Market: At the Excelsior Bikes stand at Eurobike we discovered a whole range of interesting lifestyle and urban bikes that are very nice to look at, solidly equipped and, above all, much more affordable than most of the competition. We present some of the highlights in the portfolio of the German manufacturer.
Bicycles have long since outgrown their role as pure means of transportation and sports equipment. Today's lifestyle and many subcultures would be unimaginable without the mean bikes of yesteryear; Bicycle cafés, two-wheeler flea markets and similar events show the trend very clearly. Especially in the urban area, there has been a rethink in recent years and chic bicycles can be found in front of cafés, beer gardens, in front of office buildings and in front of the university. However, anyone who had toyed with such a bike up to now often had to switch back to conservative alternatives when they saw the price tag. This is exactly where the newly revitalized German brand Excelsior Bikes wants to fill the gap.
Attractively priced lifestyle bikes, especially for the young generation, can be found in the extensive portfolio. From the simple and plain single-speed bike to the ornate step-through bike with a practical shopping basket, a correspondingly wide range is covered. The equipment is appropriate: Those who expect high-end will probably be disappointed, but those who are simply looking for a reliable bike for city and country and don't want to invest a fortune should be in the right place.
A very nice example of the path we have taken is the model with the programmatic name 'Vintage'. The slim steel frame is reminiscent of the touring women's racers of the 70s and 80s in terms of shape and orientation and comes with a 3-speed Shimano gear hub, maintenance-free rigid fork and rim brakes at the front and rear. The permanently mounted mudguards with a hammered look should attract curious looks. The price for the Excelsior Vintage is a fair €499
The 'Swan Retro' model takes a different approach. With its much more modern frame shape, the relaxed step-through bike appeals more to those who love comfort and, on closer inspection, turns out to be a real pack mule. With beautifully integrated pannier racks at the front and back, the Swan Retro can also be used to conveniently do the weekly shopping without having to lug around an annoying rucksack. The bike comes in four colors and with a choice of 3 or 7 gear hub gears. Permanently mounted lighting is just as much a part of the overall package as a stylish leather saddle and matching handles. At €469, the Swan is also below the magical €500 mark.
If you like it sportier, you can take a look at the Excelsior Buddy Ghee: Sporty steel frame, single speed, racing bike brakes at the front and rear underline the simple character of the bike. Fixed mudguards ensure suitability for everyday use. The Buddy Ghee costs €899 – if you can’t or don’t want to do without gears, the bike is also available with a Shimano Tiagra group.
More information about the bikes and the other models can be found on the Excelsior website.
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