Penny-Farthing

1870s

Penny-farthing was flourished in the 1870s. Its main feature is that the front wheel is large and the rear wheel is small. Therefore, penny-farthing was named after two different coins, penny and quarter of penny, which is farthing. Penny-farthing is also regarded as the predecessor of bicycles. Because of its large front wheel, penny-farthing can run a longer distance per one circle. Meanwhile, it can provide higher speed (except for slopes). Another advantage of the large front wheel is that it has a stronger shock absorption effect.
Once the rider masters the skills of getting on and off penny-farthing, he or she can easily get on and off it on a flat road or a ramp. One of the characteristics of penny-farthing is that once riders hit a rock or a sudden brake, the riders are very likely to be thrown out of the penny-farthing. More dangerously, head usually hit the ground first under this circumstance.
Penny-farthing went downhill in the 1880s. Due to the development of chain drives and pneumatic tires, the development of modern bicycles has been promoted. At the same time, the speed of modern bicycles can be maintained at the same level. In addition, the safety has been improved, which greatly reduces the possibility of the rider falling off the bicycle.