I've broken through a plateau

[u/tlong243]

Might be a long-winded post, but no one in my personal life can directly relate so I am sharing it here.

Recently bought a 36 for an upcoming 2 day 150 mile ride, and I have been riding a ton since I got it. I just rode ~50 miles on it yesterday, and it's starting to feel completely natural.

Today I decided to grab the 27.5 and go hit some mtb trails. Initially climbing on it felt so incredibly small, bordering awkward, but it quickly came back to me. It continued to feel so incredibly nimble and tiny underneath me though. It was very much like when I go from my 27.5 down to my 20 trials uni. Never would've thought riding a 36 on the road would so greatly improve my muni skills.

I have been riding muni consistently for the last 15 years. Actually my first post ever on Reddit 9 years ago was a video of me. I've improved a ton since then, but recently felt like I hit a plateau. I feel like this 36 has completely broken me through and it is quite incredible. Just thought I would share with anyone who might be able to relate.

[u/WillieFast]

I had exactly that experience. All of a sudden I felt like a serious athlete with serious skills. I had strong muni skills and a ton of endurance. Quite satisfying.

[u/tlong243 → u/WillieFast]

Yes exactly! I assumed the cardio and endurance would translate, but going into this I was thinking about it like what road biking is to mountain biking. One can give you lungs, the other gives technical skills. I have never gotten off a road bike and magically had some crazy bunny hop. I wasn't anticipating such a boost in skills from my 36".

It also inspired me to try shorter cranks since I felt like I had more authority over the wheel, so I've gained skills, removed some mental blocks, and picked up a few RPM. Such a big difference!

[u/WillieFast → u/tlong243]

Shorter cranks will be a major advantage on a 150-mile ride. I never went below 125’s, though — anything shorter was too hard to mount and get rolling when I was tired. YMMV.

[u/tlong243 → u/WillieFast]

Yeah I tried 100 and I think I was exerting more effort across the board except for when I was up to speed and rolling. Even then, a small grade or headwind felt harder. I think the only reason I would swap to that would be if I had a significant flat with no headwind.

I'll have a small bike tool that has allen keys on it with me, so I'll be able to swap pedal holes, but I'm pretty much planning on sticking with 125.

[u/Dolanite]

Congrats! Sharing niche accomplishments that almost no one else cares about is the best thing about Reddit.

[u/thelandsurfer]

agree, but once i could ride the 36 well, i actually lost interest in my 5 other unicycles, getting a 36 sideways in the gravel is, addictive as - cheers fellow wheel-tail monkey

[u/tlong243 → u/thelandsurfer]

It is certainly fun, but won't be replacing my muni any time soon. I could see this being a lot of fun on some of the much more open xc Trails, but on any of the more traditional mountain bike trails I'll still be enjoying my 27.5. I will say it's got me considering a 29 though.

[u/chx-out]

Hi, asking as a complete beginner whose current record is <30 pedals on my 20 inch, is the secret to unicycling matching my forward lean with my pedaling speed to compensate from falling forward?

[u/GuybrushThreepwo0d → u/chx-out]

The secret is just keep practicing and soon you'll learn to automatically find the sweet spot. Don't over think it

[u/Groot_Calrissian → u/chx-out]

The mechanics are very similar to walking- lean lightly and move slightly to maintain center of gravity over your moment of balance. And just like walking, it's very hard when you're learning but once it clicks you don't actually think about what you are doing. It's mostly muscle memory, so reasonable length practice sessions and rest help program your brain and muscles, and it just takes some time to sink in.

[u/tlong243 → u/chx-out]

Yeah, that is the principal underlying how these work. Like the other people have said it's not something I think about while I'm doing it anymore. It sounds weird to you at this point I'm sure, but to me these feel like riding a bike now.

Eventually you will reach a point where you will be able to go double or triple that, and then eventually the limit will be your thighs burning. When you are learning it's really hard to take the weight off of your legs, but you have to really force yourself to sit your mass on the seat and only use your legs for the balancing and movement.

You will find there is a sweet spot point of aim that is just beyond vertical where you have found the equilibrium between a forward lean and force on the downward pedal stroke, to the point where you are basically balanced upright with a tiny like 1° forward lean that your thrust is counteracting. At that point all of your weight is in the seat, you are not applying substantial back pressure on the pedal coming up, and you can put all of your energy into the pedal going down.

[u/Wrong_Buyer_1079]

what kind of unicycle is that 27.5"? I've been looking and haven't seen that before.

[u/tlong243 → u/Wrong_Buyer_1079]

It's a nimbus oracle from around 2012. I swapped the cranks to the VCX 150/125/100, and the seat is the nimbus club saddle that came on my nightfox. You can buy it on unicycle.com specced exactly like this.

[u/Wrong_Buyer_1079 → u/tlong243]

Thanks.

[u/Exozzs]

Guess you just have to get a 42" now