7 Shocking Reasons Why The Penny-Farthing Bicycle Was The Most Unusual (and Dangerous) Ride In History
The Penny-Farthing bicycle, an iconic symbol of the Victorian era, remains one of the most visually striking and mechanically bizarre inventions in the history of personal transport. Forget everything you think you know about a bicycle; the 'Ordinary'—as it was officially known—was a machine of extremes, defined by a design so unusual it prompted its own rapid extinction. As of late 2025, the fascination with this high-wheeled marvel continues, driven by enthusiasts who brave modern traffic on antique replicas, celebrating a design that was both revolutionary and inherently dangerous. This deep dive uncovers the seven core reasons why this two-wheeled giant defied convention and captured the world's attention for a fleeting, yet unforgettable, decade.
The core of the Penny-Farthing's unusual nature stems from a simple, pre-chain-drive engineering problem: how to achieve speed. The solution, which seems absurd today, was to simply make the driving wheel as large as possible. This created a host of bizarre characteristics, from its nickname—derived from the British coins, one large and one small—to its infamous tendency to pitch its rider head-first into the ground, a phenomenon known ominously as "taking a header."
The Essential Biography of the Penny-Farthing Era
The Penny-Farthing did not appear out of thin air; it was the final, high-speed evolution of earlier, less efficient designs. Its story is intrinsically linked to the pioneers who pushed the limits of early bicycle technology.
- Official Name: The Ordinary Bicycle, or High Wheel.
- Nickname Origin: Coined due to the stark difference in wheel sizes, resembling the large British penny coin and the much smaller farthing coin.
- Predecessors: The Dandy Horse (or Laufmaschine, a steerable, pedal-less machine) and the Velocipede (or "Boneshaker," which introduced pedals but had solid iron tires).
- Key Innovator (Design): Eugène Meyer (Paris, France). Meyer is often credited with creating the first true high bicycle in 1871, incorporating tension-spoked wheels.
- Key Innovator (Perfection): James Starley (Coventry, England). Starley's "Ariel" model, introduced in 1871, perfected the high-wheel design, making it commercially successful and popularizing it across Britain and the United States.
- Peak Popularity: The 1870s and 1880s.
- Successor: The Safety Bicycle, pioneered by Starley's nephew, John Kemp Starley, with the "Rove" in 1885, which featured two equally sized wheels and a chain drive.
7 Unusual Features That Defined the High-Wheeler
The Penny-Farthing’s design was a radical departure from the two-wheeled machines that came before it, and a strange ancestor to the bicycle we know today. These seven characteristics are what truly set the Ordinary apart.
1. The Extreme Disparity in Wheel Size
This is the most visually striking and unusual feature. The front wheel could range from 40 to 60 inches in diameter, while the rear wheel was typically tiny, often no more than 12 to 18 inches. This massive difference was not an aesthetic choice; it was a mechanical necessity. Since the pedals were attached directly to the front axle (the direct-drive system), the size of the wheel determined the distance traveled with each pedal rotation. A larger wheel meant higher speeds, making it significantly faster than the earlier, smaller-wheeled Velocipede.
2. The Dangerous Direct-Drive Mechanism
Unlike modern bicycles, the Penny-Farthing lacked a chain, freewheel, or any form of gearing. The pedals were fixed directly to the hub of the massive front wheel. This direct-drive system meant that the rider could not coast; the pedals were always spinning when the wheel was turning. More critically, it meant the rider had no mechanical advantage to climb hills other than sheer leg strength, and any sudden stop of the wheel—such as hitting a pothole or a stone—would immediately stop the pedals, often throwing the rider forward.
3. The Perilous Seating Position
The rider was perched directly over the massive front axle, several feet above the ground. This high center of gravity was the primary reason for the Penny-Farthing's notoriety. In a sudden stop or collision, the rider's momentum would continue forward, pivoting the entire machine around the front axle and resulting in the infamous "header." Dismounting was also a complex maneuver, requiring the rider to swing a leg over the handlebars or jump off the back. The high perch was a constant reminder of the inherent danger of the ride.
4. Total Lack of Effective Braking
Early Penny-Farthings often had a rudimentary spoon brake that pressed against the rubber tire of the front wheel, or a simple lever brake. Due to the high speed achieved by the large wheel and the high seating position, using the brake aggressively was a recipe for disaster. A sudden application of the brake could lock the front wheel, instantly pitching the rider over the handlebars. Riders often relied on slowing their pedaling or dragging their feet on the ground to stop, a testament to the machine's primitive safety features.
5. The First Use of Spoked Wheels and Solid Rubber Tires
While the design was unusual, the Penny-Farthing introduced crucial innovations. It was one of the first bicycles to utilize tension-spoked wheels, which were far lighter and stronger than the solid wooden or metal wheels of the earlier Boneshaker. Furthermore, the use of solid rubber tires, while not pneumatic (air-filled), offered a significantly smoother ride than the iron-rimmed wheels of its predecessors, giving it the nickname "Ordinary" because it was the standard, comfortable ride of the day.
6. A Status Symbol of Affluence and Masculinity
The Penny-Farthing was expensive, difficult to learn, and inherently risky to ride. Consequently, it quickly became a status symbol, primarily for young, affluent men who could afford the machine and the time to master its tricky operation. It was a sign of daring, athleticism, and wealth. The high seat offered a commanding view and an air of superiority, further cementing its role as a fashionable, yet exclusionary, piece of technology in the late 19th century.
7. Its Rapid and Complete Replacement by the 'Safety Bicycle'
Perhaps the most unusual thing about the Penny-Farthing's history is its extremely short reign. Popular for only about a decade (1870s-1880s), it was almost instantly made obsolete by the invention of the 'Safety Bicycle' in 1885. This new design featured equally sized wheels, a chain drive, and, soon after, pneumatic tires. The Safety Bicycle was cheaper, easier to ride, and far less dangerous, especially for women and older riders. The Ordinary's rapid decline demonstrates how fundamentally flawed its unusual design was in the face of superior, safer engineering.
The Modern Penny-Farthing Enthusiast in 2025
Today, the Penny-Farthing is more than a historical curiosity; it is a vibrant niche sport and a symbol of endurance. Modern enthusiasts and collectors keep the high-wheel tradition alive through various events and contemporary adaptations.
In 2025, the community remains active, participating in races and social rides that draw international crowds. Events like the annual Evandale Penny Farthing races in Tasmania, Australia, attract riders from around the globe, showcasing both restored antiques and modern replicas. These modern machines, while retaining the iconic high-wheel structure, sometimes incorporate updated materials for better performance and durability.
Recent events, such as the Guinness World Records Extravaganza planned by various cycling clubs, highlight the ongoing efforts to push the limits of this vintage design, from speed attempts to endurance challenges. Riding a Penny-Farthing in 2025, navigating modern traffic and infrastructure, is a testament to the skill and passion of these enthusiasts, who embrace the challenge of a 140-year-old mode of transport. The enduring appeal of the Ordinary bicycle proves that sometimes, the most unusual designs leave the most lasting legacy.
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