All about bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, technology and safety in the press

The most common safety risks that we come across in our daily work around bicycle safety, technology and operating instructions are also published by us in articles in the leading German special-interest magazines TOUR (Europe's road bike magazine no. 1), BIKE (Europe's mountain bike magazine no. 1), MYBIKE and EMTB in order to make this information, which is important for the industry, available to a wider public.

For many years now, the Eurobike Show Daily, trade fair magazine of the annual Eurobike Show, has also given us the opportunity to publish our view of major developments in the cycle industry in full-page articles.

We also speak regularly in independent expert presentations about all areas of bicycle technology and the bicycle market. In addition, we are quoted by further special-interest magazines of the industry and the trade as well as increasingly by radio and television in their media reports, which shows us that we are spot on with our advice. The section "News" informs you about the latest news from our specialist areas. The reports and publications of this section are listed chronologically or according to areas of interest.

TOUR 08/2010
Reading time 1:10 minutes

XXL-bicycles

INTERVIEW with graduate engineer Dirk Zedler, bicycle expert, www.zedler.de

Any more questions?

Is series production material strong enough to support heavy riders?

There is no general answer to this question. That depends entirely on the design and the manufacturing. The durability of bicycles is tested by the European standard for road bicycles under the precondition that the overall weight of rider, bicycle and baggage does not exceed 100 kg – and most of the manufacturers carry out the same tests. Riders who have to put more weight on their bicycles should have a look at the user manual or bicycle card of their bicycle where they should find a respective note. If not, the only thing that helps is calling the manufacturer.

Are carbon frames for tall riders?

Yes. Experiences with the frames of the past years are good. It doesn’t matter whether they are big or small, as long as stiffness and workmanship are adequate.

What about tuning and lightweight components?

Hands off! Extremely lightweight components will quickly come to their limits under extreme load. Titanium for example bends twice as much as steel under the same load. Parts of major manufacturers offer still more in view of the wide range of possible users.

And in the case of wheels?

Tall and heavy riders should opt for wheels with a classic lacing pattern and many spokes, at least for their daily cycle tour. System wheels should be used only in competitions, if at all.

Are there any limits when it comes to frame adjustment with the seat post and the stem?

The market offers up to 400 mm long seat posts and up to 140 mm long stems. Long seat posts in the frame are more or less uncritical as long as the seat post has been inserted deep enough into the seat tube, it must end clearly under the top tube. For carbon fork steerer tubes too many spacers are more problematic than a too long stem. Instead of spacers it is better to have the stem at a very sloping position, even though this might look less sporty. Or you opt right away for a fork with aluminium steerer tube.

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