Aist bicycles: lineup and selection criteria

Nowadays, a good bike, and even at an affordable price, is rightly considered a real find. Some of the older generation, who still remembers the Soviet-era two-wheeled vehicles, longingly recalls the Stork bikes. If you thought that they haven’t been around for a long time, we have good news for you: the manufacturer still continues to produce them.

The Aist bicycle (in recent years it is correct to write its name in Latin letters) has been known to the consumer in our country since the old days, because production was started back in 1947 and at that time 6 thousand bicycles were immediately sold. The company grew rapidly and within three years of its activity was able to sell 100 thousand units of two-wheeled vehicles. Already in 1955, sales increased to 400 thousand units annually, and soon the brand became cramped on the market even in such a huge country as the USSR. In 1963, two-wheeled vehicles, now decorated with Latin letters, first went for export.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, production and sales decreased significantly, which was caused by increased competition in the market, but for its own, now a fairly small country, the company remains one of the reasons for pride.

Today, as in all previous decades, the production of Aist bicycles is located in Belarus. LLC “MotoVeloZavod”, as the name implies, is engaged in the production of two-wheeled vehicles, both pedal and motor types.The Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant is distinguished by two specific features: firstly, almost all known types of bicycles are made here, from classic children's to mountain and highway, and secondly, they all belong to the budget category, which has always been appreciated in our country. It should be noted that modern Aist assembly only remains Belarusian, while most frames are purchased in China.

At one time, such bicycles were highly valued among ordinary Soviet citizens for the utmost simplicity of design, and, consequently, for simple maintenance and repair. Today, the company is very far from a peak of 400 thousand bicycles per year, but even with the current volumes of 70 thousand units of two-wheeled vehicles, the brand continues to be an export brand annually, delighting Russian motorists as well.

The modern bicycle market is very rich in various offers, and the task of the future owner of two-wheeled vehicles is to choose the right model for themselves, as well as the manufacturer. It should be recognized that even under the desperate onslaught of world-famous manufacturers, Aist managed to resist, and all because most of its key advantages have remained relevant since Soviet times. Today, having preferred products of the Belarusian brand, you have every right to count on the following advantages of a perfect purchase.

Known fact: the smaller the nodes and parts in the mechanism, the less often it breaks. However, breakdowns with one or another frequency are characteristic for absolutely any mechanisms, and in the case of Aist, you can try to repair even yourself, because there is nothing complicated in this bike.

Since we are talking about the need for periodic maintenance and repair, the question is how to get spare parts. There are no problems with this - since production does not stop assembly work, it means that all components continue to be produced. Given that Aist is not one of the overseas brands from non-CIS countries and in many respects works precisely on the Russian market; it is not difficult to get the necessary spare part.

If you do not pretend to be top-class bicycles, which are 100% indestructible, but also standing accordingly, then the products of a manufacturer who knows how to combine good quality with loyal pricing will probably fall into your circle of interests. The aforesaid characterizes Aist as well as possible, because it is a Belarusian bicycle on a Chinese frame, and in these countries they usually do not “tear” at exorbitant prices.

In addition, Minsk, where production of two-wheeled “horses” is established, is located relatively close to many densely populated regions of Russia, which means that the logistics component in the price is not so noticeable. In addition, due to the special relations between the Russian Federation and Belarus, crossing the interstate border also does not affect the cost in any way.

At one time, two-wheeled products from Belarus also captivated Soviet citizens by the fact that the bicycles produced by the Minsk Plant were notable for good handling - this allowed them to rely on their vehicles even if the route ran far from any adequate roads, and there are still such routes in our country enough for now.

Today, many potential consumers mistakenly assume that Aist, having switched to Chinese frames, has changed a lot, but in fact this is not so - although only assembly takes place in Minsk, parts are still ordered under the drawings of local designers.

Back in 1977, the first Aist with a folding frame appeared, and since then the folding design has become a kind of “chip” of the brand - most models have a frame that can, at the request of the owner, become much more compact. Given the distances typical of our country, in many cases the bike will first have to ride in the trunk of a personal car or public transport, before playing the role of transport itself.

In such a situation, the possibility of folding is considered only as a solid advantage. The same feature, by the way, allows you to conveniently store your bike even in tight Soviet apartments.

The disadvantages of these bicycles are also present, and to some they even seem significant, but in reality it is not a matter of marriage or constructive miscalculations, but of the manufacturer’s orientation to a particular segment of cyclists. So, Aist, releasing all kinds of two-wheeled vehicles, focuses on a wide consumer, therefore it produces mainly amateur models.

If you see yourself as a serious athlete, then such a transport is unlikely to be useful to you.

Another important point is the strength and reliability of the modern "Stork". One can argue with whether the price of bicycles is justified by the world's leading bicycle manufacturers, but there are no miracles in the world, and the Belarusian “iron horse”, costing the buyer a penny, is unlikely to be inherited by grandchildren. In principle, the simplicity and low cost of repairs largely offset this problem, but at the same time, the situation here is about the same as with a car: when buying, a person wants to spend maximum time behind the wheel, and not at all under the hood.

In addition, some consumers also complain about the unreliable paintwork - soon after the purchase, the bike loses its originally attractive appearance. There are complaints about poor assembly: in particular, the front and rear wheels may not form a complete line, which adversely affects the driving performance of the vehicle.

If you are a long-time fan of the products of the Minsk plant, then the advantages of Aist should include the impressive variety of its range - you can recommend the brand to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive bike, not at all interested, what type of two-wheeled transport a person needs. Indeed, modern Aist produces transport for every taste.

Let's take a brief look at the main types of Belarusian-made bikes that might interest a potential consumer.

• Mountain bikes, as the name implies, are designed specifically for cross-country driving, although, of course, in urban conditions they are not completely useless. Although Aist products cannot be considered full-fledged sports, all the characteristic features like a more reliable frame, thick tires with an aggressive tread and increased clearance are observed. The Minsk plant produces both lightweight hardails without a rear suspension, which feel every unevenness, but they are swift as a bullet and two-suspensions, which have a more noticeable weight and lower speed, but effectively extinguish the relief.

• Road bikes all over the world are the most popular and in the case of Aist there is no question of an exception to the rule. In technical terms, this is the simplest bike, sharpened mainly for riding on smooth city roads.Attachments here are oriented for urban conditions, for example, a typical equipment may be equipped with a flashlight, a bell and a basket or trunk. This is a popular type of bike for walking or regular trips as an alternative to annoying public transport.

• Road models, like roads, they are intended for roads of decent quality, but their purpose is somewhat different - they are adapted for high-speed movement along highways outside the city. The speed set of such a bicycle is relatively simple, while the transport has a good roll-over and maintains its pace for a long time. All this is possible thanks to specific design features, including a steering wheel in the form of "ram's horns", a lightweight frame of increased stiffness, narrow and maximally inflated tires.

• Folding bikes they are usually distinguished into an independent category of two-wheeled transport and this is logical: without a coherent rigid frame, such a model is fundamentally unsuitable for solid loads, especially since Aist in principle cannot be considered a manufacturer with excellent build quality. The folding option is good for comfortable storage in a cramped dwelling and trips with a bicycle by public transport, but skiing routes should be chosen without complicated and shaking sections, and acceleration is undesirable.

• Female models as a whole, they duplicate all the above classes of bicycles, but have the specifics of a design developed taking into account the anatomy of the female body. The most striking example is the absence of the upper tube at the frame in general or its noticeable downward shift, so as not to interfere with the landing of the girl, even if she is in a dress or skirt. Ladies' tales usually also have a special design that will appeal to any real lady.

• Teenage bikes, like women’s, they are mainly analogues of the same adult models, only their frame and wheel diameter are slightly smaller. According to the generally accepted standard, teenage bicycles are designed for riders from 10 to 18 years both in height and weight, but it is clear that such a division is largely arbitrary - some of the children grow so fast that they must change to an adult bike before adulthood, and some adults of miniature size at any age feel more comfortable driving a compact teenage bike.

• Children's bicycles targeted at babies aged 1 to 10 years. The frame and wheels are, for obvious reasons, greatly reduced in size. To prevent painful falls during the ride, many two-wheeled models are equipped with two additional quick-release wheels on the sides of the rear wheel - they do not allow the bike to heel, and upon mastering the riding skills can be removed.

The range of the Belarusian manufacturer is impressive - no matter what type of bike you want, it is probably presented in one of the lines. Our review will cover several Aist bike models. When compiling the list, we focused on the most recognizable and popular bikes, but it may happen that you find a bike that is not represented in the rating more convenient and practical.

One of the most recognizable female brand models related to urban class. The relatively new city bike on 26-inch wheels and a steel frame with a rigid front fork is decorated in pink. The package includes a front brake "vibrake" and a rear foot, the chain is partially protected. The reliability of the frame is given by the presence of a second pipe, which is greatly understated here. To increase convenience, there is a basket.

A sample bike for those who are looking for a real two-wheeled SUV for driving in snow, sand or tall grass. The transport is equipped with large wheels with a diameter of 28 inches, tires, as befits this type of bike, wide and half-deflated. Particularly soft off-road driving is provided by the front spring-oil fork and disc brake hydraulics both front and rear. For finer control of the course, 10 speeds are provided.

One of the most recognizable Belarusian bicycle models, designed specifically to teach a child a simple rule from an early age: roads are not so much designed to be accessible there as to limit your horizons. The mountain bike on wheels of 20 inches does not have a pronounced "gender", but it is available in rigid versions (both forks are hard, but the bike is a bit lighter) and hardtail (front fork with shock absorption). The unit is aimed at tomboys aged 10-12 years, for the safety of riding are responsible vibraiks. There are options with both 1 speed and 6.

A folding model for men and women, which, due to the "transitional" diameter of the wheels of 24 inches, can be considered equally adult and teenage. As with many other models Aist, Smart is produced in different configurations - there is a minimum with a single rear brake and one speed, and there is an advanced version with a gearbox for 7 gears and vibrays.

Perhaps it does not belong to the most common bicycle models of the Minsk plant, but not to include it in this list would be a real crime. Is it a joke - this is a real cargo bike, capable of taking up to 40 kilograms of cargo in a basket located behind the seat!

It is clear that trivial two wheels would have been difficult in this situation, and it was not easy to balance with such a load, because the designers decided on an extraordinary move and made an adult bike tricycle with a fairly wide arrangement of rear wheels, which still did not interfere with wading along narrow roads. A rigid front fork and 24 inches of wheel diameter are prerequisites, but the number of speeds you can choose from is 7 or 1.

It can be considered a top-end shoser from Aist, It is even suitable for amateur competitions. The lightest aluminum frame, 28-inch wheels, a front rigid fork and 16 or 22 speeds to choose from - this is the formula for an inexpensive, but fast two-wheeled vehicle for moving over long distances. Tick ​​brakes will be responsible for timely braking.

The procedure for choosing the perfect bike is long and complicated and in general you should not ignore any characteristics of the bike if you want it to suit you perfectly. Of course, the choice in favor of the budget Aist already suggests that you are not a very demanding person and among all the advantages, not least value the savings, but you need to understand at least the type of bike.

Before going to the store, give yourself a clear answer to the question of what purpose you need the bike for.

Think more mundane: if you periodically ride normal roads at your pleasure or at work, you should pay attention to a city bike, it's a road bike, it's a city bike.

The urban option is good in case your work is close, but for regular trips over tens of kilometers, whether it is a severe need or your own hobby, it’s better to take highway drivers - they are faster and more practical. Mountain bike useful if you are not a supporter of driving strictly on the road. Living in a picturesque area and having a mountain bike, you will have a pleasant opportunity to turn off the beaten paths and immerse yourself in the acquaintance with nature. Finally, folding bike - This is an emphasis on the compactness of the bike and you should not expect any other significant advantages from it.

Please note that there is no strict binding of growth to the diameter of the wheel - a certain gradation is allowed, because a small diameter is good with a reduced transport weight, and a large one makes it easier to overcome bumps. Girls who like to wear classic women's clothing should pay attention to women's bicycles - they are not only convenient for getting on and off, but even in terms of design, the femininity of the owner is emphasized once again. Wherein it is better not to abandon the bottom pipe at all - let it be, just lower, because without it the frame loses a significant part of its strength and durability.

Finally, we consider the opinions of owners who have experienced all the advantages and disadvantages of Aist bikes of various models. I must admit that the comments collected in various forums have all shades of emotions - there are both complete “routs” of the bicycle, and enthusiastic responses. Apparently, a lot depends on the requests of the author of the comment, and on the model, as well as on the build quality of a particular instance.

If we talk about the good, then most often they focus on cheapness.

Without burdening your vehicle with difficult trials, you will not encounter problems, and those who still crawl out can usually be solved by anyone who knows how to hold a screwdriver in their hands.

The situation with criticism is more ambiguous - someone refuses to criticize Aist at all, given its low cost, and someone starts to find fault with the details. In most cases, authors of negative comments point to poor assembly reliability - then the wings stagger, then the tread is completely wiped off (much faster than expected), then the grips are wiped. They also periodically complain about significant weight, although there are opposing opinions, which, apparently, depends on the model and the physical readiness of the owner.

In a word Aist is suitable for the role of your first bike, especially if you do not plan to spend all your free time in the saddle.

Aist Slide 3.0 29 "mountain bike review can be seen in the next video.