Are the brakes on a penny farthing a simple machine?

Answer 1

Yes, although usually very poor ones. Most common was the "spoon brake", wich basically was only a lever that pushed against the tire.

Didn't mean that much though, as the design of the Penny-Farthing meant that hard braking would toppe the bike over forward anyhow.

Answer 2

With considerable difficulty. They usually had something called a spoon brake, basically a plate that got pushed against the front wheel tire to slow it down. Trouble was, brake too hard and the bike would tip over forward as well.

Another option was for the rider to try to slow the bike down py putting pressure on the pedals in reverse.

Answer 3

Very, very carefully, as the design of the Penny-Farthing meant that hard braking would topple the bike over forward.

Answer 4

They don't exist anymore. You would've steered it like a regular bicycle, but you would've fallen off.

Answer 5

Yes, levers.

Answer 6

you pedal and pedal and pedal