The idea was fascinating: we should do a bike test over a really long period of time! Previous endurance tests in the bike magazine industry, including TREKKINGBIKE, ran for a maximum of one or two years. There was usually not much to report. Manufacturers are also only interested in letting a bike that they could sell wear out in a controlled manner if the findings and the expected attention from a publication still match the current model. Difficult, then. What's more, riders who carry out an endurance test can't ride any other bikes during this time - a torture for bike people, as we are and know them in the editorial team: A season without a cycling holiday, without an MTB mountain tour, without epic road bike kilometres, because the endurance test bike reminds you - difficult again! And who wants to keep a meticulous record of every incident when you just want to quickly adjust the gears to finally get into the groove? Difficulties upon difficulties...
It was only fitting that Dirk Zedler brought his "men" and his infrastructure into the dialogue for the project. The Zedler employees bring professionalism in terms of cycling, technical understanding and documentation. The results of the endurance test are not uninteresting for the institute, which prepares valuation reports on insurance and accident damage, but also drafts operating instructions for bicycles. This is because conclusions can be drawn that also help with the design of a testing machine or operating and maintenance instructions.
The pitiful bikes that passers-by often see at the side of the road provided the inspiration for our test material: How do technical components of different quality and price categories withstand the rigours of controlled long-term use? After an enquiry with Stevens, it was clear that the Hamburg-based company would take part. As a manufacturer, they are also a customer of Zedler, who tests various frames for Stevens. Four Stevens bikes were used as test bikes: the solid Rohloff Magura Sovereign touring bike with rigid fork (2499 euros), the sporty X8 cross bike with high-quality Suntour NRX air fork, XT drivetrain and discs (1599 euros), which was upgraded by Zedler with SON hub dynamo, Edelux light and mudguard for everyday use. Then there was the Flyer 11 (€1299), which was still called the "Super Flight 11" in 2011: a stylish Alfine bike with rigid fork, full equipment and V-brakes. The Primera volume model (849 euros) rounded off the test fleet at the lower end. It features an affordable Suntour NCX steel suspension fork, hub dynamo, drivetrain and V-brakes from the Deore group. Since spring 2011, different riders have taken it in turns to ride each bike throughout the year so that the differences in riding style and range of use are widely distributed.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 1/2016. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
You can download the individual articles as PDF files here.
