1981 Famolare “Extraordinary”
1981 Famolare Extraordinary
Your older sister had a pair of Famolare Sandals, right?
This bike is not quite what it seems.
This Famolare is not an original Penny Farthing (also known as an”ordinary” or high-wheeler) bicycle, and it’s not really a replica of the old bike design (bikes in the 1800’s didn’t have generator lights or pneumatic tires).
Instead, this bike is the embodiment of a Vermont-based shoe company’s logo, and a reward that was given to top Famolare shoe retailers.
Little rear wheel with generator
Ideale leather saddle
Famolare front end
Joe Famolare and his company have been making fashionable shoes since 1970. Most famously known (at least to Jaime and the few girlfriends of hers that we polled) for chunky wedge-type sandals, flats, as well as mens and womens shoes designed with wavy soles. If you know about Famolare, it may be because your older sister had a pair of Famolare “High There” wedges.
Kevin would be more comfortable in Famolare shoes.
The high-wheel bicycle has been in the Famolare logo since the beginning. In the early ’80’s, the company had their icon made into a living and breathing bicycle as a fun sales incentive, and here ya go. The Famolare Extaordinary.
The bike takes some agility to ride. Since the pedals are connected to the front wheel, the steering and propulsion departments want to fight one another. If you pedal hard, you have to pull on the handlebars even harder to turn. Bumps in the road make it want to jackknife. Oh, and there is only one speed.
It’s as fun to pedal as it looks.