The boneshaker's success stimulated makers to devise new solutions and produce new models. The most active inventors were English. In 1869 the Coventry makers James Starley and William Hillman patented the "Ariel," a bicycle whose front wheel was considerably higher than the rear wheel. In order to promote their vehicle, Starley and Hillman rode the 153 km between Coventry and London on their Ariel in one day, attracting the attention of the press. For several decades, the Ariel was the most common bicycle. It was copied and modified by several makers. Made entirely of metal, the Ariel was much lighter than its predecessors. The impressive front wheel diameter increased the space covered with one complete turn of the pedals, but keeping one's balance after mounting, without running over pedestrians, was a demanding undertaking.