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BTO ( RANK 1.0 ) ( Russian Empire 🇷🇺 ) ( Bicycle ) ( Lejtner )

🚲 Leitner Folding Military Bicycle — Overview and History

The Leitner Folding Military Bicycle was a Russian military model developed in 1917 by the A. Leitner & Co. Bicycle and Automobile Factory “Rossiya” in Kharkov, Russia. Designed for the needs of the Russian Imperial Army during the final years of World War I, it represented an innovative approach to troop mobility, offering soldiers a practical and efficient means of personal transport.

🛠️ Design and Development

The Leitner bicycle was notable for its folding frame design, allowing it to be easily transported by infantry, cavalry, or carried on military vehicles. The frame was constructed from steel tubing, with a unique hinge mechanism that enabled quick folding without the need for tools — a rare and advanced feature for its time.

The bicycle was equipped with pneumatic tires, a sprung leather saddle, and a chain-driven rear wheel, providing both comfort and reliability on rough terrain. Its geometry combined sturdiness with moderate weight, striking a balance between mobility and endurance — ideal for reconnaissance, messenger duties, and troop transport.

⚔️ Military Use

Although the Leitner folding bicycle appeared near the end of the Russian Empire’s involvement in World War I, it was intended for use by military cyclists — scouts, dispatch riders, and light infantry units. Its folding capability allowed soldiers to carry it across rivers, load it into horse-drawn wagons, or even use it alongside early motor vehicles.

Due to the political upheaval of 1917, mass production was never fully realized, but the design remains one of the earliest known Russian military bicycles.

🔧 Notable Features

Folding steel frame for easy transport

Leather saddle with spring suspension

Chain-driven single-speed transmission

Sturdy military-style construction

Designed for reconnaissance and messenger use





🧾 Leitner Folding Military Bicycle Specifications





| **Parameter** | **Value** |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Type** | Folding military bicycle |
| **Crew** | 1 (rider) |
| **Manufacturer** | A. Leitner & Co., Kharkov, Russia |
| **Year of production** | 1917 |
| **Frame material** | Steel tubing |
| **Transmission** | Chain drive, single gear |
| **Brakes** | Coaster or rim (depending on variant) |
| **Wheels** | 28-inch spoked wheels |
| **Saddle** | Leather, spring-mounted |
| **Folding mechanism** | Central hinge with locking pin |
| **Purpose** | Military reconnaissance and communications |



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