# I'm Too Short For My Dream Bike — I Bought It Anyway!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMSxZHRKGfg
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/GMSxZHRKGfg
Generated: 2026-01-30T16:37:00.07+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

The presenter, who is too tall for a typical Penny Farthing bicycle, bought a custom 52-inch wheel version for $3,000 and found that while it is surprisingly smooth on paved roads, the large front wheel makes stopping and tight turning extremely dangerous, resulting in a crash when attempting to ride off-road.

**Key Points:**
- The presenter purchased a custom Penny Farthing bicycle with a 52-inch front wheel for close to $3,000.
- The bike features modern updates like a BMX stem and threadless headset, but retains vintage styling cues like a leather saddle.
- Riding the bike is surprisingly smooth on pavement, even with solid rubber tires, but the high center of gravity makes leaning into turns difficult.
- Stopping is inherently risky; applying the front brake causes an immediate 'header' (somersault), necessitating controlled rearward weight shifting or dismounting.
- The presenter demonstrated the danger by crashing off-road, where the large front wheel hit an obstacle, causing him to pitch forward with his legs stuck under the handlebars.
- Due to the design, the rider must place their foot on the small rear peg and then step onto the large pedal blocks, which are positioned 120mm from the center of the wheel.
- The presenter notes that historical Penny Farthings included spoon brakes applied to the front wheel, which were largely ineffective, reinforcing the danger of stopping.

![Screenshot at 0:06: The presenter demonstrates the dismount procedure by stepping onto the small rear peg and then scooting forward to bring the large front wheel up, illustrating the necessary pre-ride maneuver for mounting this type of bicycle.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/GMSxZHRKGfg/00-00-06.jpg)

**Context:** The video features a cycling enthusiast who acquired a custom-built modern Penny Farthing bicycle with a massive 52-inch front wheel, costing nearly $3,000. The presenter, who is too tall for the bike, details the experience of riding this high-risk antique design, comparing it to riding a horse without dealing with the animal's independent movement, while also demonstrating the inherent dangers of its geometry, particularly during braking and maneuvering.

## Detailed Analysis

The video documents the presenter's experience riding a custom-built Penny Farthing bicycle, which features a 52-inch front wheel and cost approximately $3,000. The presenter, being too tall for the bike, explains the difficulty in mounting and dismounting, which requires stepping onto a small peg on the frame first, then stepping onto the large, block-like pedals attached directly to the front axle. He notes that while the ride on smooth pavement is surprisingly comfortable due to the large wheel and solid rubber tires, the design is inherently dangerous. The primary danger is stopping; applying the front wheel brake results in an immediate 'header' where the rider is thrown over the handlebars, as evidenced by historical footage of a rider crashing this way. The presenter explains that maneuvering is also tricky because the rider's weight is biased forward, requiring constant counter-pulling on the handlebars to maintain balance, especially when turning. He also points out that early safety bicycles evolved specifically to solve the inherent dangers of the Penny Farthing, such as the risk of head-first crashes and having legs tangled in the handlebars during a sudden stop. Despite the risks, the presenter found the ride exciting, though he concluded that mounting/dismounting and stopping require significant planning and skill.

### Bike Acquisition & Customization

- Custom Penny Farthing purchased for nearly $3,000
- Features include a 52-inch front wheel, BMX stem, and threadless headset
- Pedals are large gray blocks mounted directly to the front axle, resulting in a 120mm rise from the center axis.

### Riding Experience

- Riding on smooth pavement is surprisingly comfortable despite solid rubber tires
- Downhill riding is terrifying due to the risk of a header crash if the front wheel stops suddenly.

### Mounting & Dismounting

- Mounting requires using a small foot peg on the frame first, then stepping onto the main pedal blocks; dismounting requires stepping off the pedals and onto the rear peg before hopping off.

### Safety Concerns & Historical Context

- The bike is inherently dangerous; riders who crash often end up head-first with legs tangled in the handlebars, as shown in vintage footage of a crash.
- Original Penny Farthings had front spoon brakes that were largely ineffective, making stopping difficult.

### Final Verdict

- The presenter found the bike incredibly exciting but concluded that its inherent instability and lack of effective stopping mechanisms make it far less practical than modern bicycles.

![Screenshot at 0:00: Presenter standing next to the custom Penny Farthing bicycle, showcasing its enormous front wheel relative to the small rear wheel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/GMSxZHRKGfg/00-00-00.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:06: Presenter demonstrating the dismount procedure by stepping onto the rear foot peg to prepare to jump off the pedals.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/GMSxZHRKGfg/00-00-06.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:20: Close-up shot of the large, square gray pedal blocks attached directly to the front wheel hub.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/GMSxZHRKGfg/00-00-20.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:43: Visual evidence of a crash, showing the bicycle lying in the woods after the rider was thrown over the handlebars.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/GMSxZHRKGfg/00-00-43.jpg)
![Screenshot at 2:53: The Bambu Lab 3D printer is shown fabricating a custom part, likely a more durable pedal block iteration.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/GMSxZHRKGfg/00-02-53.jpg)