Retro bike - stylish and practical technique

“Retro” in Latin means “back”, that is, a reference 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 of each era. So, the object of timeless fashion is a retro bike. Such devices exist now.

The scheme of a modern non-motorized vehicle was introduced two centuries ago. At that time, the first 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 XIX century was marked by the advent of units with front-wheel drive. This model had a strange appearance - her wheels were of different sizes.

A feature of the model was:

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

The pedals were located on the axis 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 changes in the design of bicycles associated with the invention of a chain drive and the use of the same largest wheels. At devices of this time, pedals were built into the frame, rotation was transmitted to the rear wheel using sprockets and chains.

The frame took the form of a rhombus - this is also characteristic of a modern bicycle.Towards the end of the 19th century, rubber chambers with a release valve were invented; at the same time, bearings became known.

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

Recall the Soviet classic units.

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

• "Tachyon". Sports bike made of 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 vehicle to be considered a symbol of the state. The American brand Harley Davidson was engaged in the production of not only motorcycles, but also vehicles without a motor. Here another brand was produced - Dayton. And also a bicycle is a common means of transportation for the Chinese.

Vintage and retro - these areas are in great demand today. Bicycles considered over time museum rarities are also relevant. Retro bikes are the relationship of sport and style. There are trademarks that make antique equipment. For example, company Autum, which released the unit Epitaph Cruiser. It combines a unique modern style with some antique details.

The Ariel retro-bicycle model is better known - this is a real old-fashioned unit. It has leather inserts, with a light brown body color, and the most original in it is its wheels of different sizes, the front wheel is twice as large as the rear. People call this vehicle “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. The product is more suitable for good roads, as it has a large mass.

Convenient not only components, but also bicycle accessories:

• massive wheels;
• bicycle lights;
• leather trimmed seat;
• surround steering wheel;
• pollution control circuit;
• footboard.

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

Retro style for a female bike the presence of special parts that fit under the lines of the body. This includes the arrangement of the frame, which allows the fair sex not to throw their legs 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 women’s vintage bicycle is considered the "Stork".

When choosing this vehicle, you must adhere to certain criteria:

• it should be decided where the vehicle will be used - in the urban environment or outside the city;
• The age, gender and weight of the person who will use the product must be taken into account.

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

An old three-wheeled unit these days can only be found as a museum exhibit. Modern products in retro style can be divided into several types.

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

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

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

Interestingly, the device for movement was invented at the beginning of the XIX century.

• It was made of wood and without pedals, it was possible to move on it with the help of legs, pushing them off the ground. The first bike competitions were held near Paris.
• In our country, a large assortment of models with a chain transmission first appeared at the end of the XIX century.
• The Scottish developer came up with 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, which did not allow air to come back.
• The country where most vehicles without a motor are produced is China.

First you need to pay attention to the frame, or rather, to those places where the tubes are connected, as well as to the stiffeners between the feathers of the triangle in the back. Besides, close attention should be paid to the dropouts and the inside diameter of the seatpost.

The junction of the tubes becomes more interesting as the cost of the product increases. If the vehicle is purchased at a lower price, the type of frame bonding will be common. A prime example of luxury products is the shape of Nervex's docking assemblies. But not in all cases, the form of fastening the frame tubes indicates the high cost of the product. For example, manufacturers of vehicles with a lack of a motor, such as De Rosa, Masi and RIH, have fastened the knots on the frames rather easily, but the cost of the products is quite high.

With the jumpers that regulate hardness, the situation is this: they are made in the form of metal plates connected to feathers - this option is the cheapest. The middle price segment is round tubes attached between feathers. The most expensive products have jumpers of an unusual appearance, most often there is a relief logo of the company - the manufacturer of the frame.

Dropouts are the frames on which the wheel is mounted. And they are made mainly from a metal plate or forged - in this case they differ in the greatest strength, but more expensive.

The size of the seatpost is an indicator of the thickness of the tube in 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 compared to cheap alloys, and also reduces the weight of the frame. Thus, by increasing the size of the tube, it is possible to reduce the thickness of its wall.

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

The last thing you should pay attention to is the wheels. Here you need to look at their markings.

Review the Penny Farthing retro bike in the next video.