This is Zenit, a Polish folder that is seeking a new life offroad.
Actually, I am not sure what it is. Back in communist times there was a company called Romet that made most of the bikes seen on the roads, and you could tell what a bike was because they would write 'Romet' and the name of the model on the bike - except for the export models as they were branded 'Universal'. All their folders were made in a factory in Kowalero.
Then there was Zenit.
The frame is a slight modification of the Romet Jubilat, but it was equipped with items from their mid-range bikes. It is badged 'Zenit', but instead of a model name it just says 'Kowalewo', the name of the factory. It was built at a time when Romet, along with the socialist system as we knew it, was sliding slowly into oblivion. Zenits today are relatively rare.
The picture above is how it looked after I had replaced the mid-rise handlebars with standard Jubilat ones, fitted a cheap saddle and some offroad tires, removed the rear rack and fenders, and put the rather nice chromed steel brake levers into my reserve stock. Below is a Romet Jubilat of roughly the same era. Note the different handlebar stem, the fact it has a rear brake, 3-piece crank instead of a 2-piece and 3-speed deraileur instead of a coaster brake. In terms of Jubilats, this was royalty.
I bought it in the winter of this year, and rode it often throughout the summer as my farm bike. It was quite good, but it was clear that the frame was bent enough at the back that the tire rubbed the frame. There is quite a lot of clay where I live, the kind of stuff which is guaranteed to jam side-pull calliper brakes. I considered exchanging the 3 speed hub with a six-speed one, but the hanger did not really have the reach and then it would start to compete with my Kross offroad bike, which was not what I wanted.
I want a clean, simple bike.
The first step was to buy a cheap bike with a SRAM 3-speed coaster brake hub, eliminating the need for that rear brake and its cable.
I have stripped the bike down and put all its parts in my parts stock. I forgot that I also exchanged the rear wheel rim for a deeper steel one I had lying around. This will be staying, but the front rim will be rplaced by an aluminium one I also have in stock - to save a tiny bit of weight but mostly to improve braking in the wet.
Actually, I am not sure what it is. Back in communist times there was a company called Romet that made most of the bikes seen on the roads, and you could tell what a bike was because they would write 'Romet' and the name of the model on the bike - except for the export models as they were branded 'Universal'. All their folders were made in a factory in Kowalero.
Then there was Zenit.
The frame is a slight modification of the Romet Jubilat, but it was equipped with items from their mid-range bikes. It is badged 'Zenit', but instead of a model name it just says 'Kowalewo', the name of the factory. It was built at a time when Romet, along with the socialist system as we knew it, was sliding slowly into oblivion. Zenits today are relatively rare.
The picture above is how it looked after I had replaced the mid-rise handlebars with standard Jubilat ones, fitted a cheap saddle and some offroad tires, removed the rear rack and fenders, and put the rather nice chromed steel brake levers into my reserve stock. Below is a Romet Jubilat of roughly the same era. Note the different handlebar stem, the fact it has a rear brake, 3-piece crank instead of a 2-piece and 3-speed deraileur instead of a coaster brake. In terms of Jubilats, this was royalty.
I bought it in the winter of this year, and rode it often throughout the summer as my farm bike. It was quite good, but it was clear that the frame was bent enough at the back that the tire rubbed the frame. There is quite a lot of clay where I live, the kind of stuff which is guaranteed to jam side-pull calliper brakes. I considered exchanging the 3 speed hub with a six-speed one, but the hanger did not really have the reach and then it would start to compete with my Kross offroad bike, which was not what I wanted.
I want a clean, simple bike.
The first step was to buy a cheap bike with a SRAM 3-speed coaster brake hub, eliminating the need for that rear brake and its cable.
I have stripped the bike down and put all its parts in my parts stock. I forgot that I also exchanged the rear wheel rim for a deeper steel one I had lying around. This will be staying, but the front rim will be rplaced by an aluminium one I also have in stock - to save a tiny bit of weight but mostly to improve braking in the wet.