2000 euros for a trekking bike? For an occasional cyclist, this idea will cause a gorge-deep frown. But anyone seriously considering a purchase in this league has usually already had experience with a rusting, rickety, rock-heavy bike that was much, much cheaper. 2000 euros, that's got to be "something good", at best a "bike for life"!
That's what we thought, too, and decided to focus on a type of trekking bike that is particularly popular with experienced riders: lightweight, sporty bikes with full equipment. Fast enough for long day and weekend trips, robust enough for long everyday journeys. Bikes at a high technical level, just below the luxury class, generally without suspension. But then we looked at the ranges of the successful series manufacturers and realised: their top bikes are cheaper! 1600 or 1700 euros is the "corner price range" that brands such as Stevens, Specialized, Radon and Bergamont do not exceed. Stevens manager Volker Dohrmann suspects two reasons behind this: "Trekking bike buyers tend to be sensible buyers. And with sensible technology such as good derailleur gears and a nice aluminium frame, you can get away with this price. Above that, I would have to offer carbon fibre or suspension, for example. But then I fail because the dealer won't put it in the shop. In case of doubt, he has already tied up his budget with the e-bikes in his shop."
Six of the ten bikes in the test are custom-made. These are bikes that are either completely customised by the customer or at least allow modifications to a given basic model. They are only created after the order has been placed - and their prices are open-ended. A highly customised modular bike with comparable technology can cost 1000 euros more than an aggressively priced standard bike.
Companies such as Maxx or Velotraum allow the most extreme individualism. Here, the customer designs their own bike with the help of a dealer or on screen. Everything from the brake cable colour to the spoke thickness or the tyre profile can be selected. Ideally, the customer describes their desired riding experience and area of use, which the dealer then translates - with the help of a measuring machine, expertise and around two hours of consultation - into a vehicle. The result is a bike with technical and emotional added value.
"Most people have already spent money on a bike that didn't satisfy them," says Maxx owner Uwe Matthies. "Ergonomics is an ongoing issue, or sizes and weights that are off the average. Then there are people who sit on the bike every day and think a lot about it. They want features that are not available in mass production at the same time." And Velotraum boss Stefan Stiener adds: "The desired colour is just the cherry on the cake. It's about a bike that fits the application perfectly. I am convinced that a bike like this will be ridden for much longer - it will outlast any fashion."
