Penny-farthing

The penny-farthing became obsolete in the late 1880s with the development of modern bicycles, which provided similar speed, via a chain-driven gear train, and comfort, from the use of pneumatic tires.

[1] In the late 1890s, the name "ordinary" began to be used, to distinguish them from the emerging safety bicycles,[6] and that term, along with "hi-wheel" and variants, are preferred by many modern enthusiasts.

[7][8] Following the popularity of the boneshaker, Eugène Meyer, a Frenchman, invented the high-wheeler bicycle design in 1869 and fashioned the wire-spoke tension wheel.

[3][4][10][11][12] In 1878, Albert Pope began manufacturing the Columbia bicycle outside Boston, starting their two-decade heyday in the United States.

[4] Eugène Meyer of Paris is now regarded as the father of the high bicycle[9] by the International Cycling History Conference in place of James Starley.

James Starley in Coventry added the tangent spokes[4] and the mounting step to his famous bicycle named "Ariel".

Ball bearings, solid rubber tires and hollow-section steel frames became standard, reducing weight and making the ride much smoother.

When the wheel strikes rocks and ruts, or under hard braking, the rider can be pitched forward off the bicycle head-first.

Riders coasting down hills often took their feet off the pedals and put them over the tops of the handlebars, so they would be pitched off feet-first instead of head-first.

[14] Penny-farthing bicycles often used similar materials and construction as earlier velocipedes: cast iron frames, solid rubber tires, and plain bearings for pedals, steering, and wheels.

For example, when cyclist Thomas Stevens rode around the world in the 1880s, he reported only one significant mechanical problem in over 20,000 kilometres (12,000 miles), caused when the local military confiscated his bicycle and damaged the front wheel.

The first was the chain drive, originally used on tricycles, allowing a gear ratio to be chosen independent of the wheel size.

[4][26] In 1888, when John Dunlop re-invented the pneumatic tire for his son's tricycle, the high wheel was made obsolete.

For instance a 5'9" cyclist due to their leg length could at best ride a 50"-54" high wheel depending on the height of the saddle.

[32] A third model, also made by Pope Manufacturing Company, weighs 49 pounds (22 kg) and has forged steel forks.

Penny-farthings are legal to ride on UK roads, but one must check the laws in the country they want to ride their penny-farthing [37] Frederick Lindley Dodds, of Stockton-on-Tees, England, is credited with having set the first hour record, covering an estimated distance of 15 miles and 1,480 yards (25.493 kms) on a high-wheeler during a race on the Fenner's Track, Cambridge University on March 25, 1876.

[38] The furthest (paced) hour record ever achieved on a penny-farthing bicycle was 22.09 miles (35.55 km) by William A. Rowe, an American, in 1886.

[39] The record for riding from Land's End to John o' Groats on a penny-farthing was set in 1886 by George Pilkington Mills with a time of five days, one hour, and 45 minutes.

[39] This was beaten by Scots cyclist Mark Beaumont at Herne Hill Velodrome on 16 June 2018 when he covered 21.92 miles (35.28 km).

[42][43] In 1884, Thomas Stevens rode a Columbia penny-farthing from San Francisco to Boston[4]—the first cyclist to cross the United States.

Tremendous feats of balance were reported, including negotiating a narrow bridge parapet and riding down the U.S. Capitol steps with the American Star Bicycle which has the small wheel in front.

In 1967 collectors and restorers of penny-farthings (and other early bicycles) founded the Wheelmen,[46] a non-profit organization "dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of American cycling".

A penny-farthing is the logo of The Village in the cult 1960s television series The Prisoner, and is also featured in the show's closing titles.