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The VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur T-50 Roadster is a no-nonsense work of German innovation that bridges the gap between artistry and scientific precision. While the T-50 takes after many European city bikes, offering comfort and prioritizing smoothness, this one is built to handle more than just flat, short-distances. Though the position is considered upright, it leans over just a touch, which allows a better and easier power transfer between your legs and your bike so that the T-50 can take you as far as you need to go while still being incredibly comfortable. That position, along with a light aluminium frame, 8-speed Shimano Nexus internal gear hub and weatherproof Magura hydraulic rim brakes makes this a truly versatile machine.

While for most bike makers that would be enough to slap on a price tag and call it a day, Fahrradmanufaktur clearly cares about going the extra mile or two (or fifty). The T-50 features a battery-free dynamo lighting system with a built-in standlight so your lights stay on even when you come to a stop. Cromoplastic SKS fenders and a powerful Racktime rack (by Tubus) make this the perfect bike for either urban cruising or weekend trekking. With everything packed onto the T-50, you wouldn't even believe the price is real.

Questions? Book a consultation with one of our City Bike experts
VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur T-50 Roadster - The perfect city bike, whatever your age or gender
Traditional roadster frame - Suitable for everyone
Upright riding position - Comfortable, Safe and Visible
Lightweight and stiff 6061 aluminium frame
Shimano Nexus 8 internal gear hub - Low maintenance and reliable
Magura HS-11 hydraulic rim brakes - Powerful and reliable during all four seasons
Grip shifter - Reliable and easy to use, even with winter gloves
Shimano & AXA Dynamo system - Battery free lighting, 24/7
High-quality adjustable stem - Dial in that perfect riding position
Full SKS fenders - Sturdy, lightweight, corrosion-free, keeps you looking fresh
Racktime rear rack with Snap-It system - Made by Tubus in Germany
Selle Royale Rio saddle - Made in Italy - Super comfy
Strong and lightweight double-walled rims
Strong side mount kick stand - Made in Italy
Optional: Works seamlessly with all Racktime Snap-It Bags and Baskets

VSF FAHRRAD MANUFAKTUR T-50 - ROADSTER - NEXUS 8 - MAGURA HS-11
FRAME	Lightweight Aluminum 6061 - Powdercoated
FORK	Lightweight Cro-moly Steel - Powdercoated
HEADSET	Tange Seiki Falcon FL-270C
STEM	Humpert Ergotec Octopus, adjustable angle
HANDLEBAR	Humpert Ergotec MAS Trekking, 620 mm
GRIPS	Herrmans Ergo 84B - made in Finland
SEATPOST	Humpert Ergotec Atar, aluminum, 27.2 mm, 300 mm
SEAT	Selle Royal Rio - made in Italy
BRAKES	Magura HS-11 hydraulic rim, incl. brake-booster
BRAKE LEVERS	Magura HS-11
SHIFTER	Shimano Nexus 8 twist shifter
FRONT HUB	Shimano DH-C3000 dynamo
REAR HUB	Shimano Nexus Internal 8 Speed Freewheel
SPOKES	Niro 2.0mm
RIMS	Double-wall alloy
TIRES	Schwalbe Big Apple, 50-622 - Comfortable ride
BOTTOM BRACKET	Thun Topaz
CRANKS	38T x 170mm Aluminum
CHAIN	KMC Z1 EPT
COGSET	Shimano 18T
PEDALS	Marwi SP-811
KICKSTAND	Ursus King Side Stand - made in Italy
FRONT LIGHT	Busch & Müller Upp, 30 LUX - made in Germany
REAR LIGHT	Busch & Müller Toplight 2C - made in Germany
RACK	Racktime Eco 2.0 - made in Germany
FENDERS	SKS Plastic Fenderset - made in Germany
CHAIN GUARD	Horn Catena 06 ABS Plastic - made in Germany

VSF FAHRRAD MANUFAKTUR T-50 - ROADSTER - NEXUS 8 - MAGURA HS-11

FROM

TO

52CM

5' 6"

5' 9"

57CM

5' 9"

6' 1"

62CM

6' 1"

6' 5"

How is a city bike different from other types of bikes?

Behind each bike lies a designer, and within each designer lies assumptions. The assumption of most North American bike designers is that people ride bikes for recreation, which usually involves a bike path, a country road, and several hours of spare time. The bikes that result from this assumption are usually hunched-over, have exposed oily drivetrains that require tighter athletic clothes, feature anywhere from 21 to 33 speeds, and aren’t often made to be locked up to metal poles all day, especially in foul weather. A city bike is quite the opposite. Its position is gloriously upright, the chain is totally covered, you can wear whatever you want, you have all the gears you’d ever need (3-speeds for flatter terrain, 7 or 8-speeds for hills), and tough frames and sealed mechanisms to battle all kinds of weather.

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

We’re just going to say it: Fahrradmanufaktur is the best city 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’s the difference between the T-50 and the T-100?

The T-50 is a slightly more economical variant of what the T-100 is. It's still built to the high standard of quality that Fahrrad offers, but manages to offer a whole lot of bike at a price point that is accessible to more people. The big difference is using an aluminum frame (T-50) instead of cromoly steel (T-100). Aluminum is super lightweight, which for some people is better, though doesn't have the comfort and durability of cromoly. Apart from that, the T-100 just goes the extra mile with providing higher quality components like brakes, lighting, chain guard and whatnot. For most people, if the cost of the T-100 doesn't seem too high, it's definitely well worth it, but you definitely don't need to feel like you're "settling" if you get a T-50!

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.

What are hydraulic rim brakes and why would I want them?

Normal rim brakes use a cable that squeezes the brake pads on the rim of your bike wheel when you pull on the brake levers, which slows or stops your bike in its tracks. Hydraulic rim brakes replace that cable with hydraulic fluid, which is pushed towards the brake caliper when you squeeze the levers to engage the brake pads. This is a huge benefit in the winter when melting icewater finds its way into your brake cable housing and freezes up, resulting in jammed brakes that don't work - exactly what you don't want on a slippery day! Hydraulic rim brakes provide peace of mind if you use and leave your bike outside during freeze-and-thaw weather and offers reduced maintenance costs.

Is a Step-thru for Women and a Roadster for Men?

Heck no! It’s the 21^stcentury and anyone can ride either a Step-thru or a Roadster. The difference between the two is not gender, but position. A Step-thru has a remarkably high head-tube that raises the handlebar up very high so the back is straight and the hips pointed forward. A Roadster has a much shorter headtube that positions the rider over the handlebars for more control, and the hips over the cranksets for more power. If you imagine yourself toodling through the bike lane at a stylish and efficient pace, choose a Step-thru. If you imagine a bit more zip and power then choose a Roadster.

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

Wheels are always the first part to break on most bikes and these wheels are strong! All the city bikes we sell feature strong double-walled rims that are internally box-sectioned to handle streetcar tracks and potholes. They all feature strong stainless-steel spokes that can never rust. Bikes like the Fahrradmanufaktur also feature Schwalbe tires that are Kevlar-belted to drastically reduce punctures in the city.

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.

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

Research shows that very few bicycle thefts are related to a bicycles 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.

THINKING OF BUYING A FAHRRAD? READ OUR BLOG POST WHY FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR?

VSF FAHRRAD MANUFAKTUR

T-50 - ROADSTER - NEXUS 8 - HS-11

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