Retro bike - stylish and practical technique

"Retro" in Latin means "back", that is, an appeal to the past. This is a stylistic trend that will be in trend for a very long time, because it consists of all the best and most memorable facts from each era. So, the object of timeless fashion is the retro bike. Such devices still exist.

The scheme of a modern non-motorized vehicle was presented two centuries ago. At that time, the first bicycle scooters began to appear, which were a frame with wheels, a saddle, a steering wheel and the absence of a pedal drive. These days, similar devices are sold to educate young children.

The middle of the 19th century was marked by the appearance of front-wheel drive units. This model had a strange look - its wheels were of different sizes.

The feature of the model was:

• the presence of a curved tube-frame with two forks for the wheels;
• large front wheel and small rear;
• seat at the very frame;
• the presence of a lower rudder.

The pedals were located on the axle of the drive wheel. The height was 150-200 cm, the handling was low, but the speed was developing normal - from 20 to 35 km per hour. There were no brakes, which was unsafe for life.

The biggest design changes to bicycles are associated with the invention of the chain drive and the use of identical-sized wheels. The devices of this time had pedals built into the frame, the rotation was transmitted to the rear wheel using sprockets and a chain.

The frame has taken on the shape of a rhombus, which is typical for a modern bicycle.By the end of the 19th century, rubber chambers with a release valve were invented, at the same time it became known about bearings.

Previously, for people, a bicycle was not only a device for movement, but also served to attract attention.

Let's remember the Soviet classic units.

• Ural. This device is characterized by the ability to develop high speed, despite its large mass.

• "Tachyon". A sports bike made from steel.

• "Satellite". The most common model, which was, perhaps, every Soviet citizen.

• "Schoolboy". Probably every child of school age dreamed about this non-motorized unit.

• A vehicle, a kind of symbol of the Olympics, is "Start-highway Moscow-80".

• In the past, models were very popular "Eaglet", "Tourist", "Kama".

For foreign countries, bicycles were of no small importance. Earlier abroad it was normal for a certain model of such a means of transportation to be considered a symbol of the state. The American trade mark Harley Davidson was engaged in the production of not only motorcycles, but also vehicles without a motor. Another brand was produced here - Dayton... Also, a bicycle is a common means of transportation for the Chinese.

Vintage and retro - these directions are in great demand these days. Bicycles, considered over time to be museum rarities, are also relevant. Retro bicycles represent the relationship between sport and style. There are trade marks that manufacture semi-antique equipment. For example, Autum, which produced the Epitaph Cruiser. It combines a unique modern style with some antique details.

The more famous model of the retro bike "Ariel" is a real old unit. It has leather inserts, with a light brown color of the body, and the most original thing about it is its wheels of different sizes, the front wheel is twice the size of the rear one. People call this vehicle a "spider".

The most common model of a retro bike these days is the "Cruiser" unit. It is to the liking of those who like leisurely walks, city driving and those who prefer the classic style. This model is characterized by simplicity, which is a decoration and addition to a vehicle of this kind. A product more suitable for good roads, since it has a large mass.

Not only the components are convenient, but also the accessories of the bike:

• massive wheels;
• bicycle headlights;
• seat trimmed with leather;
• volumetric steering wheel;
• chain with protection from contamination;
• step.

The model comes with a basket and trunk. There is a division of these vehicles for women and men with a variety of design and structure.

For a female bicycle in a retro style it is typical the presence of special details that adapt to the lines of the body... This includes such an arrangement of the frame that allows the fair sex not to throw a leg high, because it is uncomfortable - in the past, trousers on a woman were considered a sign of bad taste, and skirts and dresses were used in everyday wear. One of the most famous models of the women's vintage bicycle is the "Stork".

When choosing this means of transport, it is necessary to adhere to certain criteria:

• it is necessary to decide where the vehicle will be used - in an urban environment or outside the city;
• it is necessary to take into account the age, gender and weight of the person who will use the product.

If you do not neglect these rules, you can choose equipment that will ensure the reliability and safety of movement.

The old three-wheeled unit can only be found today as a museum piece. Modern retro-style products can be divided into several types.

• Mountainwhich are used for driving on uneven terrain, mountains and country roads. Varieties of this type of products are of fairly high quality, reliable and safe, and have a long service life.

• Road racing. These types are much lighter, they are characterized by dimensional wheels with narrow tires. This bike is distinguished by a low position of the handlebars, which makes it possible for the driver to take an aerodynamic position, which increases the speed.

• Mixed. These products combine in their design all the best positive characteristics; they can be driven both outside the city and along city streets, but they are not suitable for sports competitions.

Interestingly, the mobility device was invented at the beginning of the 19th century.

• It was made of wood and without pedals, it was possible to move on it with the feet, pushing them off the ground. The first cycling competitions were held near Paris.
• In our country, models with a chain drive first appeared in a large assortment at the end of the 19th century.
• A Scottish developer invented the first pneumatic tire. At first he filled it with water, but this was inconvenient and negatively affected the speed. Then air was pumped into it, and a special valve was invented that did not allow air to come out.
• The country where most non-motorized vehicles are produced is China.

First, you need to pay attention to the frame, or rather, to the places where the tubes are connected, as well as to the stiffness jumpers between the triangle feathers in the back. Besides, close attention should be paid to the dropouts and seat tube bore.

The pipe joints take on a more interesting look as the cost of the product increases. If the vehicle is purchased at a lower price, then the type of frame binding will be conventional. A prime example of a luxury product is the shape of the Nervex docking station. But not in all cases, the form of fastening the frame tubes indicates the high cost of the product. For example, non-motor vehicle manufacturers such as De Rosa, Masi, and RIH have simple assembly of frame assemblies, but the cost is quite high.

The situation with jumpers that regulate hardness is as follows: they are made in the form of metal plates connected to the feathers - this option is the cheapest. The middle price segment is represented by round tubes attached between the feathers. The most expensive products have jumpers of an extraordinary look, most often there is an embossed emblem of the company - the manufacturer of the frame.

Dropouts are the frames that the wheel is attached to. And they are mainly made of metal plate or forged - in this case, they are distinguished by the greatest strength, but more expensive.

The seat tube size is an indication of how thick the tube is at the frames. The better the metal alloy, the stronger it is, which makes it possible, with equal reliability, to make the tube walls much thinner in comparison with cheap alloys, and also reduces the weight of the frame... Thus, by increasing the size of the tube, it is possible to achieve a decrease in its wall thickness.

Close attention should be paid to the attachments of the vehicle. There is nothing complicated here: a sports-type product will never come with a Shimano Exage groupset, and a regular product will not include a Campagnolo Record.

The last thing to look out for are the wheels. Here you need to look at their labeling.

For an overview of the Penny Farthing retro bike, see the next video.