Start-Highway Bicycles: Features and History

Anyone who found at least the 90s of the last century at a conscious age remembers that mountain bikes with speed switching were inaccessible due to their high cost. The choice of fans mainly fell on those models that the Soviet bicycle industry left as a legacy. And those of them who longed for speed did not pass by the famous "Start-highway".

This is one of the few more modern models, where instead of carbon fiber and composite materials, steel is used as the main frame and fork. Manufacturer - Kharkov Bicycle Plant named after G.I. Petrovsky, working since 1923. In those pre-war years, at the dawn of the USSR, there were no full-fledged conveyors allowing to establish a mass serial production of bicycle products. In 1926, the first Ukraine road bike was launched. But the mechanized conveyor was soon established, and the HVZ exceeded all Soviet people's expectations, releasing more than a million copies before the Second World War.

During the Great Patriotic War, KhVZ was sent to Bukhara, where he switched to military production. After returning to Kharkov, when the war ended, the plant restored the production of bicycles. From this moment, the Soviet bicycle industry has focused on the production of female and children's models. Soviet designers K. S. Gladkaya and V. M. Mayboroda expanded the list of bike models by launching the production of racing models. "Tourist" and "Kharkov", presented for production in 1949, were produced until 1966, then “Kharkov” was updated, and its new modification became known as “Start-highway”.

“Start-Highway” is a true “highway driver”. It stands out sharply from other bicycles. It allows you to develop a significant speed - up to 45 km / h, and riding in the lift on it is noticeably easier than on most even modern road and city bicycles. The steel frame, if broken, is easily repaired by conventional welding. The thickness of the pipes from which it is welded allows to achieve a significant reduction in weight, not inferior to carbon analogues. In addition, a full-fledged road bike "from the needle" today costs 50-150 thousand rubles. - but for much less money (10-15 thousand rubles) you can now find the already mentioned “Start-highway”.

If you purchase "Start-highway" inoperative - then with the prompt finding of suitable spare parts, it is not a problem to save another 2000-3000 rubles.

This model has long been removed in 2002.. Spare parts for it are suitable only from other bikes. However, the Kharkov bicycle factory continues to produce other models of bicycles - the Ukrainian bicycle industry has not gone anywhere. In cities with a population of about or more than a million inhabitants, there are no problems with spare parts: in each of them there is at least one store selling Kharkiv bicycle mechanics, and competitors, among whom there are fans and just lovers of Kharkov bikes, also support these stores. If it were not for the obsolescence of components, HVZ production did not survive stagnation today, but actively developed further.

The replacement of the "native" rear wheel that has served its life is the most problematic step in updating the bicycle mechanics. "Start-highway" was 3-speed - its modern counterparts use 7 or more speeds. To install a high-speed cassette (multi-sprocket), you need to push the rear tubes of the frame, which without sufficient experience will noticeably violate their correct location.

The technical characteristics of the Start-Highway line of models are somewhat distinguishable.

The model B-553:

• frame and fork material - steel 30HGSA;
• material of components and components - steel 30L;
• tip material - 10th grade steel;
• wheelbase distance - 104 or 106 cm;
• frame size - 56, 58 or 60 cm;
• “Lying” steering wheel;
• tick brakes on rims;
• sleeve base material - duralumin grade B95;
• sleeve design - one-piece groove from a large flange;
• butted knitting needles (thickened to the ends);
• wheel rims - a special aluminum alloy;
• Tire type slick tires;
• aluminum connecting rods of pedals (same brand);
• there is the ability to fix the towclips;
• 5-speed ratchet without brake on the rear hub (sprockets with the number of teeth from 13 to 21);
• 2-speed cassette on the pedal bush (2 sprockets 47 and 50 teeth, or 48 and 51);
• plastic saddle on a steel frame;
• bike weight - at least 10 kg.

"Start-highway" V-555 differs from B-553 in the following parameters:

• wheelbase distance - 102 or 104 cm;
• frame size - 54 cm;
• rudder height - 7.5 or 13 cm;
• double rims are used;
• bike weight - at least 11 kg.

Start-highway Moscow-80, dedicated to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, changed the frame and fork material from steel to titanium and aluminum. Butted tubes - have a variable wall thickness. The fork has acquired a new shape, the distance of the steering wheel has increased. Single-tube tires are used as rubber: the camera is covered with a thin-walled but wear-resistant tire, the entire structure is glued to the rim. The titanium axis has a void inside, which facilitates its weight.

Cranks of pedals are facilitated. A titanium rattle (including the sprockets themselves) contributes to the overall roll. This model weighs only 8.25 kg - much lighter than previous Start-Highway revisions. These bicycles were produced only two years - in 1981.Start-Highway issue returned to its previous level, as they were never used at the Olympics.

The only thing left of Start Highway at present is frame, fork and steering column from the past. Almost all modern versions of this bike are equipped with modern double box rims, as well as Schwalbe tires and other prominent companies with a slick (unprotected) treadmill, under which there is a powerful anti-puncture layer.

As a pedal carriage, a sleeve with a square mount is used. Some lovers changed the “sunbed” wheel to a regular one, turning the “Start-highway” into a modern bicycle hybrid - a sort of marching all-terrain vehicle on the KhVZ frame.

Despite the protests of many motorists, the release of Start-Highway was never revived. Perhaps someone, having access to turning and milling machines, is trying to build something that, at least in general terms, resembles a given bike - but still it doesn’t come out what was wanted. In addition, steel and titanium inspire confidence - unlike carbon fiber, which bursts and crumbles when the frame falls at the “wrong” angle.

Next, see the video review of the Start-Highway bike in the original assembly.