Latest fixed-gear bicycle is a penny farthing

The current fashion for fixed gear bicycles is inspired by the pared down bikes used by couriers in New York, but designs based on the very earliest direct drive cycles of the 1870s are about to make a reappearance.

The penny farthing that has recently gone on sale for £499 may be a tiddler in comparison to the original bikes – its wheels measure 36inches and 12inches compared to the 60inch and 18 inch wheels – but it does at least boast brakes, a feature that was missing from the bikes ridden 140 years ago.

Penny farthings: the highs and the lows

The rider of a penny farthing may enjoy an elevated view over hedgerows or traffic, but the high centre of gravity can result in the machine pitching forward if the bike hits a rut or pothole.

On the plus side, these bikes are extremely low maintenance. When Thomas Stevens rode a penny farthing 12,500 miles around the world in the 1880s, he reported not one significant mechanical problem.

The Yikebike electric penny farthing

The Yikebike folding electric penny farthing folds to a tiny size, weighs only 10kg and has good-quality lights incorporated into the design.

The riding position appears a little eccentric, but it has been designed with stability and safety in mind. The shorter wheel-base makes it very maneuverable, the front wheel is a decent size for bumps and curbs, the upright riding position makes it easier to see and be seen in traffic and handle-bars are no longer a hazard in an accident.

The Yikebike is now available to buy for £2995

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Up to 40% discount on cycle insurance for folding bikes

Cycle insurance from ETA is fully comprehensive and includes electric bikes. It offers a 40% discount for folding bikes such as those from Brompton and Dahon.

At no extra cost, every policy includes new-for-old replacement and cover for accidental damage (even at race events), third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, we will even come out and recover you and your bike.