T-900 – ROADSTER VSF Fahrradmanufaktur

How is a Fahrradmanufaktur different from other touring bikes?

Great question! The difference is really between North American touring bikes and European touring bikes. European touring bikes have not been subject to the same boom-and-bust cycles as the North American touring bike and have thus evolved much more carefully. Whereas North American touring bikes today try to offset the problem of drop bars using frame geometry (higher head tubes), European touring bikes realized the problem was the drop handlebar, never the frame. By recognizing that multi-position bars needn’t entail a vertical drop, European touring bikes provide multi-positions across a much more comfortable horizontal plane. The other big difference between North American touring bikes and European touring bikes might be described as “trust in technology.” North American touring bikes often dumb the bike down in fear that parts will fail. This provides less safety and less ergonomics, as well as an arguably false sense of confidence. European parts tend to go through much higher testing protocols, and that’s why its not uncommon to see a European tourist, riding on their third continent, confidently using gearbox systems like Pinion, hydraulic rim or disc brakes, or legendary unbreakable hubs like the Rohloff Speedhub. 

What’s the difference between a brand like Fahrradmanufaktur and others you carry?

We’re just going to say it: Fahrradmanufaktur are the best touring bike we’ve ever seen. Sure, it may not be as pretty as an Achielle, but it still beautiful, perhaps functionally so. And yeah, it’s functional. The frame is a rust-proof, strong and very lightweight aluminum – which is a bit disruptive to the traditional world of steel city bikes (but that’s just the point). The geometry is upright but still sporty enough to multitask city riding and longer weekend adventures. The parts are made in Europe and best-in-class: chaincovers from Hebie (Germany), kickstands from Pletscher (Switzerland), racks from Racktime (Germany), fenders from SKS (Germany), grips from Herrmans (Finland) and lights from Axa (Netherlands), Herrmans (Finland) and Busch & Muller (Germany). Durable for all weather, light enough to bring inside, great for the city, and great to bring up to the cottage too. Best of all, the prices are more than reasonable.

What does Fahrradmanufaktur mean?

It means “bike manufacturer,” because all of their bikes are literally made in Oldenburg, Germany. The company started by a group of urban retailers who were seeing the same increase in city cycling that we’ve seen here in North America, but weren’t seeing great options from the German bike industry – which is largely focused on recreational riding – or the Dutch and Scandinavian markets – which continue to produce heavier bikes for short-burst city commutes. Like North American brands like Simcoe, Fahrradmanufaktur took matters into their own hands, but unlike Simcoe, they had access to a wide breadth of well-designed European parts from purpose-built kickstands to lights to racks. Their bikes are almost… perfect.

What is an internal gear hub?

In Europe a bike with an internal gear hub is what makes it a definitive city bike. Internal gear hubs are awesome. Because the chain isn’t derailed up and down a set of external cogs (using a derailleur), the chain will never fall off again, and best of all, the chain can be covered so you can wear whatever you want. The gears are sealed inside the rear hub and they hold a tune two times longer than a derailleur, minimizing tune-ups and allowing you to store the bike outside throughout the winter problem-free.

What is a belt drive?

Belt drives have been developed over the last 30 years for use in racing engines and motorcycles. They are a band of nylon teeth held together with a series of carbon fibre cords, paired with alloy alloy chainrings and stainless-steel cogs. They’ve recently made the jump to bikes because they’re nearly silent, don’t require lube (and are much more winter-proof as a result), don’t rust or get jammed with debris, and last for up to 30,000km of riding before needing replacement. We don’t see them often on North American bikes because they can’t be used with external derailleurs, only internal hubs or crank-based gearboxes.

What is dynamo lighting?

Cars come with lights and so should a city bike. Dynamo lightsets are an integrated system that generates electricity from the hub and blasts this into a bolted-on, theft-resistant light that projects more power than most battery systems so that you can see and be seen. Unlike the old days where the dynamo rubbed against the tire (slowing you down) the new systems are part of the front hub and are very low friction as well as very low maintenance. Most of the dynamo sets we carry feature a “standlight,” or capacitor which means they produce and store energy so that when you’re stopped the lights keep going.

How strong are the wheels and will I get a lot of punctures?

The Fahrradmanufaktur Touring bikes take wheels very very seriously. There’s nothing worse than a broken spoke in the middle of a tour, and Fahrradmanufaktur bikes all use more spokes (36 spokes as opposed to the standard 32), that are uncommonly thick at 13g (most spokes are a much thinner 14g). These are laced to heat-treated, made-in-Germany Exal double-walled rims and hubs that are always brand-name and highly serviceable (that way, in case things do go wrong, your wheels remain serviceable, not disposable). 

How do I ensure my new bike won’t get stolen? 

Research shows that very few bicycle thefts are related to a bicycle’s value and are best defined as low-risk/low-return. A good bicycle lock is expensive to break through and takes time, thus increasing the risk and lowering the return. Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and that makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good Abus U-lock or a chain and you’ll be fine. You can read more about bike theft here.

What’s the warranty?

Ten year warranty for manufactures defects on frame and fork, one year on parts. Does not include wear and tear.