This monocycle replica from 1873 is an stunning engineering and mechanical feat. Created by a spaniard using 19th Century documentation and old-style handcrafting techniques, it uses a 6.16-foot wheel, with a 238-teeth inner segment. As you can see in the gallery, the quality of his work is simply amazing.

This man from Burgos, Spain, created the whole thing by himself, casting the main bronze wheel from a carved oak model. He also used different steel alloys for different parts of the mechanism, depending on the stress they are going to suffer. The saddle's suspension bar was treated in a forge to obtain the necessary elasticity to make it work right.

The bidding starts at $13,000 and given the quality of the work, I would pay that and more (if I had the money, that is.) [eBay via Boing Boing]

8:59 AM on Wed Aug 15 2007
By Jesus Diaz
48,180 views
42 comments

Comments

Lorticon at 07:19 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Interesting Wheelie Bar attachment in the front.

Also, not sure how long tall people can avoid a potential reverse Mowhawk.
dominicthedonkey at 07:47 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

That looks exactly like the Mr. Garrison's invention on Southpark.
[www.tv.com]
PJK at 07:50 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

There is a guy who makes motorbikes like this, not nearly as pretty though. I think it was on Ripleys at some stage.
schrosa at 07:59 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

@dominicthedonkey: No, not exactly . . .
robbo at 08:16 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

@[gizmodo.com] : yeah, sure, all you need is a couple of Doc Johnsons and a bit o' lube, Mm'kay?
jrbd90 at 08:32 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Didn't General Grievous have one of these?
strider_mt2k at 08:33 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 717
Brought to you by Acura TSX

Beautiful work.

Just a stunning piece of artistic workmanship.
dgduris at 08:36 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Really beautiful, as an engineering oddity a beautiful cycle and work of art. If I had the cash I would be all over it.
Collins1990 at 08:48 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

That looks like a deathtrap.

Still beats having to deal with those airlines, though.
Geisrud at 08:54 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 87
Brought to you by Acura TSX

I was gonna build one, but this guy beat me to the plans by like 7 minutes.

Except mine would have had a sweet kickstand.
Keebler at 09:02 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

@dominicthedonkey:

Exactly what I was thinking.

"How do you steer this thing?"

Though I also have to agree with Strider and DGDuris... quite impressive.
o0adam0o at 09:16 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

This will get u all the chicks u need as an inventor.....NONE! Cuz chicks are a distraction.
AmishJohn at 09:17 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

You'd steer by leaning; just like a 'traditional' unicycle. Very beautiful; and I hope it continues to be used as intended, and doesn't end up locked away as 'Art'.
zenpoet at 09:25 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 159
Brought to you by Acura TSX

Anyone else remember the "Spiral Zone?" Yeah, me neither...
jerrt at 09:40 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

wow, i would buy one too. if i had the money.
ANoel at 09:40 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 175
Brought to you by Acura TSX

needs rollerblades for hard cornering and extreme braking - simply awesome kit.
JohnOB1 at 09:51 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Does anybody see where the sprocket is located?

If he has to stop short, that sprocket full of bicycle teeth is going to embed itself into the guy's crotch.
wezelboy at 10:00 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Buyer beware! Check for playa dust before you shell out your 13 large.
namegoeshere at 10:07 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Didn't I see this about 3 years ago? where a man invented of these in his garage? it was totally motorized and went about 60mph?

Yes, yes I did.
Silenthillnight at 10:13 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

@DominicTheDonkey

That's exactly what I thought! Although it looks way more comfortable, it doesn't have the aerodynamics and simplicity of the multiple dildo control system.
sammy baby at 10:16 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Well, better than flying.
luckypictures at 10:17 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Do you suppose it comes in pink?
kevjohn at 10:42 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

This guy is a great inventor. He reminds me of... what's the name of that other great inventor who invented crap that no one had any use for?
Hunty at 11:29 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

I'm more a fan of the v8 monocycle myself. Seems significantly more dangerous:

[video.google.com]
Hunty at 11:30 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

@kevjohn: Steve Jobs? :)
ANoel at 11:32 AM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 175
Brought to you by Acura TSX

In a word... STEAMSPUNKY!
zarchitect at 12:13 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

For 13Large I want it to play MP3s! j/k Agree with Angel - steampunkilicious!
MasterYong at 12:45 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

ummmm... anyone watch mister garrison use one of these??? Doesn't look too comfortable what with the anal controls and all.
NickFoote at 12:59 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

that spiky gear looks awful close to his family jewels, i hope he doesn't hit a curd or anything that would cause him to lurch forward into that. Other than that I would love to make one, that would be awesome.
leicaman at 01:13 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Can't wait to see Woz playing polo on one of these babies! :D
whitenerdy at 01:39 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

damn. I would give my kingdom for anything created by a spaniard.
toyotaboy at 02:16 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Why is everyone fixated on eliminating wheels? Seems to me that 4 wheels, or even 2 do just fine. If you want to reduce the contact surface area of the wheels to reduce friction, just make them bigger.
From: WWW.CORE77.COM: TRACKBACK at 02:17 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

The "penny-farthing" bicycle, with its enormous front wheel and tiny rear wheel, is a common sight in cartoon scenes parodying the absurdness of antiquity; but less well-known is this amazing early version of a monocycle, pictured above, recreated by a modern-day Spaniard using 19th century plans.
girraffesack at 02:28 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

is there video of this guy taking it off any sweet jumps?
techmuse at 05:18 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Real life steampunk. Bravo.
doinka at 05:22 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Would love to see video of this in action!
Upsilon at 06:23 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Just as long as you don't have to pilot it by sticking something up your ass (a-la Mr. Garrison), I'd try it.
MeesterBell at 10:11 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

hmmm, hamster wheel for midgets.
warkrismagic at 11:57 PM on 08/15/07
Reply by Email
*

Steamboy anyone?
gundamsdontkillpeople at 04:17 PM on 08/16/07
Reply by Email
*

Dude's got no license plate. That's a show stopper.
From: WWW.MAKEZINE.COM: TRACKBACK at 08:22 AM on 08/17/07
Reply by Email
*

You may have seen images of this gorgeously crafted "monocycle/monowheel" replica (of an 1873 French design) making its way through the series of tubes. It was for sale, briefly, on eBay (with starting bid at US$13,000).
BethanyYardley at 10:15 PM on 09/01/07
Reply by Email
*

Isn't that dodad out the front a brake? He straightens his legs or leans forward, the inner frame shifts, the thing hits the ground and the gentle curve of it means that the mono-cycle doesn't jolt, but slows to a stop.