Riding Downhill & Using Brakes on a Unicycle - Slow your ROLL

Unicycles need hand brake since people out there are really good at unicycling on steep and uneven terrain. The more you can slow your wheel down, the more your unicycle won't get tossed from under you and send you sliding down the mountain on your butt-toboggan.
In this video we go over a little bit of riding mechanics, applying that understanding to riding downhill, and tips for using your brakes to help slow your roll.
Best of luck!
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Instagram - / thehobodan
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[@kengoold7157]

mate, you're the unicycle crash test dummy, definitely not a dummy, but you put your body through so much to bring us these videos. Another great lesson, and so well edited. I felt your pain on that fall half way through, that must have hurt, loved the brave smile through all the pain as you were clawing your way back up the hill. Great work as always Dan. Good on ya mate.

[@HoboDan]

Haha! I appreciate it. It all comes with the sport, I suppose. The good news is they’re typically at low speeds and the unicycle typically falls away from me - so it could be worse 😂. I appreciate the love, Ken. You’re the man

[@olakarerisa2582]

Love your videos! The mix of physics and good unicycle tips is awesome! 🤩 Keep up the good work.

[@HoboDan]

That really means a lot. Thank you 🙏

[@moto434]

Great video on how to use the hand brake. This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on unicycle braking techniques. Thanks for sharing your skills with us all. Now I have to go out and practice riding downhill myself. You have amazing skills and strength. 👍

[@HoboDan]

Dude, that means so much. There’s definitely a lot of people with crazier skill but thank you! I appreciate the love. I hope it’s helpful.

[@jan3195]

Another great video, Dan - thank you!

[@HoboDan]

Thank YOU!!

[@powergeit]

I have a Qu-Ax 27.5 steel frame unicycle with Magura rim brake. I have no experience with disk brake . I was wondering if you have more control on a downhill with a disc brake. it is sometimes difficult to dose with your finger on the brake lever because the pressure causes the wheel to press too much against the pads and the braking force is sometimes unpredictable, so you lose control. Greetings from Belgium

[@HoboDan]

Great question! Generally, disc brakes are the superior brake in that they have more stopping capability and they’re typically more predictable (especially if they’re hydraulic) as you mentioned. However, I’m curious if rim brakes are easier to control on a unicycle specifically because it takes a harder squeeze to stop the wheel, so the hand brake is less sensitive and you can dial in exactly how much braking power you want easier. Either way, disc brakes are *probably* the superior brake in unicycling despite potentially getting more sensitive. You probably would want more braking power when you need it rather than not having it accessible to you - and predictably (as you mentioned) is incredibly important. Belgium! Incredible. Appreciate it, man

[@powergeit]

@HoboDan yes, but you cannot mount the pads too close to the rim. otherwise the wheel will drag against it when climbing or going downhill because the wheel has play when you apply force to the pedals. so you already press the brake lever quite a bit while the pads do not yet touch the rim. and when you actually brake, you have almost fully pressed the brake lever. You can play with the pressure a bit, but it is minimal. and when going downhill it sometimes goes so fast that you don't know at what point you should brake less or just a little more. but that will probably take some time. and another thing, sometimes I don't know at what speed I should go down, my approach in my head is slowly controlled. but that is difficult because the slower you go, the more out of balance you become. but going down too quickly will also make you fly out of balance especially if it's with roots and rocks. I have often gone mountain biking in the past and this attitude is in my head. but with unicycling you actually have to have a different way of thinking and actually leave mountain biking out of your mind because you actually approach the trails in a different way. Greetz

[@HoboDan]

Yeah… what speed you go down is a little tricky for those points exactly - too slow and it’s harder to actually ride/ too fast and you’ll probably get tossed. I think this just comes with practice and getting more comfortable. But leaning back is you’re friend haha

[@cas15n]

Do you happen to know if there is a freewheel hub that would work with a Nimbus Hatchet 26 inch Muni?

[@HoboDan]

Hey! I'm unsure. I'm yet to venture into the world of freewheel unicycling but I found this thread: unicyclist.com/t/freewheel-unicycling-megathread/267800 I could imagine that if you're just buying the hub and it doesn't fit you'd just have to re-cut the spoke which is a pain but it's not a deal breaker. I found this video helpful at 5:36 to measuring hubs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ3ddqSwrs2mjsk but forgive me if you already are familiar. Hopefully this is helpful but if not, please let me know. I'm actually interested in learning how this turns out so keep me in the loop if you don't mind!

[@cas15n]

@@HoboDan thank you for the quick reply! It looks like i need a 125mm hub for my uni but all the ones i come across are 100mm.. I'll keep you updated if/when i find one that works!

[@HoboDan]

@@cas15n love it