A sporty frame with flat-edged tubes in chic bronze paint, sloping top tube, low-set seat stays, wide handlebars and a significant saddle rise - even as an industry insider, you wouldn't immediately think of the Rabeneick brand! And yet the old bicycle and motorbike brand from Bielefeld, which has been part of Cycle Union since 1999, is now making a name for itself as a modern brand with purist, timeless bicycle models.
The 2018 TX7 city bike comes with disc brakes and hub gears with Gates drive.
The aluminium frame, characterised by clear lines, has an embossed brand logo and elaborately designed sliding dropouts with adjusting screws so that the belt tension can be precisely regulated via the axle spacing and axle misalignment can be avoided.
The low-cost Gates CDN system drives the 8-speed hub. Here, the somewhat simpler centertrack belt runs over a plastic composite pulley on the crank. This construction is not designed to last quite as long as the more expensive CDX system. After all, not everyone cycles around the world. However, the CDN version should easily suffice for a lifetime of everyday cycling.
On the Shimano Nexus hub, where high contact pressure is distributed over fewer teeth, Rabeneick fitted a CDX stainless steel sprocket. The square bottom bracket cartridge requires some attention: If the crank bolts loosen, this often leads to ugly squeaking noises, the bevels quickly lose their exact fit and the bearing has to be replaced. You should know this. Lightweight Curana aluminium plates follow the exact contour of the fast sports tyres, nothing distracts the eye from the essential shape of a bike. A small, bright front light and the Busch & Müller LED light integrated into the mudguard at the rear ensure visibility and visibility at night and fit in perfectly with the bike's appearance. The only "disruptive" addition is a rear kickstand, which breaks up the clean lines. Purists will probably just unscrew it. The TX7 rides precisely and swiftly, the saddle rake puts pressure on the front wheel and thus provides secure grip in fast bends. Despite the sporty riding position, you have a good overview of the traffic.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 1/2018. You can download the issue in the MYBIKE app (iTunes and Google Play ) or in the DK-Shop order.
