Premium Mobility
To our customers, the bicycles of vsf fahrradmanufaktur are far more than a practical means of locomotion. They are a fixed component of an attitude to life that is based on value preservation and a sense of responsibility. Our bicycles are put to the test year-in, year-out in day-to-day life and leisure-time, in wind and weather, as all-round modes of transportation, quite often even as a car replacement. This gives rise to high expectations with respect to comfort, fun riding, and longevity, which we fulfill in all disciplines with an above average level of quality.
at home on the run.
Frames made of Steel
At vsf fahrradmanufaktur, steel has traditionally been valued highly. As a material full of character, it spreads an aura of tried and tested craftsmanship, very much in the spirit of our notion of manufacturing. This much about emotions. What has proven itself over a long period of time in bicycle construction must – of course – also be convincing in facts and figures: steel provides for a high tensile strength – in the case of the chromium molybdenum alloy 25CrMo4, it amounts to more than 700 N/mm².
As such, it is the number one choice in a lot of disciplines in the vehicle industry. The alloy can be shaped well with relatively low energy expenditure and is well suited for welding. As such, ideal prerequisites to producing timeless frames that are filigreed and elegant, yet, at the same time highly resilient. In this, steel frames display - in addition to their toughness - an elasticity that provides for good riding comfort without absolutely necessitating a suspension fork or a suspension seat post.
Steel frame equals high weight – that does not apply if, as in the case of vsf fahrradmanufaktur, conified tubes are being utilised which have thicker walls at the ends than in the center and thereby reduce the weight.
A quarter of vsf fahrradmanufaktur
History
In 2012, vsf fahrradmanufaktur celebrated its 25 anniversary! Time for a look back: When the first vsf fahrradmanufaktur bicycle was rolling on the streets of Germany in 1987, bicycling was primarily a leisure-time activity. Back the, only very few adults considered the bicycle a serious day-to-day mode of locomotion.
The founders of vsf fahrradmanufaktur had a different vision: with sophisticated bicycles manufactured by hand, they wanted to make a contribution to the necessary ecological shift in traffic. In this spirit, they brought to life their own model portfolio and developed premium class bicycles with know-how and a lot of appreciation for detail. Since then, vsf fahrradmanufaktur has been representative of ecological products that are long-lasting and of high quality. The business implementation is nowadays being carried out by the cycle union GmbH company headquartered in Oldenburg (Germany).
Today, our product portfolio encompasses travel and touring bikes as well as city bikes and urban bikes.
| 1985 | - | Founding of the V.S.F. (Verbund Selbstverwalteter Fahrradbetriebe [Assocation of Self-governed Bicycle Companies]) in Berlin. |
| 1987 | - | Founding of vsf fahrradmanufaktur in Bremen. |
| 1988 | - | „Das Rad“ [The Bike] („Model A“) becomes the first model of the Fahrradmanufaktur Bremen bicycle manufactory. |
| 1995 | - | In Bremen, vsf fahrradmanufaktur is by now producing 15,000 bicycles per year. These are sold exclusively via specialised dealers affiliated with the V.S.F. |
| 1996 | - | vsf fahrradmanufaktur is more and more placing a focus on the area of travel bikes. In this year, the highlight is the Randonneur C-140. |
| 1997 | - | The first cross models of vsf fahrradmanufaktur conquer the streets. |
| 1999 | - | Cycle Union in Oldenburg takes over responsibility for vsf fahrradmanufaktur. |
| 2001 | - | This year, a true highlight in terms of riding comfort is presented by vsf fahrradmanufaktur: the T-800. |
| 2002 | - | The model T-1000 C becomes the first bike of vsf fahrradmanufaktur with the worldwide most innovative hub gear „Rohloff Speedhub“. |
| 2004 | - | The „fitness bike“ T-900 was developed in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Baum. |
| 2005 | - | For the 20th anniversary of VSF, a special model „Das Radldquo; is developed in cooperation with vsf fahrradmanufaktur. |
| 2006 | - | vsf fahrradmanufaktur is presenting itself in a new design outfit for the 2006 season. |
| 2008 | - | vsf fahrradmanufaktur celebrates its 20th anniversary. On occasion of this, a special model T-1987 is presented, in an edition limited to 250. |
| 2009 | - | TTi-Light – as the first model of our product portfolio, it is equipped with a titanium frame and rightfully enjoys the status of the high end trekking bike. |
| 2010 | - | T-Belt – as the first model of our product portfolio, it is equipped with a maintenance-free Gates belt drive. This innovative bike with its unobtrusive design and choice components awakens the passion of all those who love the extraordinary and who are ahead of their times. |
| 2011 | - | Motorised lightness: vsf fahrradmanufaktur has developed the first three pedelecs of the extra class with the innovative drive system by BOSCH that provide demanding and environmentally aware users with good reasons to switch (models: P-700, P-400, P-300) |
| 2012 | - | The trend towards electro-mobility continues! As a new, compact and agile pedelec, the P-Kompakt is joining the ranks of our product portfolio. |
| 2013 | - | With a speed of up to 45 km/h, we present the P-1000 as the first e-bike. |