Durable steel frames for heavy-duty touring bikes are Tout Terrain's core competence. However, although such high-end touring bikes with their indestructible technology are also interesting for year-round commuters, they are ultimately overambitious and too heavy for everyday use in civilised surroundings. This is why the Freiburg-based manufacturer is expanding its model range with solid bikes for everyday use - like this one: With the Tout Terrain Tribeca, the manufacturer presents a classic city bike that stands for low-stress mobility with a sturdy steel frame, high-quality equipment and the lowest possible maintenance requirements.
Structure of the Tout Terrain Tribeca
The main frame is the result of many years of expertise in the design and manufacture of touring bikes. It consists of an in-house tube set with the beautiful name Stratocrom, whose tensile chrome-molybdenum steel tube Tout Terrain processes into a well thought-out frame. The head tube is fitted with the company's own handlebar impact limiter, which protects the top tube from handlebar contact in the event of an accident or fall. The variable suspension of the Pinion gearbox is also typical of the brand. It can be rotated a few degrees in the frame to adjust the tension of the low-maintenance Gates belt.
The right-hand dropout is designed as a sandwich construction and can therefore be split to allow the closed belt to be inserted into the frame. The filigree fork is also made of steel and blends in well. Numerous frame threads allow the mounting of bottle cages or frame bags, so that nothing stands in the way of a conversion to a touring bike. In everyday use, however, the long aluminium mudguards and the lightweight luggage rack, the stable rear kickstand and the efficient lighting system play a more important role. The Tout Terrain Tribeca runs quickly and quietly on tarmac and firm ground on supple 40-millimetre tyres. Its 12-speed gearbox is around 600 grams lighter than the 18-speed version and offers a practical, huge overall range with regular gear steps of 17.7 per cent.
The bike in detail
Manual labour pays off
The stable wheels also play a significant role in the superior handling. Here, too, care is taken down to the smallest construction details: the wheels are spoked by hand, pressed down and re-centred. This removes material tension from the braiding and allows a more balanced spoke tension right from the start. In addition, the spoke holes of the Ryde-Andra rim are offset from each other. This design improves the leverage ratio of the traction forces and makes the wheel more stable laterally, which benefits steering precision and cornering behaviour. The rim design and the drive with only one sprocket also allow for improved rear wheel stability. With a singlespeed hub, the rear wheel is spoked as symmetrically as the front wheel - an important point, as the rear wheel carries most of the system weight of the bike, rider and luggage. With a derailleur hub, on the other hand, the spokes on the right are always significantly steeper than on the left due to the space available for the sprocket set.
The most important data on the Tout Terrain Tribeca
- Model: TOUT TERRAIN Tribeca Xpress Select 3.1
- Price: 5199 Euro
- Frame sizes: M, L, XL
- Test bike weight: 15.9 kg
- Permissible total weight: 130 kg
- Frame: Steel, welded, thru axle
- Fork: Steel, thru axle
- Circuit: Pinion C1.12, twist grip, Gates CDX
- Translation: 39/32 teeth, 12 gears, 600 %
- Brakes/ø: Magura CT Disc, 2-piston, 160 mm
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Zero 40-622
- Lighting system: B&M IQ XS Senso +, Line Small, SP Dynamohub PL-7
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Very durable and low-maintenance wheel concept; light-footed, balanced, safe riding behaviour
- Minus: Luggage carrier not suitable for travelling
Conclusion on the Tout Terrain Tribeca
Sure, there are cheaper city bikes. But, without wanting to be a snob: The experience, expertise and care that has gone into the Tout Terrain translates directly into impeccable function and a plausibly low-maintenance, long-lasting concept. This bike could still be enjoyed by your grandchildren.
