The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-300 Roadster is the European answer to making bicycles (Fahrradmanufaktur literally means "bike maker") that aren't just designed for small flat cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but large sprawled out cities like Berlin, where cycling is transportation but also a pastime - and the weather is lousy. Kind of like Toronto!

If your city riding is largely within a dense, highly defined radius the T-300 is a lightweight alternative to heavier Dutch bikes. If you have any hills in your usual route, the T-300 is lightweight and geared for the job. If you ride longer distances, or want to use the same bike in the city as you would on the weekend, the T-300 may be the one of the only bikes that does both equally well. It is, in fact, the ultimate do-everything "everyday" bike.

Like most of the German products we sell, the T-300 is a marvel of thoughtful design, engineering and top notch quality. The T-300 includes a brilliant Shutter Precision-Busch & Muller dynamo lighting system that turns on automatically when you pedal, and even has a capacitor to keep the lights burning on stored energy when stopped. What takes the T-300 to the next level is the Gates belt drive. Say goodbye to chain stretch, rust and replacement; the belt drive makes for a powerful transmission while being virtually maintenance-free. The parts are a collection of top-notch European companies, from the puncture resistant Schwalbe Tires to the Swiss made Pletscher kickstand. Everything is designed to work, and work well.

Unlike Dutch bikes which assume a consistently short ride in their design, the T-300 is upright but does position the rider ever so slightly over the bars to get more efficiency and control over distance. Just a touch more steering control and power to the pedals. It's not bolt-upright, but then, this is a bike you could ride for a daylong expedition if the spirit moves you. The chromoly steel frame is lighter and much more compliant than heavier steel frames from Holland, meaning you can finish a short bumpy ride or long gravel ride in comfort. It's stronger too. Like all the city bikes we sell, the Fahrradmanufaktur is built for perpetual outdoor storage but it's still light enough to carry inside.

Questions? Book a consultation with one of our City Bike experts
VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur T-300 Roadster
Roadster-style frame with upright riding position
Chromoly Steel frame - Strong, lightweight and comfortable
Shimano Nexus 8-Speed internal gears - Low maintenance and reliable
Twist shifter - Dependable and easy to use in the winter
Shutter Precision-Busch & Muller dynamo system - powerful, bright & battery free lighting 24/7
SKS full fenders - Unbreakable, lightweight, keeps you clean
Adjustable stem - Dial in that perfect fit
Gates belt drive - Motorbike technology adapted for bicycles - Carbon belt doesn't need any oil or lube and lasts 3x longer than chains
Racktime rear rack with Snapit system - Best in class, made by Tubus in Germany
V-Brakes - Powerful & easy to adjust
Selle Royale Ariel saddle - Super comfy, made in Italy
Double walled rims - Strong and lightweight
Large volume, puncture resistant tires - Care free city riding
Strong side mount kick stand - made in Switzerland
Optional: Works seamlessly with all Racktime Snapit bags & baskets

T-300 NEXUS 8-SPEED - ROADSTER - HS 22
FRAME	Chromoly steel - Powdercoated
FORK	Chromoly steel - Powdercoated
HEADSET	Tange Seiki Falcon FL-270C
STEM	Humpert Ergotec, Octopus adjustable angle
HANDLEBAR	Humpert Ergotec, Trekking, MAS
GRIPS	Herrmans Grit DD37 clamp-on - made in Finland
SEATPOST	Humpert, Atar, Aluminum, 27.2mm, 300mm
SEAT	Selle Royal Ariel
BRAKES	Magura HS22 Rim brakes
BRAKE LEVERS	Magura, HS22
SHIFTER	Shimano Nexus 8 rotary
FRONT HUB	Shutter Precision PV-8 Dynamo
REAR HUB	Shimano Nexus 8 Internal premium freewheel
SPOKES	Niro 2mm Stainless Steel, 36 Spokes
RIMS	Double-wall alloy
TIRES	Schwalbe Marathon puncture-resistant, 40-622
BOTTOM BRACKET	Thun Tango ML with Delta Coll coat, square-cut
CRANKS	Lasco aluminum, 175mm, 38 tooth
CHAIN	KMC Z-610
COGSET	Shimano 18 tooth
PEDALS	Alumimun, City/Trekking
KICKSTAND	Pletscher Zoom - made in Switzerland
FRONT LIGHT	Busch&Muller Upp, 30 Lux - made in Germany
REAR LIGHT	Busch&Muller Toplight 2C LED - made in Germany
RACK	Racktime Stand-It, without stiffener, with spring clamp
FENDERS	SKS, Plastic
CHAIN GUARD	Hebie Chainglider

T-300 NEXUS 8-SPEED - ROADSTER - HS 22

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 the T-100 and the T-300?

This is a tough question because they are quite similar to one another! The T-100 is a slightly more economical bike targeted a bit more at the city cyclist while the T-300 can multitask city riding and longer rides on packed gravel trails with equal aplomb. The T-100 has HS 11 brakes, the T-300 has HS 22, and the T-300 has more puncture-proof tires (Schwalbe Marathons) in place of the T-100's Schwalbe Citizens. The T-300 also uses a SP Dynamo PV-8 front hub, which runs a little smoother than the Shimano DH-C3000 used on the T-100.

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 A FAHRRAD? READ OUR BLOG POST WHY FAHRRADMANUFAKTUR?

VSF FAHRRAD MANUFAKTUR

T-300 NEXUS 8 SPEED - ROADSTER - GATES - HS22

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