Editing Penny-farthing (section)

== Characteristics ==
[[File:DaileyGreenspunProject1.svg|thumb]]
The penny-farthing is a direct-drive bicycle, meaning the cranks and pedals are fixed directly to the hub. Instead of using [[Bicycle gearing|gears]] to multiply the revolutions of the pedals, the driven wheel is enlarged so the radius from the hub to the outer wheel is comfortable for the rider to reach the pedals fixed to the hub. But the rider needs to be able to both mount the saddle and reach the pedals. If the wheel is too large, this will not be achievable. 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.

=== Construction ===

The frame is a single tube following the circumference of the front wheel, then diverting to a trailing wheel. A mounting peg is above the rear wheel. The front wheel is in a rigid fork with little if any [[Bicycle and motorcycle geometry#Trail|trail]]. A [[Bicycle brake systems#Spoon brakes|spoon brake]] is usually fitted on the fork crown, operated by a lever from one of the [[Bicycle handlebar|handlebars]]. The bars are usually mustache shaped, dropping from the level of the [[headset (bicycle part)|headset]]. The [[Bicycle saddle|saddle]] mounts on the frame less than {{convert|18|in|cm}} behind the headset.

One particular model, made by [[Pope Manufacturing Company]] in 1886, weighs {{convert|36|lb|kg}}, has a 60-spoke {{convert|53|inch|cm|adj=on}} front wheel and a 20-spoke {{convert|18|inch|cm|adj=on}} rear wheel. It is fitted with solid rubber tires. The rims, frame, fork, and handlebars are made from hollow, [[steel]] tubing. The steel axles are mounted in adjustable [[ball bearing]]s. The leather saddle is suspended by springs.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_285.html
| title = National Museum of American History, America on the Move Collection: Columbia Light Roadster ordinary bicycle
| access-date = 2009-01-23
| archive-date = 2009-03-01
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090301193120/http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_285.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

Another model, made by [[Humber cycles|Humber and Co., Ltd.]], of [[Beeston, Nottinghamshire|Beeston, Nottingham]], weighs only {{convert|24|lb|kg}}, and has {{convert|52|and|18|in|cm|adj=on}} wheels. It has no step and no brakes, in order to minimize weight.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_287.html
| title = National Museum of American History, America on the Move Collection: Humber "Genuine Beeston" racing ordinary bicycle
| access-date = 2009-01-23
| archive-date = 2009-06-09
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090609115043/http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_287.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

A third model, also made by Pope Manufacturing Company, weighs {{convert|49|lb|kg}} and has [[forging|forged]] steel forks. A [[Bicycle brake systems#Brake levers|brake lever]] on the right of a straight handlebar operates a [[Bicycle brake systems#Spoon brakes|spoon brake]] against the front wheel.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_281.html
| title = National Museum of American History, America on the Move Collection: Standard Columbia ordinary bicycle
| access-date = 2009-01-23
| archive-date = 2009-06-09
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090609115426/http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_281.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

All three have cranks that can be adjusted for length.

=== Operation ===
{{section rewrite|date=January 2025}}
Mounting and dismounting a penny-farthing takes practice, but can be learned in about an hour or two. Mounting is generally achieved on flat, level ground. It's possible to mount a penny-farthing on a slight incline, but more challenging as you need to maintain momentum. Once the penny-farthing stops rolling, the rider will fall over if they have not mounted by that point. Dismounting on an incline is also to be avoided and one's ability to successfully reach the top needs to be considered before even attempting it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Terrence |first1=Houlahan |title=Mount & Dismount |url=http://www.penny-farthing.org/mount-dismount/ |website=Penny-Farthing.org |publisher=Terrence Houlahan |access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref>

Once mounting and dismounting have been mastered, '''speed moderation''' is the next key skill to learn. If you never cycle faster than you can react to potential hazards, then you can avoid disaster. For instance, don't freewheel (feet off the pedals) down a steep hill which leads to a busy juncture/roundabout or has a blind bend where you can't see if there is a stopped vehicle or other obstruction. Slow-pedaling is a key skill to master. If you can slow-pedal up to a red light, you can stage your approach so when you arrive it is hopefully green, so you don't have to dismount. When cycling downhill, you must start braking at the top of the hill. Start applying resistance on the pedals at the top and through the descent. Also, never brake sharply if using a mechanical brake or you risk going over the handlebars.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Terrence |first1=Houlahan |title=Speed Moderation |url=http://www.penny-farthing.org/speed-moderation/ |website=Penny-Farthing.org |publisher=Terrence Houlahan |access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref>

The last key skill needed to ride a penny-farthing safely is learning to '''change direction'''. Never turn the handlebars too sharply or you risk a headover. Turns should be wide and gentle. Also, in respect to changing direction, skill and care must be exercised when approaching junctures and roundabouts. This is where speed moderation becomes important: you need to stage your approach so you can time arriving at the juncture or roundabout when a gap in traffic permits you to safely join the flow of traffic. This is also true for turning in front of opposing lane traffic: you need to be able to stage your approach to reach the turn when a gap enables you to do so. When approaching any juncture/roundabout, if you cannot enter safely, you must stop and dismount.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Terrence |first1=Houlahan |title=Changing Directions |url=http://www.penny-farthing.org/direction-changing/ |website=Penny-Farthing.org |publisher=Terrence Houlahan |access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref>

When learning, do not cycle a penny-farthing on busy roads: you will not have the skills to stay safe. Only venture onto the roads when you can mount/dismount reflexively and have mastered speed moderation or you risk serious injury or death.

In most other respects, once mounted, riding a penny-farthing is much like riding any other bicycle in respect to anticipating hazards, signaling, and defensive cycling. 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 <ref>{{cite web |last1=Terrence |first1=Houlahan |title=Are Penny-Farthings Legal to Ride on Public Roads (UK) |url=https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/73453/are-penny-farthings-legal-to-ride-on-public-roads-uk |website=bicycles.stackexchange.com |access-date=18 November 2020}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" mode="packed" caption="Operation">
File:Zbraslav 2011, jízda elegance (07).jpg|A rider stands on the mounting peg to lift his other leg to a pedal
File:Zbraslav 2011, jízda elegance (19).jpg|The rider astride the bicycle
File:Zbraslav 2011, jízda elegance (22).jpg|A second person can be carried on the mounting peg
</gallery>

=== Performance ===
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKay |first=Feargal |date=2018-08-22 |title=The First Hours - The Hour Record Before Henri Desgrange |url=https://www.podiumcafe.com/book-corner/2018/8/22/17767778/cycling-hour-record |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=Podium Cafe |language=en}}</ref>

The furthest (paced) hour record ever achieved on a penny-farthing bicycle was {{convert|22.09|miles|km}} by William A. Rowe, an American, in 1886.<ref name="Feargal McKay">{{cite web|author=Feargal McKay |url=https://www.podiumcafe.com/book-corner/2018/1/30/16951728/penny-farthing-hour-record |title=The Penny Hour - The Last Hour Record Set On A High-Wheeled Bicycle |date=30 January 2018 |publisher=PodiumCafe.com |access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>

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. This record was broken in 2019 by Richard Thoday with a time of four days, 11 hours and 52 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fastest Journey from Land's End to John-O'-Groats by penny farthing (male) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/469573-fastest-journey-from-lands-end-to-john-o-groats-by-penny-farthing-male |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-27 |title=Teacher breaks 130-year old record by cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats on a penny farthing |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/teacher-breaks-130-year-old-record-cycling-lands-end-john-ogroats-penny-farthing-1412295 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}}</ref>

Until the 21st century, the last paced hour record to be set on a penny-farthing was probably BW Attlee's 1891 English amateur record of {{convert|21.10|miles|km}}.<ref name="Feargal McKay"/> This was beaten by Scots cyclist [[Mark Beaumont (cyclist)|Mark Beaumont]] at [[Herne Hill Velodrome]] on 16 June 2018 when he covered {{convert|21.92|miles|km}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44494577|title=Mark Beaumont breaks British Penny Farthing record
|work=BBC News |date=15 June 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/perth-kinross/671854/beaumont-misses-out-on-penny-farthing-world-record/|website=The Courier|title=Beaumont misses out on penny farthing world record|date=15 June 2018 }}</ref>

In 1884, [[Thomas Stevens (cyclist)|Thomas Stevens]] rode a Columbia penny-farthing from San Francisco to Boston<ref name=Herlihy/>—the first cyclist to cross the United States. In 1885–86, he continued from London through Europe, the Middle East, China, and Japan, to become the first to ride around the world.

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.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.pedalinghistory.com/PHhistory.html
 |title = Pedaling History Bicycle Museum, A Quick History of Bicycles: The High Wheel Safety |access-date = 2009-01-24 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090205043857/http://pedalinghistory.com/PHhistory.html |archive-date = 2009-02-05}}</ref>