Schwalbe tires - the best ?

Ever wondered why the answer to the question "what are the best tires on the market" is "Schwalbe, no doubt" ?  This german company delivers quality with it's products, which are aimed at cyclists, scooter riders, and wheelchair users. I am a user of their Nobby Nic model and i have to say .... yes, they can be a bit expensive .... however they deliver astounding performance and reliability.

Lets dig deeper and see how they make these grippy things.

Orange bikes factory

"Handbuilt with pride since 1988" is written all over the Orange bikes lineup. This UK manufacturer made, and still makes, those legendary bikes that can be found in wealthy people's collections or in teenager's dreams.

So after we saw how the germans from Derby and Cube did it, let's see how the brits shape up their metal and make those wheels turn.

Making off Rohloff Speedhub 500/14

It's been 10 years since the german company Rohloff introduced the Speedhub. Now it's their best selling item. They say they built this hub for both proffesionals and simple enthusiasts, but the built quality is amazing for either category. With 14 internal speeds to choose from, you can ride in any terrain. 

Check out the attention to detail this product gets and see the complicated design that lays inside the aluminum body.

Cube factory

I admit i am a sucker for Cube bikes. They have that german, stiff feel about the build quality, however they use beautiful colour combinations and sleek design, that makes you gaze at their products for hours.

Lets dive (figuratively) into the their birthplace and see what's what.

Cube bikes website

Largest bike manufacturer

When you pose the question "Who is the biggest bicycle builder in Europe?" the numbers say that Germany has a company that sells more then any other in the old continent.

It's called Derby Cycles and produces bikes under the brands Rixe, Raleigh, Kalkhoff, Univega and Focus. Their products range from e-bikes to high performance racing machines used in the UCI competitions.

In the following video we'll take a look at their state of the art factory and testing procedures. You could say this is a "How it's made" episode for the cycling enthusiast.

Derby Cycle website