The Ordinary or Penny Farthing as it better known reigned from the early 1870's and production lasted some 20 years. It was the next albeit perhaps not the most logical step in cycle evolution. Penny Farthing came from the comparison of its large and small wheels to penny and farthing coins.
The velocipede was ok but was limited in terms of speed and construction materials. The penny farthing was nearly if not always of iron construction with solid rubber tyres and
later, improved bearings. The large front wheel was designed to enable faster speeds. Braking was still ineffective.
Wheel size varied from 26 to 60 inches. Most commonly they were made to order and wheel size was based on your inside leg measurement. Construction was still very much in the hands of engineers and blacksmiths. A variation on the normal theme was one with the smaller wheel at the front.
The large wheel size brought with it dangers. In inexperienced hands injury could results from falls and the term "coming a cropper"
has been used to describe the penny's habit of pitching the rider right over the front if they dared lean too far forwards. However in the right hands they made a mean racing machine and there were many racing clubs and events during this period and on into the early 1900's.
Racing is still common in many countries.
Children's pennies were rare and normally made to order at the request of wealthier families. However in the 1940's and again in the 60's attempts were made to resurrect a replica for children but with little success.
Pennies were the first cycles to be fitted with lights. They were
ingeniously fitted inside the main wheel hanging from the central
spindle. This ensured that the light shone where is was supposed and
afforded some protection to the light and rider in the event of a fall.
