To be honest, we first came across the Herkelmann Amerigo because it comes with the SRAM Via GT, an interesting but rarely used groupset. Only two chainrings at the front with an extreme spread (48 and 32 teeth), ten sprockets at the rear with a gigantic gear range from 11 to 36 teeth - for many applications and for sporty riders, this is a good alternative to the triple ring. But then came the Herkelmann Amerigo and the drivetrain took a back seat. There is a lot to discover on the smooth-running, stiff steel frame with tube diameters of up to almost 40 millimetres. Four eyelets on the down tube allow the battery to be mounted as a pedelec, the soldered nameplate protrudes from the seat tube and the light cables disappear into the fork sheath. However, Herkelmann's own mudguard concept called "Wingee" is particularly unusual. These are mudguards made from rigid aluminium profiles, which not only support the headlight without wobbling, but also a very discreet pannier rack, which can carry the stated 25 kilo payload. The overall robust design leads to a manufacturer's approval up to an enormous 165 kilos system weight of rider, bike and luggage. On the test track, the Amerigo proved to be confident and good-natured. Only the gears didn't shift as perfectly as they could have. Whether this was due to the Connex chain or the long, continuous shifting sleeves could not be clearly determined. A small flaw on an exciting bike.
