Penny farthing

[sidevalve]

A simple question, has anybody actually ridden one ? Saw an episode of "american pickers" and watched the guy ride one around so it just got me wondering what they really are like to ride.
There was also a type with the small wheel at the front,anybody seen one of these or is that just a strange american developement ?

 

[Canrider]

I haven't, but there are people here who have...I'm sure someone'll be along shortly.

 

[ianrauk]

Charlotte, sometimes of this forum but mainly of the other sometimes rides a Penny Farthing on the FNRttC's. She has also done the Dunwich Dynamo, as this video shows.

 

[Hilldodger]

Yep, owned one for 10 years. raced, toured and commuted on it. Fab machines but you need a lot of confidence and they are hard on the knees.

Currently building a batch for sale.

 

[HovR]

Charlotte, sometimes of this forum but mainly of the other sometimes rides a Penny Farthing on the FNRttC's. She has also done the Dunwich Dynamo, as this video shows.

Thanks for posting this video, it's a good watch. Love the guys reaction at the end.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Chapeau Charlotte!

Wouldn't fancy having a clipless moment on one though...

 

[ianrauk]

There is also a chap who rides a Penny on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally every year.

 

[Teuchter]

That video was great, always wondered how mounting and dismounting a penny farthing was done. The question that did strike me watching it was where do you get tyres for those things?

 

[Hilldodger]

That video was great, always wondered how mounting and dismounting a penny farthing was done. The question that did strike me watching it was where do you get tyres for those things?

You buy a very expensive roll of it from a place in Manchester.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

The ones with the small wheel at the front as mentioned earlier were an attempt at the time to make cycling a bit safer and were not exclusively an U.S. feature AFAIK.

The 'Safety Bicycle' et all followed soon after that anyway, rendering them obsolete.

 

[TheDoctor]

To answer the OP - they're not too tricky to ride. The steering is incredibly direct and as the bars turn, so do the pedals! That feels a bit odd. Plus, there's the whole long-way-up thing. Getting on is not difficult, but dismounting is somewhat awkward IME.
None the less, I've shown dozens of people how to ride one.

 

[Chris-H]

After watching the vid i really want one,wonder if i can get one on the c2w

 

[TheDoctor]

36" wheel one for £365 here.
No connection, but I have ridden one of those and they're quite nice.
There's also a 27" one here, but 27" is a bit low to be practical transport.
Still a fun ride, but getting towards a PFSO, if there is such a thing...

 

[Chris-H]

36" wheel one for £365 here.
No connection, but I have ridden one of those and they're quite nice.
There's also a 27" one here, but 27" is a bit low to be practical transport.
Still a fun ride, but getting towards a PFSO, if there is such a thing...

I saw a very similar one on ebay too,how bit were the original wheels any idea?

 

[TheDoctor]

Depended on your leg length, but a diameter of 50-odd inches?
Hilldogger of this parish has one (or more!).