In the invention of this popular vehicle more than one person took part. The bicycle has grown thanks to a number of inventions that can be traced from our time to the 18th century. Some research scientists take it upon themselves to claim that the drawings of the vehicle (having two wheels) and the roller chain belong to Leonardo da Vinci.

The history of the creation of a bicycle has a long way of development. Moreover, its analogues first appeared. Count De Sivrak in France built a two-wheeled car made of wood in 1791, called the Selyarifer. It is possible to move on it while sitting on horseback, and push off from the ground with your feet.

In 1817, the German inventor Carl Draize created the first scooter called the "walking machine". The design was equipped with a steering wheel and a saddle, and named after the creator - a trolley. And to this day, this word is used in Russian. In 1818, this invention was patented. Already in 1839-40, it was being improved. Kirk Patrick Macmillan - a blacksmith from Scotland attaches pedals to it. Thus, metal rods were attached rear wheel to the pedal that pushed him. The bicycle was controlled by a person who was located between the front and rear wheels. He controlled the device using a steering wheel that was attached to the front wheel.

A few years later, the English engineer Tampson received a patent for inflatable bicycle tires. But due to their technical imperfection, they did not gain distribution at that time. It was only in 1867 that bicycles with pedals began to be mass-produced.

The name "bicycle" was given to the invention thanks to Pierre Michaud. In the 70s of the 19th century, “penny-farthing” bicycles gained popularity, so named because of the proportionality of the wheels (a penny coin is smaller than a farthing coin). The pedals were attached to a large front wheel and had a saddle on top of them. Due to the shift in the center of gravity, the bicycle was considered a dangerous means of transportation. An alternative to the "penny farthing" were three-wheeled scooters, which quickly gained popularity.

The next stage in the history of the creation of bicycles is the appearance of a metal wheel, inside of which there were spokes. This was proposed by the inventor Edward Cowper in 1867. And two years later, a frame appeared on bicycles. Further, the Englishman Lawson in the late 70s manages to invent a chain transmission.

The first, similar to the modern ones, was the Rover bicycle - the "Wanderer". It was made in 1884 by the Englishman John Kemp Starley. A year later, these bikes were in mass production. The Rover had a chain drive, the wheels were the same size, the driver's seat was in the center, between the front wheel and the rear. The bike has won a lot of fans in Europe. Unlike its predecessors, it was safe and comfortable. The Rover concern, which was created later, having established the production of bicycles, began to produce cars. But having existed only until 2005, the company became bankrupt.

Scottish inventor John Boyd Dunlop designed rubber tires in 1888, which became quite widespread. They were more perfect and reliable than the patented rubber ones. If before that they said about bicycles that they were “bone shakers”, now the ride with rubber wheels has become softer.

The nineties of the XIX century were called the golden age of bicycles. Soon there were pedal brakes, as well as a freewheel mechanism, so that it was not necessary to constantly pedal. A little later, a handbrake was invented, however, it began to be used much later.

The year 1878 is marked by the appearance of the first folding bicycle. And in the 90s, the first aluminum devices were made. In 1895, the first rickambent was invented - this is a bicycle that could be ridden reclining or even lying down. Mass production of ricambents, nine years later, was taken up by the Peugeot concern.

Bicycles with rear and front suspension began to be produced in 1915, especially for the Italian army. The next decade is characterized by the advent of ball bearings, two- and three-speed bushings, assembly lines, chain drive gears, steel pipes and a foot brake.

Gearshift mechanisms invented earlier (beginning of the 20th century) turned out to be not so perfect. The rear wheel of the bike was equipped with two special sprockets on both sides, and in order to change gears, it was necessary to stop to remove the wheel and then turn it over. At the same time, the chain had to be pulled and fixed.

Invented in 1903, the planetary mechanism, which serves to switch speeds, gained popularity only in the 30s of the XX century. In 1950, the Italian cyclist Tullio Campagnolo, who later became a bicycle manufacturer, invented a mechanism, the analogue of which is today's derailleur.

In 1974, titanium bike models appeared, and carbon fiber a year later. Already in 1983, a bicycle computer was invented, the functions of which included tracking speed, time and load.

This is not to say that the popularity of bicycles in the 20th century was constantly stable. At the beginning of the century, the automotive industry began to develop, cars became more affordable, as a result of which bicycles lost their popularity. Once again, the fashion for bicycles came along with propaganda healthy lifestyle life. Today, they are most popular among residents of European countries. Denmark is considered the most "cycling" country. A resident of this country drives 893 km per year on it. After Denmark, the Netherlands follows (853 km). The average resident of Belgium and Germany cycles about 300 kilometers a year. The lowest popularity in the countries of Southern Europe. In a year, the average Spaniard cycles about 20 km.

We must pay tribute to the ongoing government policy, as a result of which the popularity of this type of transport contributes to improving people's health and unloading the central streets from cars. In many Asian countries, the bicycle is considered almost the main means of transportation due to its cheapness. However, even there (take China and India, for example), the use of bicycles began to decline. Residents of cities began to switch to mopeds, motorcycles, cars. Sometimes, in order to prevent cycling from interfering with the movement of cars, the authorities are forced to take measures against it. For example, in Shanghai, in December 2003, the movement of cyclists was temporarily banned.

China is considered the main manufacturer of bicycles, since the production of most bicycle companies is located in this country. About 95% of bicycles are made in China.

Medieval image of a cherub according to the "Vision of the Prophet Ezekiel". 1156

Scooter allegedly from 1791, attributed to the Count de Sivrac (Comte de Sivrac) - falsification of 1891

Information about and scooters before 1817 is doubtful. So, the drawing of a two-wheeled bicycle with a steering wheel and a chain drive, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, or his student Giacomo Caprotti, is considered by many to be a fake.

A stained-glass window in the Church of St. Hegidius in the English village of Stoke Poges depicts a human figure on something like a scooter, which N. Pevsner calls "an image of a funny horse made in the 17th century (C17 representation of a hobby horse)".

A scooter allegedly from 1791 attributed to Comte de Sivrac is an 1891 forgery invented by French journalist Louis Baudry. In fact, there was no Comte de Sivrak, his prototype was Jean Henry Sivrak, who received permission in 1817 to import four-wheeled carriages.

The legend, most likely, is the story of the serf Artamonov, who allegedly designed a bicycle around 1800.

According to this legend, the inventor made a successful run on his bicycle from the Ural village of Verkhoturye to Moscow (about two thousand miles). It was the first bike ride in the world. On this journey, the serf Artamonov was sent by his master, the owner of the factory, who wished to surprise Tsar Alexander I with a "outlandish scooter."

For the invention of the bicycle, Artamonov and all his offspring were granted freedom from serfdom. It is kept in the local history museum of Nizhny Tagil.

As the chemical analysis of iron showed, the bicycle from the Nizhny Tagil museum was made no earlier than 1870. As for Artamonov, he was first mentioned in V. D. Belov’s book “Historical Sketch of the Ural Mining Plants” (published in 1898, St. Petersburg): “During the coronation of Emperor Paul, therefore in 1801, Artamonov ran on a bicycle invented by him, for which, by order of the emperor, he received freedom with all the offspring.

In fact, Paul I was crowned in 1797, and Alexander I was crowned in 1801. Belov does not provide any references to documents confirming his amazing find.

They were not found later. No mention of Artamonov could be found either in the Chamber Fourier ceremonial journals of 1796, 1797 and 1801, or in "the agenda on the occasion of the death of His Imperial Majesty the Sovereign Emperor Pavel Petrovich", or in the description of the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Alexander Pavlovich, nor in " List of all the favors poured out by the late sovereign Paul I on the day of his coronation on April 5, 1797, ”neither in the archives of the office of N.N. "Notes of the Fatherland" P. P. Svinin (1818-1830).

No other documents have been found that would confirm Belov's story. The iron “Artomonov’s bicycle”, which was on display in one of the Ural museums, turned out to be a homemade product of the late 19th century, made according to English models.

The prototype of the legend, perhaps, was the serf inventor E. G. Kuznetsov-Zhepinsky, who really received his freedom (together with his nephew Artamon) in 1801 for his inventions. However, Kuznetsov did not design a bicycle, but a droshky with a verstometer and a musical organ.

Bicycle evolution

Although we perceive the bicycle as a kind of simple and ingenious whole (as evidenced by the saying “invent the wheel”), in reality it was invented in at least three steps.

In 1817, the German professor Baron Karl von Dres from Karlsruhe created the first two-wheeled scooter, which he called a "walking machine". It was equipped with a steering wheel and looked in general like a bicycle without pedals; the frame was wooden. The invention of Drez was named in his honor a railcar, and the word "railcar" has remained in the Russian language to this day. Possible cause invention was that the previous one, 1816 was the "Year without a summer".

Then the Northern Hemisphere suffered the most severe climatic anomaly in history, which catastrophically affected the harvest, caused famine and reduced the number of horses. In 1818, in Baden-Baden, von Dres received the "Großherzogliches Privileg" (then equivalent to a patent) for his invention. Drez's car soon gained popularity in the UK, where it became known as the "dandy horse".

In 1839-1840, the blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan in a small village in the south of Scotland improved Drez's invention by adding pedals and a saddle. It turns out that Macmillan created a bicycle similar to the modern one. The pedals pushed the rear wheel, to which they were connected by metal rods through connecting rods. The front wheel was turned by the steering wheel, the cyclist sat between the front and rear wheels. Macmillan's bike was ahead of its time and remained little known.

In 1845, the Englishman R. W. Thompson patented an inflatable tire, but it turned out to be technologically imperfect.

In 1862, Pierre Lalman, a 19-year-old baby carriage maker from Nancy, France, saw the Dandy Horse and came up with the idea of ​​equipping it with pedals - on the front wheel. Lalman knew nothing about Macmillan's bike, and his car had to be pedaled, not pushed. In 1863, Lalman moved to Paris, where he made the first bicycle, reminiscent of those that we love.

In 1864, the industrialists from Lyon, the Olivier brothers, appreciated the potential of the Lalman machine and, in collaboration with the carriage engineer Pierre Michaud, began the mass production of "dandy horses" with pedals. Michaud thought of making the frame metal. According to some reports, Michaud came up with the name "bicycle" for the device. After working for Michaud-Olivier a short time, Lalman went to America, where in November 1866 he patented his invention. Obviously, Pierre Lallemand should be considered the actual inventor.

19th century style penny-farthing bicycle

Since the 70s of the XIX century, the “penny-farthing” scheme began to gain popularity. The name describes the proportion of the wheels, for the penny coin was much larger than the farthing. There were pedals on the “penny” hub of the front wheel, and the rider’s saddle was almost directly on top of them. The high seat height and the center of gravity, shifted to the front wheel, made such a bike very dangerous. An alternative to them were three-wheeled scooters.

Lalman's bicycle, 1865

In 1867, the inventor Cowper proposed good design spoked metal wheel. In 1878, the English inventor Lawson introduced a chain drive into the design of a bicycle.

The first bicycle, similar to those used today, was called Rover - "Wanderer". It was made in 1884 by the English inventor John Kemp Starley and has been in production since 1885. Unlike the "penny farthing", the Rover had a chain drive to the rear wheel, wheels of the same size, and the driver sat between the wheels.

Models of this design are called safe (Safety), and the word Rover in many languages ​​still means a bicycle (Polish Rower, Belarusian Rovar, Ukrainian Rover [Rov'er]). The Rover company became a huge automobile concern and lasted until April 15, 2005, when it was liquidated due to bankruptcy.

In 1888, Scotsman John Boyd Dunlop invented rubber tires. They were technically more advanced than those patented in 1845, and were widely used. After that, the bikes got rid of the nickname "bone shakers". This invention made riding much more convenient, which contributed to their popularization. The 1890s have been called the golden age of the bicycle.

Although bicycles of the 1890s were similar in many respects to modern bicycles, they were usually made of rusting steel (stainless steel had not yet been welded) and required laborious maintenance (cleaning, lubricating, washing with gasoline or kerosene) after each ride. The description of "routine cleaning of a bicycle" in an 1895 book is 4 pages long.

In 1898, pedal brakes and a freewheel mechanism were invented that allowed the pedals not to be rotated when the bicycle rolled itself. In the same years, hand brakes were also invented, but they did not immediately find wide application.

The first folding bicycle was made in 1878, the first aluminum ones in the 1890s, and the first ligerade (sometimes called a rickambent, a bicycle that can be ridden in a lying position) in 1895 (and in 1914 mass production of ligerades by the company " Peugeot").

By the beginning of the 20th century, the first gear shifting mechanisms belong. However, they were not perfect. One of the first ways to shift gears used on sports models was to equip the rear wheel with two sprockets - one on each side. To change speed, it was necessary to stop, remove the rear wheel and turn it over, fixing and tightening the chain again.

The planetary gear shifter was invented in 1903 and became popular in the 1930s. The derailleur in the form in which it is used today on most bicycles was invented only in 1950 by the famous Italian cyclist and bicycle manufacturer Tullio Campagnolo.

They continued to improve in the second half of the 20th century. In 1974, mass production of titanium bicycles began, and in 1975, carbon fiber bicycles. In 1983, the bicycle computer was invented. In the early 1990s, index shifting systems became widespread.

During the 20th century, interest in bicycles experienced its peaks and troughs. Starting around 1905, bicycles began to fall out of fashion in many countries, in particular in the United States, due to the development of road transport. The traffic police often treated cyclists as a hindrance to the movement of cars. By 1940 bicycles North America were considered toys for children. Since the late 1960s, they have become fashionable again in developed countries, thanks to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the general awareness of the importance of environmental problems.

In the USSR at the end of the 20th century, the most common bicycle models were (sorted in ascending size): Druzhok, Butterfly, Lyovushka, Champion, Veterok, Olympic, Shkolnik, Eaglet, Cross, Kama, Desna, Salyut, Uralets, Ukraine, Minsk ”, Stork, Ural, Tourist, Sputnik, Start Highway. There were two models with detachable wheels - "Humpbacked Horse" and "Bear" (for children). And there was also a Sura bicycle (about the size of a Ural or a little more) ...

social role

The production of bicycles played a large role in creating the technical base for other modes of transport, primarily cars and aircraft. Many metalworking technologies developed for the production of both bicycle frames and other parts (washers, bearings, gears) were subsequently used in the production of cars and aircraft. Many automobile firms created at the beginning of the 20th century (for example, Rover, Skoda, Morris Motor Company, Opel) started out as bicycle companies. The Wright Brothers also started out as bicycle manufacturers.

Societies of cyclists sought to improve the quality of roads. An example of such an organization is the League of American Wheelmen, which led and funded the Good Roads Movement in the United States in the late 19th century. The improvement in the quality of roads also accelerated the development of automobiles.

Bicycles played a role in the emancipation of women. In particular, thanks to them, women's bloomers came into fashion in the 1890s, which helped to free women from corsets and other restrictive clothing. In addition, women have gained unprecedented mobility thanks to bicycles.

So, for example, the famous American suffragette Susan Anthony (1826-1906) said on February 2, 1896 in an interview with the New York World newspaper:

"I think he has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else put together. He gives women a sense of freedom and independence. My heart fills with joy whenever I see a woman on a bicycle ... this is the sight of a free, unoppressed woman."

Bicycles allowed villagers to commute more frequently to neighboring villages and towns, which increased the number of marriages between residents of different settlements. This improved the genetic health of the population through heterosis. They reduced urban congestion by allowing workers and employees to live in the suburbs, relatively far from their place of work.

Postal services in many countries have been using bicycles since the end of the 19th century. So, the British mail (Eng. Royal Mail) has been using them since the 1880s. The total number of cyclist postmen is 37,000 in the UK, 27,500 in Germany, 10,500 in Hungary.
Police in many countries use bicycles to patrol the streets, especially in rural areas.

Bicycle patrols, like bicycle mail, appeared at the end of the 19th century. For example, the police of the English county of Kent purchased 20 models in 1896, and by 1904 the number of police bicycle patrols was already 129. The advantages of bicycle patrols are freedom from traffic jams, the ability to patrol in pedestrian areas, the ability to stealthily get close to the suspect.

In the UK, bicycles are traditionally used to deliver newspapers. This allows you to hire teenagers who do not yet have a driver's license. In poor countries, they are sometimes used to deliver meals.

Even the automotive industry uses bicycles. At the Mercedes-Benz plant (German: Mercedes-Benz) in Sindelfingen (German: Sindelfingen), Germany, workers move around the plant on them. Each department has its own color bikes.

Bicycles were used in the war. During the Second Boer War (1899–1902), both sides (Great Britain and the South African Republics) used bicycles for reconnaissance and for delivering messages. Special units patrolled railways on bike tires. In the First World War, both sides actively used them in intelligence, to deliver messages, to transport the victims. Japan successfully used bicycles to invade China in 1937 and to invade Singapore via Malaysia in 1941.

Bicycles made it possible to covertly and suddenly transfer thousands of soldiers, taking the enemy by surprise. In addition, they did not require trucks for their transfer, nor scarce fuel. The Allies used paratroopers equipped with . Bicycles were used by partisans to transport goods during the Vietnam War. In Sweden, bicycle troops existed until 2001, and in Switzerland until 2003. According to some reports, bicycles were used by American special forces during the Afghan campaign.

At the circus two-wheeled bicycles Bears and monkeys ride, and elephants ride on tricycles. Acrobatic stunts with their use are also extremely popular and varied.

Bicycle racing

Bicycle races began to be held immediately after the invention of bicycles. Early races were held on "penny farthings" and other dangerous bikes, which often resulted in injury. Since the 1890s, multi-day bicycle races have become popular. These include the oldest of the cycling races still taking place, the 1200-kilometer Paris-Brest-Paris race, first held in 1891. This cycling race does not consist of stages: the stopwatch starts at the start and turns off when the athlete has reached the finish line. The cyclist himself decides how much time he spends on sleep. The Tour de France, which has been held since 1903, belongs to the category of grand tours - the most popular and most prestigious of all existing bicycle races.

In addition to multi-day cycling races, there are cycling races on short distances. In the United States, cycling is popular for distances up to 5 km. In the last decade, cross-country cycling has gained popularity. Close to them is cyclocross - racing bicycles, very similar to road racing, over rough terrain. For racing on velodromes, special track models are used, without gear shifting.

Races, in addition, are divided into individual and team. There are a large number of types and disciplines of bicycle racing.

Bicycles currently

Currently, bicycles are most popular in the countries of Northern and Western Europe. The most "cycling" country in Europe is Denmark, the average resident of this country travels 893 kilometers on a bicycle per year.

The Netherlands is next (853 km). In Belgium and Germany, the average resident drives about 300 kilometers a year. The least popular bicycle in the countries of Southern Europe - the average Spaniard travels only 20 kilometers a year.

The current popularity of the bicycle in Europe is the result of government policies, as popularization helps to unload city centers from cars, and also improves people's health.

To promote cycling and cycling tourism the following measures are taken:

1. arrangement of paths and other infrastructure;
2. measures to facilitate use in combination with public transport(parking, as a rule, covered, and often guarded, at railway stations and bus stations, equipment of passenger trains with special cars for passengers with bicycles, etc.).

In many European cities, you can rent a bike at the train station.

In Copenhagen you can rent for free, and for any period. Such models are forbidden to be used outside Copenhagen under the threat of a fine. Unusual design and coloring do not allow you to pass them off as your own. There is a similar program in Helsinki and in the Basque capital of Vitoria (since 2004). You can rent a bike for free in the Hoge Veluwe park in the Netherlands and elsewhere.

In Amsterdam, which calls itself the bicycle capital of Europe, bicycles can be rented not only at the railway station, but also at rental points, in most special shops, and in many hotels.

There is even a dedicated hotel for cyclists, the Van Ostade Bicycle Hotel. You can rent water models, a tandem bike and even for 8 people. Bicycles in this city common remedy movement, much more common than cars. This is partly due to the lack and high cost of parking in Amsterdam and other large cities.

Bicycles born in the USSR

The first Soviet bicycles were released in 1924 by the Kharkov Bicycle Plant in the amount of 2200 pieces; in 1969 the output of bicycles in the USSR amounted to over 4 million.

The Baltik Vairas factory, well known since Soviet times for its good-quality Orlyonok models for teenagers, was founded in 1948. It was then called Siauliai bicycle-motor Vaira factory. During the first 30 years of its existence, Vairas produced more than 7.5 million bikes and about 3 million moped engines.

Later, the plant acquired a new name - Baltik Vairas. And after the collapse of the USSR in 1992-1994, the owners of the German concern Panther bought a controlling stake, and then a large part of the company's shares. So the plant found new owners, who, with typical German pedantry and scrupulousness, began the reconstruction of the enterprise.
"Baltik Vairas" - the plant sells bicycles in the countries of Scandinavia, Italy, Poland, Estonia, Latvia,

Depending on the purpose and design features bicycles are subdivided on road, light-road, teenage, sports, children's and special.

• have a strong frame, wide tires, a high steering wheel, weight about 16 kg;
• Light-road vehicles are distinguished by their lower weight (14 kg), reduced tire section, and are usually equipped with hand brakes.
• Sports are characterized by a lightweight design (8-11 kg) made of alloy steels and duralumin, a low-lowered steering wheel, the presence of a speed switch and hand brakes (for road cars) or without brakes and freewheeling (for track cars). Variety of sports bikes:
  • - double two-wheeled with double interlocked gear. This design allows the tandem crew to reach speeds of up to 70 km / h.
  • the special group includes circus, cargo, three-wheeled (for the elderly), bicycle carriages, etc.

Tow hitches have become widespread, mainly for road models, for transporting goods, as well as bicycles with outboard motors.

USSR for the production of bicycles fourth place in the world.

The domestic market of the country was satisfied by road men's models on 28-inch wheels with a brake rear hub. In addition to these most popular cars, light-road, women's, teenage, children's and sports cars are produced.

"Schoolboy"

"Gum"

"Gum"

"Relay race"

"Kama"

"Minsk"

"Firework"

"Sport"

"Tourist"

"Ukraine"

The decision to buy a bike pushes buyers to explore all detailed information about bicycles and the brands that make them.

But when a person comes to the store, then, as they say, "eyes run wide" from the variety of goods. Bicycles of the same parameters, but different manufacturers and at different prices. Which one to choose? We offer to study the rating of bicycle brands.

TOP 10 BEST BRANDS

Among the huge number of bicycle manufacturers, it sometimes takes a long time to puzzle over which brand deserves special attention. We hope that the rating of bicycle brands presented below will help you navigate today's variety of brands and their models.

When choosing a bike and thinking about which brand to choose, you can resort to the Internet, to friends, even to the seller. But do not forget that the seller will benefit from this, and acquaintances and information on the Internet may not always be useful to you, since the quality of a bicycle depends not only on the brand, but also on the cost and model.

Therefore, even if you are sure that one brand takes first place and is famous for its name, then perhaps there is a bike of the same quality nearby, but the price of the first one is much higher, just due to its name.

Beware of fakes, they are the worst quality of all bikes! Often forged famous brands and in great demand.

Often there is a fake with the wrong spelling of the name: they changed one letter or added an extra stroke to the icon, and in which case, this is a different brand.

Therefore, remember the brand symbols and carefully inspect the bike. But there are also products that have a cheap price just because they are of poor quality, be careful when meeting a bike with a price that is too low so that you do not have to regret buying it.

So to know best manufacturers Here is a list of the 10 most popular among buyers for their quality.

Attention! The presented article is an analysis and expression of the author's opinion. We do not claim that the specified models are 100% best friend from friend. During the analysis, parameters such as brand, equipment, year of production and final price were selected.

TENTH PLACE - ROMET ORKAN 3.0M (550-600 USD)

The presented model is a good solution for those who like pleasure riding.

The advantage of buying this bike is the presence of a comfortable frame and an effective, as for the money, fork. 24 speeds will not let you get tired during long climbs, and will also provide the possibility of hassle-free holding speed when descending.

The downside is frankly raw equipment. ROMET ORKAN 3.0 M is chosen by those who need to quickly get to the right place, and the question of components is not interesting.

NINTH PLACE - FORWARD AGRIS 2.0 27.5 DISC (2015) (RUB 26,760)

An interesting feature is that domestic company Forward decided to follow the new trends by switching to the 27.5 wheel standard.

This moment was taken into account during the production of the frame.

As needed, you can switch to a more common option - 26 inches. The design of the frame is designed in such a way that the cyclist uses its rigidity to their advantage while riding. The fork can be blocked if necessary.

There is disc hydraulics, but Shimano Altus are the most budget hydraulic brakes from the manufacturer. Accordingly, you should not expect long-term smooth operation from them. The same can be said about the rest of the hitch. The frame is attractive, but the components will have to be monitored.

EIGHTH PLACE - STELS NAVIGATOR 600 (2015) (200-250 USD)

This bike attracts potential buyers with its price, which is two times less than in the case of competitors.

If you are in search of the first "adult" transport - you can safely choose the presented model.

Main advantages: 18 speeds, wheels 26 inches. But for difficult walks, this bike is not suitable - the class is not the same. We put this model in eighth place only because everyone can afford to buy it.

SEVENTH PLACE. SMART 90 (2015) (RUB 19,790)

SMART 90 2015 model year is one of the most attractive solutions for joint walks with your friends.

Compared to the models above, this one uses the more stable SR Suntour XCT fork with 100mm of travel. The list of advantages also includes the presence of semi-professional tires SCHWALBE SMART SAM in the 26 × 2.1 version.

Again, the bike is a pleasure bike, so even though we like the proposed option, we cannot raise it higher.

SIXTH PLACE. KROSS LEA F4 (2014) (RUB 27,190)

A notable feature of the 2014 KROSS LEA F4 is the use of a 24-speed transmission.

Even despite the complete absence of disc brakes, durable Mach ER-10 rims with cross-country-adapted hubs from Joy Tech are used here.

The SR Suntour XCT forks are quite enough for riding not only around the city, but also beyond. The aluminum frame has a good margin of strength and rigidity. Accordingly, at any time you can unnecessary problems install something new.

FIFTH PLACE - MERIDA MATTS 6. 40-D (2015) (RUB 29,956)

The Matts model is the most popular manufacturer in this class. The bike is powered by a 27-speed Shimano Altus transmission.

The advantages also include the presence of a non-separable cartridge carriage on industrial bearings. But accelerating is one thing, quite another is stopping.

For maximum stopping power, Promax DSK hydraulic brakes are fitted with 160mm rotors front and rear.

Perhaps one of the best solutions if your first bike is to introduce you to sports riding at an amateur level.

FOURTH PLACE - GT AGGRESSOR EXPERT (HYDR) (2015) (RUB 28,714)

The 2015 GT AGGRESSOR EXPERT (HYDR) is in demand with the introduction of 27.5-inch wheels. The frame design is designed for heavy loads.

It is noteworthy that in this case the fork has less travel (80 mm instead of the traditional 100 mm).

This feature only plays into the hands of the cyclist when he overcomes serious distances. Naturally, Tektro disc hydraulics are used as brakes.

Not enough to the pedestal quite a bit - the model is inferior "thanks" to the steering wheel, stem and shifters, which have frankly poor quality for the money.

THIRD PLACE - SCOTT ASPECT 660 (2015) (RUB 28,740)

The well-known American company SCOTT took the third position due to the use of innovative technologies in the production of frames. Three types of wheel diameters within one model are presented at once to the choice of a potential client. That is, you can choose a model with 26″, 29″ and 27.5 wheels - the newest at the moment.

Using a special “twist”, you can adjust the spring rate of the SR Suntour XCT-26 fork.

The frame is able to withstand any bullying, even if you plan to constantly take part in competitions.

Despite the use of fairly serious equipment, it is unforgivable to put mechanical disc brakes on such a bike. Therefore, we gave the third place to the ASPECT 660 model.

SECOND PLACE - CUBE AIM 26 DISC (2014) (RUB 29,990)

The CUBE brand, as stated on some sites, is the best selling brand in Europe.

Naturally, this can be easily argued, but the AIM 26 DISC model of 2014 will complicate this task.

Despite the lack of new 27.5″ wheels, this model is ready for virtually any test in the forest and mountains.

The bike is based on equipment from the Shimano Acera series. An SR Suntour XCT fork is also installed, which has 100 millimeters of travel. The CUBE AIM 26 DISC frame itself is designed in such a way that the top tube is short. As a result, the rider gets a comfortable fit.

The advantages also include the use of high-quality Schwalbe Black Jack tires, created in Germany.

"Silver" is justified by weight, as well as the use of cheap pedals. However, this will not bring any problems.

FIRST PLACE - SPECIALIZED ROCKHOPPER (2015) (RUB 32,400)

Specialized cares about its customers and it shows.

Every year, all bicycles undergo significant modernization, and this applies not only appearance and small technical details.

First of all, we are talking about the composition of the alloy from which the frame is created. Even with extreme riding, you are unlikely to break the Specialized Rockhopper.

The use of Shimano Deore equipment allows you to guarantee long-term operation even in harsh riding conditions. 27 gears, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, three wheel diameters, a top-of-the-line Rockshox XC28 oil-spring fork - that's what makes competitors bow to the presented model.

HYBRID BIKE - "WHO IS THIS"?

A hybrid is a bicycle that combines the attributes of a mountain bike and a road bike in its design.

On such a bike you can ride both on rough roads and around the city.

When new bikes come out, they come with new names that most buyers just don't understand. Bicycle hybrids were invented for variety and perhaps more comfort.

There was a time when all buyers were eager to buy a mountain bike, and no other.

Many believed that such a bike could handle any road.

A little later, people began to buy road cars, which are lighter and faster on asphalt roads.

That's when the idea came up to create a mixture of highway and mountain bike, and thereby create a fresh impression on buyers. And it succeeded! Lightweight construction for a mountain bike and super durable for a road bike.

This is a great choice for those who love something original or who conquer the roads of different difficulties. Hybrids didn't stop at this mix of bikes.

Now you can name the three most popular hybrid bicycles. This is an MTV hybrid, road and trekking.

The main advantage of hybrid bikes is their versatility.

It should also be noted that in recent years the demand for hybrid bikes increased. This is no accident, these bikes are reliable, have a solid aluminum or steel frame.

Wheels with a diameter of 28 inches, wide. As a rule, they are equipped with a shock absorber and have a straight handlebar that can be adjusted in height. Most models are equipped with protection against dirt. Some models are equipped with a disc brake. The landing of such bicycles is high, like that of road bicycles, the saddle is comfortable, with cushioning.

Number of speeds: 3x7, 3x8. Twenty-one speeds have become less and less common lately, since manufacturers are switching to a more massive 3x8 standard, i.e. at twenty-four speeds.

In general, hybrids are good for cycling on asphalt and flat dirt roads, but not suitable for winter and off-road trips.

"START HIGHWAY" AND ITS ADVANTAGES

Start-highway bike (sports road bike) was produced at the Kharkov Bicycle Plant. G. I. Petrovsky in three models B-552, B-553 and B-555.

The peak of the popularity of these bicycles was in the years Soviet Union. Now modern bicycle models are replacing the highway start. But their low cost compared to new models still attracts buyers.

Advantages of Bike Start Highway:

• Sturdy construction . The bike has a sturdy construction and is great for covering long distances.
• Alloy steel. The frame of these bicycles is made of alloyed steel and, therefore, is so durable.
• Balanced fit. Highway start bikes have a comfortable fit and single-tube tires in the wheels.
• Reinforced body. The pedals are metal and have a reinforced body.
• Number of gears. Equipped with 5 rear gears and 2 front gears.
• Reliability of the braking system. Brakes are caliper type with a central link and reliable brake pads.
• Special switches. Rear and front derailleur with parallelogram design.

It is very easy to recognize a start-highway bike, since the KhVZ emblem appears on the front of the head tube with a swallow depicted on it, the sunset and the KhVZ inscription, and there is also an inscription “start-highway” on the frame.

It is easiest to recognize the start of the highway by the steering wheel, it has a peculiar curved shape, or as it was also called “horns”.

For lovers of cycling and fast driving, no matter how handy, such a bike is suitable.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that the Start Highway bike definitely has something to brag about. And given that its production was established back in the middle of the last century, and this bike, along with modern ones, has good indicators of quality, reliability and durability, it deserves respect.

Before making the final choice, we recommend that you first decide in what style you will use the future bike.

For quiet walks, you can get by with budget models, since they do not suffer from serious loads.

If you want to actively ride through the forest and mountains, we recommend purchasing a model that has many gears (ideally - 27).

Amateur athletes, accordingly, cannot do without a model with a linkage one level higher than in the case of other options. And, of course, do not forget to choose the right height for your future bike. This is a guarantee of comfort.

There are at least four answers to the question “who invented the bicycle”:

• professor von Drez - inventor two-wheeled scooter;
• Kirkpatrick Macmillan - a blacksmith who was the first to add pedals to the "trolley";
• Pierre Lalman, a wheelchair maker who patented a bicycle with pedals;
• John Starley is an entrepreneur who produced the first modern bicycle.

In addition, the invention of the next bicycles is not forgotten to be attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and the Russian folk character Artamonov.

von Drez

The generally accepted year for the invention of the bicycle is 1818, when the forester from the city of Karlsruhe in Baden, the German Karl von Dres, described and patented his invention - a two-wheeled vehicle driven by the rider's legs. It is most correct to call it an invention, but all the elements, except for the pedals and the drive, were in place: two wheels, a frame with a saddle, a steering wheel that allows you to rotate the front wheel.

The fate of the invention at one time hung in the balance. Having begun work on the “walking machine”, which he invented back in 1810, in 1816 the inventor conducted field tests, having traveled almost 20 kilometers on his bicycle, delighting the inhabitants with his wit and speed of movement. It exceeded 10 km/h. Unlike the common people, the city government was not impressed with the machine and instructed von Dresus to stop inventing trinkets, as it seemed to them, under the threat of dismissal.

Loss good place in the public service was a serious danger, and for several years no one saw the invention. “Helped” the spread of the bicycle hard years. 1816 was a dry year. The harvests were poor, and the villagers, following the slaughtered cattle, began to get rid of the horses. When it was time to carry weights, they remembered the bizarre forester's carriage, and the trolley began to spread around the district.

The popularity of the invention was finally consolidated by the Bavarian duke, who liked the novelty so much that he financed the release of the first mass batch, and already in 1819 bicycles appeared in Paris and London, where they were further improved by many local mechanics.

History of development

The first mentions of such mechanisms are found already at the end of the 18th century, and vague hints are found even in the Italian annals of the mid-1400s and in the works of da Vinci. The modern chronology of inventions is as follows:

• 1818 - von Dresze patents his scooter, the design begins to spread throughout Europe.
• 1840 - Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan adds pedals to the design of a "walking machine", but the invention does not diverge further than the surrounding villages.
• 1860-1866 - Parisian Pierre Lalman (according to other sources - Michaud) fixes the pedals on the scooter while repairing it, for several years a new invention called "bicycle" is produced by his company in the amount of 400 products per year.
• 1869 - The first race takes place in France.
• 1870 - The first all-metal bicycle is launched.
• 1876 ​​- the first bike with a rear wheel drive, an experiment by the Englishman G. Bates.
• 1879 - the first bike with a chain drive, which was created by the inventor G. Lawson.
• 1885 - start of sales of the Rover bicycle, a complete structural analogue of the modern bicycle.
• 1888 - the first pneumatic tire, invented by its inventor Dunlop from Scotland.
• 1915 - the first bicycles with two suspensions enter the Belgian army under the brand name.

Forms

Kick scooter

It all started with a simple frame and identical wheels. There were many options for such mechanisms. They were called "trolley" or "dandy horse" (in England). Perfectly removing the load and allowing to transport a significant load, these inventions entrenched themselves in the European market of the 19th century, giving impetus to new developments.

pedal bike

Only 50 years later, a significant improvement appeared - pedals. They made it possible to isolate the passenger from the road and dramatically increase the speed of riding, as well as provide comfort from him.

The drive did not exist, and to increase the speed of movement - especially on good, at that time, city roads - the circumference of the drive (front) wheel increased. This is how the well-known "Fart-fennings" appeared - from common coins, which differed greatly in circumference - bicycles, the front wheel of which was several times larger than the rear ones.

The new design began to give rise to new inventions - the first tandems appeared, real works of art were created.

Rover

The final improvement - a chain drive to the rear wheel - required another 30 years of development. For several decades pedal bike, a favorite of dandies and urban dandies, turned into a "workhorse" and was actively used throughout Europe during the First World War.

Modern types

After the First World War, technological progress also affected bicycles. Every year, new items appeared that found their buyer. In the 60s, racing models appeared, and in the 70s, mountain bikes. The turn of the 80s and 90s was marked by the advent of bike computers and complex gearshift systems.

The cycling world does not stand still, and new inventions are already emerging, such as electric bicycles.

Conclusion

The history of the bicycle is the history of a spectacular invention, on the basis of which talented engineers were able to create modern beautiful bikes. It is not so important who specifically invented the bicycle - von Drez in 1818, Michaud in 1860 or the manufacturers of Rover in 1885. All of them are equally worthy of the title of "brilliant inventor" because they left their mark on the history of the modern world.