What Do You Call a Bicycle with One Wheel?

The Answer to the Riddle

You call it a unicycle. That's it. That's the joke.

But here's the thing — most people who ask this question already know the punchline. What they actually want to know is what a unicycle actually is, why anyone would ride one, and whether there's more to the "one wheel" concept than a simple punchline.

Let's dig into it.

What Is a Unicycle?

A unicycle is a single-wheeled vehicle powered by the rider's pedaling. No training wheels. No stabilizers. Just you, a seat, and one spinning wheel fighting you for balance every second you're on it.

The basic structure includes:

• A wheel (usually 16-24 inches in diameter for standard unicycles)
• A fork that holds the wheel
• A seat post connecting the fork to your seat
• Pedals attached directly to the wheel axle

That's it. No gears, no chain tensioners, no complicated brake systems. Just raw, minimalist engineering that makes falling over feel inevitable.

The History of One-Wheeled Vehicles

Unicycles didn't appear out of nowhere. They evolved from the penny-farthing — the iconic Victorian-era bicycle with a massive front wheel and a tiny rear wheel. Those things were dangerous as hell. People fell off them constantly and cracked their skulls.

The penny-farthing's design forced riders into a high position, which meant falls often ended badly. When the safety bicycle

Unicycles came along as a natural offshoot. Circus performers picked them up because they were cheap, portable, and looked ridiculous enough to entertain crowds. The modern unicycle emerged in the early 1900s and has stayed largely unchanged since.

Types of One-Wheelers

Not all one-wheeled vehicles are created equal. Here's what you're actually dealing with:

Standard Unicycle

The basic model. Used for commuting, circus acts, and learning. Typically has a 20-inch wheel. Low to the ground, which means falls aren't catastrophic.

Trials Unicycle

Built for jumping off curbs and climbing obstacles. Reinforced frame, thick tire, designed to take serious abuse. If you see someone hop a unicycle onto a concrete block, this is what they're riding.

Touring/Giraffe Unicycle

Has an extended frame with multiple gears or chains to increase wheel size. Some giraffe unicycles have wheels over 3 feet in diameter. They look absurd. They also go fast as hell.

Muni (Mountain Unicycle)

Built for off-road riding. Fat tires, strong frames, disc brakes. Mountain unicycling is a real sport with its own competitions and communities.

Onewheel

This is where the concept gets modern. The Onewheel is a self-balancing electric board with a single fat tire underneath. You stand on it, lean forward to accelerate, lean back to brake. It uses gyroscopic sensors to keep you upright.

It's technically not a unicycle in the traditional sense — there's no pedaling involved and it balances itself. But it answers the same basic question: what happens when you put all your eggs in one wheel?

Monowheel

A large wheel you sit inside. The rider's legs wrap around the wheel's interior. These were popular in the early 20th century and have seen recent revivals in DIY electric versions. They're terrifying and awesome in equal measure.

Comparison: Standard Unicycle vs. Onewheel vs. Monowheel

How to Get Started on a Unicycle

Let's be real: learning to ride a unicycle is brutal. Most people quit within the first week. Here's what actually works:

Step 1: Get the Right Equipment

Don't cheap out completely, but you don't need a $400 trials unicycle either. A basic 20-inch unicycle in the $150 range will do. Nimbus and Kris Holm make reliable starter models.

Step 2: Find a Wall or Rail to Hold Onto

You'll need something stable to grab while you figure out the mounting process. A wall works. A friend who doesn't mind standing there while you flail works better.

Step 3: Learn to Mount First

Don't even worry about riding yet. Just practice getting on the unicycle without falling. Hold the wall, step on one pedal, swing your other leg over, and stand up. Repeat until it's not terrifying.

Step 4: Practice Idle Riding

Once mounted, practice staying still. Pedal forward slightly, then back. Get a feel for how the wheel responds. This is where most people give up. Don't.

Step 5: Let Go and Glide

After a few sessions of idle practice, try letting go of your support for 2-3 seconds at a time. You'll fall. Accept it. Wear knee pads.

Step 6: Actually Ride

Once you can glide for a few seconds, start pedaling forward with purpose. Keep your eyes up, not on your feet. Look where you want to go, not at the wheel.

Realistic timeline: Most people need 5-10 sessions to ride even 50 feet. Plan for a month of consistent practice before you can ride comfortably.

Why Would Anyone Do This?

Good question. Here's the honest answer from actual unicyclists:

• It's a conversation starter. People notice you immediately.
• It builds core strength and balance faster than any gym exercise.
• It's genuinely fun once you get past the falling stage.
• It's a skill that impresses people at parties (or confuses them, which is better).
• It's absurd and some people are just drawn to absurd things.

There's also a practical element. Unicycles fit in car trunks, on buses, and in apartments. They're lighter than bikes. You can't coast on them, which means you're always getting exercise.

The Bottom Line

You call a bicycle with one wheel a unicycle. But the real answer is more interesting than that.

One-wheeled vehicles span centuries, from Victorian circus acts to modern electric boards. They test your patience, destroy your ego, and eventually reward you with a skill most people will never have.

If you want to try one, buy a cheap unicycle, find a grassy field, and accept that you're going to fall on your ass for a while. That's the deal. Nobody said it would be easy.