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Here at Milne’s At Home Antiques and Gallery, we are in possession of a very rare antique: a High Wheel “BoneShaker.” I know a few of you may know what a Boneshaker is, but for those who do not, a Boneshaker (or bone-shaker) is a name used from about the 1820’s up to the present to refer to the first type of true bicycle with pedals, which was called velocipede by its manufacturers. “Boneshaker” refers to the extremely uncomfortable ride, which was caused by the stiff wrought-iron frame and wooden wheels surrounded by tires made of iron.
Our original Boneshaker here at the store came from the Boston Museum of Transportation, this one has three wheels, one large one in the front and two small ones in the back. All the wheels are the original wooden spoke wheels and the tires and seat are made of wrought-iron.
Our Boneshaker was the first replica to be made as a High-Bicycle before the high bicycle came into existence in 1969, the reason we know that is because we have the one with the original wooden spoke wheels. The high-bicycle was the logical extension of the boneshaker, the front wheel enlarging to enable higher speeds (limited by the inside leg measurement of the rider), the rear wheel shrinking and the frame being made lighter. Frenchman Eugene Meyer is now regarded as the father of the High Bicycle by the ICHC in place of James Starley. Meyer invented the wire-spoke tension wheel in 1869 and produced a classic high bicycle design until the 1880s.
Did you know that few original boneshakers exist today! Most having been melted for scrap metal during World War I. Those that do surface from time to time command high prices. So to have such a rare find brings people into our store from far and wide just to view this amazing bicycle from the past.
Feel free to stop by our store at 81 Broadway, Kingston, NY in the Hudson Valley, or check us out online at MilnesAtHomeAntiques.com. The Boneshacker is a must have for those collectors out there, and you will find it at our store. For more information, give us a call at (845) 331-3902. We are open year round, closed on Mondays. Photos below of the bike we acquired.
