Penny Farthing
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
March 4, 2017 11:09pm CST
No, I'm not talking about any form of currency.
I'm talking about the Victorian Era's bicycles. I've also heard them called "Hi-wheels".
A Penny Farthing is a high wheeled bicycle with a seat and a handle bar. I'm not sure if the handle bars were always there, but I do know they added a smaller wheel to balance the bicycle better.
At any rate, there is a company here in the USA that makes replicas of this bicycle. It will set you back atleast 1200 though.
I don't know. I think they are neat. Would I want to try to ride one? Definitely. Would I want to own one? Probably not. I think I'd spend the majority of time just starting at it. Not out of fear, though the first few tries would be quite frightening. No, I'd stare at it just because of it's simple craftsmanship and antique beauty.
The other half of the time I'd spend worrying where to store the thing. Not only out of elements but also out of a thieving eyes view.
Here's the site where you can buy them. They have other models of bike, as well as original replicas for sale. I am sure there are others who specialize in older bicycles, but this is the first one I came across (on google).
www.Hiwheel.com • 510-769-0980 About RBR | Contact Us | Resources | Sizing Chart | Riding Instructions | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap Our hiwheelers come in both the Classic and the Standard models. The Classic model shown on this page i
5 people like this
5 responses
)@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Mar 17
Maybe he got it for the novelty of it?
Is it still in the family or did he sell it off?
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Mar 17
@paigea I am sure there were probably quite a few "challenges" to do with it too.
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
5 Mar 17
@ScribbledAdNauseum I can't remember when we got rid of it really. I just remember it was fun to ride and get funny reactions. Every kid in the neighbourhood tried it at some time or other.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
5 Mar 17
@ScribbledAdNauseum The handlebars are ungainly, but this was a first design attempt.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
6 Mar 17
@ScribbledAdNauseum Many amendments would be certain since it was a new concept.
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@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
6 Mar 17
@Asylum From what I just read on wikipedia, there were several amendments to the handlebar design. One that apparetly had the handlebars wrapping around the riders legs.
I don't see how that would potentially prevent a tumble over the handlebars, but I can see it preventing a thorough fall.
Open main menu a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheelFor other uses, see Penny farthing (disambiguation). A penny-farthing in the Škoda Auto Museum, Czech Republic Two men ride penny-farthings in Santa Ana, California, 188
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (148701)
• Roseburg, Oregon
5 Mar 17
The bike looks neat. But I would not want one . The wheel is very big.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Mar 17
I was wondering that myself. I think you are right, a step stool would be needed. But then, is that what they used to get on them each time? A stool? Or did they have some sort of unseen "stirrup" that would assist them?
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Mar 17
@Juliaacv Ok well I decided to find the answer. I used youtube!
This may not be how they did it in Victorian Times, but i also don't see why it wouldn't be either.
The dismount wasn't as clear as the mount. Essentially I think they stopped pedaling, let the bike slow and simply reversed their previous steps of mounting the bike.
My question now is, what if you suddenly needed to slow down? Was there any way to "brake"
@Juliaacv (56195)
• Canada
5 Mar 17
@ScribbledAdNauseum And getting off of them......how would that work? If you rode it to a destination you wouldn't necessarily have the same step stool that you used when you got onto it.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Mar 17
I love these things. No way in hell am I ever going to try and ride one. And I'm a cyclist.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Mar 17
I don't know if they have a way of "braking". That would make me nervous to ride them, most of all.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Mar 17
@ScribbledAdNauseum - Fixed gear bikes are not my thing. I admire those who ride them.
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@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 Ok you are speaking latin to me now. "Fixed gear" does that mean only one gear, or does that mean bikes with brakes and the ability to change speeds?
1 person likes this
