Editing Unicycle (section)

==Types of unicycles==
[[File:Mountain unicycles 1448609405 be860b9a3d.jpg|thumb|upright|Off-road unicycles]]
[[File:Trial Unicycle.JPG|thumb|Trial unicycle]]

Types of unicycle include:

* [[#Freestyle unicycles|Freestyle unicycles]]
* [[unicycle trials|Trials unicycles]]
* [[mountain unicycling|Mountain unicycles]] (also called Munis)
* Giraffe unicycles
* Commuter unicycles
* Street unicycles
* Cruiser unicycles
* Road unicycles

Each type has many combinations of frame strength, wheel diameter, and crank length.

===Freestyle unicycles===
Generally used for flatland skills and freestyle routines, freestyle unicycles typically have a relatively high seatpost, a narrow saddle, and a squared fork (used for one-footed tricks). These unicycles are used similarly to flatland bicycles. Wheel size is usually {{convert|20|in|mm}}, but smaller riders may use {{convert|16|or|12|in|mm|adj=on}} unicycles. Some people prefer {{convert|24|in|mm|adj=on}} wheels. Many freestyle unicyclists will use white tires to avoid tire marks when riding indoors.

===Trials unicycles===
Designed for [[unicycle trials]], these unicycles are stronger than standard unicycles in order to withstand the stresses caused by jumping, dropping, and supporting the weight of the unicycle and rider on components such as the pedals and cranks. Many trials unicycles also have wide, {{convert|19|or|20|in|mm|abbr=off|adj=on}} knobby tires to absorb some of the impact on drops.

===Mountain unicycles ("Munis")===
[[File:Einrad mit Scheibenbremse.jpg|thumb|Muni with disc brake]]

[[Mountain unicycling]] (abbreviated to muni or mUni) consists of riding specialized unicycles on mountain bike trails or otherwise off-roading. Mountain unicycles have thicker, wider tires for better traction. Riders may occasionally lower air pressure for increased shock absorption. Many riders choose to use long cranks to increase power when riding up hills and over rough terrain. A disc brake is sometimes used for descents; the brake handle is attached to the underside of the handle on the front of the saddle.

===Touring/commuter unicycles===
[[File:36"Einrad.JPG|thumb|{{convert|36|in|mm|adj=on}} unicycle with Schlumpf gear]]
Used for long distances, these unicycles are specially made to cover distances. They have a large wheel diameter, between {{convert|26|and|36|in|mm|abbr=on}}, so more distance is covered in less pedal rotation. A {{convert|36|in|mm|adj=on}} unicycle made by the [[Coker Tire]] company started the big wheel trend.<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://blog.coker.com/index.php/2008/01/11/to-coker-is-a-verb-with-one-wheel-and-tire-on-it/#more-151
 |title        = "To Coker" is a verb with one wheel and tire on it!
 |access-date  = 2008-05-13
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080316010236/http://blog.coker.com/index.php/2008/01/11/to-coker-is-a-verb-with-one-wheel-and-tire-on-it/#more-151
 |archive-date = 2008-03-16
}}</ref> Some variations on the traditional touring unicycle include the [[Schlumpf Drive|Schlumpf]] "GUni" (geared unicycle), which uses a two-speed internal fixed-geared hub. Larger direct-drive wheels tend to have shorter cranks to allow for easier cadence and more speed. Geared wheels, with an effective diameter larger than the wheel itself, tend to use longer cranks to increase torque as they are not required to achieve such high cadences as direct-drive wheels, but demand greater force per pedal stroke.

=== Other variations ===
[[File:Edinburgh Festival 2008 -unicycle-8.jpg|thumb|upright|Giraffe unicycle]]
[[File:MalteKnapp.jpg|thumb|upright|Multi-wheeled unicycle performed by Swedish stunt artist Malte Knapp at [[Circus Circus Las Vegas]] in 2007]]
* Giraffe, a chain-driven unicycle. Use of a chain or multiple wheels in a gear-like configuration can make the unicycle much taller than standard unicycles (note that multi-wheel unicycles can be described as ''giraffes'').<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.unicycling.com/garage/multi.htm
|title=Multi Wheeled Unicycles|last=Foss|first=John|access-date=2012-06-26}}</ref> Standard unicycles don't have a chain, which limits the seat height based on how long the rider's legs are, because there the crank is attached directly to the wheel axle. Giraffe unicycles can range in heights from {{convert|3|to|10|ft|m|abbr=in|order=flip}}.
* Geared unicycle, or GUni, a unicycle whose wheel rotates faster than the pedal [[cadence (cycling)|cadence]]. They are used for distance riding and racing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicycle.uk.com/unicycle-spares/hubs-bearings/kris-holm-schlumpf-geared-unicycle-hub.html|title=Schlumpf Geared Unicycle Hub|last=Holm|first=Kris|author2=Schlumpf|access-date=2012-06-26|archive-date=2012-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130203052/http://www.unicycle.uk.com/unicycle-spares/hubs-bearings/kris-holm-schlumpf-geared-unicycle-hub.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Multi-wheeled unicycle, a unicycle with more than one wheel, stacked on top of each other so that only one wheel touches the ground (nicknamed ''stacks''). The wheels are linked together by [[bicycle chain|chain]]s or direct contact with each other.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unicycling.com/garage/multi.htm|title=Multi Wheeled Unicycles}}</ref> These unicycles can also be called ''giraffes''.
* Kangaroo unicycle, a unicycle that has both the cranks facing in the same direction. They are so named due to the hopping motion of the rider's legs, supposedly resembling the jumping of a [[kangaroo]].
* Eccentric unicycle, a unicycle that has the hub off-center in the wheel. Putting an eccentric wheel on a kangaroo unicycle can make riding easier, and the rider's motion appear more kangaroo-like.
* Ultimate wheel, a unicycle with no frame or seat, just a wheel and pedals.
* Impossible wheel, or BC wheel, a wheel with pegs or metal plates connected to the axle for the rider to stand on.<ref>{{cite news| title = Have Wheel, Will Travel| first = David K. | last = Randall| newspaper = [[New York Times]]| date = July 3, 2007| quote = a BC wheel, which is essentially a unicycle without a seat or pedals.| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/nyregion/03ink.html| accessdate = 2012-02-29}}</ref> These wheels are for coasting and jumping. A purist form of unicycle, without cranks.
* [[Monocycle]], or monowheel, a large wheel inside which the rider sits (as in a [[hamster wheel]]), either motorized or pedal-powered. The greater [[gyroscope|gyroscopic]] properties and lower [[center of mass]] make it easier to balance than a normal unicycle but less maneuverable.
* [[Self-balancing unicycle]] or [[electric unicycle]], a computer-controlled, motor-driven, self-balancing unicycle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/go/2350/|title=Embrio One-Wheel Concept|date=4 June 2004}}</ref>
* Freewheeling unicycle, a unicycle in which the hub has a [[freewheel]] mechanism, allowing the rider, to coast or move forward without pedaling, as a common bicycle does. These unicycles almost always have [[brake]]s because they cannot stop the way traditional unicycles do. The [[Brake lever#Brake levers|brake lever]] is generally mounted in the bottom of the [[saddle]]. These unicycles also cannot go backwards.
* Tandem<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite web |url=http://www.unicycling.org/btdt/unique.html |title=Been there. Done that. - Unique Unicycles |access-date=2009-06-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417232758/http://www.unicycling.org/btdt/unique.html |archive-date=2009-04-17 }}</ref>
* Recumbent<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unicycling.com/garage/recumben.htm|title=Recumbent Unicycle}}</ref>
* Hydraulic giraffe that can change in height while being ridden<ref name="Archived copy"/>