


While there is much debate over originals vs replica's, I'm not keen to get into that in depth discussion on this blog as the fact of the matter is many aspiring riders can not afford to purchase an original bicycle therefore building there own bike or purchasing a replica is the only way they will get to ride a high wheel bicycle. In my home country New Zealand most riders have built their own bicycle with parts supplied from Oamaru, the center for replica ordinary bicycle construction since 1994 and home to the now famous annual NZ penny farthing championships. Apart from that NZ is also home to one of the most authentic replica builders around, Robin Willan of Christchurch whose fantastic replica's are highly sort after from collectors in NZ and abroad.
SUPPLIERS OF PARTS:
Oamaru Cycle Works - located in Oamaru , New Zealand
suppliers of solid tire - American style 3/4 inch wired on type
wire tensioning device for fitting the above tire
Custom made ss long spokes
steel tapered backbones
For more info please check their website which is listed below
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~gsimpson/supplies.htmlBrett Richardson - located in Bracken Ridge Queensland , Australia
supplier of Steel & Alloy rims
hubs, spokes, backbones, cast steering heads, bearing castings and other related parts
For more info please contact me and I will send you a copy of his current price list
If you are interested in building your own bike the first thing is to figure out what size bike would fit you and if there are other riders of high wheel bikes in your area they could offer you some advice re what size to ride but the best way is to measure your leg length and that will determine the size wheel which you can ride with ease.
Early in the New Year I will be building a 52 inch replica for a Japanese rider and once the parts that I have ordered are here I will be posting my progress on this blog, which will give anyone wanting to build their own bike an idea of how to go about it.
Pictured above are some examples of replica's and parts