

[@candrewe]

Same

[@joshmead839]

same

[@joshualaity4973]

same

[@happinessisasmile]

brill advice thanks : )

[@hi_it_me_ned7163]

Omg I have been wating to sub!

[@Fredstube]

Good tips.

[@danielkroeker6019]

Great video! Was struggling trying to learn how to idle... Watched this video and could ride until I was exhausted in under an hour!

[@Smokeyx195]

no such thing as "idle" on a unicycle lol it's Called "ROCKING" just saying bro lol God Bless and check us out KING CHARLES TROUPE

[@danielkroeker6019]

@@Smokeyx195 okay my bad, that's just what he calls it in this video but thanks for the tip.

[@Smokeyx195]

@@danielkroeker6019 it's all love bro!!! Happy Holidays!

[@TheMrBlizzarz]

I learned riding unicycle couple of years ago, don't know if i could still ride it correctly or not.. Next month, i'll buy a brand new one and test it out :p I'm excited C:

[@SnazzyNaz2020]

you should do an episode on Inmotion v5f+ uniwheel, you would love it, i just picked one up!

[@roxvf]

Thank you seth you saved me from giving up again

[@nerdexproject]

Love it! :)

[@729Crew]

aye dat boi and i seen that dab when you were "flailing your arms"

[@silverisbetterthanglobalel5977]

Yay new seths bike hacks video

[@hope4ourfallen]

I found a hockey rink to practice too but the damn hockey players beat me up and i couldn't pedal away fast enough on the ice🤕😉 Good tutorial bud🙂❤

[@JFYisthebeast]

I have one and this could be helpful so I will try soon

[@ethanfletcher8841]

Cool video Seth

[@KarrierBag]

Yes you DO need to learn to rock, then you learn to go forward, ive been teaching unicycling for 30 years, the 1 BIG tip you didn't learn was this.... you stand on the pedals and only rest on the seat, you are learning to control the wheel and when you have you can put more pressure on the seat. I've taught 10s of 1000s to ride over the years.

[@WaynesStrangeBrain]

That's something I haven't heard most people say go on the seat when you start out too.

[@KarrierBag]

@@WaynesStrangeBrain the more pressure you put on the seat the less control of the wheel you have, I am not saying no pressure on the seat, just nothing like if you are on a bike for example., I actually learned to ride in a disused granite quarry in Cornwall so started 'off road' so to speak 😅 I live on a boat now and ride mine up and down the towpath 😀

[@wassy42]

This looks a great thing to learn to do, what wheel size is the best to start with? Or does wheel size make a difference?

[@Robbie-Rabbit]

I found large VERY hard to start off with. While small, trials like unicycle, has the correct thickness with the perfect grip to not slip , and as the trials bikes are for skills, the wheel is very strong and will hold your weight if you jump like a pogo stick, that can some times save you from disaster lol, and ik he says in the video idling is somthing to progress into the future to do, I also found easier to hold onto the wall and idle while holding on to the wall to get a feel how to keep the seat up and your body weight from leaning to much forward or to much backwards . Hope this helped. EVEN though it's 2 months late & Yes I'm a unicyclist.

[@philmckrackin8303]

lesson one for beginner males, keep your junk out of the way before mounting! I bought a $75.00 unicycle on ebay, Idon't know if it was because it was a cheaper one or if all seats are like that, but my first mount was almost my last... I'm glad I kept on though, I love riding that thing now

[@leadavies5169]

I’ve already learned how to do the stuff you told me my only issues is that I don’t know how to turn and I can’t go long distances. My max distance is about 40 feet.

[@HippieVeganJewslim]

Thank you, Seth. Just one question: does it matter how thick the tires are?

[@arielneri5293]

In your first video of the series, you mentioned that you wanted to see if any skill learned unicycling applies to bicycling. How was your experience with it?

[@dead_rider100]

Unicycling seems like a lot of fun. A pain in the ass to start though.

[@ChrisCoolski]

Just get on and ride. It's been 5 years are you riding now would love to know if so ride a 36-inch so so fun.

[@Finn-js1ce]

Man learning in one hour?! I ride and I teach at classes and it usually take 7 one hour classes before they are riding sorta well. The arm flailing is called swimming and it's usually a learning thing but it's a good thing

[@scottduthie2912]

I just got a simple UNI at a pawn shop for $60. Thanks for the tips!

[@ChicagoWoodsman]

I'm on day one. Thanks!!!

[@malicalex2829]

2:37 longest dab ever Legend has it he's still dabbing to this day

[@zenornot9949]

Thank You

[@MarcoProvaTutto]

Funniest video I've ever seen!!! I'll never try an unicycle, now!!!

[@frankmilkovics7598]

I once watched a video with a kid that was able to do everything and one of the things he did everyday was ride one of these, he said that it always kept him sharp, do you think its a good idea to buy one for that reason? do you think it'll help you be a better mountain bike rider? What about riding a wheelie on a bike? do any of you guys think one of these would help? will it help establish that balancing point?

[@jonaslindbergnielsen9954]

Nice video

[@jamespachebat6707]

hey seth w hen are we going to get a unicycle trials series that will be epic

[@phormynx]

Someone told me an aid to learning unicycle is to build a wheelbarrow-like contraption, like two sticks coming together with a wheel where they meet. Does that work?

[@jnoise4362]

You should try riding a unicycle clipped in.

[@michaelmcginley1875]

How to lose your front teeth 101

[@deanaustin1806]

I will do that one day good idea

[@user-rn8dq2pk6j]

GOOD VIDEO

[@MaQuGo119]

2:39 SIKEST OF DABS

[@dheeraj420]

I am going to my first mountain biking track next week.Any tips ?(love your vids BTW)

[@unos10]

elbows wide, knees bend, look straight up ahead and one finger on the breaks.. :P

[@dheeraj420]

tnx mate :D

[@user-gu6qb9mt2q]

if its DH keep your pedals level with each other so you have more clearance over rocks and stuff and also lean back and stand up if you're going over anything difficult. if its BMX then do what he says and remember not to always keep all of your weight on the pedals have fun dude!

[@dheeraj420]

tnx man :D

[@____j____a____c____k6466]

Thanks

[@magorbarocz2196]

What exactly middle position saddle means? I have my saddle on my road bike at 715 mm. Should I set the unicycle saddle at 670 or so? If it's too low you can't produce enough power. Any suggestions?

[@Niborino9409]

I'm interested in a skateboard for street travel but think this might be a better choice since I've seen there are versions with brakes and even handles.

[@kathleenselig6254]

Niborino9409 maybe not. It takes a lot more peddling than a bike because of the 1 wheel. You cant coast. if you get a bigger wheel you can go a bit further per revolution. Be careful with this choice for sure!

[@paulneri835]

Do you think this would work? I suffer from sore knees but I want to continue lawnmowing which I do a lot of (long straight stretches). I've found that cycling is a lot easier on my knees than walking. I'm toying with the idea of buying a unicycle and pushing the lawnmower. I'm thinking that hanging on to the lawnmower would give me the stability I'd need?

[@allendowe6339]

When i was little i learned by brute trial and error, i think i spent at least a month every day trying to learn whats in this video. Cant go wrong here.

[@michaeltigani9156]

Wow Seth I didn't know you were so good at dabbing

[@richardc.9054]

You kept the MOST IMPORTANT, MUST KNOW TIP! “Keep ALL of your weight in the seat...not the pedals.” Use only leg muscles to peddle. Not the weight of your body. It is astonishing u left this out as it is the seminal number one rule in unicycling.