Awesome Unicycles

Make It Extreme has a thing for building unique single-passenger vehicles. Their latest creation is a motorized bike that rolls on a single tread. It’s powered by what appears to be a moped engine. The motor is rigged up to spin a custom-milled drive wheel that pulls the tread extracted from a car tire along a set of rollers. It’s even equipped with a full suspension.

The Veteran Sherman Max is a powerful electric unicycle that can hit speeds up to 45 mph thanks to its 2800-watt motor. The appropriately-named Joseph Sherman has put nearly 10,000 miles on his already, and shows us just how quick this thing is with some reverse POV video footage. Now, watch him race a train. (Thanks, Orion!)

It takes skill to balance on a unicycle, but even if you’re an expert, we don’t recommend using power tools at the same time. That didn’t stop Mike Taylor from weed whacking his lawn while riding on his one-wheeler. Mike’s backyard antics are contrasted by a more graceful demo by fellow unicyclist Marie Schlenker.

It’s tricky enough to balance on a unicycle, let alone jump one in the air and land back on its wheel without falling on your face. But Mike Taylor is a unicycle high jumper, and can launch his one-wheeler from the ground onto a stack of 10 shipping pallets, measuring roughly 61″ high.

This one-wheeled electric vehicle not only can ride over city streets but can handle rugged, off-road terrain. It has an air-spring suspension system with 3.3″ of vertical travel and an 18″x3″ tire for absorbing shocks. Its 2200W motor can hit speeds of 30 mph or more, and can climb angles up to 35 degrees.

Over the years, The Q has made some unique vehicles, from a walking bicycle to a cardboard F1 car. This time out, he set out to build one of those hamster wheel-inspired monowheels, primarily out of wood. We assume the long beams sticking in front of the pedal-powered wheel help act as a counterbalance.

Combine a self-balancing scooter with a unicycle and you get the Uno Bolt. It uses sensors to maintain balance and is controlled by leaning. It goes up to 22mph and lasts up to 25mi per charge. It has front and rear lights, a rear view mirror and an e-brake/reverse lever.

The idea of riding a bicycle 3400 miles across China is daunting enough, but Ed Pratt did that with one fewer wheel, and carrying his camping gear. In this video, he completes his epic journey as he approaches the Vietnam border. Check out previous episodes from his trip here.

It’s challenging enough to balance on a unicycle and ride it in a straight line, but these talented tricksters in Taiwan show that you can pull off some MacAskill-like moves even if you have just a single wheel. Shot by Kuma Films.

Focus Designs’ updated electric self-balancing unicycle offers a streamlined body, increased torque, and the ability to learn your movements and adjust to keep you upright. Goes 0-to-10mph in 3secs, with a top speed of 15mph.

Stephanie Dietze and Lutz Eichholz unicycled downhill from the Cima Ombretta Orientale, a 9,900ft. peak of the Dolomites. They make it look easy. Turn subtitles on. Image by Markus Greber.

Is there any ride that people can’t do stunts in? Watch Kevin Kartchner, Colby Thomas and their friends pull off stunts that will make your shins and crotch cringe. The latest from Devin Supertramp.

Think of it as the world’s smallest Segway – the self-balancing Solowheel can propel a rider up to 12mph, for up to an hour on a charge. It weighs just 20 pounds and can be carried anywhere.

If you thought unicycling was a dorky pursuit, watch this video featuring the amazing Max Schulze pulling off the most extreme unicycle stunts we’ve ever seen, and you’ll quickly change your mind.

RYNO Motors’ sporty self-balancing electric unicycle has a top speed of 25mph, can go 30mi in between charges, and has a max capacity of 250lbs. Its estimated retail price will be about $3,500.

Focus Designs’ SBU (Self Balancing Unicycle) gets an unofficial endorsement (and some wheeltime) from MythBuster’s Adam Savage; Adam’s analysis? “It feels like the future!”