A Halfpenny-Farthing Bicycle
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382240)
Rockingham, Australia
September 9, 2017 2:18pm CST
While waiting to catch the ferry in Fishguard, Wales, we had a meal at the hotel there. Outside was this interesting cycle we promptly named the ‘halfpenny farthing’ as the front wheel wasn’t as large as a true penny-farthing.
Wikipedia tells me the penny-farthing was also known as a ‘high wheel, high wheeler and ordinary’. It has a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel and was the first machine to be called a ‘bicycle’. The term ‘penny-farthing’ seems to be have used only from about 1891 onwards. Mostly they were known as ‘bicycles’ until the late 1890s when the term ‘ordinary’ was used to distinguish them from safety bicycles.
The cranks and pedals of the penny-farthing are fixed directly to the hub. Sitting almost on top of the wheel as the rider does makes it relatively easy for him to be pitched forward over the bike should the wheel hit an obstacle of some sort.
I’m not much good on a conventional bike but hate to think what I’d be like on one of these.
17 people like this
17 responses
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
9 Sep 17
It does call itself a Penny Farthing but I agree with your reclassification! The old penny farthings didn't have luxury items like pneumatic tyres and caliper brakes (let alone on the rear wheel!). I'd have trouble with the pedals swinging about and the wheel rubbing on my legs as I turned corners!
4 people like this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
11 Sep 17
@JudyEv No, these bikes are made commercially (though probably individually and by hand - I can't imagine that they have many sales). They cost a little less than £500. The one shown below has no front brake, only one on the rear, and the frame style is a little different. The one you saw may be a different model or by a different maker but they are certainly something which one can buy from certain specialist cycle shops.
Since the wheel and the pedal cranks are fixed, you theoretically don't need a front brake because you can slow your progress by pedalling 'backwards', so to speak. Unicyclists do this all the time and I notice that the one I link to is sold by a unicycle specialist.
It's almost a unicycle! This will certainly turn a few heads. Most penny farthings don't have pneumatic tyres, the Quax penny-farthing does, this makes a great difference.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep 17
I made the name up. I should have said that in the text. 
I wouldn't attempt to ride a bike nowadays. I was never much good at it.
I wouldn't attempt to ride a bike nowadays. I was never much good at it.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
9 Sep 17
See my detailed description to Scott, in another thread. I suspect that the owner of this one pushes to get it going (one leg either side of the frame) and then leaps into the saddle, deftly connecting feet with pedals but he could mount it much as one does an ordinary (man's) bike.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43611)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Sep 17
I still have no idea how they get on and off of these things.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
9 Sep 17
I'm not sure how you'd mount the one shown but it is only a little taller than a standard bike, so I imagine that you'd put your left foot on the left pedal, push down and swing your right leg over the back. The old penny-farthings were much taller and usually had a small step at the back which you put one foot on whilst pushing off and then leap up into the saddle and catch the pedals with your feet as they came round ... quite an art!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep 17
@teamfreak16 Penny farthings belong with walking on stilts - nice to see but I wouldn't want to do it.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43611)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Sep 17
@owlwings - We have guys that ride them in all the parades here. They always look like they are having lots of fun. I think I'll stick with my mountain bike, though.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
10 Sep 17
This is a fun find. I have in the past seen a regular penny farthing ridden at a festival or two.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (59830)
• Philippines
10 Sep 17
I won't ride one of those. I'd fall for sure! 
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
9 Sep 17
Those look scary to me lol no thanks
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
10 Sep 17
My grandmother had a similar, old bicycle in her barn. Except this one had three wheels, a big wheel up front and two smaller wheels in the back. Plus, there weren't any hand brakes. You have sure seen some unique things, on your vacation!:)
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Sep 17
@JudyEv The entire framework was steel, except for a little bit of rubber around each tire.
1 person likes this
