11.09.2023

Legendary Soviet bicycle: brands and photos. Bicycle stories: two wheels of Soviet childhood Soviet two-wheeled bicycle

In our Soviet childhood, probably everyone had bicycles. I propose to remember our faithful horses of childhood and youth

We all started our sports journey with this

Three-wheeled children's bicycle made in USSR.

It was distinguished by a rigid coupling of the pedals and the front wheel, which could be fraught with trouble on a slope. But our parents kept a watchful eye, and troubles usually overtook us on the following models

Cooler option with chain drive

When the child was growing up, at one point a breathless father or grandfather appeared on the threshold of the apartment with a box in his hands containing a bicycle “Druzhok”, “Butterfly”, “Bunny” or something similar.

It already had pneumatic tires, like a big one, it was easy to transport and you could install or finally remove additional wheels and ride like an adult on two!

True, it did not have the then usual rear wheel foot brake, but only hand brakes. Now it’s like this on all bicycles. But then it was like that on the “Druzhka”, and on all the others there were no manually operated pads, but there was a brake clutch in the rear hub. Therefore, when switching from one model to another, there were embarrassments

The next device was called “Schoolboy”. It was already a full-fledged bicycle, albeit with wheels of a smaller diameter. This is where we collected our main injuries, skinned knees and knocked out teeth. There were options for boys - with a top frame

and for girls from the bottom

There was also an “Eaglet” - something transitional between a full-fledged adult bicycle and a children’s bicycle. In principle, it was quite suitable instead of “Schoolboy”, and it appeared earlier

The version with a beveled frame was called “Swallow” and was considered a bike for girls

There was also a combined version of these bicycles, which was quickly converted from two-wheeled to three-wheeled

Later, another version of a teenage bike appeared - “Cross”

The next stage was a Kama bicycle with a folding frame and a lot of goodies on the body in the form of reflectors and other stuff...

or its analogues “Stork” and “Desna - 2”

The coolest ones bought Salyut

Adult bicycle workers were mainly represented by devices of the "Ural" type. They could be called differently, depending on the manufacturer, but the principle was the same. Brutal design - steel frame, durable rims, no gearbox, foot brake, no frills. Such bicycles truly served for decades, were completely indestructible, and there are still a lot of them in the provinces

There were many options - “Ural”, “Druzhba”, “Ukraine”, “MMVZ”, “Desna”, “Sura”, etc. Children often rode their father’s bicycles, being on the side under the top tube of the frame, without being able to reach the pedals while sitting on the saddle

There were also women's options

The advanced and rich could buy "Tourist". The pinnacle of technology at that time - with a hand brake, with a gearbox....

which was also produced in a women's version

Well, the most expensive ones were the sports “Start Highway”

and "Sport"

Well, the necessary accessories for the bikes of those years

camera

pump

glove compartment...

...with its contents

Well, all sorts of tricks

1. "Tachyon"

It was a real sports road bike, which was produced at a bicycle factory in the city of Kharkov. The history of Tachyon goes back more than 10 years, since it was produced since 1981. to 1992 To create it, a number of foreign developments and components were used, as well as aluminum alloys and titanium. Such technologies allowed the manufacturer to achieve a product weight of 9.5 kg.

Nine Tachyon models were developed, which were intended for road or track racing. For the entire time the brand existed, only 400 bicycles were produced, which had various technical parameters. Unfortunately, ordinary people could not afford this expensive bicycle, since it was purposefully created for racing and cost 6,500 rubles.

2. "Zich-1"

The Chkalov Aviation Plant produced the Zich-1 bicycle. It was so good that it soon became the dream of almost all children of the 40s, since it was the most technically advanced (and, by the way, expensive) among analogues of that time. Only representatives of the party nomenklatura, scientific intelligentsia, as well as high-ranking military officials could afford such an expensive purchase.

The first Zich-1 appeared in 1946. and immediately became a cult favorite. Many cycling enthusiasts rate it as the best from the 30s to the 70s. Not only did it have an original design for that time, but it was also equipped with hand brakes and a device for changing gears. In addition, on the front wing of the Zich-1 there was a headlight, which was powered by a small generator.

3. "Sputnik"

Many Soviet families had just such a bicycle. "Sputnik" was produced in the 60s - 70s at the Kharkov Bicycle Plant, and then it was sold to stores all over the country. The "Sputnik" was equipped with aluminum or steel rims, reinforced pedals, brakes with symmetrical thrust, improved gear shifters, steering wheel sports type This light road bike was considered men's. The kit included: a pump, a bell, and a bag with a set of tools.

4. "Schoolboy"

This bike has been produced since 1956. at the Gorky Bicycle Plant and was the most popular among children. “Schoolboy” was successfully sold not only in the USSR, but also in many other socialist countries.

Early models designed for boys had a closed frame, but over time this design was abandoned. The rear hub of the bicycle had free movement, the steering wheel had an increased reach, and the soft seat had a rigid frame.

5. "Stork"

This brand of bicycle turned out to be so successful that it is still in production and is popular among users. "Stork" is distinguished by its simplicity of design and ease of repair. Now bicycles of this brand are produced by the Belarusian plant “Aist”. Now many modifications and types have been developed, such as road, mountain, road, children's, etc.

6. "Moscow-80"

The name of the bicycle speaks for itself, since it was created on the eve of the Olympics in the USSR in 1980. It was assumed that the Soviet team was supposed to compete in them, but later this never happened. Experts say that Moscow-80 were the best models of the 70s and 80s.

The bicycle was made using domestic aluminum and titanium alloys. The weight of the model barely exceeded 8.0 kg, which is optimal for bicycle racing. It was on “Moscow-80” bicycles that national teams from countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine rode.

7. "Eaglet"

This bike was considered a cult bike among teenagers of the 50s. It was produced in the Lithuanian SSR at the Shuliai Bicycle and Motor Plant. The design of the "Eaglet" was very successful for the transition from very children's bicycles to adult models. Due to the ultra-stable rear wheel and the unique frame design, which is not provided in other models of this class, the “Eaglet” has established itself as the most reliable bicycle for children 7-12 years old.

8. "Ural"

This bike can be called an indestructible classic. It was very heavy and reliable: the Ural was not afraid of large loads or off-road conditions. It was equipped with a first aid kit, a pump and a repair kit. It was possible to attach a second passenger seat directly to the frame. It is these bicycles that can often be seen in dachas and villages. Their owners claim that such reliability cannot be found among modern imported bicycles.

Those who expect something special from a bicycle should pay attention to.

Almost everyone now knows about the variety of bicycles. These include powerful MTBs for off-road touring, stunt BMX, high-speed road bikes, hybrids, road singlespeeds and high-speed models…. However, the great man was not always so well represented in so many faces. In the USSR, for example, the bulk of the population was content with single-speed models. High-speed modifications were less common, and mountain bikes generally existed in single quantities.

Soviet bicycles occupy a special place: you cannot simply take them and forget them. Moreover, some continue to actively ride the old two-wheeled horse, improving it in every possible way. You can see a Soviet-made bike on bulletin boards. This is a popular and sold product on the Internet.

For a bike from the 70s and 80s, it is absolutely normal to ride on it for several generations; the supporting structure and wheels retain their original appearance. Of course, subject to normal storage conditions. We can safely say that a Soviet bike is a kind of museum exhibit, a rarity and a reason for pride. Let's plunge into the past and remember what kind of bikes were produced in those days.

Features of bicycles from the times of the USSR

Soviet bicycles did not have any super-differences from modern ones, but they are immediately noticeable. They have, perhaps, their own magic that preserves the memories of long-gone years. But seriously, the frame of ordinary bikes was presented in several versions:

straight;
convex top tube;
open.

The road bike was always produced only in a straight version and was lighter than a regular singlespeed. True, almost all bikes of those times had more weight compared to current models. This disadvantage was compensated by the high strength of both the frame itself and all other parts. It’s not without reason that they say that bicycles from the USSR are practically indestructible and can withstand any road and weather conditions!

The frames were thinner than they are now. The presence of wings was a must. They were present at both city and . varied from 20 to 28 inches. However, the latter size could be found more often.

Traditionally, the bicycle had a foot drum brake; even now you can hear the expression “Soviet brake”. It was put into operation by moving the pedals backwards. The brake is convenient, designed to last a long service life, and is comparable in efficiency to a rim brake. The V-brake type was installed only on high-speed racing models. The dimensions of the rear sprocket on singlespeeds could also differ: it was slightly larger, and the chain was several links longer.

But an accessory that was extremely rare on Soviet-era bicycles is a kickstand. For those who use this cycling option, parking is not very convenient. However, you can correct this drawback and install the step yourself.

Three-wheeled friend for young cyclists

They tried to teach cycling in the USSR from childhood. This transport was positioned for children and teenagers for a long time, until it broke free and conquered all age categories.

It is simply unrealistic to teach a child on an adult or even a teenage bike, so manufacturers initially began producing special children's models on three wheels. The characteristic features of these bikes include:

rear axle frame beam;
rigid fastening of wheels;
“front-wheel drive”, pedals are attached to the front wheel;
the rear wheels are smaller in diameter than the front wheels;
Neither the saddle nor the handlebars are adjustable.

An elegant and stylish three-wheeled bike for those times

It was a favorite transport for kids: it’s easy to learn, it’s fast to ride, and active rides improve your health quite well. It is worth mentioning the excellent build quality of the “babies”. They could easily withstand not only children, but also “heavy” teenage hooligans. Children of the 90s also learned about these bicycles, because the design not only withstood any load, but was also well preserved.

So, let's move on to teenage and adult bicycles. Their names reflected not the manufacturers, but common nouns and proper names: “Schoolboy”, “Stork”, “Eaglet”, “Salyut”, “Ural”, “Kama”. This is another significant difference from modern bicycles.

The schoolboy is a popular two-wheeled vehicle among the younger Soviet generation. Its history began in 1956 and lasted almost 40 years. In the dashing 90s, production of this model was stopped.

The audience for the bike is children from 10 to 13 years old. Everyone knows that teenagers are not very careful with things: it’s their parents who buy them anyway. However, this bike is an exception. The lucky owner cherished it like the apple of his eye, because bicycles were not cheap at that time; adults would hardly have given such a gift a second time. A schoolboy is not a completely individual bike. One bike could easily carry two more passengers without breaking down.

Specifications:

open straight frame;
20-inch wheels;
road tires;
foot brakes;
high adjustable steering wheel;
chain guard, fenders;
weight about 10 kg.

Schoolboy - childhood companion

Another prominent representative of a teenage bike is the “Eaglet” produced by the Shuliai bicycle engine plant (Lithuania). The curved frame tubes gave the bike a cruiser look. In general, the car looked beautiful and neat: an even azure color of the frame and wings, a two-color saddle, a simple steering wheel shape.

24-inch wheels are just right for a growing cyclist. “Eaglet” is an amazing endurance, strength of parts and high-quality assembly.

Beautiful and strong “Eaglet”

“Stork” is a full-fledged adult bicycle with an open frame. In addition to the convenience of riding, the bike gave the opportunity to fold itself and store it in a secluded corner. The purpose is great - leisurely walks, trips to work or to the store. The simple design was accessible to even a 10-year-old child, let alone an adult.

Storks began their flight back in the fifth century of the 20th century (1947) and continued to be produced until the beginning of the 21st century. The greatest peak of production was the second half of the Soviet period, then the brand began to slow down. At the moment, only the name has been preserved, and only in the English version. Under the AIST brand they produce bikes for every taste: MTB, racing, road, children's.

"Stork" in the Soviet past

“Salyut” is a road bike for active trips around the city. The brand and general design have survived into modern times. You can find bikes in any store that sells singlespeed bikes. During Soviet times, these bicycles were produced in several versions:

folding frame, medium wheels, curved steering wheel;
collapsible design;
rum-shaped non-folding frame, straight steering wheel, large wheels.

Now only the first option is on sale, but in general the old Salyut models are still quite popular in villages and regional centers.
“Ural” is a variation of the awkward “Salyut”, a classic version of a single-speed bicycle.

It is easy to use, accelerates well on its 28-inch wheels, is unpretentious on the roads (like all other bicycles from the USSR), and is also equipped with a special bag for storing tools and medicines. If you compare any road singlespeed, then with the Ural!

“Ural”, like classical music, lives forever

But “Kama” received the most recognition. This small compact bike was so easy to maintain and rode so well that it was bought on the fly and had long queues behind it. In addition to travel, the Kama also made it possible to perform tricks, thanks to its small wheels and frame mobility.

“Kama” is the universal favorite of the Soviet people

Compact wheels mean good maneuverability and endurance. “Kama” was the most subject to tuning: it was from it that rear-view mirrors, lights, and decorations came into fashion. However, the bike itself was in excellent external shape: bright color, patterned front sprocket, smooth steering wheel, compact trunk. Perhaps now this bike will only make you smile, but at one time it was the best.

Racing models for road and highway

The following brands were produced among racing bicycles:

"Tourist".

The production of high-speed sports bikes was absorbed by KhVZ - Kharkov Bicycle Plant, which still exists today.

The Tachyon is a powerful road bike, a first-class machine for achieving maximum speed on the highway. Externally, this bike is practically no different from its modern racing counterpart. It was assembled mainly from imported parts and was very expensive. Due to the high price, which included assembly in addition to materials, the circulation of this bicycle did not exceed 400 units. The owner of the Tachyon was considered so cool and rich that he was even superior to the owner of a good car.

"Tachyon" - fast, stylish and inaccessible

“Sputnik” is a popular sports and recreational bicycle. The transmission included several speeds, thanks to which the bike could be accelerated to a good 30 - 35 km/h. The saddle resembled a road one, but the handlebars were purely road, with curved rams. The braking system was represented by a rim clamping mechanism.

Having such a companion on the road is a great success!

The Sputnik is an expensive bike, but not exorbitant like the Tachyon. Its distinctive feature is its extended kit: bicycle, mirror, pump and set of tools.

“Moscow-80” is a super-light and durable bicycle, released for the beginning of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. An amazing weight of 8 kg combined with endurance is the dream of any professional racer. The purpose of the bike is sports competitions. The production of bicycles is only 10 pieces, so the general public saw it only in pictures.

Olympic bicycle "Moscow-80"

“Tourist” is a 4-speed lightweight bike for long trips. Equipped with a ram steering wheel, rim brakes and fenders. There is a trunk and a special organizer bag for storing small tools. Otherwise, this is an ordinary road bike of our age.

It's time to return to our time. Of course, now bicycles are much superior to Soviet ones in speed, equipment and specifics. However, in those days, as it turned out, they were also in great demand. Perhaps it was those departed models that reminded us of themselves and gave impetus to the development of the bicycle industry.

This photograph, taken in the early 70s at the gates of our dacha, aroused genuine interest.
01

Therefore, I decided to touch on the issue of bicycles that you and I or our parents rode in childhood and youth. Now the choice of any bicycles is huge. We all started our sports journey with this:

Three-wheeled children's bicycle made in USSR. It was distinguished by a rigid coupling of the pedals and the front wheel, which could be fraught with trouble on a slope. But our parents kept a watchful eye, and troubles usually overtook us on the following models
02

Around the same age, many with wealthier parents became motorists
04

At one point, a breathless father or grandfather appeared on the threshold of the apartment with a box in his hands containing a “Druzhok” bicycle or something similar.
06

It already had pneumatic tires, like a big one, it was easy to transport and you could install or finally remove additional wheels and ride like an adult on two! True, it did not have the then usual rear wheel foot brake, but only hand brakes. Now it’s like this on all bicycles. But then it was like that on the “Druzhka”, and on all the others there were no manually operated pads, but there was a brake clutch in the rear hub. Therefore, when switching from one model to another, there were embarrassments
07

The next device was called "Schoolboy". It was already a full-fledged bicycle, except perhaps folding and with wheels of a smaller diameter. This is where we collected our main injuries, skinned knees and knocked out teeth.
08

"Salyut" - passed me by, haven't ridden this one
11

My grandfather and I took two of these bicycles and went to the collective farm to steal manure for the garden. One bag is placed inside the frame, one on top of the frame, and this wonderful-smelling structure is driven by the handlebars into the garden. To avoid wasting space, two buckets of manure are hung on the steering wheel.
12

Well, there were purely road cars - with a hand brake, with a gearbox... But, unlike the other types of bicycles listed, I was not able to ride one.
14

If anyone has anything to add to my story, or has authentic photographs of you on bikes, add them, I will be very glad!

ZY Max, thank you :-))

Z.Y.Y. Apparently the fireworks were different. Here is "Salute" from Tanechka

What is it associated with? And now everyone has thought about their own... But cyclists associate this period primarily with the appearance of the legendary Soviet bicycles. Now they are legendary, but in the last century they were bestsellers.

The first Soviet bicycle was presented to the world community for review more than 85 years ago. This vehicle was produced by the Kharkov bicycle factory. By the way, the same plant produced Soviet bicycles, photos of which are presented below.

The parts that were included in the first two-wheeler were exclusively foreign-made, with England being the exporting country. Moreover, the payment was not in currency, but in a precious metal (gold). In the 20th century, domestic designers became the creators of a new Soviet bicycle model, and it was called “Ukraine”. All its components were already of domestic production.

A Soviet tricycle was created for the youngest residents of the USSR. A distinctive feature of this “iron comrade” was the rigid coupling of the pedals and the front wheel, which caused instability of the vehicle on an inclined surface and threatened trouble. In Soviet times, it was difficult to find a yard where people did not ride such a bicycle. Moreover, there could be one bicycle, but dozens of people willing to ride. This was the main advantage of the tricycle of that time - strength and endurance.

Two-wheeled transport “Druzhok”

This brand also belongs to the children's category of bicycles. Models of this brand are considered followers of three-wheeled bicycle transport, but unlike them, these Soviet-era bicycles were already equipped with pneumatic tires, removable wheels, a hand-brake system, and they were also easy to transport.

“Schoolboy” is a model of bicycle transport for children, because they were the main consumer category. The production of two-wheelers under this brand was launched at the plant named after. Gorky, which was a structural unit of the GAZ association. This plant began operating in 1940 and was originally a workshop of the Gorky Automobile Plant for the production of cars for children and their components. The Second World War forced a change in specialization to the production of military mines. But despite this, in 1956 the world saw the Soviet “Schoolboy” bicycle.

Distinctive characteristics:

target audience - children 10-11 years old;
production period - from 1956 to 1993.

Design characteristics:

the rear hub was free-wheeling;
high steering wheel;
increased steering stem;
soft seat;
rigid seat frame.

"Eaglet" in the USSR

The Soviet bicycle "Eaglet" belongs to the group of teenage transport. A Lithuanian factory produced a teenager's dream. This brand of bicycle was significantly superior to the Shkolnik unit both in terms of technical characteristics and design features. This “Lithuanian handsome man” was the most desired birthday or New Year gift for every Soviet boy.

The features of the model under consideration are:

Ergonomics. The model was correctly designed and comfortable to use. In addition, this bicycle was also in demand among residents of multi-storey buildings, because it was much easier to carry it than its predecessors.
Identity of bicycles for the adult population. The Orlyonok design is based on a carriage, bushings and rim profile in the same quantity as an adult unit. Therefore, the one who became the owner of this iron horse looked like an adult in the eyes of his teenage friends.
Easy to upgrade to a motorbike. History knows a lot of cases when an ordinary teenage “Eaglet” became a motorbike on which you can “embroider” at relatively high speeds, without making almost any effort - it was enough to turn the pedals a couple of times.

Soviet-made bicycles also included real bestsellers in their assortment. This is exactly what the Kama bicycle transport is. The model belongs to teenage vehicles. It has a one-piece frame. The price was at 100 rubles, which was not so cheap at that time, but despite this, the demand for the star of the Soviet Union only grew.

Features are:

Stylish design. The appearance of the Kama left absolutely no one indifferent.
Possibility of adjusting the height of the seat and steering wheel. This contributed to the expansion of the consumer circle, because a two-wheeler could “grow up” with its owner, which means that both adults and children could be riders.
No horizontal frame.
Small wheel diameter.
Compact and mobile. “Kama” was a representative of the line of folding bicycles, which made it possible to store them in apartments and transport them in public transport.

Bicycle transport "Ural"

“Ural” is a classic model of bicycle transport. This Soviet bicycle is popular among experienced two-wheeled lovers in our time. You ask what gave him such fame and authority? It's simple: the Ural is distinguished by its super-strength, reliability and ability to drive on any Russian off-road.

The features of this brand include:

Possibility of attaching a seat for children.
Complete set. Along with the transport there was a pump, a repair kit and a first aid kit.
Individuality. There was no analogue for strength in the USSR.

Did you read the brand name carefully? Then you probably realized that this Soviet bicycle was produced specifically for the 1980 Olympic Games and was intended for the USSR national team, which never used these “masterpieces” of the cycling industry of that time.

A limited number of vehicles were created under this brand - only 10 copies. The manufacturer was a bicycle factory in the city of Kharkov. Experts awarded this brand the title of “Best Bicycle of the 60-80s.” The design of the unit included parts and structural elements of exclusively domestic origin. Thanks to its inherent minimum weight characteristics (slightly more than 8 kg), “Moscow-80” became the main attribute at cycling races in Belarus, Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, where it became a symbol of victory in many competitions.

"Satellite"

One of the most common brands of Soviet bicycles, which were considered men's light-road bicycles. Even now you can find people who have this beauty in their garage. The model was produced by the Kharkov Bicycle Plant during the 60-70s of the last century. “Sputnik” pleased the average domestic consumer and athletes, since it was used both for solving daily problems (traveling to and from work, shopping, etc.) and for sports training sessions and competitions.

The factory package included: pump, bell, hanging case with tools.

Peculiarities:

the Soviet bicycle was equipped with duralumin or steel rims;
the braking system was characterized by symmetrical thrust;
reinforced pedals;
improved speed switches;
sports steering wheel.

"Tourist" - the first road bike in the USSR

The “tourist” is considered a road bicycle, but if we draw a parallel with modern road bicycles, the similarities can be counted on one hand. But we are talking about the times of the Soviet Union. And for that time, such a unit as the “Tourist” was a real breakthrough in the bicycle industry. It was the first bicycle whose speed limit could be chosen independently.

But the presence of four speeds is not all the advantages of the model! "Tourist" had excellent factory equipment, which included:

pump;
a stretcher bag containing all the necessary tools for bicycle repair work;
trunk.

And that is not all! Manufacturers equipped these Soviet road bicycles with manual brakes, a headlight and a dynamo. It is with these innovations that the brand has earned national recognition and love.

The disadvantages of the model include the lack of shock absorbers.

Reliability, strength and ergonomics are synonymous with the Tourist bicycle.

"Tachyon" - a sports dream

The Soviet sports bike is an object of desire for boys. Everyone wanted to have a big one that their peers didn’t have. Then its owner gained great authority among friends and received lucrative offers in exchange for permission to ride. Well, who wouldn't like this?!

The creator of Tachyon is Reginald Vorontsov. To characterize a Soviet bicycle, it is enough to define the name of the model. So, a tachyon is a particle that moves at a speed exceeding the speed of light flows in a vacuum. So it turns out that the “high-speed” feature was originally included in the unit of this brand. Tachyon existed on the market for a little over 10 years. The design included imported elements. The weight of the iron horse was 9.5 kg. Such dimensional characteristics were achieved through the use of materials such as titanium and aluminum alloys. By the way, the above materials are actively used in the modern bicycle industry.

In total, about 400 Tachyon brand bicycles were produced, which differed from each other in technical characteristics. But no matter what characteristics are characteristic of this or that model, it was not intended for use by ordinary people. Tachyon's vocation is sports life and competitions. The price of such a sports horse was within 7,000 rubles.

Old Soviet bicycles are a legend of our time!

Kalina

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