Whackey Bicyles

 Bruce Shawkey

Whacky Old-Time Bicycles

Here is an IA generated article on early whacky bicycles.

1. Penny-Farthing (High-Wheel Bicycle)

Era: 1870s–1880s

Whackiness: Huge front wheel (up to 60 inches), tiny back wheel.

Why it existed: The larger the front wheel, the farther you could travel with one pedal rotation.

Problem: Dangerous—"taking a header" (going over the front) was common.

2. Boneshaker

Era: 1860s

Whackiness: Made of wood and iron, with solid iron tires. No brakes.

Why it existed: Early version of the pedal bicycle.

Problem: Extremely uncomfortable—hence the nickname.

3. Velocipede (aka "Dandy Horse")

Era: 1817 (invented by Baron Karl von Drais)

Whackiness: No pedals—just a wooden frame and two wheels. You propelled it by pushing with your feet.

Why it existed: It was the first two-wheeled personal transport.

Problem: Heavy, awkward, and you looked like a grown-up on a Flintstones toy.

4. Quadracycles (Four-Wheeled Bicycles)

Era: 1850s and 1880s

Whackiness: Four wheels, often with multiple seats.

Why it existed: Meant to be more stable than two-wheeled bikes.

Poblem: Heavy and slow. You’d be better off walking.

5. The Kangaroo Bicycle

Era: 1884

Whackiness: Smaller front wheel than a penny-farthing, but with gears to simulate the big-wheel advantage.

Why it existed: A safer version of the penny-farthing.

Problem: Still awkward and unstable.

6. The Facile Bicycle

Era: 1870s

Whackiness: Rider sits between two wheels, with pedals on the front wheel and feet high above the ground.

Why it existed: A compromise between balance and speed.

Problem: Weird-looking and hard to mount.

7. The Crypto Bantam

Era: Late 1800s

Whackiness: Chainless, gear-driven front wheel with a tiny wheel in the back.

Why it existed: Tried to combine speed and safety.

Problem: Overcomplicated for its time.

8. The Humber Tandem Tricycle

Era: 1880s

Whackiness: Two riders side-by-side on a three-wheeled machine.

Why it existed: Social cycling!

Problem: Steering was awkward, and road width was an issue.

Why So Many Weird Designs?

No standard: Before the "safety bicycle" (modern design) emerged around 1885, inventors were experimenting with everything.

No roads: Pavement was rare—many designs were adapted for dirt paths.

Style over function: Some models were sold more for novelty than practicality.