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Eurobike report
A brief taste of our full report, coming up in Issue 12. Highlights include new recumbents from Burley, HP Velotechnik, the new Shimano 8-speed hub gear and much more...
It was a great show - and figures just in say an impressive 23500 trade visitors and 20000 of the general public turned up to take part. We took over 400 images and have absolutely stacks of material for our full report in Issue 12 - but here for now are a few of the highlights.
Fancy some free publicity? Just chain your velomobile to a lampost outside the main show entrance... this is a Cab-Bike taking full advantage.
Inside, there was a test track where you could try bikes out...
The HPV World Champs were on at the same time as the show, but I didn't make it to many events. The torrential rain during much of the time didn't help - this image from the water HPV sprints (just before they were stopped due to weather) gives the flavour.
On to the bikes, and Birdy manufacturers riese und mueller had a new model, the Gemini. It looks rather like an upmarket version of the FamilyBike from Italy which we mentioned a few issues ago: there's room for a childseat (or basket) between the rider's arms. There's also a very neat totally-enclosed chaincase system. A new Birdy White was also launched, using Shimano's Capreo groupset (specially designed for small-wheeled bikes, with a 9-tooth smallest sprocket).
The new Windcheetah recumbent trike we mentioned in a previous story was also on display. Since the show, the alloy, ceramic-coated hub brakes which we pictured before have been replaced by these, the production versions. The machine they had there needed to be kept pristine for a photoshoot so I didn't get a chance to try these new brakes.
Hase Spezialraeder were displaying, amongst other things, this titanium-framed version of their Pino tandem. The standard version weighs 24kg - this one weighs a meagre 14.5kg, and there's still scope for further reductions, they say (in the handlebars, forks, and certain components). The hardshell seat for the front rider will also be available on the steel frame. Price is not yet fixed but is likely to be about 7800 Euros for the titanium version. A new all-titanium Kettwiesel is also on the way.
HP Velotechnik had a new model in their recumbent line-up, a 20"-wheeled full-suspension model called the 'Grasshopper' intended for fast touring or commuting use. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the adjustable hard-shell seat: the back length can be extended or shortened to suit - unfortunately not shown too well in this pic.
When we missed the Sun Bicycles EZ-3 trike from our Buyer's Guide in Issue 9, a reader wrote to complain - how could we forget the best-selling trike in the USA (and maybe the world?). Indeed, the fairly upright, two-wheels-at-back EZ3 is a significant machine - and Sun/J&B; Importers are now pushing to get distribution sorted for Europe. Prices should be extremely low compared to most existing machines. Pictured here is the new aluminium version of the trike: it'll be ideal for many non-sporty users, the elderly, and for special-needs adaptation. They also do a full range of recumbents on two and three wheels, including tandems, and a very affordable tadpole trike (two wheels at front) is under development. We'll keep you informed when European distribution and prices are finalised.
Burley had a new recumbent on show: the long-wheelbase machine is available in two models under the names 'Jett Creek' and 'Koosah'. The low BB height should make these models quite beginner-friendly. We should be having a review of one of Burley's other recumbents, the Hepcat, in a forthcoming issue soon. Availability of Burley bikes in the UK is likely to improve dramatically fairly soon as they've moved to a new distributor.
Eurobike saw the official launch of Shimano's new 8-speed Nexus hub gear - I've known about this for a while but had no real details to pass on. The launch rather steals the thunder from the Sturmey 8-speed which is to be launched later this month at the Cycle show in London: see this previous story. The new Shimano hub has an overall range of 307%, matching the Sturmey's 305%, and ratios look pretty evenly spaced. There's also some clever mechanism which uses pedalling effort to help achieve gear shifts, so it should have a nice light shifter action. Both twistgrip and 'trigger' controls are available. Weight is 1.75kg for the basic, and 1.55kg for the 'premium' version. It accepts roller brakes - not sure about disk brakes. Over-locknut dimension is 132mm, overall diameter is 105.2mm, and the hub has 36 spoke holes.
It's in their 2004 range, and was built into a number of bikes on show at Eurobike. It'll probably be a good few months before it's available in the UK separately.
An electrically-controlled gearshift mechanism for the Shimano 8-speed is on the way, I hear... and incidentally I also heard a rumour that Rohloff are developing an electric shifting system for their hub. Interesting...
Posted on 03 September 2003
Your comments ...| From: Seamus ([email protected]) on 03 September 2003 |
Presumably HPVelotechnik's new bike is a response to the increase in popularity of the medium seat hgt 20/20 bikes which appear so popular in the Netherlands at the moment with designs from; Challenge, M5 and Optima.
Does it have a steel frame? Something I'd prefer to the alloy frame on my Mistral. |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 03 September 2003 |
| Nope, alu frame. Max recommended load (rider plus luggage) is 120kg. Weight is 'from 13.9kg'. Gearing is derailleur (2 x 9) or SRAM Dualdrive 3 x 8 or Rohloff. Loadsa luggage racks etc available. |
| From: Simon Ward ([email protected]) on 03 September 2003 |
The Shimano hub gear looks interesting.
I'm currently toying with the idea of converting one of my fixed gear machines to a hub gear for winter Audax use - previous experiments involving a Sturmey AW-3 were doomed due to the insanely wide gaps between ratios. 8-speed looks rather more promising. |
| From: Robin Commander ([email protected]..) on 03 September 2003 |
Any informaation on Shimanos latest hub dynamos at the show?
Pictures & Japanese text on;
http://cycle.shimano.co.jp/2004newpro/s_light/
For Shimano's answer to Dualdrive;
http://cycle.shimano.co.jp/2004newpro/intego/
Robin |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 03 September 2003 |
I was so carried away with the 8-speed I forgot to ask about the rest!
I did take some hub dynamo pics - as you can see from Robin's link there's now a disk brake compatible version. Though it's not an International Standard six-bolt rotor mount, but some fancy splined thing which presumably only fits Shimano disks. Still, a useful development.
No details I'm afraid on the DualDrive equivalent. I'll try to dig some out of Shimano in due course.
|
| From: Tihamér ([email protected]) on 05 September 2003 |
Regarding the new Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub : on Shimano's own website they claim that the new Nexus hub already is available (it was posted on 11/08/03 under their "news" department). The Standard version, that is. The Sports version is to be released later. I'll try to get a price through my bikeshop.
Tihamér |
| From: Tihamér ([email protected]) on 06 September 2003 |
Hi,
price for the new Nexus 8-speed hub is 145 € (here in Belgium). There are only 2 versions on Shimano's pricelist, one for use with a rollerbrake and the other for use with V-brakes, so this probably will be the Standard version.
Tihamér |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 07 September 2003 |
About the R and M Gemini.
As far as I know, you are not allowed to tranport two kids on one bike in Germany.
I am glad to se that Riese und Mueller have learned from past mistakes, and have strenghende the Frame where the downtube intersects with the rear tubes.
In the past several R und M bikes of the Culture and Avenue model have broken apart in this spot over the axel of the rear swingarm.
|
| From: sue ([email protected]) on 08 September 2003 |
Simple. Wrap one child up in brown paper and string and claim it is a package.
Ralf, you seem to be the world expert on bikes that break. Are you just very unlucky? |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 08 September 2003 |
Robin Commander writes:
There is a disk brake adapter for the Nexus hub available from a third party. They did confirm it is compatible with the Nexus 8 speed hub when I asked. You might get a more expansive reply if you ask in German. It's not exactly a snip for 99 euro.
http://www.cesur.de/nabenschaltung.htm |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 08 September 2003 |
Let me set one thing strait.
I am not an expert on bikes that break under me.
I always ride and have ridden High quality Steel bikes, or heavy duty thickwalled Steel bikes.
I have worked part time at bikeshops around Darmstadt, and have writen for a bike magazin.
I am by trade a mechanic, and have worked in Quality controll for an indusrtial machine manufacturer.
I am known to most bikeshops in this area,and am well known (Or hated) in the south Hessen cycling scene and if things fail I am one of the first to hear about it.
I have also used equiptment at my former employers to do tests to broken frames, or to dokument the damage.
In the eightys we had maney aluminium Frames and Handelbars made by the German Company Kettler fail.
Sofar I have broken 3 Aluminium Handelbars
The model 2600 and Daxi were the worst for some years.
Müsing went bancropt over failed aluminium frames.
Most failures were close to the welds, but I have seen tubes like for example last year on an R and M Culture break in the middle away from any spot where it could have been overheated.
Last week there was the case a broken Culture Orange. the owner was a bit paranoid, because this was the third among his friends, and his wife also rides one. BTW she is heavier then he is!
The frame broke obove the joint of the rear susspension.
|
| From: Geoff Bird ([email protected]) on 08 September 2003 |
It's not often that I agree with Ralf, but...
Welded aluminium has almost never been used on aircraft or formula one racing cars. There are good reasons for this - it's tricky stuff to engineer. That's not to say that there aren't welded aluminium structures that do their job very well over an acceptable lifespan. By the way, where do car companies get this 'lightweight aluminium' from? |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 09 September 2003 |
The stupidest sells pitch I keep running across at bikeshows, are manufacturers who try to sucker into believing their bikes are made from "Aircraft Aluminium"!
Most Aluminium used in bikes is a low grade aluminium that is easiely weldable. High grade aluminium is riveted, like for example if you look at aircraft they still are riveted. The new Airbus will have some parts welded, but on non load bearing structures.
Welding aluminium leades to to matearial loseing part of it's strenght.
This can be cured by heattreating the material afterwards.For more details on aluminium and welding frames see Mike Burrows (Design God!) book Bicycle Design.
THe book is one of the easeiest understandable on the subjekt and a most read for anyone who whats to know about how bikes are made. |
| From: Peter de Leuw (peter at birdy-freunde.de) on 09 September 2003 |
Ralf Grosser wrote:
> About the R and M Gemini.
> As far as I know, you are not allowed to tranport two kids on one bike in
> Germany.
Transporting two children on one bike is allowed in Germany. The children has to be younger than 7 years, you have to be older than 16 years.
There is no restriction in the number of children.
Peter |
| From: Antony (at pedalcars dot info) on 09 September 2003 |
Back to Aluminium, the Lotus Elise is (I believe) glued together, not welded or rivetted. Doing it this way means they can use lighter sections, because they're not losing half the strength in the welding process. Similarly, the F-16's wings are glued on, with a single anti-peel rivet at each end of each join. Amazing what you can do with Araldite...
The point being, it is possible to make strong, light structures using aluminium so long as you know what you're doing. On the other hand, one bike manufacturer used to do an MTB with titanium tubes bonded into aluminium lugs. During my time working in a bike shop, I saw three of these frames suffer structural failure, which brings me back to the "so long as you know what you're doing" bit - even if you copy a successful idea, you can make it rubbish without too much difficulty! |
| From: RtH (@cyclemagic) on 09 September 2003 |
| motorbikes have had welded ali frames for a good 20 years. |
| From: Geoff Bird ([email protected]) on 09 September 2003 |
| Having worked in the motorcycle industry I know that they get over the problems of fatigue failure in aluminium frames by massively over-engineering them. They are frequently heavier than the equivalent steel frames. They use aluminium because they can combine complex castings with simple lengths of tube to create a frame with the minimum number of welds. One day - sooner or later - they'll snap! Ducati steel space-frames are much lighter and might last forever. |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 09 September 2003 |
A good motorcycling friend of mine had a 750cc honde with an aluminium Deltabox frame.
The frame did not snap, but the ears that held the seat broke off under him, and sent him into hospital.
I also had the aluminium mount of a passenger footpeg snap off, on my Yamaha SR 500 much to the suprise of my girlfriend.
Aluminium is cheap to use if you use lowgrade machineweldable aluminium. Most framesets made in Taiwan nowdays are built this way.
The main idea is, that aluminium in the mind of the uninformed consumer is lightweight.
The reality is it is just as heavy as a lowgrade steelframe.
Back in the eighties I was thrown out of a bikeshop, because I held a magnet to a Kettler aluminium bike. Ketter used a steel handelbar, fork, fenders seatpin, chainguard and fork.
Funny thing is, most Aluminium framed bikes still use steel or sprung forks.
Aluminium forks are very rare.
The bikemaker Utopia btw. recumends that you exchange your aluminium handelbar every two years with a new one. |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 09 September 2003 |
For more information on failing aluminium bikes and components, such as seatpins, forks rear swingarms, and handelbarstems, ask Peter de Leuw. ([email protected])
Or read the german or the english Birdymailinglist. |
| From: antony (again) on 10 September 2003 |
> The bikemaker Utopia btw. recumends that you exchange your aluminium handelbar every two years with a new one.
Note: You don't have to wait 2 years. I had a Profile bar go after about 15 months. 25 mph to bugger all in about 10 yards on a rocky descent when the loose half went into the front wheel, not fun in any way shape or form.
After that I bought a heavier handlebar... |
| From: Andy Scaife ([email protected]) on 11 September 2003 |
| All of the above serves to illustrate just what a trap the marketing boys (for I guarantee yuo they will be boys) have got the cycle industry into. The fact is that peole won't buy a steel bike when they can get an ally one. It doesn't matter how heavy it is or how crappy the components, the punters want ally frames and suspension. That leaves those quality makers who strive to make a better bicycle as niche-market makers. The shallow fashion-dominated mass-market doesn't cars about quality or longevity. In short, they just think, they just do as they're told. BTW Ralf, I've now had an extensive ride on the mass-produced, ally-framed Bridgestone, and yes. it's a nice bike, but not a patch on an APB costing half as much. |
| From: Val ([email protected]) on 11 September 2003 |
| Burley makes all of our recumbent bikes and most of our tandem bikes from steel and if you want to carry two children behind your bike, we have a solution for that too. We do use aluminum for our trailers but it is all a matter of using the right tool for the right job. |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 11 September 2003 |
It used to be that high end aluminium frames were not welded but glued. Vitus and Alan for example.
Also Mike Burrows (Design God!)did his recumbents with aluminium tubing glued into steel lugges.
Most trailers are built with tubing attached by plastic clips and popriviting. |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 11 September 2003 |
THe Aluminium Bridgestone Moulton is in my opinion not realy an improvement over an AM.
The APB or FX 8 are bikes for a resonable price but a bit cheap with the components used they are a good basis for building up a bike of your own specification. |
| From: Andy Scaife ([email protected]) on 12 September 2003 |
| Yes, Burley's excellent trailers are ally, but not welded. Mike 'Design God' Burrows also welds together the 8-freight out of - er, what was that again? BTW, if you want to carp about aluminium and welding, why not go carp to the guys at Cannondale, not us. They might have a few choice replies. |
| From: Seamus ([email protected]) on 12 September 2003 |
| I feel obliged to point out the 'official' respectful designation for Mike Burrows is in fact, "Almost God-Like Cycling Design Genius," usefully abbrevated to AGLCDG. |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 12 September 2003 |
| Sofar I have not seen a broken Canondale aluminium frame, but a fair share of broken frames by R and M, Muesing, Kettler and Hercules. |
| From: Andy Scaife ([email protected]) on 16 September 2003 |
| Just look at how Cannondale make theuir frames though. Some serious stress-relieving going on there, with those sensuous curves. That goes back to an earlier comment "so long as you know what you're doing". Sellers and marketers of cheap 'pile-em'high' bikes don't, and they don't care either. I'm off on a ride now, to remember what a real Moulton feels like ('63 Bradford deluxe - makes you wonder why folks bother with new bikes?). |
| From: Ralfr Grosser (Buzzstarkbier) on 16 September 2003 |
| To me a real bike feels like a 1985 Pedersen replica.The frame has had 80 000 Km sofar and still has not broken. |
| From: Thomas ([email protected]) on 14 February 2004 |
... If you don´t trust Aluminum, while thinking of buying a full-suspended Recumbent: Go for a HP Velotechnik Street Machine. Until the next model will emerge from the bike shows, its completely STEEL, Mainframe and rear swingarm !
Any questions so far ?!!?
It went round the world countless times and is No.1 to loads of travellers....
Go visit www.hpvelotechnik.com
stay bent !
Thomas |
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