German bikes in the USA.
07-18-12, 08:15 AM
#26
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I lived in Germany for a couple of years and used to really like Kettler bikes. But the ones I've seen from the past 10 years or so just strike me as ugly and overpriced. I.e., a 36lb aluminum bike with lower-end Shimano components (and a resin chainguard) shouldn't cost $1400. https://www.kettlerusa.com/bikes/women/4374
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-18-12, 12:09 PM
#28
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That bike probably sells for 1/2-2/3rds that cost in Europe, I checked a UK website and the equivalent bike was ~$750 delivered to a UK address. FWIW the EU model appears to be called Sentiero. I am sure a huge part of that cost is import fees and freight to get small batches to the US.
Aaron
Aaron
07-18-12, 07:33 PM
#29
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I would almost consider the Novara Transfer an upgrade it has an IGH, which typically adds to the price compared to a derailleur equipped bike. If you take the Sentiero and remove the VAT it gets down to around $600 or so. VAT in the UK is 20%. Most reasonable quality hybrids in the US are in the ~$500 range, by the time you add fenders, racks and a kickstand you are pushing the $600+ range, add in a dyno hub and decent lights an you are in for close to $800. 
I have been fortunate in that most of my fully equipped Euro spec bikes have been purchased used or at a very deep discount when they were discontinued. I have 3 that came fully equipped, and another one that I upgraded.
Aaron
I have been fortunate in that most of my fully equipped Euro spec bikes have been purchased used or at a very deep discount when they were discontinued. I have 3 that came fully equipped, and another one that I upgraded.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-18-12, 10:03 PM
#30
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I would almost consider the Novara Transfer an upgrade it has an IGH, which typically adds to the price compared to a derailleur equipped bike. If you take the Sentiero and remove the VAT it gets down to around $600 or so. VAT in the UK is 20%. Most reasonable quality hybrids in the US are in the ~$500 range, by the time you add fenders, racks and a kickstand you are pushing the $600+ range, add in a dyno hub and decent lights an you are in for close to $800.
I have been fortunate in that most of my fully equipped Euro spec bikes have been purchased used or at a very deep discount when they were discontinued. I have 3 that came fully equipped, and another one that I upgraded.
Aaron
I have been fortunate in that most of my fully equipped Euro spec bikes have been purchased used or at a very deep discount when they were discontinued. I have 3 that came fully equipped, and another one that I upgraded.
Aaron
07-19-12, 07:42 AM
#31
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Ghost Bikes is a German company that's supposedly well-known for mountain bikes and have recently added road bikes. I think the Race Lector Comp is absolutely beautiful...
https://www.ghost-bikes.com/bikes-201...e-lector-comp/
https://www.ghost-bikes.com/bikes-201...e-lector-comp/
07-19-12, 11:50 AM
#32
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I think this is a sexy bike... https://www.ghost-bikes.com/bikes-201...e-lector-9000/ She'd be fun with trekking bars.
07-23-12, 10:06 AM
#33
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$699 would be a good price, I think, but you never know about the details on a Novara (bottom brackets and headsets, pedals, etc.). If you like this type of machine you could also look at Breezers' Transportation line, which has a reputation for quality. Not remotely German, though.
07-23-12, 10:54 AM
#35
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Similar statements can be made about Russia, China, Japan, etc...
Also, if you put gas in your car in the past 40 years then you have knowingly helped contribute to brutal killings and human rights violations in many countries.
We all have blood on our hands. It needs to be discussed and brought into the open, but there are few viable alternatives from dealing with these countries. All we can do, IMHO, is move into the future trying to make things better - not remain angry over the distant past.
Last edited by DCB0; 07-23-12 at 10:58 AM. Reason: Added a qualifier
07-23-12, 02:49 PM
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I never mentioned anything about "Dutch Bikes"
I just find it interesting that no German bicycle company has established any kind of niche in this country.....ZERO PENETRATION into the market place.
It's ironic considering how popular German cars and Motorcycles are in this country, "German Engineering" has a cult following here.
I only mentioned Trekking Bikes because they seem to be very popular in N. Europe but somewhat obscure here, and they seem like great bikes......although, as I type this I realize that the 29'er Adventure Bike concept that is gaining popularity around here could be seen as an American Trekking bike.
I just find it interesting that no German bicycle company has established any kind of niche in this country.....ZERO PENETRATION into the market place.
It's ironic considering how popular German cars and Motorcycles are in this country, "German Engineering" has a cult following here.
I only mentioned Trekking Bikes because they seem to be very popular in N. Europe but somewhat obscure here, and they seem like great bikes......although, as I type this I realize that the 29'er Adventure Bike concept that is gaining popularity around here could be seen as an American Trekking bike.
07-23-12, 05:26 PM
#37
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07-23-12, 05:57 PM
#38
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07-23-12, 10:45 PM
#39
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It's not German but it's still cool. I had a Swiss Army bike for 10 years. My only regret is trading it off, it was really a wonderful bike. Mine was a 1959 model.
https://www.coldwarremarketing.com/ve....asp?s=Bicycle
Spend the extra money (if you buy one) and get one that's complete and in good shape. A good one is ~$500. Mine attracted a crowd wherever I went. I'm definitely going to own another one.
https://www.coldwarremarketing.com/ve....asp?s=Bicycle
Spend the extra money (if you buy one) and get one that's complete and in good shape. A good one is ~$500. Mine attracted a crowd wherever I went. I'm definitely going to own another one.
07-25-12, 12:39 PM
#40
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I lived in Germany for a couple of years and used to really like Kettler bikes. But the ones I've seen from the past 10 years or so just strike me as ugly and overpriced. I.e., a 36lb aluminum bike with lower-end Shimano components (and a resin chainguard) shouldn't cost $1400. https://www.kettlerusa.com/bikes/women/4374
08-02-12, 11:39 AM
#41
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I found German "city" bikes offered excellent vaule and were perfect for my family's commuting and recreational needs. Pictured is a Vaterland 3 speed purchased new in Heidelberg for 400DM (=$200) in 1999 at the Heidelberg Train Station as well as along the Mississippi River and at Home in Iowa.
08-04-12, 03:53 PM
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Pictured are more 3 and 7 speed German bikes used by my family in Germany and the US. All with coaster brake rear as well as front hand brakes. None cost more than $400 new; the Knast 5 speed was a dumpster freebee. All fully equipped with fenders, lights, bell chainguards, rear rack and kickstands.
08-04-12, 03:59 PM
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08-05-12, 07:05 AM
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I was in Germany a few weeks ago and went into a couple bike shops. They had lots of nice commuter bikes (and some trekking) for reasonable prices already fully outfitted with dynohubs, lights, fenders, racks, etc. Even with VAT they were cheaper then similar bikes here. I'm hoping to go on a bike tour in Europe next year. If I do, instead of renting a bike, I may purchase a bike in Europe, ride my our, and ship it back.
