The bicycle market is so large that you can get confused among the variety of categories in the offers of shops (mountain, city, “tourist”, “double-suspended”, BMX). And there is a division by type and subspecies in each of the groups. If we compare the design, then in it from the models of past centuries, by and large, there is only a schematic diagram (the presence of two wheels, a frame and a saddle). What were the first retro bikes, how much did time change them?
History of invention
Mention of the prototype mechanism, remotely resembling a bicycle on two wheels, according to unconfirmed reports, is still in documentary chronicles dating back to 1791. Those first retro-bikes (the photo is placed just below) did not have pedals; they were set in motion by a person when pushing them off the ground. In fact, they were scooters, but not familiar to us, but with a saddle.
The official patent for this invention was received by Carl for Dres in 1818. A year or a little earlier, he constructed the first wooden “walking machine” and successfully adapted it for movement. By our standards, it can be classified as a "runbike". That device in honor of the inventor was called "trolley". It had two identical wheels, of which the front could turn with the steering wheel. The saddle on the frame was located at a height that makes it possible to push off on both sides with walking movements and, if possible, sit, moving forward after acceleration.
First bike
A major improvement can be considered the appearance of pedals. In 1840, they were first mounted by a blacksmith from Scotland. The pedals worked according to the lever principle. The force was transmitted by the connecting rods, as in old locomotives, to the rear wheel.
Pedals on the front axle, working on the principle of rotation, were patented in 1853 by the Frenchman Pierre Michaud. At the same time, a saddle with spring shock absorbers and a brake appeared in the design. Then came the spokes in the wheel (1867) and the prototype of the chain drive (1868). At this time in Paris, the first retro-bikes participated in official races at a distance of 2 km.
Then came the fashion for spider bikes. This design featured a large front wheel. The pedals were rigidly attached to the axis. The large diameter of the rim made the bike a dangerous form of transport. Its height could reach one and a half meters and more. But speed could be developed up to 30 km / h. True, bumps in the road presented serious problems for management.
Important enhancements
At the next stage of development, a retro bike with a large front wheel was equipped with a chain gear. The pedals were placed on the frame, and the rear wheel became the leading one. The first safe "baysiklet" (as the inventor G. Lawson called it) had two wheels of the same size (1885).
Subsequently, a rubber tire (1889) appeared on the rim with a valve and air pressure in it. The shape of the frame (rhomboid) has changed, it has become more reminiscent of modern models. In the next decade, ball bearings were added to the design. The frame began to be made of thin-walled pipes. There was a pedal brake and gearshift.
With the development of technology, new materials began to be introduced into the bicycle industry. In 1974, titanium and carbon fiber frames appeared in the models. And in the 1990s, index systems for fast gear shifting became especially popular.
Technical progress in Russia
At the end of the 19th century, retro bikes were not only in the private possessions of wealthy city dwellers, but were even listed on the balance of municipal services. Doctors prescribed a new-fangled hobby for getting rid of the blues caused by the changing seasons of the year, for strengthening the spine and as a means for general strengthening of the body.
At the beginning of the 20th century, bicycle was widely used by small officials for traveling. The two-wheeled "bike" was used by postmen, clerks, and messengers. Tricycles (tricycles) were used for the transportation of goods, and for transporting the sick and wounded, double-sided twin tandem couplings with four control riders were adapted.
Retro bikes of the USSR
After the revolution, Soviet industry was stagnant for some time. But bicycles continued to be produced. Components were imported from England. Production was established at the Kharkov Bicycle Plant (KhVZ). A little later, the designers were able to arrange the release of their own parts. Retro-bikes of the Soviet Union were simple and practical, produced without frills and increased comfort.
After the devastation of the Civil War, only from the middle of the 20s of the last century did their production resume. At the same HVZ, after the restoration of production capacities, the popular Ukraine model was produced. The first children's two-wheeled model was released in 1936 at the Leningrad Metalworker. In addition to these two enterprises, work was carried out at the Moscow and Minsk bicycle factories, at ZiS and GAZ. In the Lithuanian SSR, at the Šiauliai VMZ, the teenage model “Eaglet” was released.