Russian bicycles: advantages and disadvantages, model rating

For decades, Russian bicycles have been considered the most reliable, durable and high quality bicycles. Everything changed with the popularization of sports models - mountain, BMX, trial and downhill. Extreme cycling has become a mass hobby and it turned out that domestic equipment manufacturers are not at all as strong in it as the riders would like. Today, the list of manufacturers from Russia is periodically replenished with new names, but the class of bicycles is slightly higher than that of Chinese counterparts. The rating of the best and most popular brands from the Russian Federation does not look promising at all.

Are there Moscow brands of bicycles, what the modern geography of their production looks like in Russia, which bicycles should be chosen by beginners and how not to make a mistake and buy a bike that can last a long time - let's talk in this article.

Considering the Russian bicycles offered for purchase, one can deduce a number of patterns that unite the products of Russian brands. Their obvious advantages include the following characteristics.

• Compliance with established standards. While Chinese-made products are often made practically from foil, domestic brands offer quality steel of normal thickness and do not skimp on aluminum tubes. Bicycles from Russia are really reliable, if only because they use good components in their production.
• Full fulfillment of warranty obligations. In case of a factory defect, Russian bicycles can be easily returned to the manufacturer. It will be much more difficult to prove something to a company from Taiwan, China or other Asian countries.
• Decent quality components. Considering that most of the attachments for all bicycle brands, without exception, are made in Asia, in terms of the level of technical equipment, Russian manufacturers are generally not far behind.
• Affordable cost. For the price, Russian bicycles definitely outperform any competitors. Of course, the products presented by them are aimed rather at skiers who do not have much experience. But in general, it is quite consistent with the request of the target audience.
• Domestic production... The ability to “support the ruble” of a Russian brand is very important for many - in addition to the prestige of the country, factories also create hundreds of jobs.

Disadvantages include extremely poor build quality. And this despite the fact that it is the installation process, which consists of hanging additional equipment on the frame, that is considered production in the Russian Federation. Considering that most of the frames are Chinese or Taiwanese, all attachments are imported, the Russian bicycle market begins to look not very attractive. However, even if the basis is domestic, most likely, it will be very difficult.

Low quality attachments in Russian bicycles it is difficult to attribute directly to the disadvantages. Much of this is due to the fact that the bikes themselves are designed for beginners. But the frequency of service is already a serious drawback. If you don't have to look into the bearings and bushings of bicycles of the world's leading brands for years, this tactic will definitely not work with domestic equipment.

All bicycles produced in Russia can be divided on models with multi-speed transmission and variants without speeds, with 1 sprocket. Sometimes the separation is carried on by material class and type of frame - options from titanium, carbon fiber are more expensive than steel and aluminum. It is worth paying attention to depreciation type: it may be absent, in this case the fork is called rigid, there are also hardtails and double suspensions.

According to their purpose, all bicycles are divided into the following categories.

• Urban or road. Focused on highway or asphalt driving, with one speed, simple controls. Equipped with trunk and basket, fenders, mud shields by default. Depreciation is not provided for such models.

• Mountain bikes. They are produced in the form of double suspensions and hardtails, and are aimed at traveling on rough terrain. They have a strong, reinforced frame construction, double rims, adapted for jumping. The tires have an aggressive pattern and increased thickness.

• BMX. Stunt bikes with increased frame and fork strength. They are not foldable. They have a special geometry of the handlebars and saddles.

• Tourist. Designed specifically for long trips, they are distinguished by improved acceleration, especially comfortable saddles, and a large wheel diameter.

• Hybrid. Combines the advantages of mountain and tourist models. Suitable for overcoming small off-road without unnecessary extreme.

• Cruisers. Bicycles for comfortable and leisurely riding around the city. They are convenient for shopping or sightseeing.

If we consider specifically the factories that produce bicycles in Russia, the list will be rather short. And it will definitely not include Moscow brands - most of the production is still outside the capital.A review of firms that produce bicycles in the Russian Federation will allow you to understand the situation on the market more accurately and in detail.

Perm Bicycle Factory, which dates back to 1939. In the past, the company successfully produced bicycles "Kama", "Ural", "Velta-Sport", was part of the auto concern. After the liquidation of the Velta enterprise in 2006, Forward LLC was established on its basis, specializing in the production of bicycles of the same name, equipment and accessories for them. Our own production was established earlier, since 2003, first on the basis of imported components, and then using our own developments.

In Soviet times, the enterprise was named "ZIF". The production of bicycles continued until the closure of the company in 2016 due to bankruptcy. Today the plant is under regional subordination, work is underway to restore production. During its existence, the company actively supplied its products abroad - to India, China, Eastern Europe.

The largest Russian bicycle manufacturer. The company owns 4 plants at once - in the Krasnodar Territory, Moscow and Bryansk Regions, in the Urals. The company owns such bicycle brands as Stels and Desna, actively develops and increases production capacity. The product lines include fat bikes, mountain hardtails and full suspensions, city and road models of various levels.

Kaliningrad plant, which has existed since 2006. The company owns 2 brands of bicycles at once: Novatrack and Stinger, aimed primarily at a youth audience. The plant regularly improves production, develops new models, thinks over the geometry of the frames.

The best brands from Russia will not go unnoticed either. The following brands in the popularity rating definitely deserve it.

• Atom. One of the leaders of the domestic cycle market. Specializes in the production of models for extreme sports - from BMX to freeride, trial and cross-country. Available for children and teenagers.

• Forward. Domestic brand with an extensive product line. The company was one of the first in Russia to establish the production of carbon frames and premium sports bicycles. Among its products you can find children's models with lightweight frames, models for downhill, cross-country, BMX, trial.

• Stark. The production is based in Lenino, it is a young company showing great success. The lineup already includes extreme, mountain models, road bikes and folding city options.

• Stels. The brand of the Velomotors company, well known to the majority of Russians. For a long time it was not considered as a serious competitor to foreign companies due to the low quality of components. Today Stels focuses on the use of frames of its own production and tries to expand the model range.

• Desna. The plant in the Bryansk region produces original high quality products, focusing on folding models for a teenage audience. Mountain models are presented in classic and female versions, there are two-suspension systems. The Velomotors company bought the plant in 2008, after 4 years of bankruptcy of the latter, since then a pipe-rolling production, a robotic welding shop for the manufacture of frames and forks, and its own painting module have appeared here.

• Stinger. The brand, owned by the VeloBalt factory, produces full-suspension models with aluminum and steel frames, hardtails, women's and city bikes, cruisers and teen models. The main calculation is made for the youth audience and adults.

• Novatrack. The brand, also owned by VeloBalt, specializes in bicycles for children and teenagers, balance bikes. There are many models aimed at the youngest audience, with wheel diameters from 12 inches.

• Racer. A brand from Barnaul specializing in light two-wheeled vehicles - from scooters to bicycles. The main focus is on mountain bikes for adult riders.

• Sura. Products of the Penza Bicycle Factory. Now it is not produced, but you can still find Vektor cargo transformers and other models of the company on sale. Doesn't stand out for its high quality.

• Altair. Another brand of the Forward company, the products are manufactured in Perm. Focused on a teenage audience.

When choosing a Russian-made bicycle, you should pay attention to the following points.

• Appointment. A city bike is radically different from mountain biking or long highway trips. It is imperative to take into account the type of coverage and the load that the bike will receive.
• Price range. Premium lines can be on a par with the products of foreign companies. Forward and some other companies have these. Budget bikes are approximately equal in price and are designed for beginner riders.
• Durability. All things being equal, choose bikes with Shimano or SRAM attachments. They are able to withstand maximum loads and provide a long service life.
• Frame weight and material. The heaviest option is HiTen steel, the lighter options are made of aluminum. Mountain bikes and sport bikes use carbon. The heavier the frame, the more difficult it is to climb the bike uphill, and in general, when riding over rough terrain, you have to exert more effort.
• Age category... There is a list of brands that specialize mainly in teenage models - Desna, Stels. Forward has adult models for serious loads.

For an overview of the Russian bicycle, see the next video.