Wow, this is amazing stuff. I would never have thought such bikes existed. We have this image of Soviet bikes as crudely executed knockoffs of decades old French and Italian designs, but these bikes show that the Soviets were capable of cutting edge technology, at least in small numbers for use by elite athletes. It was in bringimg technology to mass production that the Soviets always lost their way. I'm sure we all have our opinions as to way that was the case, but that's a political discussion that would quickly veer Off Topic.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
Bike Works NYC <bikeworks@bikecult.com> wrote: I also found a couple Ukraine-made bikes here in New York City. These came from Recycle-A-Bicycle, which receives bikes through donation as a last refuge from becoming curbside trash.
One is a XB3 "Ukraina" a 28"-wheel military-style roadster, shown here:
http://bikecult.com/
Another is a UKTb Velo "Takion" a Columbus-tube road racing bicycle:
http://bikecult.com/
After queries to CR list, I was contacted by the son of the maker of
Takions, who relayed his fascinating history and photos, posted here:
http://bikecult.com/
It was very satisfying learn of this niche in cycledom, at it relates to custom manufacturing, trends in cycle sport, and global and local politics. Along with info from Doug Fattic, Toni Theilmeier, and many others, I would like to see, at least, a section of CR website devoted to on-topic Soviet-era velocipeds.
Dave Perry, NYC
Tom Ward wrote:
> I read Doug's Kharkov factory story with interest, in part because of a
> bike I rescued from a Greenwich Village streetcorner last year (or was it
> two years ago?). You find the darndest things kicked to the curb here in
> New York City. I've since made it a long-term loaner to a friend, but the
> item in question is a blue 56 cm road bike with all XB-3 components. I
> threw a good set of 700c (it's definitely built for that size) wheels
> under it eventually, and was pleasantly surprised by performance of the
> rear derailleur, a crude looking parallelogram affair but with all the
> right influences.