What Was Unusual About the Penny-Farthing Bicycle? (History & Design)

You’ve seen pictures of the penny-farthing—that bizarre bicycle with a massive front wheel and tiny rear wheel. It looks like something from a circus, not a serious mode of transportation.

But what made the penny-farthing truly unusual wasn’t just its appearance. Its design was fundamentally different from modern bicycles in ways that made it both revolutionary and incredibly dangerous. The direct-drive system, high center of gravity, and lack of brakes created a unique—and risky—riding experience.

In this guide, I’ll explain what made the penny-farthing so unusual, why it was designed that way, and why it was eventually replaced by the safer “safety bicycle” we know today.

The Most Obvious Unusual Feature: The Wheel Sizes

The penny-farthing’s most striking feature is its dramatically different wheel sizes:

• Front wheel: Up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in diameter
• Rear wheel: Only 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) in diameter

Why the name “penny-farthing”? The wheels resembled British coins: a large penny (front wheel) and a small farthing (rear wheel).

This design was unusual because:

• Modern bicycles have equal-sized wheels
• The size difference created stability issues
• Mounting and dismounting required special techniques

Unusual Design Feature #1: Direct Drive System

The penny-farthing had pedals attached directly to the front wheel hub—no chain, no gears, no freewheel.

How It Worked:

• Pedals were fixed to the front wheel
• One pedal revolution = one wheel revolution
• Pedal speed = wheel speed (no gearing)

Why This Was Unusual:

• Modern bicycles use a chain to transfer power from pedals (at the bottom bracket) to the rear wheel
• The direct drive meant you couldn’t coast—pedals always moved when the wheel moved
• No way to stop pedaling while moving (no freewheel mechanism)

The Problem: If you stopped pedaling, you stopped moving. This made it difficult to slow down or stop, contributing to the bicycle’s dangerous reputation.

Unusual Design Feature #2: Extremely High Center of Gravity

The penny-farthing’s large front wheel placed the rider very high off the ground—often 4-5 feet up.

Why This Was Unusual:

• Modern bicycles have a low center of gravity for stability
• The high seating position made the bicycle unstable
• Turning required careful balance
• Falls were more dangerous due to height

The Problem: The high center of gravity made the penny-farthing prone to “headers”—forward falls over the handlebars. A small bump, sudden stop, or loss of balance could send the rider flying headfirst over the front wheel.

Unusual Design Feature #3: No Effective Brakes

Early penny-farthings had no brakes or only primitive braking systems.

Why This Was Unusual:

• Modern bicycles have reliable rim brakes or disc brakes
• The direct-drive system meant you couldn’t stop pedaling to slow down
• Riders had to drag their feet or use primitive spoon brakes (pads that pressed against the tire)

The Problem: Stopping was difficult and dangerous. Riders often had to jump off or drag their feet to slow down, increasing the risk of injury.

Unusual Design Feature #4: Difficult Mounting and Dismounting

Getting on and off a penny-farthing required special techniques:

Mounting:

• Riders had to run alongside the bicycle
• Step onto a small step on the rear frame
• Swing leg over the seat while moving
• Start pedaling immediately

Dismounting:

• Riders had to slow down first
• Swing leg back over the seat
• Step down onto the step
• Jump off while the bicycle was still moving

Why This Was Unusual:

• Modern bicycles can be mounted and dismounted while stationary
• The penny-farthing required momentum to mount
• Dismounting while moving was dangerous

Why Was It Designed This Way?

Despite its unusual and dangerous design, the penny-farthing had logical reasons for its features:

1. Speed

The large front wheel allowed the bicycle to travel faster than previous designs:

• Larger wheel = more distance per pedal revolution
• Direct drive = no power loss through chain
• Could reach speeds of 15-20 mph (faster than walking or earlier bicycles)

2. Simplicity

The direct-drive system was simpler than chain-driven designs:

• No chain to maintain or break
• No gears to adjust
• Fewer moving parts

3. Technology Limitations

At the time (1870s), chain technology wasn’t advanced enough:

• Chains were heavy and unreliable
• Gearing systems were primitive
• Direct drive was the most efficient option

The Dangers of the Penny-Farthing

The penny-farthing’s unusual design made it extremely dangerous:

1. Headers (Forward Falls)

The most common and dangerous accident:

• Rider falls forward over the handlebars
• Head hits the ground first
• High speed and height made injuries severe
• Could result in broken bones, head injuries, or death

2. Difficulty Stopping

• No effective brakes
• Direct drive meant pedals always moved
• Riders had to jump off or drag feet
• Increased risk of falls

3. Instability

• High center of gravity
• Difficult to balance
• Prone to tipping over
• Dangerous on uneven terrain

4. Mounting/Dismounting Accidents

• Difficult to get on and off
• Required momentum
• Falls during mounting/dismounting were common

Why the Penny-Farthing Was Replaced

The penny-farthing’s unusual and dangerous design led to its replacement by the “safety bicycle” in the 1880s:

The Safety Bicycle (1885):

• Equal-sized wheels (lower center of gravity)
• Chain drive (pedals at bottom bracket, power to rear wheel)
• Freewheel mechanism (could coast)
• Effective brakes
• Easier to mount and ride

Result: The safety bicycle was safer, easier to ride, and more accessible. It quickly replaced the penny-farthing and became the foundation for modern bicycles.

Modern Penny-Farthing Enthusiasts

Despite its dangers, the penny-farthing still has enthusiasts today:

• Historical reenactments: Used in period events
• Collectors: Vintage penny-farthings are valuable
• Recreation: Some riders enjoy the challenge
• Racing: Penny-farthing races still exist

Modern Safety: Today’s penny-farthing riders use modern safety equipment (helmets, padding) and ride on controlled courses.

Penny-Farthing Bicycle FAQs

Summary: Unusual Design, Revolutionary Impact

The penny-farthing was unusual in almost every way: its wheel sizes, direct-drive system, high center of gravity, lack of brakes, and difficult mounting. But despite its dangerous design, it was revolutionary—the first bicycle to achieve significant speed and the predecessor to modern bicycles.

Key Unusual Features:

• Massive front wheel (up to 5 feet) and tiny rear wheel
• Direct drive (pedals on front wheel, no chain)
• High center of gravity (rider 4-5 feet off ground)
• No effective brakes (difficult to stop)
• Difficult mounting/dismounting (required momentum)

The penny-farthing’s unusual design made it both faster than previous bicycles and incredibly dangerous. Its replacement by the safety bicycle in the 1880s marked the transition to the safer, more practical bicycle design we use today.