Humans love continuity: things that we already know, that are not reinvented every year, give even sceptical natures a good feeling. Many bicycle manufacturers are also aware of this: there are brands and models that are still called "always have been". It's easy to think that this has something to do with maturity, that they have learnt from old mistakes and that buyers are therefore faced with a more reliable product. Model names such as Tao, Worldtraveller, Randonneur or 8X evoke memories of their predecessors from years gone by. Of course, these bikes have also changed over the course of 20 or more years. But it is true that behind every name there is a concept that the manufacturer has pursued with a certain consistency over a long period of time and has constantly improved.
Our 10 test bikes have carefully developed and retained their character. Nevertheless, the latest shifting, braking, lighting and other components can of course always be found on each bike. When it comes to frame construction, liquid pressure forming of aluminium tubes (hydroforming) and elegant, large-area smooth welding (smooth, double weld seams) define the standard today. This makes frames lighter and stiffer at the same time, noticeably increasing riding safety. Tapering (tapered steerer tube, head tube and steering head bearings) also greatly improves the stability of the front wheel and handlebars. Disc brakes and their integration into the frame and fork are another useful upgrade: disc brakes brake more sensitively and more powerfully in all weathers. Wider tyres roll more smoothly and comfortably. In this way, these long-sellers are working on their immortality bit by bit.
The trekking bike classics in the test:
The article was published in Trekkingbike issue 6/2016.
You can download the individual articles as PDF files here.
