Some News from the Kolektif Bike Fair 2023
A bike fair is always an exiting moment. You see things you’ve probably never heard about, frames you might drool on, and way too many interesting business ideas that make you say: “Damn, cycling is alive and well!”
Here are a few things I stopped by to take a shot or two (like this new edition of the Vigorosa I spotted) ,and most importantly, why did I stop in the first place.
Let’s start fancy with this hand-made titanium bullmoose from Redfox Cycles. The NITTO B903 has been extremely popular among many fixed gear riders for its simplicity and aesthetic. It’s not perfect though… Importing it from Japan, usually means taxes to pay, and it’s also a chunky boy at almost 700 grams of chromoly. Redfox is based in Copenhagen, and yes, you will be paying the premium of hand-made titanium. (Expect around €300.) But we were in shock, went it felt like wielding a lightsaber! Light as a feather and probably stiffer than its Nitto counterpart, the Redfox Bullmose is now definitely on my Christmas list.
Next up is Vapour Cycles, with is very “intense” hand-made carbon frame, right here, in Berlin! Actually offering two versions of their first creation, (which happens to be a track one) I had the opportunity to get a closer look at their “Ultra Light” variant. Made of 3D printed parts and custom weaved carbon tubes, Vapour cycle could be the next Weight Weeny extravaganza that you didn’t know you needed since the one he had on display, scaled to a featherweight 715 grams.
But! Handmade carbon is everything but easy, and I’d like to see some real action before recommending it to anyone.
Pricing wise, be ready to save up €1500 for the regular version and €2000 for the Ultralight one.
Best untapped potential goes to Schindelhauer with their new adventure/gravel bike. Aluminium, 650B, and! Horizontal dropouts!
For this demo bike, they were running a Rohloff hub with the Schindelhauer signature move: A carbon belt drive! Poking around a bit with the team that was on the stand, I did ask a few questions, and yes the rear is a 135 mm spacing. We’ve already seen 135 frames like the Squid So-Ez or the Omnium CXC so I’m not too worried about adapting a track hub on there. But my first though was, of course, transforming it into a fun and light Tracklocross/Trackpacking bike.
For now, this bike isn’t even on their website, so I’m waiting to see where this might lead us, and what would be possible with it.
I also had the pleasure to meet the entire Musguard team, and two of their new products. The first one is already available here, it’s the Musguard OMNI! No need for a brake bridge with this one, it can mount on virtually any bike that you’ll try, good news for our whishbone rocking friends.
The second one is still a concept, but could make for an ultralight front harness to put your sleeping bag, tarp, and other rollable adventure goodies.
Even if fixed gear cycling was 5% of everything available at the Kolektif Bike Fair, I remain positive and confident that we’re on the right path. It’s by showing everyone that we’re eager to see new frames, accessories, parts, and more, that we’re incenting the industry to put some work towards us and what we’re into.
If we can have just a bit more light next time….
🎞: Fuji Xtra 800
📷: Nikon F100
📍: Berlin
