When you think of unicycling you may think of people riding on a tightrope in the circus. Or you may think of me, the campus unicycle guy, riding past on my green unicycle. But not everybody gets to see what a unicyclist can really do unless they’ve had the opportunity to spot me practicing some tricks in my free time. This page will briefly explain the different disciplines of unicycling and show some examples of them.

Road/Commuting/Touring

This style of unicycling encompasses all forms of long distance road unicycling. These unicycles typically have a large wheel so as to increase speed and distance per pedal rotation. Long distance unicycles are sometimes fitted with handlebars and a place to mount cargo for long trips.

A long distance unicycle fitted with cargo and handlebars

Freestyle

Freestyle is the oldest discipline of unicycling, consisting of a smoother, more flowing strings of tricks. It is commonly practiced as part of individual, partner and group routines, often performed at competitions. Freestyle is almost always done on unicycles with 20″ tires, short cranks and a white tire that won’t mark gym floors.

An example of freestyle

Muni

Muni, short for Mountain Unicycling, is exactly what it sounds like. It is the equivalent of mountain biking, but on a unicycle. Muni riders ride through rough terrain, take drops, and ride over naturally occurring obstacles. Muni riders typically ride unicycles with wheels of larger diameter (typically 24″, 26″, 29″) and thickness.

An example of muni

Urban

Urban unicycling is a term used to describe 3 similar disciplines of unicycling. All subsets of urban unicycling are typically done on unicycles with thick 20″ tires and durable but lightweight parts.

Trials

The goal of trials unicycling is to clear obstacles or sets of obstacles, called lines. A line is cleared by jumping across gaps, onto and off of platforms, across rails and over any other obstacles riders can think of.

An example of a rider clearing a trials line

Flatland

In flatland unicycling, riders perform tricks on flat ground. Flatland tricks typically consist of unispins, crankflips and rolls. These tricks are stringed together to make combos. In competition, riders battle against each other, 1 on 1, attempting to perform the most difficult, stylish combos.

An example of a flatland combo

Street

Street unicycling is a combination of trials and flatland unicycling. Street unicycling includes doing trips onto, off of and across obstacles and includes many aspects of trials and flatland unicycling as well as some other skills such as grinding rails and catching tricks in the air.

An example of a street line including a grind