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.

BIKE 06/2000
Reading time 1:00 minute

Cash & Carry

Buying a bike at the supermarket: in, out and on the bike. Freedride joy starting at 399 German Marks. Impossible? BIKE has bought three special offers and ran them over the rock-hard test course at Monte Brione

Expert judgement - At first sight, the bikes seem to have passed the test, but the expert eye sees everything: Inspection by Dirk Zedler, engineer and bike expert.

With bikes from self-service department stores, the greatest danger is the bad pre-assembly. Most buyers already fail when it comes to adjusting the brakes. Statistically, however, the accident mode is similar to expensive bikes. The classic cause: bursted tubes and badly biting brakes. The hoplessely overchallenged suspension parts without moderation and the cheap bearings of the three supermarket-bikes made by Sprick, Fischer and Mountec are especially annoying. Dirt and humidity quickly get in and reduce function. Dangerous, however, are the fast-loosening grips and the badly fitting rim tapes. The bikes’ visual effect suggests a field of use they are not made for. Although only with a fine print hint in its owner’s manual, the Sprick-company at least is honest in this point: "We do not assume liability for damage caused by improper use (e.g. curbsides, riding down stairs or in rough terrain)." I generally expected worse quality – but those who want to ride athletically with these bikes run a risk.

Go back