Tall Bikes. The name itself conjures images of cyclists perched high above the traffic, seemingly defying gravity on custom-built, towering bicycles. These aren’t your average oversized frames; we’re talking about rideable machines that can rival the height of a school bus or even a house.
While the bike pictured above, a creation by Scott Graham, reaches an impressive 14 feet 3 inches, it doesn’t even hold the world record for the tallest rideable bicycle. That accolade belongs to another of Graham’s builds, which reached a staggering 18 feet 2.5 inches. However, even that record is history. As of 2020, the Guinness World Record for the tallest rideable bicycle is held by a Polish creation that soars to an unbelievable 24 feet 3.73 inches (7.41 meters). That’s roughly the height of a two-story building!
This spirit of one-upmanship and daring creativity is at the heart of the tall bike phenomenon. But where did these sky-high bicycles originate? The story of the tall bike is rooted in practicality and ingenuity, tracing back to 19th-century solutions for everyday problems.
The Historical Roots of Tall Bikes: From Lamplighters to Penny Farthings
The evolution of tall bikes is surprisingly linked to two distinct elements of 19th-century cycling: the needs of lamplighters and the pursuit of speed.
In the early to mid-1800s, gas street lights were becoming commonplace, illuminating cities after dark. However, these lamps required manual lighting each evening.
Lamplighters faced the challenge of reaching these elevated lights night after night. Initially, this meant carrying heavy, cumbersome wooden ladders from lamp to lamp. A more efficient solution emerged in the form of the tricycle. These early trikes, often featuring large drive wheels at the rear, allowed lamplighters to transport their ladders more easily.
As gas lamp technology advanced, the need for ladders diminished. Lamplighters could then use simpler tools, like long sticks, to ignite the lamps. This shift paved the way for the adoption of bicycles, offering greater maneuverability than trikes.
Simultaneously, the late 1870s and 1880s witnessed the rise of the penny-farthing. The core principle behind the penny-farthing was simple: a larger drive wheel covers more distance with each pedal rotation, increasing speed.
Riding a penny-farthing, with its towering wheel, became a symbol of daring and skill. However, these bikes were notoriously dangerous, prone to tipping, especially on hills. Descending hills on a penny-farthing was a particularly risky endeavor, often requiring riders to place their feet on the handlebars to avoid head-first falls.
In comparison, the lamplighter’s bike, though tall, offered a safer alternative. It provided the necessary height for reaching lamps while maintaining stability and control at lower speeds.
By the turn of the 20th century, electric streetlights began to replace gas lamps, rendering the lamplighter’s profession obsolete. Penny-farthings, too, faded into history, superseded by the “safety bicycle” with its chain-drive and more stable design. Yet, the lamplighter bike, with its unique tall frame, left a lasting impression, inspiring artists like Tyler Vorhees to commemorate this bygone era.
Tall Bikes as Art and Community Expression
Today, the spirit of innovation and self-expression that fueled the development of early tall bikes lives on in the modern tall bike community. Many consider each custom-built tall bike to be a rolling sculpture, a unique piece of art.
The tall bike community is a vibrant subculture of builders, riders, and enthusiasts who share a passion for these unconventional machines. The shared perspective of seeing the world from a higher vantage point fosters an instant sense of camaraderie among tall bikers.
Participating in group rides, like the Chicago Critical Mass Ride, allows tall bikers to connect with like-minded individuals and showcase their creations. Whether you’re drawing inspiration from existing tall bike designs or forging your own path with a completely original concept, the only limit is your imagination and welding skills.
Some tall bike builds push the boundaries of engineering and aesthetics, resulting in incredibly unique and sometimes precarious-looking designs.
When form and function converge successfully, the result is a tall bike that becomes a true classic, admired for its ingenuity and style.
The Zenga Brothers, a Canadian collective, embody the passion and artistry of the tall bike community.
Beyond building and riding, they are also filmmakers, documenting the world of tall bikes in their multi-part series, further spreading the tall bike gospel.
Building Your Own DIY Tall Bike: A Step-by-Step Guide
Inspired to join the ranks of tall bike creators? The tall bike community is known for its helpfulness and willingness to share knowledge. If you’re ready to embark on your own tall bike building journey, there are resources available to guide you.
For those who prefer a step-by-step approach, online tutorials like this Instructables guide offer detailed instructions on how to transform “junker bikes” into towering rides. The process involves cutting and welding bike frames to achieve the desired height.
Visual learners can also benefit from video tutorials available on platforms like YouTube, which demonstrate the entire build process from start to finish.
From their practical origins to their modern-day expression as art and community, tall bikes represent a fascinating intersection of history, creativity, and engineering. Whether you’re drawn to their towering height, their unique aesthetic, or the challenge of building your own, the world of tall bikes offers a unique perspective on cycling and self-expression.
What kind of tall bike adventure will you dream up?
Bob Forgrave is president of Flatbike, an ecommerce company offering full-size folding bikes and kits to make any bike take up half the space.
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