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High wheel bicycle: meaning, definitions and examples

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high wheel bicycle

[ haɪ wiːl ˈbaɪsɪkəl ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

vintage transport

A high wheel bicycle, also known as a penny-farthing, is a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel. It was popular in the late 19th century and was the first machine to be called a 'bicycle.' The rider sits high up, almost above the front wheel, and pedals directly on the front wheel. The design allowed for faster speeds than previous bicycles, but also posed safety risks due to the rider's height and the lack of brakes.

Synonyms

high wheeler, ordinary bicycle, penny-farthing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
high wheel bicycle	This term is used when you are referring to the old-fashioned bicycles from the late 19th century that had a very large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel. It's an overall term encompassing all similar types of bicycles. The museum has a rare high wheel bicycle on display. He enjoys riding his high wheel bicycle during vintage bike parades.
penny-farthing	This term is often used in British English and is derived from the size comparison between the large front wheel (the penny) and the small rear wheel (the farthing, a small British coin). It has a slightly quaint and nostalgic connotation. He restored an antique penny-farthing found in his grandfather's attic. Riding a penny-farthing requires a lot of balance and courage.
ordinary bicycle	This term was historically used to distinguish these bicycles from the newer 'safety bicycles' which had two equal-sized wheels and were more common in the early 20th century. It emphasizes the period when these large front-wheeled bicycles were the norm. Back in the 1880s, riding an ordinary bicycle was a common sight. He demonstrated how to mount an ordinary bicycle, which was quite a feat.
high wheeler	This is a more casual and abbreviated term for a high wheel bicycle. It is often used among enthusiasts or in contexts where the full term is understood. She's an avid collector of high wheelers. Watch out for high wheelers when you're visiting the vintage bike exhibition.

Examples of usage

The high wheel bicycle was a symbol of the Victorian era.
He rode his high wheel bicycle through the park with grace and style.
The penny-farthing was a unique and eye-catching mode of transportation.
The high wheel bicycle required skill and balance to ride effectively.
Many people today collect and restore high wheel bicycles as a hobby.

Translations

Translations of the word "high wheel bicycle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bicicleta de roda alta

🇮🇳 उच्च पहिया साइकिल

🇩🇪 Hochrad

🇮🇩 sepeda roda tinggi

🇺🇦 велосипед з високим колесом

🇵🇱 wysokokołowy rower

🇯🇵 高輪自転車

🇫🇷 grand-bi

🇪🇸 bicicleta de rueda alta

🇹🇷 yüksek tekerlekli bisiklet

🇰🇷 고휠 자전거

🇸🇦 دراجة ذات عجلات عالية

🇨🇿 vysoké kolo

🇸🇰 vysoké koleso bicykel

🇨🇳 高轮自行车

🇸🇮 visoko kolo

🇮🇸 háhjól

🇰🇿 жоғары дөңгелекті велосипед

🇬🇪 მაღალი ბორბლის ველოსიპედი

🇦🇿 yüksək təkərli velosiped

🇲🇽 bicicleta de rueda alta

Etymology

The high wheel bicycle, or penny-farthing, was invented in the 1870s by British engineer James Starley. It quickly became popular due to its increased speed and efficiency compared to earlier bicycles. The design with the large front wheel and small rear wheel was a significant advancement in cycling technology. However, as safer and more practical bicycle designs emerged, the popularity of the high wheel bicycle declined. Today, it is mainly seen as a nostalgic symbol of the past and a collector's item.