Tricks

Street

Description

Street unicycling involves performing tricks using street furniture. This is pretty similar to what some skateboarders and BMX riders do at skateparks and/or street furniture.

Street unicycling involves tricks such as:

• Hopping
• Hop twists
• Uni spins
• Big / Small spins
• Crank flips
• Grinding

Types of Unicycle

Street unicycling typically uses a 20" trials unicycle. These unicycles are built to be stronger than ordinary (riding/learner) unicycles, and will typically have a 3" wide tyre with chunky tread for gripping circular bars/railings and other interesting terrain the rider attempts to ride on.

Competition Events

Street is a competition event during both UniNats (Australian national championships), and UniCon (international championships).

Risk Level

Street unicycling has the potential to cause more harm than most of the other forms of unicycling, as street riding involves jumping up/across street furniture, grinding down stair railings, and other interesting tricks.

Basically, the unicycle isn't always on the ground, and it isn't always a nice unhindered drop down to the ground. There might be railings, seats, lumps of concrete, and other obstacles in the way. Hence it isn't as easy to bail by simply jumping off the unicycle. I have seen a number of trials riders manage to bail by jumping, and they have landed on their feet, however, I have also seen some trials riders not land on their feet.

I would recommend talking with and observing street unicyclists before attempting it yourself.

Cost

Trials unicycles (which are also used for street unicycling) retail for around AU$300 - AU$400.

Flatlands

Description

Flatlands unicycling involves performing tricks on flat ground. These tricks generally don't involve anything other than the unicycle and the rider. Flatlands would involve tricks such as:

• Crank flips
• 180 degree hops
• 360 degree hops

Types of Unicycle

Flatlands riders typically use 20" trials unicycles.

Competition Events

Flatlands is a competition event in both UniNats (Australian national championships) and UniCon (international championships).

Risk Level

Not as bad as street unicycling, as the unicycle is pretty much either on flat ground, or not far from it (by definition of 'flatlands'). It should still be possible to bail by jumping off the unicycle, however, your main problem here is that the unicycle may get in your way.

Likely injuries would be pedal strike (the metal pedals striking your shin or the back of your legs), and any injuries caused by not landing on your feet due to the unicycle being in your way as a result of a trick going wrong. For instance, a failed 'suicide mount' -- holding the unicycle upright in front of you, reasonably balanced, then letting go of the seat post and jumping on to it before it falls over -- could hinder your ability to land on your feet (not to mention hinder certain other abilities for male riders) if the unicycle falls over before you are able to mount it.

You can get leg armour which covers the back of the legs, which would help protect against pedal strike.

Cost

Trials unicycles (which are also used for flatlands unicycling) retail for around AU$300 - AU$400.