Impossible wheel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The impossible wheel, also known as the BC wheel (after the comic strip B.C.), represents the most basic type of unicycle, consisting of a single spoked wheel with pegs extending from the axle. The rider mounts the wheel by jumping onto it while in motion or by putting one foot onto one plate or peg and pushing along like a skateboard.

This contraption has no pedals, so when the wheel's inertia runs out due to gravity and friction, the ride ends. Newer BC wheels use plates instead of pegs which drop below the axle. This makes the BC wheel easier to ride since the centre of gravity is lower.

The unicycling community favors the term BC wheel because the device is not actually impossible to ride; proficiency can be gained with a few hours of practice. It is also referred to as a "death machine" (a term coined by BC wheel pioneer Jason Carter of the freeride BCwheel team in Tempe, Arizona).

Some people are able to do tricks on BC wheels such as hopping, drops, grinds and spins.

[edit] External links

• BC Wheel on Wikibooks Unicyclopedia (Encyclopedia of Unicycling)