The high bi bicycle, also known as the penny-farthing or ordinary bicycle, is one of the most iconic bicycles of the 19th century. With its giant front wheel and small rear wheel, this type of bicycle is today mainly an eye-catcher at events or in museums, but once it was the symbol of innovation and progress.
The birth of the high bi bike
The high bi bicycle was developed in the 1870s in Britain. After the invention of the "draisine" (walking bicycle) and early wooden vélocipèdes with pedals on the front wheel, engineers wanted to find a way to ride faster and more comfortably. The result was a bicycle with a huge front wheel driven directly by the pedals. The bigger the wheel, the farther you rode per pedal stroke.
Why such a big wheel?
In a time without gears, the diameter of the wheel was the only way to increase speed. A 5-foot wheel could allow a rider to reach unprecedented speeds - even faster than many a horse and carriage for that time. The small rear wheel only provided balance.
A bicycle for daredevils and gentlemen
The high bi was not for everyone. Because of the high sitting position and the difficult step up, the bicycle was dangerous. Falls were common, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. Nevertheless, the high bi became a status symbol for wealthy gentlemen and sportsmen. Those who rode it radiated courage, strength, and prosperity.
The demise and replacement
Around 1890, the high bi was rapidly losing ground. The arrival of the safety bicycle with chain drive, two equal wheels and pneumatic tires made cycling a lot safer, more comfortable and more accessible to a wider public. Within a few years the high bi disappeared almost completely from the streets.
The high bi today
Although the high bi bike is no longer a practical means of transportation, it remains an icon in cycling history. You can find copies in museums, with collectors and at historic cycling events. Some enthusiasts still build replicas and ride them at parades or retro races.
Conclusion
The high bi bike marks an important stage in the evolution of the bicycle. What once began as a daring attempt to ride faster grew into a status symbol and ended up as a beautiful piece of industrial heritage. Anyone who sees a high bi today is not only looking at an extraordinary bicycle, but also a symbol of human ingenuity.
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