highwheelers

The highwheeler, also known as the ordinary or penny-farthing, was a type of bicycle that gained popularity in the 1870s and 1880s. Its most distinctive feature was its very large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel. The rider sat directly over the large front wheel, which was directly driven by pedals attached to the hub. This design arose from the need to achieve higher speeds, as the distance covered with each pedal revolution was proportional to the diameter of the front wheel.

Early bicycles were often called "boneshakers" due to their rigid frames and solid rubber tires, which transmitted every bump in the road directly to the rider. The advent of the highwheeler represented a significant improvement in ride comfort due to the larger wheel's ability to roll over obstacles more easily. However, riding a highwheeler was not without its risks. Mounting and dismounting required skill, and sudden stops or uneven terrain could easily send the rider pitching forward over the handlebars, a maneuver known as "taking a header."

The highwheeler dominated cycling for a period, but its inherent dangers and the development of the safety bicycle in the late 1880s led to its decline. The safety bicycle, with its two wheels of similar size, chain drive, and pneumatic tires, offered a much more stable and accessible riding experience, eventually replacing the highwheeler as the standard form of bicycle. Despite its short reign, the highwheeler remains an iconic symbol of early cycling history.