I want to buy and learn to ride an Ordinary Bicycle.
I've been searching the web for information, but not come up with anything useful.
Nothing ridable has turned up on ebay. I'm thinking more of a reproduction than a genuine fragile vintage bike as I want to actually ride it, probably on the fire roads in the Wyre Forest to start with.
I've followed links from the VCC and The Knutsford Great Race, but I can't find anyone in the UK currently selling, building or importing reproduction bikes.
I can't even find a forum on the subject. Searches for vintage bikes lead to links to US sites or discussions on mountain bikes from the 1980s.

Can anyone help ?

Bothy Bikes had some in a wee while back IIRC

Maybe worth giving them a ring – http://www.bothybikes.co.uk/

Now then. I asked this ages ago, but it must have been before the Great Crash. Someone referred me to an engineering firm in Switzerland that did them. There are a sufficiwent number around the place that someone must be building them, but I wonder if the guys who worry about such things are on the web…

Try calling these chaps, perhaps?

And pictures, obviously, when you get one. 🙂

http://www.hiwheel.com/

People have got these over here, although I hate to think what the postage cost is.

Joe

Wow! Wow! and thrice Wow!!

Like those. 😀

Also, if you're not set on a really massive wheeled thing that looks ancient, there are 2 36" wheeled ones – "Coker Wheelman" and qu-ax penny farthing – which you can actually buy – http://www.unicycle.uk.com/shop/shopdisplayproduct.asp?catalogid=80

They are lovely pneumatic tyres, which you won't get on a replica.

Also, if you're not set on a really massive wheeled thing that looks ancient, there are 2 36" wheeled ones – "Coker Wheelman" and qu-ax penny farthing – which you can actually buy – http://www.unicycle.uk.com/shop/shopdisplayproduct.asp?catalogid=80

They are lovely pneumatic tyres, which you won't get on a replica.

These were the type that Bothy Bikes had I think, so not a real one.

tim at http://www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk often has them for sale,, and normaly knows where to get one

i used to have one but after going over the bars twice i decided it was a very expensive bit of stuff sitting in my lounge so it's gone to a braver man than I

Speak to Steve at Square Wheels, he bought one a few years ago from a guy who builds them (beautifully!) from scratch and sells at a very reasonable price considering the work that goes into it.01997421000

It's properly huge too, 58" wheel iirc.

Thanks for the replies, some interesting leads to follow up there.
That cycle museum is only about 60 miles away, so that will be a day out in the near future.
Those Hiwheelers are exactly what I am looking for. Anywhere between about £700 and £1600, which is about what I was expecting to pay, although I would imagine shipping for such an unusual size parcel would add quite a bit more.

Try Jonathan Summerfield.

An around-the-world-tour on a Summerfield Mk-4 penny farthing, a machine of his own creation. Jonathon gets bonus points for wearing a pith helmet while riding his fine machine.

http://www.pennyfarthingworldtour.com/mk-4.htm

http://www.hiwheel.com/

But can one retrofit a Flite?
😉

Here you are – but there's a waiting list.

I'm about halfway down.

The guy who built the one for Steve doesn't do it commercially. It was just a bit of a challenge for him.

here onthis website, you can find (and eventually buy)some very nice and good ordinary , kangeroo, replica’s

kind regards

kris Strybol, Antwerp

http://www.mesicek.cz/index.php?lang=en

If you want to try an Ordinary, give me a call 07968 225262. I could probably point you in the direction of one to buy too if that’s what you want. Or at least show you what to be looking for. I’m in Worcestershire.

The paths in the Wyre forest are probably not ideal for Ordinary riding, I don’t recall much level ground… hills are hard work both up and down 😉

Dave

Am I wrong to put this thread and this thread together?

Terry Wright Cycles has one in their window. Not sure if it’s real or just a ‘window piece’. Give them a bell & ask to speak to Paul – he runs the place.

http://www.twcycles.com/contacts.html

If you click on that link & then go back to the home page, you can see it lent up on the right hand side of the window, behind the kiddie trailer.

I’m new here and unsure how this site works. I don’t see how to, or whether I can, PM MidlandTrailquestsGraham, and reluctant to jump in on another post.
I have a ridable Ordinary, and many years experience of riding it and others. It’s useful to try some different machines to get some perspective before buying one. So do contact me if I can help.
Dave

Thanks Dave, I’ll phone later.

I note someone posted a link to the mk4 version of this but there’s now a mk5, being built in London

http://www.pennyfarthingworldtour.com/Mk5.htm

Welcome to the forum mmigit. Will I click on that link or not?