Important Notes for Unicycle Weight (and Price)

Over the years, we’ve found that a lot of adult male customers visit our site looking for the cheapest beginner unicycle that can handle their weight. The thing is, there’s a limit to what our unicycles can handle, and part of what limits the weight is the design of the rim, hub and the type of crank arms that are used.

For instance, many beginner unicycles, which are more affordable, are made with square taper cranks, hubs, and singlewall rims. The problem here is that square taper cranks can’t handle the same loads as splined cranks like ISIS cranks, and singlewall rims are not nearly as strong as doublewall rims.

It gets complicated when you factor in price, because splined cranks and thicker, stronger rims cost more money. But there is a happy middle ground as long as you know what you’re shopping for and can understand the details. So let’s take a closer look at this. 

How Much Weight Can My Unicycle Handle?

One of the most affordable unicycles in our collection (that an adult can ride) is the Club 26”. At under $200, it’s reasonably priced and large enough for most adult riders, even beginners, since it’s sized appropriately for most people with an inseam length of 29”.

The thing is, though this is a good sized unicycle for beginners, especially most adult males, it has a weight limit of 200 pounds. The next thing is that most people considering this as a first unicycle are males who weigh 240 pounds or more. 

Now, technically, the components from which these unicycles are made are tested to 250 pounds, but we recommend no more than 200. The higher limit assumes perfect conditions and not mishaps. Hopping or running roughly into a curb with a higher weight in the saddle puts far more force on the rim and cranks than you’d reasonably like to, and damage runs a much higher risk under those loads. 

Guys that weigh approximately 200 pounds can get away with riding this cycle, but it’s imperative that they’re careful doing so. Just riding on a flat, level surface like a road, and at a reasonable speed (not trying to push anything) is the only way it will make sense.

Also, hopping, freestyle, and tricks are out of the question. If you want to get a unicycle of this size and price and weigh close to 200 pounds, you need to take it easy. There are more robust mountain unicycles you can get that will be more accommodating of rough riding, but the Club 26” is not one of them.

Some riders are looking at the Club 24” as a beginner unicycle instead for the same reasons. It is affordable and the right size, especially for a shorter rider. The thing to keep in mind here is that even though it is more affordable, the same concerns prevail. However, the smaller wheel size does make it better for shorter riders, and it makes it a little more agile as well. 

Plus, the 24” wheel size is, as we say, the jack of all trades and the master of none. There is a lot you can do with this wheel size besides race. It’s nimble and handles well, and you can do tricks with it, too. It’s just not good at attaining a high top speed. Otherwise, it’s a good wheel size for a beginner and versatile enough to fill a role even after you’ve mastered the art of riding a single wheel cycle.

Now, if you weigh more than 200 pounds or you intend to ride a little harder or put the unicycle through the motions, a better option of the same size is the Nimbus II 26”. It’s going to cost more, but it has much more robust construction, with a doublewall rim that’s much better suited to hard use, along with ISIS cranks that can also put up with heavier forces. 

The drawback of the larger wheel (in the case of either the Club 26” or the Nimbus II 26”) is that it’s hard to do tricks like juggle, because the unicycle is just a bit too fast, and most riders will outpedal what they throw. Otherwise, any of these can make a good beginner unicycle considering the competitive prices - assuming the rider is of the proper weight. 

Rim Considerations 

Just for general observations, we want to go back to the importance of rim construction here. Unicycle rims are commonly made from aluminum and are either singlewall or doublewall. Singlewall rims are cheaper to make but they are not as tolerant of abuse, and riders should not attempt to hop with them. Therefore, regardless of the weight limit, if you know you are going to put your unicycle through motions a model with a doublewall rim is a better choice. 

Square Taper Cranks and Weight Limit

You should also consider crank type. Square taper cranks, also known as cotterless cranks, are common on beginner unicycles and cheap unicycles because they are affordable to make. When installed properly, they can handle up to 250 pounds, but if they are installed incorrectly or ever work loose even a little bit, you can deform them and you will need to replace them. 

The Risks of Hopping

Lastly, we need to note the importance of weight limit and hopping. Even if you are well within the weight limit of the unicycle, hopping puts a lot of pressure on the cranks and rim. What’s important to note here is that even if you think you won’t hop, sometimes you’ll get yourself in a situation where you accidentally do, or in which you incur stresses on the unicycle that are analogous to hopping, even if accidentally. If that happens you could damage your cranks or rim. So, the takeaways are there: honor the weight limits and don’t abuse your unicycle.

Not Sure? Don’t Guess, Contact Us! 

If you aren’t sure what beginner unicycle to buy, don’t gamble or guess. Get in touch with us and we’ll make a personalized recommendation based on your height, weight, price considerations, and what riding discipline you expect to pursue.