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These are the six bikes from the test
Everyday mobility
Mobility is essential, but unfortunately it isn’t free. And the cost of tickets, petrol and city-centre parking continues to rise. Yet our increasingly urban daily lives are no longer conceivable without constant mobility: due to rising rents and property prices, homes are increasingly located on the outskirts of cities. The workplace – even if people no longer travel there every weekday – is, by contrast, usually right in the city centre or even on the other side of town. The children, with their nurseries and schools, guitar lessons, football training and riding lessons, are also almost constantly on the move. Shopping often no longer takes place in the neighbourhood within walking distance, but in huge supermarkets and shopping centres, often quickly on the way home.
Is the bicycle an affordable means of transport?
Driving, which used to be such a pleasant and practical experience, is increasingly hampered by traffic jams and low-emission zones; added to this is the guilty conscience of being environmentally irresponsible. Yet with inflation rates of up to ten per cent, more and more people can no longer afford – nor do they wish to – waste money. A resource-conserving, economical lifestyle is currently highly valued, both practically and ethically. And that naturally brings us round to the bicycle: what is better for the environment and your wallet than getting around on a muscle-powered two-wheeler rather than in heavy, energy-guzzling vehicles such as cars, trains or buses? Cycling whenever possible may well be one of the most sustainable options available at the moment. We’ve tested six affordable bikes.
Cycling saves money
When many people have less and less money at their disposal because prices are constantly rising, this has far-reaching consequences. Entire sectors of the economy are currently suffering from consumer reluctance to spend, whilst the business pages of daily newspapers are whispering of the decline of individual industries. The bicycle industry, by contrast, appears comparatively stable: The huge surge in demand may have subsided, but the supply situation has improved again following the turmoil of the pandemic years. New 2023 models are rolling into shops in the coming weeks. Anyone toying with the idea of buying a new bike should start looking around now.
For everyday journeys – that is, short and medium distances on mainly tarmac roads and paved paths, with low to medium levels of use – the requirements are straightforward: A reasonably robust, stable frame with a relaxed riding position, a gear system with suitable gear ratios and a wide range of gears, functional brakes, reliable lights, hard-wearing, versatile tyres, a luggage rack, a kickstand, plus a pair of mudguards – and you’ve got yourself an everyday bike still in the three-figure price range. If it wears out after a few years or gets stolen, you won’t have lost much money either.
The payback period for a €1,000 bike over five years (with intensive use) works out at €200 a year, or 55 cents a day. On top of that, there are repair and maintenance costs. However, these can be kept well under control by putting in some effort yourself when it comes to repairs, care and maintenance. Speaking of care: experience shows that cheap bikes differ from high-quality ones not so much in how they perform when new as in their durability. Surfaces are more prone to corrosion, bearings are less well sealed, cables aren’t as smooth-running… Even cheap bikes have their price, and that’s paid less in euros and more in terms of performance and durability.
How low can the price go?
During our research, we noticed that many of the well-known bicycle manufacturers no longer offer affordable bikes priced between 1,000 and 1,500 euros. The trend towards far more expensive e-bikes has established new, higher price points within the cycling industry and amongst consumers. This brings manufacturers and bike shops more substantial revenue from each individual sale. At lower prices, significantly more bikes would have to be sold to achieve the same revenue. However, every consultation takes time, which translates into staff costs, and even affordable bikes take up expensive sales and storage space. Nevertheless, the market for affordable and entry-level price ranges continues to be served – it is simply the suppliers and distribution channels that are changing.
Where can I find cheap bikes?
The bicycle retail sector is undergoing a process of consolidation towards larger entities: Out-of-town retail parks, which are established where land is cheap, but increasingly also online retailers and direct-to-consumer sales, which cut out the middlemen and save on margins for wholesalers and retailers – these are the platforms where affordable bikes are currently available. Most suppliers are full-range retailers offering the widest possible variety and range of all types of bikes, along with accessories, spare parts and clothing. In online channels, personalised advice is often non-existent, or if it is available, it comes in a stripped-back, digital form via online chat or an FAQ page. This reduces the time and staff required, making the sale of low-cost bikes in large volumes attractive once again.
Suppliers who can also offer their own-brand products will increase their profits. The ideal scenario for manufacturers would be to have complete control over every stage, from product development through to production and sales. That way, in addition to the retailer’s margin, the manufacturer’s margin would also go into their own coffers. Selecting our test candidates wasn’t entirely straightforward: key players such as FahrradXXL and Fahrrad.de were either unable or unwilling to supply test bikes, whilst other brands were simply sold out.
Six affordable bikes put to the test
Three models ultimately made it into the test cellar: from direct-to-consumer retailers Decathlon, Zweirad Stadler and Radon, and from the three specialist brands Cube, Excelsior and Tern, which are sold through traditional, high-street bicycle shops. The designs are correspondingly varied.
Sports equipment giant Decathlon relies on in-house development and manufacturing – mostly in Asia – for its bicycles and all other products in its vast range. This results in extremely low prices, which are the key selling point of the Decathlon concept. At just around 450 euros, the Elops LD500 is the entry-level model in the city bike range, featuring a simple, compact aluminium frame and a steel fork. Fitted with affordable, mostly unbranded components, this results in a serviceable bike for moderate use at an exceptionally low price.
Zweirad Stadler, on the other hand, focuses on bicycles, accessories and clothing. The family-run chain from Regensburg relies primarily on its network of specialist shops, mostly located in conurbations with a correspondingly large catchment area. In addition, the entire range is available online. Stadler also designs its models in-house and produces them in collaboration with renowned partners in the cycling industry. The Dynamics Magic Eight was developed in collaboration with ZEG in Cologne, whose suppliers manufacture the frame. The Magic Eight costs less than 800 euros and combines exceptionally high-quality components to create a robust, versatile and low-maintenance city and touring bike.
The six wheels in detail
Affordable bikes from specialist shops, wholesale outlets or online
The Radon brand is the in-house brand of H&S Bike Discount in Bonn. MTBs, road bikes and trekking bikes are available in-store, but mainly online with direct home delivery. The bikes are always competitively priced. For years, Radon has been committed to reliable quality, high-quality frames and components at the best price.
The Radon Solution 7.0 It doesn’t look at all like an 800-euro bike: the frame, fork and spec are more on a par with the next price bracket up. It is worth noting that all direct-to-consumer retailers have developed ways of ensuring their customers aren’t left out in the cold after their purchase: all three offer Workshop services at their branches or at associated specialist retailers, which support online shoppers. However, when compared with the test candidates that sell exclusively through the established network of specialist retailers, it becomes apparent that the traditional sales model does not necessarily result in more expensive products.
The Cube Touring One At just under 750 euros, it is the most affordable model in a range featuring a versatile design, a high-quality frame and slightly stripped-back but thoroughly serviceable components. Excelsior, the budget brand of bicycle wholesaler Hermann Hartje KG, deliberately focuses on affordably designed bicycles and e-bikes, which, with their retro look, appeal primarily to leisure and occasional cyclists. For around 670 euros, the Excelsior Trekking Exactly that.
The Tern Link B7 is a folding bike. With its tried-and-tested frame and simple features, it makes it easy to switch between different modes of transport. The 850-euro Falter is the brand’s most affordable model. It embodies a cost-conscious approach to getting about, one that places other modes of transport on an equal footing with the bicycle: covering the last mile by folding bike is, in many cases, the least stressful and, overall, the smartest way to get around urban areas efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. Yes, affordable bikes are an effective way to combat inflation on your own wallet – provided, of course, that you use your bike consistently.
Affordable bikes in the score overview
The individual scores reflect a test bike’s potential within its specific category. The overall score is the weighted sum of the individual scores, viewed in absolute terms. It is therefore reasonable that lower-priced bikes with a lower technical specification cannot achieve top marks. However, with a gap of around one mark, the bikes in this test group are roughly on a par with a mid-range test group. Given the considerable differences in price and technical specifications, this is a surprisingly good result. Differences in riding safety are mainly due to rim brakes that perform only moderately well, whilst differences in the drivetrain are attributable to very cheap components and their poor operational quality. Practical marks relate to weight, wheel removal, kickstands and luggage racks – and, in terms of service, the warranty periods in this price segment, which are strikingly short overall, have a significant impact.
Jochen Donner, Test Editor: “Even for those on a tight budget, the market offers an astonishingly wide range of bicycles, each with its own character and different features. Finding the right one is an art in itself.”
Buy now
- Cube Touring One
- Dynamics Magic Eight SL
- Elops LD500 HF
- Excelsior Trekking
- Radon Solution 7.0
- Tern Link B7
Interview with Tom Linthaler from Zweirad Stadler
Has customers’ purchasing behaviour changed in the recent period of crisis?
Yes, we’ve noticed a reluctance to buy bikes since last autumn and throughout the winter. This has been particularly evident in the lower and mid-price ranges. Uncertainty surrounding energy costs and inflation, combined with the proverbial gloomy winter mood, was certainly a major factor. However, we also have the feeling that our customers’ general mood is already becoming a little more confident again.
As a direct-to-consumer retailer, how does Stadler go about designing a bicycle that is particularly good value for money?
As a major partner with long-standing relationships with many suppliers and manufacturers, we do have a number of tools and levers at our disposal to keep prices at a reasonable level. Even if some cost factors in the supply chain cannot be ignored. Of course, this is only possible if we work together. However, our guiding principle remains to offer bikes that offer excellent value for money – now more than ever!
What are the areas of conflict in the design process when, as a manufacturer, you want to keep costs and prices low?
It is essential to have several reliable suppliers of equivalent components in your portfolio. And then to be quick and flexible. However, it is important that the technology works together seamlessly and that no compromises are needed in terms of durability and the supply of spare parts. If in doubt, a gram or two may have to be sacrificed to cut costs, but the functionality and basic concept of a model must be preserved.
What advice would you give to buyers who can only afford to spend a small amount on a new bike?
Buy branded products from a specialist retailer! Other important factors include service, the availability of spare parts, durability and, consequently, sustainability. So it’s better to spend a few euros more and opt for puncture-resistant tyres, a low-maintenance internal gear hub and perhaps hydraulic disc brakes. Particularly important: taking the initiative by carrying out regular, thorough maintenance on your bike – especially during the ‘grimy’ winter months. This really does save you a lot of money and hassle.