Early bicycles: Boneshakers and penny farthings
An early Boneshaker bicycle, maker unknown from the third quarter of the 19th century. This one is painted red with black painted accents applied to the cast iron body with wooden spoke wheels. Replaced leather seat, original turned wooden handles, wrought-ironpedals. Bicycle in overall good condition. 62″ L x 52-1/2″ H. Front wheel dia – 33-3/4″. Rear wheel dia – 28-1/2″. Design invented in France by Michaux and brought to the US by Lallement. Provenance: East Tennessee collection.
Here is another one which is currently housed in a museum in County Fermanagh in Ireland.
Back in the wild early days of cycling, before sleek road bikes and mountain bikes ruled the streets, two very distinctive machines dominated the scene: the Boneshaker and the penny farthing. The Boneshaker, as the name might suggest, wasn’t exactly a gentle ride. Originating in the 1860s, it was one of the first bicycles to feature a metal frame and pedals directly attached to the front wheel. Riders would sit atop a stiff wooden frame with iron-rimmed wheels, which meant every cobblestone, pothole, and uneven surface felt like a mini earthquake underfoot. Despite its brutal ride, the Boneshaker was revolutionary because it actually made cycling a practical way to get around town. It was heavy, noisy, and unforgiving on your derrière, but it marked a huge step away from walking and horse-drawn carriages. The design was largely credited to French inventors Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement, who worked on early pedal-driven contraptions, transforming the idea of the hobby-horse (a pedal-less wooden frame you straddled and pushed along with your feet) into something you could actually pedal.
The Penny Farthing
Just a few years later, in the 1870s, the penny farthing appeared and took the cycling world by storm—albeit in a somewhat terrifying way. Its nickname comes from the coin comparison: a giant front wheel like a penny, and a tiny back wheel like a farthing. This design wasn’t just for show; the enormous front wheel meant that each pedal rotation covered more ground, essentially making it the speed demon of its time. However, there was a catch: balancing on that massive wheel wasn’t exactly child’s play. Mounting and dismounting required skill, and a sudden stop often led to what riders called “taking a header,” or a dramatic fall over the handlebars. Despite these dangers, penny farthings symbolised prestige and daring—if you could ride one confidently, you were seen as a true gentleman or lady of leisure. While the Boneshaker was all about function over comfort, the penny farthing was about flair, speed, and a certain level of aristocratic bravado.
In essence, these two bikes represent the evolution of early cycling culture. The Boneshaker was the workhorse: sturdy, reliable, but jarringly uncomfortable, paving the way for cycling to enter mainstream life. The penny farthing, on the other hand, was the show-off, designed for those who craved speed and weren’t afraid of a few scraped knees. Both had their quirks, both had their risks, and both left an indelible mark on the history of bicycles.
Today, they might look utterly impractical compared to modern bikes, but back then, straddling either of these machines was a thrilling adventure—and sometimes a test of sheer bravery. If you ever see a restored Boneshaker or penny farthing at a vintage rally, take a moment to appreciate just how far the humble bicycle has come from those bumpy, audacious beginnings.
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