1975 Marx Big Wheel Catalog

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Big Wheels were the Rolls freaking Royce of children's transportation in the 1970s, there seemed to be at least two on every block. The Big Wheel however was only one part of the Marx "Ride 'Ems" line which included some fun and strange vehicles, check out the 1975 Marx Ride Ems Catalog here.

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[Wee67]

Few things say growing up in the 70's more than the Big Wheel. Simple, pure awesome-ness! There are couple of things that almost every kid experiences in every decade and I gotta think the Big Wheel was one. Even if you didn't have one, you knew someone who did. I can't imagine a kid not liking this thing.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I had the Big Wheel, and rode it up until I was 8 years old or so. They were actually pretty large and accommodating for older kids. I apparently had the Little Wheel too, because there is one in my Dad's basement! I didn't realize it was an authentic Big Wheel spin-off.

Nothing beat my friends and me riding our Big Wheels down the steep sidewalk on my street and making a sharp turn into my gravel drive-way. Then we'd pull the brake and do doughnuts, throwing rocks everywhere! We also figured out if we put gravel IN the Big Wheel, it would make even more dust. So we did!

The only downer was my sister's old Big Wheel had a brake that stuck, so my friend Michael was ejected rather violently more than once.

chris

[Wee67]

Question for those of you who know art- Is that kid on the Big Wheel done by Jack Davis? I know he did do a lot of commercial stuff in the 70's. It looks really familiar.

[Earth 2 Chris]

If it's not Davis, it's someone with a similar style. But chances are it is. He even did Slim Jim ads in the comics back then!

Chris

[palitoy]

It is Jack Davis, Marx used him for their catalogs it seems, at least the ones I have.

[kryptosmaster]

I don't recall a brake on my Big Wheel. We either used our feet or locked up the front wheel by pedaling backwards hence the front wheel tread wearing out after awhile.
I loved having a Big Wheel but I actually coveted a Green Machine and never got one.
Rich

[ScottA]

Oh, yea. I had one. It ended up getting a flat spot on the front wheel from breaking hard and spinning out all the time. Loved it.

[TrueDave]

I had a meatl and plastic Chopper thing. It was sweet.

Did anybody else flip thier Big Wheels over and Play "ice Cream Maker?"

you spin the pedals with your hands to make ice cream.

I think someone has made adult sized bicycle quality big wheel like things. Any info?

[HardyGirl]

I never had a Big Wheel. My mom refused to buy one for 3 reasons:

1) She said I'd outgrow it too quickly
2) She really hated that clicking sound
3) (and this one's the topper), I got run over by one of these things, RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY MOM!! We were on our way to the park, and some kid came tearing down the street, hit me and kept right on going. I was hit with such force, I was actually airborne for a couple of seconds! After that, I wasn't even allowed to MENTION the Big Wheel in her presence.

I'll have my day though!

[kryptosmaster]

Oh and I think those things had a weight limit, too.
I remember "big kids" trying to ride on my Big Wheel and it bottoming out on the ground.
Rich

[kryptosmaster]

I never had a Big Wheel. My mom refused to buy one for 3 reasons:

2) She really hated that clicking sound

That disappeared on mine for some reason. LOL
Rich

[Wee67]

Did anybody else flip thier Big Wheels over and Play "ice Cream Maker?"

you spin the pedals with your hands to make ice cream.

This is an oddity that I never quite understood. I know lots of kids did it in the Phildelphia area. We moved around a lot and it seems to have been something kids did all over the country. YET I STILL don't understand why a flipped Big Wheel becomes an ice cream maker when you pour dirt on the spinning wheel.

[R.O.M.]

I had a really cool black and gold Big Wheel with a Cobra decal on it (the actual snake, not the Joe enemy). It was the baddest looking one around!

I also had a pedal Batmobile that I wish we had hung onto.....