From road bike to touring bike

I rode the Kharkiv Bicycle Factory’s “Tourist” bicycle for 30 years. It was, perhaps, one of the best Soviet bicycles — not only for active recreation (which it was actually designed for), but also for everyday trips. Now it hangs on the shed wall as a retro exhibit. Instead, I bought a new, modern two-wheel cross-country bicycle.

The stylish multi-speed bicycle turned out to be… bare. Just an aluminum frame with wheels! It had no reflectors or lighting equipment. I had to spend extra on additional accessories. I bought a soft saddle, a rear rack, and fenders (front and rear). All of this improved the bicycle’s comfort. But there was no room for a spare inner tube or the items in a repair kit.

For them, I had to make a large triangular frame “kangaroo” bag for various relatively flat items (not necessarily bicycle-related — the volume allows) and a small pouch for a spare inner tube and repair kit on the rear rack under the saddle.

I have described the cutting and sewing technology for such items more than once (you can find it in issue No. 4-2016 in the article “Mitten” for a shovel — they are identical). The large “kangaroo” bag can hold spare water and food; a polyethylene raincoat and a pump.

The repair kit pouch holds three tire levers, a spare inner tube, glue with patches, a bandage, iodine, and a tow rope.

A bicycle backpack or a utility bag can be mounted and secured on the rack with a spring clamp.

Wide plastic fenders protect the cyclist from splashes and mud from under the wheels in rainy weather. On the first rides, I adjusted the saddle and handlebar to suit my height and build.

All the additions, especially the “self-sewn” bags, gave the bicycle a distinctive style.

Now my new bicycle has an original appearance and is ready for everyday rides and even touring trips.

“Modelist-Constructor” No. 1’2017, A. Matveichuk