Product news: The Diamant bicycles 2018: the result of over 130 years of experience

Product news: Diamant has been manufacturing bicycles near Chemnitz since the end of the 19th century. The path to the present has been successful, but not always easy. The Diamant bicycles 2018 show clearly - despite modern orientation, one has not forgotten one's roots.

Diamant Bikes 2018: 133 years of history

In 1884 the locksmith Friedrich Nevoigt lost his job in the knitwear industry in Chemnitz. Nobody would have expected that this event would be the cornerstone for one of the most successful bicycle manufacturers in the history of Germany - especially since bicycles were still far from their current popularity at that time. But back to Friedrich Nevoigt: After losing his job, he became self-employed and produced circuit boards for the hosiery industry. Business was good - so good that less than a year after it was founded in 1885, Friedrich's brother Wilhlem joined the company.

Almost ten years later - in 1895 - the first Diamant bicycle was produced. Numerous innovations from Diamant followed: These include the roller chain, which was the prototype of our current bicycle chain, the coaster brake and the safety valve. However, the road to 2018 was long and not always easy. In between lay two world wars, difficult years under Soviet rule and reunification. A nice curiosity from the long history of the East German traditional manufacturer: The most expensive Diamant bicycle ever produced cost a whopping 2,5 million Reichsmarks. However, that was due to extreme inflation in 1923.

After the end of the Second World War, the production of Diamant wheels in the GDR was allowed to continue under the umbrella of the Soviet Awtovelo AG. The company was modernized significantly over the next few years: Multicolored paintwork was made possible and assembly line production was also introduced. The wheels were also exported to West Germany under the name Diadem. During these years, Diamant also celebrated its greatest successes as a supplier and sponsor in cycling and popular sports. In 1955, Gustav “Täve” Schur won the international Friedensfahrt, and three years later the Road World Championships for amateur cyclists in France. Until 1989, Diamant was still active as a supplier in cycling.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall and decades under East German rule, new financiers were needed to save the traditional manufacturer. This was found in Villiger Söhne GmbH from Switzerland. In 1992, with the so-called Cityblitz, one of the first e-bikes in the history of bicycles was brought onto the market - at that time, of course, it was still an absolute niche product. In 2002, ten years after the takeover, Villiger withdrew from the then ailing bicycle market – the traditional US manufacturer Trek took over Diamant and continued the business to this day at the original company headquarters in Hartmannsdorf.

Diamant bikes 2018: The model range

Around 300 people still work in Hartmannsdorf today. Here the delivered frames are painted, pasted and assembled by hand. In the 2018 model year, for example, a whopping 41 different models will be made, including 17 e-bikes. They are proud of each and every one of them and nothing shows that they trust their own quality more than the 40 (!) year guarantee that they grant on their own frames and forks.

The model range is wide, but clearly focuses on the areas of trekking, city, touring and urban. Even if you look in vain for dedicated sports equipment such as mountain bikes or racing bikes, you will still find a decent dash of sportiness in this year's portfolio with models such as the Zouma+ and the Elan.

A great strength of the model range is the selection of different frame shapes for each bike, regardless of whether it is an e-bike or without a motor. From the very classic step-through to the Holland look and trapezoidal frame to the classic diamond frame, you have a full range of bikes to choose from. Of course, most bikes are also available in at least two different configurations.

The Diamant E-Bikes 2018

There will be almost 20 Diamant e-bikes in 2018 - as different as they may be in terms of their appearance, orientation and price, they still have one thing in common: they are all equipped with a Bosch motor. From the entry-level model Active Line to the MTB drive Performance CX and the S-Pedelec Motor Performance 45, the entire range of motors from the southern German drive specialist is installed.

Diamant itself divides its e-bike range into the two categories Sport and Comfort. The first includes the S-Pedelec 825+, the sleek Urban Bike Zouma+ and the Elan+. In the comfort category, for example, the classic step-through Achat+ or the Caferacer Juna+ cavort. The naming seems clear at this point: the Diamant e-bikes can be recognized by the suffix '+'.

Diamond Elan+

The Elan+ is the sporty electric all-rounder from Diamant. A light aluminum frame, suspension fork, 10- and 11-speed derailleur gears meet equipment that is fully suitable for everyday use, including luggage rack and mudguards and durable 500Wh batteries.

Diamond Juna+

Who said an e-bike can't be stylish? The Diamant Juna+ is good evidence to the contrary! With a mixture of modern Caferacer and classic Dutch bike and correspondingly fashionable colors with matching leather applications, it is sure to attract one or the other curious glance. Thanks to the lowrider straps at the front, however, it is also fully suitable for everyday use and shopping. StVZO-compliant lighting and mudguards are of course also part of the equipment.

Diamond Zouma+

The Zouma+ is the modern commuter in Diamant's 2018 e-portfolio. The design with the semi-integrated battery is extremely successful and the beefy look together with the carbon fork makes quite an impression. Thanks to the wide tires, you can also get along on bad bike paths despite the lack of suspension - all the more important because the Zouma+ is also available as an S-Pedelec with a speed of up to 45 km/h.

All Diamant E-Bikes 2018 at a glance

The Diamant bikes 2018

Despite the ongoing e-bike boom and in times when other manufacturers are fully committed to electric vehicles, Diamant remains loyal to classic bikes without motors and thus offers a wide range of options for those who, for example, do not have 1.000€ for a bike.

Diamond 133

Of the many models, the 133 anniversary model in particular stands out, which refers to the 133-year company history and comes along as a stylish urban racer. The bike is based on the English Racing theme and – like each of the annual anniversary models – is only available in limited numbers.

Diamond 885

The 885 is a puristic speedster for the city and everyday life, which despite its reduced appearance does not have to do without the comfort of fully equipped equipment. The bike is available with both a diamond and a trapezoidal frame – both made of aluminium. Attachments in leather look and tires with a skinwall look give the Diamant 885 a slight retro touch that goes well with the minimalist exterior.

diamond topaz

The Topas is perhaps the most stylish bike in the Diamant 2018 range. With its distinctive swan-neck shape, it stands out pleasantly from the majority of similar bikes and combines a slight retro touch with traditional Dutch bikes and modern equipment.

All Diamant bikes 2018 at a glance

Website

www.diamantrad.com