The TX-400 is the perfect bike for cycle touring in the America's. It's been a long established notion that cycle-tourists travelling through Central and South America are best served by a 26" touring bike since this is the dominant wheel size in that area. And, while it's certainly true that 700c wheels are becoming increasingly popular in these areas, the touring ethos is often to stick to what's most reliable. While the smaller wheels can't compete with larger wheels for efficiency (or even footprint, as most 700c wheels are now 50mm wide), they are strong as nails and you'll always be able to find a tube.

The Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 is the true evolution of the touring bike. Whereas in North America the touring bike has been a low-iteration boom-and-bust artifact, the European market has seen steady growth; and with this, steady maturation. Perhaps the biggest evidence is lack of drop bars. North American touring bikes use drop bars to offer multiple hand positions - important when you're riding all day. But drop handlebars require that you 'drop' your position, great for racing bikes but not necessary for touring. European touring bikes provide multi-position on a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane; this makes all the difference.

The TX-400 is a clever mix of geometry and parts. The long wheelbase displaces weight over a longer footprint, providing stability, and the seat and head angles prioritize comfort, control and efficiency. The top-of-the-line Shimano XT drivetrain is incredibly durable has a massive 570% gear range, letting you power fully-loaded up the steepest grades. The tried-and-tested Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes will slow and stop on the steepest hills on the rainiest days. Add the low-drag SP hub and super-bright 70 LUX Busch & Muller dynamo lights and you're safe those nights you arrive late (great safety as daytime running lights too). Finally, the Tubus racks - an absolute cult-like brand in the touring world - rounds out the TX-400 to the perfect travel companion.

Questions? Book a sales appointment with one of our Touring Bike experts
Special Order Only
Touring frame designed for your next big adventure
Double butted Cromoly Steel frame is strong, lightweight and comfortable
Full Shimano XT drivetrain with massive gear range
Ultra reliable Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes - made in Germany
Full suite of Tubus touring racks - made in Germany
Top-end Busch & Muller lighting with 700LUX output
Low drag and lightweight Shutter Precision dynamo hub
Unbreakable, lightweight ChromoPlastic SKS fenders
Ergon GP3 Multi-position grips
Strong and lightweight double walled rims
Schwalbe Marathon Mondial tires are fast AND puncture-resistant
Strong side mount kick stand - made in Switzerland
Weight: 16.32 kg / 35.97 lb

FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR TX-400 EXPEDITION
FRAME	25 CrMo 4, double-butted - Powdercoated
FORK	25 CrMo 4, double-butted - Powdercoated
HEADSET	Ritchey Comp Logic V2, 1-1/8”
STEM	Ergotec Piranha 2 - 31.8 mm - made in Germany
HANDLEBAR	Ergotec Trekking 31.8 mm - made in Germany
GRIPS	ErgonGP3 Multiposition - made in Germany
SEATPOST	Humpert Skalar - Made in Germany
SEAT	Selle Royal Scientia- Made in Italy
BRAKES	Magura HS33 Hydraulic Rim Brakes
BRAKE LEVERS	Magura HS33
SHIFTER	Shimano Deore
FRONT HUB	Shutter Precision PV-8 Dynamo
REAR HUB	Shimano Deore
SPOKES	ED 2.34 (13G) Stainless Steel, 36 Spokes
RIMS	Schürmann YAK19 - Made in Germany
TIRES	Schwalbe Marathon Mondial, 50-599
BOTTOM BRACKET	Shimano Deore Octalink
DERAILLEURS	Shimano XT (Front and rear)
CRANKS	Shimano Deore, 170mm, HT2, 48/36/26 tooth
CHAIN	Shimano HG-54
COGSET	Shimano Deore HG-50, 11-34 tooth
PEDALS	VP-196 Aluminium
KICKSTAND	Hebie 0611, rear stand - made in Germany
FRONT LIGHT	Busch&Muller Lumotec IQ-XS, 70 LUX - made in Germany
REAR LIGHT	Busch&Muller Line Small LED - made in Germany
REAR RACK	Tubus Cargo Evo - made in Germany
FRONT RACK	Tubus Tara Lowrider - made in Germany
FENDERS	SKS ChromoPlastic - made in Germany

FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR TX-400	FROM	TO
47CM	5' 6"	5' 9"
52CM	5' 9"	6' 1"
57CM	6' 1"	6' 5"

FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR TX-400

FROM

47CM

5' 6"

5' 9"

52CM

5' 9"

6' 1"

57CM

6' 1"

6' 5"

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 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 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 AN FAHRRAD? READ OUR BLOG POST WHY FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR?

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