Introducing: VSF Fahrradmanufaktur! Premium Mobilität.

• Posted on 4 November 2019
• By Ben Cowie
• Posted in Choosing a Bike, Product Review, Shop News
• 0

Meet our latest lineup addition, German bikes built to last.

Trekking bikes from vsf fahrradmanufaktur are smart all-rounders, equally at home in an urban setting, a forest track, or on easy off-road terrain.

As London is maturing as a cycling city, I've been thinking a lot about what we need in our town to help grow that culture even further. When London Bicycle Cafe started a couple years ago, cargo bikes weren’t readily available in London (fixed!) and there wasn’t a go-to store selling a range of different bikes for everyday transportation (also fixed!). So looking ahead to 2020, my question was: what’s next? The answer, of course, comes from Europe.

I’m pleased to introduce VSF Fahrradmanufaktur as our newest line of bikes at London Bicycle Cafe. The stars have aligned a little bit to be able to offer these incredible machines, and they’re going to knock your socks off when you get a chance to try one.

Let’s start with a brief history. Verbund Selbstverwalteter Fahrradbetriebe Fahrradmanufaktur (what a mouthful!) roughly translates to the "Assocation of Self-governed Bicycle Stores, Bicycle Artisan Company.” The association (VSF) was founded out of a need for better city bikes, due to a predominant sport cycling culture in 1980s Berlin. The result was a new standard of city bike that would advance the entire bike industry in Germany and beyond: Fahrradmanufaktur was born. Today VSF has over 300 certified retailers, their own trade show, and lobby group to support better cycling infrastructure and to certify many best-in-class German manufacturers, including brands we import, like Ortlieb, Busch & Muller, Tubus, Racktime and Hebie. As a result of VSF, transportation cycling is advancing faster in Germany than nearly anywhere else on the planet today, and we want to bring those advances here to you!

Enough history, let’s talk about the bikes. Trekking bikes from VSF Fahrradmanufaktur are smart all-rounders for everyday riding. They are instant classics of sustainable and ecological mobility, designed to handle both the local grocery run, and long rides on country roads with equal parts grace and conviction. In terms of quality that will stand the test of time, Fahrradmanufaktur focuses on a combination of frame and components that ensures harmonious interaction that is greater than the sum of its parts. There are no corners cut here, just outstanding quality at every turn.

The handsome VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-100, mid-step frame pictured. Demo model available to try now, pre-orders for spring delivery due December 20, $1599.99.

The premium model we'll carry on the floor is the T-100. It's available in two quality-crafted chromoly steel frames (mid-step, and roadster) that can go anywhere your legs will take you. Steel bikes have a reputation for being heavy: not so with chromoly. “Chromo” is an alloy that is light, corrosion resistant, and feels soft to ride. It absorbs vibrations while it glides effortlessly through all kinds of terrain, supporting you in just the right ways. Unlike Dutch-style bikes, the T-100 is designed to go further, with fully adjustable geometry that allows you to dig in a little to climb a hill, or enjoy taking “the long way home” on a sunny spring afternoon. While all the bikes we feature at LBC have lights, fenders, rear racks, chain guards, and kickstands, the entire Fahrrad lineup incorporates these features perfectly into their design.

VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-100 Specs

• Strong, light, and flexible chromoly steel frame in mid-step or roadster geometry
• High-quality paint, in a wide spectrum of colours (any colour but black requires a special order)
• Wide-range 8-speed Shimano Nexus internal gear hub
• Bright, dynamo-driven front (Busch & Müller Upp, 30 LUX), and rear (B&M Toplight) lights.
• Slim and elegant Hebie Chainglider.
• Best-in-class Racktime Eco 2.0 rear rack
• Unbreakable, lightweight fenders by SKS
• Humpert Ergotec Octopus adjustable angle stem
• Pletscher Zoom side mounted kickstand
• Comfortable and supportive, Italian-made Selle Royal saddle
• Rear wheel lock mount (lock sold separately)
• And more…

Frame sizes:
Mid-Step: 45, 50, 55 cm
Roadster: 52, 57, 62 cm

Want to know what else is great about these bikes? VSF Fahrradmanufaktur are imported into Canada duty-free. Most bikes brought into Canada (from Taiwan or mainland China) have a steep duty associated with them (~13%, depending on the bike). Fortunately for us, the Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has eliminated the duty on bikes made in Europe, and Fahrradmanufaktur is Made in Germany. This means more of your bike dollar is spent on crafting a quality ride, and less of your money is spent on taxes. Isn’t that awesome? This is good news for Canada, as we will start to see more of these higher quality transport bikes as a result of the new agreement.

The T-100 is priced in Canada at $1599.99 [financing available OAC from $63/mo]. At this price, you get the finest ride quality available, in a machine that’s built-to-last. I have never seen a bike better equipped (at its price) to do both transportation and recreation than the T-100. It’s simply a dream to ride.

The T-50 is 30% lighter than the T-100, and offers three frame styles including the low step-over Wave frame (pictured). $1099.99

Our second model from Fahrrad is the T-50. It's certainly no slouch, and offers a few benefits vs. the T-100 (including lower weight, and lower price!). It offers a frame that is 30% lighter, and has a very low-step geometry available (in addition to the mid-step and roadster styles). The T-50 comes standard with a Shimano Nexus 7 Internal Gear Hub, dynamo lighting, and more quality features only found standard on European-built bikes:

VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-50 Specs

• Lightweight aluminium frame in roadster, mid-step, and low-step geometry.
• High-quality paint, in a wide spectrum of colours (any colour but black requires a special order)
• Wide-range 7-speed Shimano Nexus internal gear hub
• Bright, dynamo-driven front (AXA Compactline, 20 LUX), and rear (AXA) lights.
• Full chainguard
• Best-in-class Racktime Eco 2.0 rear rack
• Unbreakable, lightweight fenders by SKS
• Humpert Ergotec Octopus adjustable angle stem
• Pletscher kickstand
• Comfortable and supportive, Italian-made Selle Royal saddle
• Rear wheel lock mount (lock sold separately)

Frame sizes:
Low-Step & Mid-Step: 45, 50, 55 cm
Roadster: 52, 57, 62 cm

Canadian price for the T-50 is $1099.99 [finance from $43 monthly], which puts it squarely in the running for best value in the bike market today. From my perspective as someone who thinks about how to build beautiful, functional bikes for a great price, the T-50 checks all the boxes I’m looking for in a city bike.

Finally, there's one more trick up our sleeve, and that's a miniature cargo bike! The T-50C (cargo) hasn't even hit stores in Europe yet, but you can get it here as early as March 2020! The T-50 Cargo features slightly smaller, and stronger, 26” wheels for improved handling and cargo load capacity, and it will ship with the finest accessories.

VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-50C Specs

• Lightweight aluminium frame
• High-quality paint, in a wide spectrum of colours (any colour but white requires a special order)
• Wide-range 8-speed Shimano Nexus internal gear hub
• Bright, dynamo-driven front (Busch & Müller Lumotec Avy, 40 LUX), and rear (Busch & Müller Toplight 2C) lights.
• Slim and elegant Hebie Chainglider (not pictured above, see the T-100 pictures for the Chainglider)
• Best-in-class Racktime Foldit Fix | Racktime Topit Evo front carrier
• Unbreakable, lightweight fenders by SKS
• Humpert Ergotec Octopus adjustable angle stem
• Pletscher Zoom side mounted kickstand
• Comfortable and supportive, Italian-made Selle Royal saddle
• Rear wheel lock mount (lock sold separately)
• Plus, powerful disc brakes for secure stopping power.

The T-50C is priced at $2099.99, and given its capabilities, I think this is incredible value, too. Pair it with a set of Ortlieb panniers, and a Yepp child seat, and you have a bike that’s ready to take you and your family “To the Grocery Store and Beyond!”

The T-100 Roadster is designed to give an incredible ride under all conditions.

Importing these bikes into North America isn’t quite as easy as other bikes we sell. We’ll stock a few bikes (I’ve made some guesses as to what sizes/models you’ll want), but there isn’t a huge warehouse supporting us like we’ve had in the past for bikes like Breezer or Pure City. If you know you’re interested in a Fahrrad this spring, ordering sooner rather than later is essential if you want to get your bike in early 2020. Here’s how it’s done with Fahrrad:

• Come into the store and try a demo model. You’ll fall in love, I promise.
• Pick your style, pick your colour (black is more likely to be available on short notice, all other colours are custom-built in Germany, and will take about 2 months to get here), and place your order.
• Your bike will arrive in-store in two to eight weeks time. We guarantee perfect fit.

From my perspective, thinking about urban cycling every day, these bikes offer such incredible value. For an experienced everyday rider, they provide flexibility, durability, and integrated quality that is literally impossible to create anywhere outside Germany. For someone who has been using their bike casually, and thinking about a more regular bike habit, Fahrrad is worth the investment. You’ll know that you’ve found something special. For someone new to everyday riding, these bikes (especially the T-50) will be a fabulous introduction that will support your new bike habit for many years ahead.

Come see what Premium Mobilität is all about, and find your perfect everyday ride with us.

VSF Fahrradmanufaktur website: https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/

2020 Price List:
T-100: $1599.99 (roadster, mid-step)
T-50: $1099.99 (roadster, mid-step, wave)
T-50C: $2099.99 (mid-step cargo)

If you click the link above, you’ll realize that Fahrrad has an enormous selection of drool-worthy bikes with options like Pinion gearboxes, Gates belt-drive systems, and more! If you’re interested in these bikes, please reach out directly and we can get one of them here for you, too.