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FAQ

Why are all comfortable hybrid bikes so hard to find? Why doesn't a bike come with racks, fenders and kickstands. Or lighting? These are good questions. The VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur T-50 answers these by being a typical German recreational bike. That is, it knows who is asking the question. In a world of bikes designed by young men for young men, the VSF Fahrrad Manufkatur T-50 is a practical, no-nonsense solution with a German eye for quality. And, it's quite stylish too!

Hybrid bikes these days seem to be getting narrower and narrower tires and lower and lower hunched-over back positions. The T-50 puts you into a highly efficient upright position that lets you ride with a friend and talk the day away while the kilometres add up. The wide-range gearing means that no hill is too steep, and the lightweight aluminium frame makes for a remarkably light city bike, even when fully loaded. Getting dark? The battery-free dynamo-powered light is a switch away. Starting to rain? The German-made SKS fenders are lightweight, unbreakable, and will keep you dry. Need to stop for an ale or a coffee? The wide-legged Pletscher kickstand (made in Switzerland) is rugged and holds its place (even when you can't).

All over Germany people ride bikes for fun on the weekends and ride to work during the week. They ride side by side and count the kilometres but also the conversation and the surprises in-between, a garage sale, a good coffee, an epic view. This is the bike they ride. It's not fast but its efficient. It's not expensive, but it's not cheap either. Imagine a fun bike that's made for you and made to last. This is it.

Questions? Book a consultation with one of our Recreational Bike experts
VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur T-50 Roadster - Fully equipped hybrid bike
Ideal for city commuting and longer weekend adventures
Tradition diamond roadster frame
Comfortable riding position - Not too aggressive, not too upright
Lightweight and stiff 6061 aluminium frame
Shimano Alivio 24 Speed gearing - Wide range for any situation
Shimano hydraulic disc bakes - Powerful & low maintenance
Shimano & AXA Dynamo system - Battery free lighting, 24/7
Full SKS fenders - Sturdy, lightweight, corrosion-free, keeps you looking fresh
Large volume, high pressure tires - Comfortable & fast
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 - ALIVIO 24 - DISC
FRAME	Lightweight Aluminum 6061 - Powdercoated
FORK	Lightweight Cro-moly Steel - Powdercoated
HEADSET	1" Alloy
STEM	Adjustable Alloy Quill 25.4mm
HANDLEBAR	Humpert Ergotech Trekking, alloy 25.4
GRIPS	Herrmans Ergo 848 - made in Finland
SEATPOST	Humpert Alloy 27.2 Two-pin micro-adjust
SEAT	Selle Royal Rio - made in Italy
BRAKES	Promax RC903 Hydraulic Disc
BRAKE LEVERS	Promax Disc
SHIFTER	Shimano Alivio
FRONT HUB	Shimano DH-C3000 Dynamo
REAR HUB	Shimano TX505
SPOKES	Niro 13G Stainless Steel, 36 Spokes
RIMS	Schürmann Yak 19 Double-wall alloy
TIRES	Kenda City 47-622 - Puncture resistant
BOTTOM BRACKET	Thun Sealed Cartridge Bearing 68mm/105mm
CRANKS	Shimano Alivio 28/38/48
CHAIN	KMC Z-51
COGSET	Shimano HG31 11-30
PEDALS	Aluminum, 9/16 City/Trekking
KICKSTAND	Ursus King Side Stand - made in Italy
FRONT LIGHT	AXA Compactline 20lux - made in Germany
REAR LIGHT	AXA Slimline - made in Germany
RACK	Racktime Eco 2.0 - made in Germany
FENDERS	SKS Plastic Fenderset - made in Germany
CHAIN GUARD	Horn Catena 16 ABS Plastic - made in Germany

VSF FAHRRAD MANUFAKTUR T-50 - ROADSTER - ALIVIO 24 - DISC

FROM

TO

52CM

5' 3"

5' 6"

57CM

5' 7"

5' 11"

62CM

6' 0"

6' 4"

FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR COMPANY HISTORY: Fahrradmanufaktur (literally: bike manufacturer) builds strong, lightweight steel and aluminum bikes that are made for the sprawl of Berlin and the hills of North America. Fahrradmanufaktur originated with a group of Berlin retailers who were witnessing a boom in city cycling. They knew that heavy Dutch bikes couldn't provide solutions for big cities with sprawl and hilly topography. Frustrated with the sporting focus on the German bike industry, they first set up standards and approvals for a "no-nonsense" city bike, which ultimately led them to creating their own. Today Fahrradmanufaktur makes city bikes and touring bikes that are designed for life on two wheels. Fahrradmanufaktur is the evolution of the city bike, and we're pleased to be North America's first Fahrradmanufaktur retailer..

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.

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 Citizen tires that are Kevlar-belted tires 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 AN FAHRRAD? READ OUR BLOG POST WHY FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR?

VSF FAHRRAD MANUFAKTUR

T-50 - ROADSTER - ALIVIO 24 - DISC *

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