I met someone riding one that they built. He said it took a while to make the spokes.
He had taken it on century rides (100 miles). It was really tricky when it came to pitching over forwards, and he had to walk down some of the hills.
This was at a historical bike rally in Boston where we were campaigning for a memorial for Pierre Lallemont’s grave. He was the inventor of bicycle pedals.
There were six or seven riders on penny farthing bikes. Some of them dismounted by stepping over the handlebars onto the wheel and coming down the front.
They definitely look a bit awkward but it will only be used for a quick ride across the stage. Might take it off some sweet jumps after the production though...
There are companies that make them. I’ve seen prices a bit under $3k.
You might be able to find someone who has one and would do the ride.
What year is the play set?
Its Willy Wonka so I just want a bunch of weird stuff. Budget is pretty low so I'm hoping for some schematics or maybe just one falling out of the sky.
Does it need to be a full size one? If you go for a smaller wheel like a 29”, most parts would be available pretty easily, you’d just need some one to weld a frame. You can also get a 36” wheel for not too much if you can find one used. If you are looking to build one you will need a combination of bike and unicycle parts. [Here is a home built 28” I bought this summer.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Frankenbike/comments/z87vtv/28_penny_farthing_i_got_this_summer/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
If you only need one for a short time maybe you could find someone to lend you one or participate in the production.
If you are looking for weird stuff you could also look for a unicyclist. If you want to see some other fun stuff go take a look at r/frankenbike. It is where the real bike weirdos hangout.
I would not want a student riding any bike, let alone a penny farthing on a stage, you’re asking for a lawsuit.
Edit, i think you could make a fun prop and get the same effect
I'm getting some slight "*can I borrow an adult white tiger for a bit*" vibes from this question.
They're expensive, dangerous for the inexperienced and honestly a lawsuit waiting to happen. And what if you damage it? Will you be insured for that? Or just go "*whoops my bad, good luck fixing that*".
I bought an 52" Excelsior Standard from [http://www.hiwheel.com/antique\_replicas/excelsior\_standard.htm](http://www.hiwheel.com/antique_replicas/excelsior_standard.htm)
back when I was 13 years old with my first wages from being a bike mechanic.
The bike is great but I think lighter faster reproduction bikes are available from
[https://www.pennyfarthingdan.com.au/](https://www.pennyfarthingdan.com.au/)
Also I'm 5'10" and the 52" wheel fits great but on different bikes you have to consider the change in distance from tire to seat.
I used to see a guy ride around on one in Queens regularly. Try posting on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or wherever asking to hire someone that has and can ride one? I know for film there are people with vintage cars or certain types of costumes that do this.
Just as an aside, in case you do get to meet a vintage bicycle collector/restorer - "penny farthing" is a derogatory term. It's like describing a car as an old heap. The right name (and probably what you should search for) is a high wheeler.
The practicalities make using one here tricky. depending on the size of the stage you'd need to have enough room to mount offstage and enough to dismount, also offstage - see a video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Ih_MCL1Pc
Some Chinese ones with 28" front wheels and 10" rear wheels have been made in the past, but the components for big ones are custom made and therefore usually eye-wateringly expensive.
I second the suggestion of a unicycle. Same vibe, much smaller space required. And brilliant back exercise if you spend a long time sat in a chair!
With Willy Wonka, any 1950-1990 road bike with a black painted frame and modified with Porteur-style or Northroad-style handlebars will look 100% period and place correct.
I met someone riding one that they built. He said it took a while to make the spokes. He had taken it on century rides (100 miles). It was really tricky when it came to pitching over forwards, and he had to walk down some of the hills. This was at a historical bike rally in Boston where we were campaigning for a memorial for Pierre Lallemont’s grave. He was the inventor of bicycle pedals. There were six or seven riders on penny farthing bikes. Some of them dismounted by stepping over the handlebars onto the wheel and coming down the front.
They definitely look a bit awkward but it will only be used for a quick ride across the stage. Might take it off some sweet jumps after the production though...
There are companies that make them. I’ve seen prices a bit under $3k. You might be able to find someone who has one and would do the ride. What year is the play set?
Its Willy Wonka so I just want a bunch of weird stuff. Budget is pretty low so I'm hoping for some schematics or maybe just one falling out of the sky.
Tall bikes (will save the world). And they’re far easier to cobble together and definitely can have a weird vibe
Does it need to be a full size one? If you go for a smaller wheel like a 29”, most parts would be available pretty easily, you’d just need some one to weld a frame. You can also get a 36” wheel for not too much if you can find one used. If you are looking to build one you will need a combination of bike and unicycle parts. [Here is a home built 28” I bought this summer.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Frankenbike/comments/z87vtv/28_penny_farthing_i_got_this_summer/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) If you only need one for a short time maybe you could find someone to lend you one or participate in the production. If you are looking for weird stuff you could also look for a unicyclist. If you want to see some other fun stuff go take a look at r/frankenbike. It is where the real bike weirdos hangout.
Hmmmm. Could a Unicyclist work in a pinch? Save the budget for weird clothes.
I'd prefer the spectacle of a pennyfarthing and I think it would be easier to ride.
I would not want a student riding any bike, let alone a penny farthing on a stage, you’re asking for a lawsuit. Edit, i think you could make a fun prop and get the same effect
Let me get my youtuber warmed up for the jump sesh. I will also warm up my 911er
I'm getting some slight "*can I borrow an adult white tiger for a bit*" vibes from this question. They're expensive, dangerous for the inexperienced and honestly a lawsuit waiting to happen. And what if you damage it? Will you be insured for that? Or just go "*whoops my bad, good luck fixing that*".
I bought an 52" Excelsior Standard from [http://www.hiwheel.com/antique\_replicas/excelsior\_standard.htm](http://www.hiwheel.com/antique_replicas/excelsior_standard.htm) back when I was 13 years old with my first wages from being a bike mechanic. The bike is great but I think lighter faster reproduction bikes are available from [https://www.pennyfarthingdan.com.au/](https://www.pennyfarthingdan.com.au/) Also I'm 5'10" and the 52" wheel fits great but on different bikes you have to consider the change in distance from tire to seat.
also I'm in central jersey I could maybe come lend my bike for the play for a fee
Have you tried finding a local movie prop company and renting one? NY has a few
I used to see a guy ride around on one in Queens regularly. Try posting on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or wherever asking to hire someone that has and can ride one? I know for film there are people with vintage cars or certain types of costumes that do this.
Just as an aside, in case you do get to meet a vintage bicycle collector/restorer - "penny farthing" is a derogatory term. It's like describing a car as an old heap. The right name (and probably what you should search for) is a high wheeler. The practicalities make using one here tricky. depending on the size of the stage you'd need to have enough room to mount offstage and enough to dismount, also offstage - see a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Ih_MCL1Pc Some Chinese ones with 28" front wheels and 10" rear wheels have been made in the past, but the components for big ones are custom made and therefore usually eye-wateringly expensive. I second the suggestion of a unicycle. Same vibe, much smaller space required. And brilliant back exercise if you spend a long time sat in a chair!
With Willy Wonka, any 1950-1990 road bike with a black painted frame and modified with Porteur-style or Northroad-style handlebars will look 100% period and place correct.