Talking about "bread and butter" really doesn't hit the nail on the head. Within the industry, of course, that's exactly what they are: bread-and-butter bikes that manufacturers simply have to have in their programme, which sell in huge numbers at the start of the season, almost as if by themselves. They are practical, solid, unagitated but universally capable all-rounders. For many ambitious cyclists they are totally unsexy, but for the average cyclist they are often like a Swiss army knife: some simply ride everything on them. Whether it's the daily commute to work or a brisk leisure ride at the weekend, whether it's a leisurely river bike tour in summer or a strenuous 3-week tour through Scandinavia.
Logically, every buyer looks closely at the price. The market offers the best quality from 1000 euros. However, the range at this price point is no longer as broad as it was two or three years ago: Price increases in material, labour and transport costs, as well as the not unimportant currency fluctuations between the yen, dollar and euro, have raised the main price range by several hundred euros. Our test field represents this quite well: at the 1000 euro price limit, you will find specialist dealer bikes that demand compromises in individual areas, and mail-order bikes that achieve a price advantage by eliminating the dealer margin and can pass this on to the customer.
The disadvantage is often that a test ride is not possible and subsequent maintenance or repairs are not carried out by the local bike shops, or only reluctantly. The importance of a test ride is demonstrated to us time and again when we have to reconcile paper form and riding feel in the test: Often, preliminary values such as weight and geometry suggest an assessment that the test bike itself does not confirm in practice. Current example - the Giant Aspiro. The values say: heavy, rather unwieldy, not very sporty, upright riding position, cheap own-brand parts.
Practical experience says: Yes, individual components are sub-optimal, but the riding experience is convincingly agile, this bike is really fun! Of course, it is not very suitable for riding around for several hundred kilometres with loaded panniers. But for quick trips to the office, for shopping, for carefree tours on side roads and forest tracks, the Aspiro scores highly. It has a centred riding position that allows the cyclist to pedal effectively and steer sensitively. And perhaps this makes it the perfect bike for someone who appreciates precisely these characteristics. However, this is not clear from the catalogue specifications.
The differences we found in the suspension forks are another example. The heaviest fork is on the KTM. You can feel the two and a half kilos of fork when you move the handlebars on the bike when stationary: you need a lot of force to turn the front wheel. You can also feel the high stiffness of the tapered head tubes and steerer tubes on Radon and Stevens: This top-class technology initially migrated from MTBs to touring bikes and from there increasingly to high- and mid-range trekking bike frames.
The widening of the head tube at the lower end stiffens the frame at the critical point at the front, where impacts from the road bring unsteadiness into the system. If the steerer tube is also butted, the fork itself also gains in stability, as the contact surface between the steerer tube and the bridge increases, which can dissipate the forces better. In addition, an enlarged bearing ring also copes better with the load peaks from the fork - the service life of all components involved increases. Riding behaviour benefits enormously from this: fast steering movements do not throw the bike and rider off balance so quickly, even pendulum impulses from the loaded pannier rack have less of an effect on the handlebars. You also gain steering precision, as the fork guides the front wheel with less internal torsion.
We would like to see the same level of quality for the luggage carriers. Unfortunately, however, this is where some product managers see the best opportunity to cut corners. The highest stability values are still delivered by the branded carriers. They are already inherently rigid. If such a rack is also competently mounted on a frame with optimised lateral stiffness, nothing stands in the way of a cycling holiday with luggage. Only Rose and Stevens can do this without restriction.
The modern lug assembly does not have to mean any disadvantages for stability. The three-dimensionally moulded lugs on Stevens and KTM demonstrate this. However, the tyre clearance is restricted. The form-fit support of the carrier struts on the two derby frames of the Kalkhoff and Focus also has advantages. The arrangement and length of the carrier struts in the test field differ greatly: for example, no bag can be optimally attached to the Breezer carrier because the lower struts are too short for secure, wide bag support.
In contrast, the idea of "one bike for everything" is an illusion: every bike has strengths and weaknesses. It depends on how you deal with them. And what expectations you have of your bike.
The more ambitious sports bikes for dynamic riders turned out to be the best: The light, firm Kalkhoff, the chic Bergamont, if you turn the stem, and, with slight compromises, the Stevens and the Radon. The uncomplicated Breezer, the idiosyncratic but attractive Giant and the slightly nervous Focus are ideal for brisk everyday journeys in local traffic, but with only a light payload. The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur particularly loves touring kilometres on flat terrain and good asphalt, while the Rose and, with the cockpit mounted lower, the Stevens master real luggage tours with ease. The KTM is well suited to a moderate riding style and easier routes.
Conclusion
If you expect a lot from your new bike, you should plan to spend money. The individual strengths and weaknesses of the all-rounders in the entry-level range make it clear: no bike can do everything. An intensive test ride is therefore essential. If you also bring your panniers with you, you will be better able to recognise your new touring partner. Because there are big differences between pannier racks and suspension forks.
