maxkan Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Looks like riding backwards may be useful in some rare situations. Is that worth learning and can you actually ride backwards? Poll: https://xoyondo.com/ap/VpWfHNDnoR3NdeC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketch Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 I think it’s worth it. I will say I couldn’t do it until I owned the Mten3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrelwood Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 I have only started to learn, but I think it has improved my balance at near-zero speeds, even when going forward. So yes, might be useful to some riders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED209 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 If you like to do tricks on the wheel or Impress with your skill level, then going backwards is a must. It always surprises people. Video credit: Dale Walker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Learning to ride backwards will definitely improve your balance skills especially when navigating slowly between pedestrians you encounter. Is it a must learn maneuver to enjoy riding an EUC? Not really. Is is addicting and fun? A Big yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nute Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 I can go backwards ... for about 1/4 of a second before my butt hits the floor. I have tried learning but never managed to crack it...yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 55 minutes ago, nute said: I can go backwards ... for about 1/4 of a second before my butt hits the floor. I have tried learning but never managed to crack it...yet. Hold onto a wall or railing when beginning to learn. Also wear a helmet. If your worried about damaging your wheel while learning the task wrap it in protective foam and/or use a tether strap tucked inside your waist. You'll find your sensory feedback and awareness will now become more focused on the subtle attitude changes that occur when you come to a full stop and then immediately initiate the reverse move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanghamP Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 I found riding backwards came naturally; I think if you spend enough time on your wheel then eventually you'll be able to ride backwards. Practicing going backwards when you're shaky going forwards is a duffer's game. I do notice, however, that I frequently "cross the controls", that is, I put in exact opposite input when going backwards, and essentially have to jump off the wheel like a scalded cat. So while I can ride backwards, it isn't 100% like riding forwards, and so I often bail. If I had to put a practical purpose to riding backwards, then I can really just think of one: the relaxed three point u-turn inside a tiny area. Doing slow (not fast) pendelums, which I do 100% of the time I ride, isn't quite riding backwards, but it probably one of the most useful skills to learn. I have not been able to put a key into a door, turn the knob, and go through the doorframe while staying on the EUC. And I've been practicing that for months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrelwood Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 10 hours ago, LanghamP said: I think if you spend enough time on your wheel then eventually you'll be able to ride backwards. Not for me... 12000km forwards and I still have to practice reversing quite a bit. 10 hours ago, LanghamP said: Practicing going backwards when you're shaky going forwards is a duffer's game. That is very true though. You have to be comfortable enough on the wheel. 10 hours ago, LanghamP said: If I had to put a practical purpose to riding backwards, then I can really just think of one: the relaxed three point u-turn inside a tiny area. My thinking exactly! My ”pendulums” and 5m reverses are still just about trying to keep upright, there’s nothing pre-determined about the direction... The thing that really helps me when reversing is to do small slalom all the time. I think it solves the issue of accidentally giving ”reversed” input for balancing, as I don’t have to think how to correct the balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyTop Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 When I first started I could ride backwards easier than forwards. I learned to ride a bicycle backwards while sitting on the handlebars when I was a kid and can still do it. The only difference is that you have to lean backwards with faith on the unicycle. My riding backwards on the unicycle has not improved all that much sense my first day though. ( maybe 50 feet with limited turning.) I guess I need to improve on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 5 hours ago, RockyTop said: My riding backwards on the unicycle has not improved all that much sense my first day though. ( maybe 50 feet with limited turning.) I guess I need to improve on that. Your doing great! Nothing shabby with a 50 feet distance. I’m sure your overall balance has increased significantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circuitmage Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I've spent a few hours on it, the most I can do is 10 or 20 feet. I think I start asking myself "Why am I going backwards" and then lose balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hsiang Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Circuitmage said: I've spent a few hours on it, the most I can do is 10 or 20 feet. I think I start asking myself "Why am I going backwards" and then lose balance. I am still learning how to ride backward, however I can rollerblade backward comfortably so I think being able to think and navigate in reverse helps. Try walking backward while looking over your shoulder, once your brain gets more comfortable with with idea of moving in reverse it'll probably be easier to learn how to ride backward. btw I took capoiera few years ago and had to learn how to manuver while looking upside down, very disorienting in the beginning but at some point it sort of just snap into place and make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasenutty Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I can ride backwards indefinitely in an open area, but I can't control my turning very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, kasenutty said: I can ride backwards indefinitely in an open area, but I can't control my turning very well. Depending on the wheel some will turn very fast in reverse making it hard to control. I find that happening on the MCM5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasenutty Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I think it's harder with the smaller wheels. My 14c is all squirrely backwards, but the 16s is much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, kasenutty said: I think it's harder with the smaller wheels. My 14c is all squirrely backwards, but the 16s is much better. Possibly. Interestingly the pint size Mten 3 makes riding backwards effortless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasenutty Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Maybe it’s motor power and stiff pedals. Hmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED209 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 @kasenutty it all comes down to skill, which I am sure you already have ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrelwood Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Rehab1 said: Possibly. Interestingly the pint size Mten 3 makes riding backwards effortless. Doesn’t the Mten3 have a wide tire? I found that while I can’t do as fast corrections when switching forward/backwards, the MSX at 3.0” doesn’t need them nearly as much as the 16S 2.5”. I’m also still an open area reverser, can’t yet look back while at it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 2 hours ago, kasenutty said: Maybe it’s motor power and stiff pedals. Hmmmm Have you tried riding the Mten 3? 1 hour ago, mrelwood said: Doesn’t the Mten3 have a wide tire? I found that while I can’t do as fast corrections when switching forward/backwards, the MSX at 3.0” doesn’t need them nearly as much as the 16S 2.5”. I’m also still an open area reverser, can’t yet look back while at it... 2.5 inch but the profile is short and squatty. Regarding looking backward try to keep your shoulders level and pointed straight ahead so they don’t twist when you rotate your head. Practice with short duration head turns and then increase the time lapse each day. It will eventually become natural. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasenutty Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 I haven’t tried an mten but I’d love to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mix Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 i can go backwards just like going forward although i have to turn my head left or right just to look at the path . I have the V8. I just ordered the mten3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxkan Posted August 10, 2018 Author Share Posted August 10, 2018 1 hour ago, mix said: i can go backwards just like going forward although i have to turn my head left or right just to look at the path . I have the V8. I just ordered the mten3. Please share your experience with mten3 vs v8. I also have v8 and considering mten3 as a second wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mix Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Don't have the mten3 yet its back ordered. Although with the V8 when I first try to learn backwards I use to spread my arms for balance and I practice by holding on to something and push myself backwards. After I learn how to go straight without falling, I practice turning on both sides. I also practice looking left and right and twist my chest a bit to look where I'm going. I practice that every morning going straight, turn on both sides without going off the EUC. I got a small bruise once with the pedals and fall once on my butt trying to learn it. Then practice going forward and backward what they call a pendulum. I don't get the pendulum perfect for long but I can do it. I just started riding the unicycle in June this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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