[sacci things]

Isnt racing, but in 80-90's in Minsk factory produced some smaller geared models with 590 wheels.

Thanks so much for the links to the catalogues and more info on the history. So I may have to give up on Start Shosse if they did not make anything small my Lithuanian girlfriend confirms that the Lithuanian bikes mentioned were really for children unless they had a large-ish frame made for slightly taller youth.

Yes the MMB3 bikes are all indestructable made with gas pipes or something and in Ukraine they still manufacture them today in horrible colours so revamping them doesn't seem so cool.

According to the Guru Sheldon Brown the 590mm (650A) tyres are hard to find these days so it needs to be swapped with more common 650B without much problems with the brake pads. Going to MTB 26 inch is not so simple as it seems... It may be possible to it a thin and narrow 622mm (700C) wheels and using a short drop caliper brakes (modern road racing brakes) if there is no chainstay bridge or mud guard mounts on the way!

I shall look into the catalogues and study them well so that I will know exactly which bike or frame I should hunt for!! I am open to any suggestions.

Sacci

http://www.saccithings.blogspot.com