questions about coasting

*1.* I wouldn't say it is drastically easier if you know how to glide,
but I would suggest learning it first so you can get used to the
feeling of not pedaling. The balancing for gliding and coasting is
totally different. Gliding your weight is more shifted back like how it
is for wheel walking, and coasting you need to keep your weight
forward.

Your one foot riding needs to be very comfortable before you try
coasting. It should steady enough that it feels like your riding with
two feet (you want very even pedal strokes).

So to answer that question I would say work on both.

*2.* I cant answer this question as i have never tried coasting on
anything but a 20".

*3.* For me it is very easy to land on my feet. When you start working
on coasting you can usually tell when you are going to fall, so you can
just step/jump off. Watch what direction you fall off in so you can
either lean forward more/backward more on the next attempt.

Coasting will feel impossible at first but you just have to keep at it.
Ive been working on it on and off for last 7-8 months or so, and only
now I am feeling comfortable with it (landing them consistently). My
farthest coast so far has been around 80-90 feet (30 meters).

Another thing I would suggest is working on coasting with both feet on
the frame and with one foot extended. Try out both for a while and see
which one you like better. I prefer foot extended coasts. They are just
much easier to balance for me.

Just in case you dont know the difference between foot extended coasts
and foot in coasts, watch these videos from Leo's site:

'Coasting both feet on frame'
(http://unicyclist.org/cont/play.cfm?pi=w320240coast2ft)

'Coasting one leg extended'
(http://unicyclist.org/cont/play.cfm?pi=w320240coast1ft)

I hope this helps.

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1. is it made drastically easier by knowing how to glide...
I will assume by the question that you're wonding if you should spend
time on gliding first. If you want coasting to be easier, yes. They are
very similar.

2. does wheel size make a difference?
Also yes, but not a big difference between 20" and 24". It's more about
how solid a grip your foot/feet can get on the frame. Some frames are
better-shaped than others, even if the wheel is bigger/heavier. My best
experience was on a borrowed unicycle at Unicon VIII, with a fairly
ordinary flat-crown frame and a fat clamp with quick-release lever. My
foot locked in there so well I was able to coast over 70m in one of my
two tries for the competition.

3. is it easy to land on your feet? any tips for doing so?
Yes, and practice. I guess the most basic piece of advice is to bail
early. The earlier you bail, the less you'll fall down or get injured,
though it may slow your learning process. I think there's a correlation
between caution and "riding it out" on learning speed. I've seen some
very fast learners who just ride the unicycle right into the ground
trying to "save" things...

--
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-----------------------------------------------

"The worst thing you can do on a unicycle when you land is stop dead."
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oh, frame shape... i'd forgotten about that. i wouldn't have thought it
was about your grip. well, i just have a round-crowned 24". not too
good, then? incidentally, how important is frame shape for gliding?

i tried a couple of times to coast just there, quite timidly, and in
each case the unicycle instantly darted forwards. should i be in more
of a forward-leaning posture before starting? i do one-footed until i'm
putting practically no pressure on the pedal, then head for the crown.

--
krring
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I'm not great at coasting, but trying to coast on anything but my
flat-crown frame is really hard. I've got grip tape on the crown and
tend to 'grip' it with the soles of my feet and ankle bone to really
stick to the frame. Without a good positioning when I'm starting a
coast, I usually fall off (and jettison the unicycle at alarming rates
of speed :eek🙂 very fast.

--
flyer
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is it much easier to cost/glide on a uni with a smooth tire?

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krring said:

i just have a round-crowned 24". not too good, then? incidentally, how
important is frame shape for gliding?

For gliding, not very important, as the foot on the tire is doing most
of the work. The non-gliding foot just needs a comforable, neutral
resting place.

If you have a United-style (unicrown) fork, a simple automotive hose
clamp, with the screw on top, goes a very long way.

--
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