The Huge Front Wheel and Tiny Back Wheel Were the Defining Feature
The penny-farthing bicycle, popular from the 1870s through the 1880s, had one wheel that was dramatically larger than the other — typically a front wheel five feet across or more, paired with a back wheel only two feet wide. The name came from British coins: a penny was large and a farthing was tiny, so the wheel sizes resembled the two coins side by side.
This extreme size difference was not accidental styling. Bicycle makers built penny-farthings this way because chain-driven bicycles had not yet been invented. Without a chain to transfer pedal power to the back wheel, the only way to move forward faster was to make the wheel you pedaled directly — the front wheel — as large as possible. A bigger wheel covers more ground with each rotation, so riders could reach higher speeds without pedaling frantically.
The rider sat high above the front wheel's hub, perched on a small saddle directly over the axle. This position gave penny-farthing riders a commanding view of the road but also placed them directly above the point of impact if the front wheel hit an obstacle.
Key Takeaways
- The massive front wheel was necessary because pedals attached directly to it, with no chain to transfer power to the back wheel.
- A larger wheel meant more distance covered per pedal rotation, allowing riders to travel faster without a chain-driven system.
- The high seating position made riders vulnerable to "taking a header" — flipping over the handlebars if the front wheel struck a rock or rut.
- Penny-farthings became obsolete within a decade after the chain-driven safety bicycle was introduced in the 1880s.
- The design was expensive to manufacture and required significant skill and balance to ride safely.
Why the Tiny Back Wheel Made Steering Difficult
The small back wheel served almost no purpose except to keep the bicycle from tipping backward. It had no power, no brakes, and almost no influence on steering. The front wheel did all the work — it propelled the bicycle forward, steered it, and bore most of the rider's weight.
This arrangement made penny-farthings unstable and hard to control. The small back wheel could not grip the road as effectively as the front wheel, so the bicycle was prone to skidding sideways on wet pavement or loose gravel. Turning required the rider to lean the entire machine into the curve, a technique that demanded balance and experience.
Braking was equally problematic. Most penny-farthings had a small brake pad that pressed against the front tire, but stopping power was weak. Riders often had to drag their feet on the ground to slow down, which wore through shoe leather quickly and did little to stop a bicycle moving at speed downhill.
The Danger of Falling Over the Handlebars
The most notorious hazard of riding a penny-farthing was the "header" — flipping forward over the handlebars. Because the rider sat directly above the front wheel's axle, any sudden stop or collision sent the rider flying forward and down. A pothole, a stone, or even a dog running into the wheel could trigger a crash.
The height made these falls particularly dangerous. Riders fell from five or six feet in the air, landing on their heads and shoulders. Broken collarbones, fractured skulls, and severe road rash were common injuries among penny-farthing enthusiasts. Newspapers of the era reported on these accidents regularly, and the bicycle earned a reputation as a machine for daredevils and the reckless.
Riders tried to minimize this risk by learning to shift their weight backward when they felt the front wheel catch on something, but this technique required constant attention and quick reflexes. Even experienced riders could not always prevent a crash.
The Expense and Difficulty of Riding One
Penny-farthings were expensive to build and maintain. The large front wheel required a strong, precisely engineered rim and spokes to support the rider's weight and absorb the shock of rough roads. Tires were solid rubber, not pneumatic, so every bump traveled directly through the frame to the rider's spine. The bicycle was also heavy — often 50 pounds or more — which made it difficult to mount, dismount, or carry.
Learning to ride a penny-farthing took weeks or months of practice. Riders had to mount from the side or rear, pushing themselves up and onto the saddle while the bicycle was already moving. Dismounting required the same skill in reverse. A rider who misjudged the speed or lost balance during mounting could fall sideways into the street.
Because of these challenges, penny-farthing riding became a sport for wealthy, athletic men with time to practice. Cycling clubs formed around the machines, and races were held on smooth tracks. The bicycle was a status symbol and a test of courage, not a practical way to get around town.
How the Chain-Driven Safety Bicycle Made Penny-Farthings Obsolete
In the 1880s, bicycle makers began attaching pedals to a small chainring and connecting it with a chain to a larger sprocket on the back wheel. This innovation meant the back wheel could be large and powerful while the front wheel stayed small and nimble. The rider sat lower and more centered between the two wheels, making the bicycle much more stable.
The new design, called the "safety bicycle," was faster, safer, and easier to ride than the penny-farthing. It could be ridden by women in long skirts, by older riders, and by people who had never trained on a penny-farthing. Within five years, penny-farthings had nearly disappeared from the roads.
The pneumatic tire, invented in 1888, made the transition complete. Inflatable tires absorbed shock far better than solid rubber, and they worked equally well on wheels of any size. The safety bicycle with pneumatic tires became the ancestor of the modern bicycle, and the penny-farthing became a historical curiosity.
Why Riders Chose Penny-Farthings Despite the Risks
Even though penny-farthings were dangerous and difficult, they were the fastest bicycles available in the 1870s. A skilled rider could reach speeds of 20 miles per hour, which was thrilling and impressive at a time when most people walked or rode horses at 5 to 10 miles per hour. For competitive cyclists and adventurous riders, the speed justified the risk.
Penny-farthings also represented progress and modernity. Owning and riding one signaled that you were wealthy, athletic, and willing to embrace new technology. Cycling clubs became social institutions, and penny-farthing races drew crowds and newspaper coverage. The bicycle was a symbol of independence and freedom, especially for women who used it to escape the constraints of Victorian society.
The danger was part of the appeal. Riding a penny-farthing required courage and skill, and surviving a crash without serious injury became a badge of honor among riders. The machines were impractical, but they were also exciting in a way that safer, slower bicycles could never be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast could a penny-farthing go?
A skilled rider on a smooth road could reach 20 miles per hour, which was fast for the 1870s. The speed depended on the size of the front wheel — larger wheels covered more ground per rotation — and the rider's leg strength and endurance. Competitive cyclists sometimes rode penny-farthings designed with wheels six feet across or larger.
Could women ride penny-farthings?
Some women did ride penny-farthings, but the design made it difficult. The high step-through and the need to mount from the side or rear made the bicycle impractical for women wearing long skirts and corsets. Women adopted the safety bicycle much more readily once it became available, because it was lower, more stable, and easier to mount while dressed in the fashion of the era.
Why did the back wheel stay so small if it could be larger?
The back wheel was small because it served no purpose except balance. Since pedals attached directly to the front wheel, the back wheel did not need to be large. Making it larger would have added weight and complexity without any benefit. The tiny back wheel was straightforward the minimum size needed to keep the bicycle from tipping backward.
Did penny-farthings have brakes?
Most penny-farthings had a straightforward brake pad that pressed against the front tire, but braking power was weak. Riders often dragged their feet on the ground to slow down, which was slow and wore through shoe leather. The lack of effective brakes made descending hills particularly dangerous and contributed to the frequency of accidents.
When did penny-farthings disappear?
Penny-farthings began to decline in popularity in the mid-1880s after the chain-driven safety bicycle was introduced. By 1890, they had largely vanished from roads and were replaced by the modern bicycle design. The transition happened quickly because the safety bicycle was superior in almost every way — faster, safer, easier to ride, and more affordable to manufacture.