Profile - Schwalbe

is a brand of Bohle
Editorial
World Edition 1 I 2011
n
May
n
8th year Dear
Schwalbe Partner!
Aiming high: Andy
Schleck (center) and
Jens Voigt (right)
from the Leopard-Trek
Race Team.
Photo: Foto-Roth
None of our company’s products
better embodies the Schwalbe corporate spirit like the Marathon tire
does. It stands for longevity, quality
and innovation. But it’s even more
than that: the Marathon symbolizes
the emancipation of the bicycle
industry in Germany and in many
countries throughout the world.
At first we were derided, but we
persevered with determination and
conviction and today, just like the
industry itself, we can be proud of
our solid market position. We are
now launching the 5th generation of
our long-distance runner – a worthy new edition, befitting our most
important tire: innovative, sustainable and more durable than ever
before (page 4).
But it isn’t just the Marathon,
but rather in general the demand
for bicycles is growing. More bikes
are being ridden in Germany, in
Europe and in North America. By
contrast, however, the focus of
worldwide bicycle production lies
in Asia. We opened a new logistics
center in Indonesia in March, in
order to shorten lead-times and
support manufacturers producing
there (page 3).
A surprisingly good combination:
Leopard and Schwalbe
Schwalbe is the tire sponsor of Luxemburg’s newest race team Leopard-Trek. The team
that world governing body UCI has straightaway ranked number one has ambitious goals:
“We want to win the 2011 tour”, says twice tour runner-up Andy Schleck.
“We are very pleased to be associated as suppliers
with such a strong international team from the very
outset“, says Doris Klytta, responsible for Schwalbe’s
PR and sponsoring. Before the team was officially
announced in January 2011, there had been six
long months of careful rider and material selection.
Luxemburg brothers Fränk and Andy Schleck as well
Yours sincerely,
Frank Bohle
Faster delivery for
OEMs: Schwalbe opens
a new logistics center
in Indonesia.
PAGE
3
as World Time-Trial Champion, Fabian Cancellara,
will lead the team, joined by German professional riders Linus Gerdemann, Fabian Wegmann, Jens Voigt,
and Robert Wagner. Co-sponsor is bicycle manufacturer Trek, USA. The tire choice is Schwalbe.
The requirement of Leopard-Trek’s team
managers was a tire partner interested in a par-
To celebrate the 25th
anniversary of its Marathon tire, Schwalbe is
launching a new generation.
PAGE
4
Wheels for the world:
“Prana” cargo bikes
can be found in the
most unusual places
right around the
globe.
PAGE
8
Sales
The first win for the
new Leopard-Trek
Race Team: Dominic
Klemme (24) was
triumphant at the Le
Samyn GP in Belgium.
Photo: Foto-Roth
2
A surprisingly
good combination:
Leopard and Schwalbe
Material experts gathered
together: Christian Lademann
(left), Schwalbe Race Support,
and Jens Voigt.
ticularly intensive collaboration. And it was precisely
this point that swayed the decision in favor of the
Schwalbe concept. The tire technicians work extremely closely with the riders, actively including them
in their tire development programs. A further convincing part of the concept was Schwalbe Race Support.
At major races and tours as well as on training runs
Schwalbe’s Product Manager, Christian Lademann,
is always in attendance. “We are presently accompanying the spring classic races. This is where the 25C
version of our hand-made Ultremo HT tires is being
put to the test,” reports Lademann. Over the coming
Schwalbe-Tour-Transalp
The most spectacular European stage race for amateur cyclists is now called the SchwalbeTour-Transalp. “The Tour-Transalp, spread over seven days, is without doubt the most well
organized tour for amateur racers. We are extremely delighted to be able to support such a
unique and renowned stage-race with our brand”, says Holger Jahn, Schwalbe’s Technical
Director, who has already taken part in the race several times. “As a result, we can put the quality of our products to the test under the most extreme conditions and gear them directly to the
targeted application.” Running from 26 June to 2 July the Schwalbe-Tour-Transalp will again
attract around 1,300 racing enthusiasts to the Alps. The Tour, comprising seven daily stages,
starts at Sonthofen, Germany and will take the riders
through the Austrian and Italian Alps to Arco near Lake
Garda. This year Holger Jahn and Schwalbe’s Product
Manager Carsten Zahn will again take part. Holger Jahn:
“When, at the end of this long and arduous week, you
catch a glimpse of Lake Garda for the first time, you get a
sense of real joy, but tinged with some degree of sadness
because it is finally over.”
www.tourtransalp.de.
schwalbe profil 1 2011
months, together with the Leopard-Trek riders, he
will develop among other things a further tubular
tire. “We are focused on the trend towards using
wider rims, as well as meeting the team’s specific
request to also use various tire widths – originally
intended exclusively for the classic races – in all
the other road races”, reveals Lademann, himself a
cycling pro up until 2008.
“An ideal mix of speed,
puncture protection and grip”
“The Ultremo tires provide excellent protection
against road hazards while feeling super fast on the
road,” states Ricardo Scheidecker, the Leopard-Trek
Technical Manager: “This tire provides our riders
with an ideal mix of speed and puncture protection,
as well as exceptional grip that gives them lots of
confidence even when negotiating difficult alpine
descents and sharp corners leading into a sprint.”
These features of the Ultremo HT (handmade tubular) can be attributed to the special construction: it
combines classical Italian manufacturing methods
with high-end materials such as the new RaceStar
triple compound. “This compound is presently the
benchmark in tire technology! No other bicycle tire
manufacturer can combine rubber mixtures in a
tire so purposefully in series production”, explains
Lademann. Schwalbe has become renowned for such
triple compounding, where only the combination of
mixtures can ensure the best performance. “It is our
aim to constantly improve our products,“ says Doris
Klytta. “In this respect the experience gained from
professional racing is invaluable to us. We believe
that in the Leopard-Trek Race Team we have found
the ideal partner.”
Sales
Schwalbe Asia: Individual
deliveries for OEM customers
3
Brand new and squeaky clean:
the logistics center prior to
commissioning in March.
This March Schwalbe opened a new logistics center in Indonesia: PT. Schwalbe Asia. Alongside
the headquarters in Reichshof-Wehnrath near Cologne (Germany) and the subsidiaries in the
Netherlands and Great Britain, it is the fourth worldwide logistics center. As a result, the lead
times for OEM customers have been significantly reduced.
The Far East region is the bicycle smithy for markets
throughout the entire world. All the major manufacturers and thousands of smaller bicycle and component suppliers largely produce in Taiwan and in other
states of the region.
“The delivery time of our tires for the local OEM
customers has now been reduced by several weeks”,
Nico Simons, OEM Sales Manager at the headquarters in Germany is keen to emphasize. The reason
is that for the first time Schwalbe Asia will allow
despatch from stock in Asia whereas, previously
production was “on-demand”. This brings a range of
benefits to OEM customers who have their products
manufactured, or assembled in Southeast Asia. They
can be supplied in tune with their specific needs and
they no longer have to purchase the merchandise in
larger batch quantities. “Of course, the prerequisite
for this is a corresponding forecast,” Simons adds.
Schwalbe now supplies entirely individual quantities of individual items, also relatively smaller quantities of individual products and sizes. This was something of a problem, especially at the end of the season
when only smaller quantities were required. Moreover,
it is now possible to respond to subsequent orders
with much greater flexibility. In the new warehouse –
based on the forecast – a certain stock can always be
held ready. At the same time the customer has less
capital tied up in his own warehouse facility.
The new logistics center is located directly next
to the Schwalbe plant in Jakarta, Indonesia, a joint
venture between Schwalbe-Ralf Bohle GmbH and
manufacturing company Hung-A. Up until now tires
and tubes were sent to the logistics headquarters in
Reichshof-Wehnrath, or in direct containers to the
OEM customers.
What is remarkable is the equipping of the new
subsidiary PT. Schwalbe Asia to European standards.
Petrus J. Muda, General Manager of Schwalbe Asia.
The technology, electrics and EDP system were even
installed by German technicians – but without neglecting to consider the local peculiarities and country
specifics. For instance, an electricity supply independent of the power grid was set up in order to ensure
that stocking and destocking always runs smoothly
despite the occasional power failure. Bespoke software tracks inventory management and warehousing
of merchandise right across the globe. The route
taken by every single Marathon, or Evolution Line tire
is entirely traceable via barcode scanning and tracking. The equipping of the work-stations complies with
European standards as well.
“Schwalbe Asia opens up a host of opportunities
for the Asian and global market,” says Frank Bohle,
Managing Director of Ralf Bohle GmbH, Germany.
“We can now meet our customers’ sport article
needs more quickly and with greater flexibility. We
are thus able to stay abreast of the international
trend: more and more people are taking to their
bikes throughout the world – and we wish to play an
active part in promoting this positive development.“
The new logistics center is located
directly next to the Schwalbe production
facility in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The building, working areas
and the IT system comply with
European standards.
schwalbe profil 1 2011
4
COMPANY
Marathon – 25 years the
for quality bikes
In 1985 the Marathon perfectly captured the spirit of the Germany environmental movement
at the time. Everyday cyclists, touring cyclists and the specialized trade were overjoyed that
they had a top quality bicycle tire suitable for everyday use. With it as a symbol – including its
characteristic white billboard letters – the alternative bicycle scene was transformed into the
self-confident branch it is today.
Top Wolfgang Reiche in
1985 on his return to
Bremen. 2nd from top
VSF shop in the mid
1980s. Bottom Ulrike
Saade in the bike
shop’s office in former
West Berlin.
schwalbe profil 1 2011
It was the year Mikhail Gorbachov took office and
of Boris Becker’s Wimbledon victory. And the Live
Aid concerts in both London and New York had
millions of people world-wide in front of their TVs.
Simple Minds “Don’t You”, Murray Head’s “One
Night in Bangkok” and Tears for Fears,
“Shout” were the sounds of the eighties. In
Germany the Green Party took their first
seats in parliament. In West Berlin, still
surrounded by the wall at that time, 40
bicycle dealers created the bicycle trade
organization VSF. And a new bicycle tire
came onto the market. With it – and
perhaps also a little by it – the bicycle
industry morphed itself.
“The Marathon was the first sign
of a new era in the bicycle culture of
Germany”, said Schwalbe Managing
Director, Frank Bohle. It was the
very first high-quality tire designed
for everyday life. And it was fitted on the first highquality everyday bikes. At the time there were quite
a few unflattering opinions circulating about the average bicycles, like “badly dressed Christmas tree” or
“factory-fresh garbage”. But from the mid-eighties
the bicycle gradually began to change from a poor
person’s vehicle into a valued transport medium.
The new attributes were high-quality, robustness,
longevity – characteristics which were formerly not
associated with bicycles. Germany’s then new bicycle
federations VSF and ADFC were at first derided. “My
father, Ralf Bohle, was the first‚ serious businessman to pay heed to these groups”, explained Frank
Bohle.
“The Marathon was in the right place at the
right time”, said Ulrike Saade, Managing Director
of events agency Velokonzept in Berlin. In 1985, together with 40 other enterprises we founded the
VSF which, in turn, grew out of the first German, cooperative bicycle shop, in, then, West Berlin, created
with 5 colleagues. “We created the enterprise out of
true environmental conviction, and sought an alternative to the gridlock of cars filling our cities. With
our long hair, Birkenstock sandals and overalls, and
bearded men, we were completely alternative. At the
bike shows we already knew at first glance, who suited us and there weren’t many. “However the main
problem was: It was unbelievably difficult to find
high-quality bikes and parts. We had to really search
for better products, importing bikes and components
from France and England.”
“And then somebody discovered this Schwalbe
Marathon”, recalled Ulrike Saade. “It solved our problems. Together with other VSF dealers we collectively placed huge orders and then piled them up in
our storerooms. And they always sold well. The customers were just happy to be able to get something
of high-quality, the price wasn’t a factor.”
The everyday bike became attractive
The VSF played a special role in the success story
of the long-distance tire. Back in 1985, today’s VSF
managing director, Albert Herresthal, headed up a
bicycle store: “Tire quality at that time was very poor,
there were few committed cyclists. However the VSF
led the vanguard of demands for quality and cyclists.
We urgently needed better products. We shouted long
and hard. But at the beginning only Bohle listened”.
Finally in 1987 the VSF created a factory, in
order to get high-quality bikes. The sales price was
twice as high as the average price at that time and
in the industry it was laughed at. But the quality
bicycle was born! In the first few years VSF bikes
were exclusively fitted with Marathon. It was the
first high-quality component on the bike. Herresthal:
“The Marathon embodied the fact that tire technology was altogether improved, because, before it
came on the scene, there was simply rubber on a
carcass. Schwalbe enhanced tire technology, refined
the carcass and rubber compound, and coordinated
everything more fastidiously.
So, together the VSF and Schwalbe made everyday cycling more attractive. The Marathon was an
economic success for both sides – and for just this,
there can be a little, mutual satisfaction. The tire
supports the specialized trade with its good margin
and today it does not have to be explained to consumers, as it is asked for by name. “My father decided from the outset: That it should be sold only in
specialist shops and nowhere else”, stressed Frank
Bohle. “The Marathon reflects the emancipation of
the bicycle industry. At first disparaged, we remain
steadfast and today, like the whole industry, we are
in good shape.”
COMPANY
ambassador
Made the Marathon go
“green”: Schwalbe‘s Product
Manager René Marks (left)
and Carsten Zahn.
“Green” Marathon wins Gold
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Schwalbe presented the fifth generation of the long-distance runner Marathon. The new features include a new
profile design, innovative rubber mixture and a protection belt, from which
‚Spezial‘, reads the first Marathon incarnation, as seen on Wolfgang Reiche‘s
bicycle with which he journeyed 73,000
kilometers.
one third is made up of recycled material. In addition, it is E-Bike-ready. For
But at the beginning of the eighties how did
Bohle happen on the idea of developing a quality tire,
which exactly coincided with the development of a
bike culture? That had something to do with a really
special round-the-world traveler.
The Marathon was the only tire among this years’
awarded novelties. The expert jury explained: “A genuine classic, which for 25 years has ranked among
the most lasting products – now already in its fifth
generation. It stands for innovation and longevity and
is now even E-Bike ready. Faster one than enterprise cannot react to needs.” For the Gold awards, the
specialist jury selected the twelve most innovative
products from more than 550 submitted products in
the year.
With its new compound and special anti-aging
sidewall, the Marathon is again made even more durable. The completely redesigned sidewall can withstand considerably longer the typical effects of overloading due to insufficient inflation pressure. Also the
new Endurance compound adds to its durability.
Its additional plus is the “green” aspect: The
three millimeter thick GreenGuard protection belt
provides exceptional defense against punctures. And
it has further ‘green’ credentials. Its rubber layer is
made up by one-third of recycled latex products.
Along with improved puncture protection and higher
durability the new Marathon is also E-bike ready. In
the most popular sizes it carries the European ECER75 accreditation and is therefore also suitable for
faster E-Bikes up to 50 km/h.
Globetrotting tire tester
In February 1981, six months before his planned trip
around the world, Wolfgang Reiche from Bremen
(Germany) wrote to 80 manufacturers of bikes and
components for assistance. Five businesses replied,
among them the only tire manufacturers – Bohle.
Schwalbe sales manager at that time, Hermann
Marx, simply sent him a pair of tires. And in this
way Reiche became the busiest tire tester of the
age. He journeyed for four years, 73,005 kilometers
once around the world. With utmost care the professional schoolmaster started each day with a tire
diary, sent back tire samples and sketched diagrams
reflecting the lifespan of each individual tire. He has
the original samples even to this day. On the basis
of his reports a completely new tire was developed.
Bohle sent, ‘poste restante’, ever refined prototypes
to some of the most remote corners of the world. In
September 1983 while on Bali, Reiche received the
first tire named ‘Marathon’. Suddenly the tire life
durability extended and the final pair of tires lasted
15,530 kilometers from Katmandu to the Schwalbe
HQ, at that time in Bergneustadt, where the whole
company turned out to welcome Reiche. Today the 63
year old works with the cyclist federation, ADFC, and
is responsible for beds & bikes, trains bicycle tour
leaders and is a cycle travel guide. He is still a convinced Marathon fan. How does he feel about “his”
tires? In reply, he says he feels “a little bit jointly
responsible”.
all this, the Marathon received the Eurobike Gold award in Friedrichshafen
(Germany), the highest honor from the world’s leading bike industry show.
The new sustainable Marathon
rounds off the Schwinn Vestige.
The bike is built from natural
biodegradable flax fibers.
Greenbelt meets Bio-Bike
A bicycle, that likewise stresses the sustainability, is
the new Schwinn Vestige (see photo), also awarded
with Gold. It is made from flax fibers, which are one
hundred percent degradable. The paint is waterbased, fenders and hand grips are made of bamboo
wood. Frank Bohle, Managing Director of Schwalbe in
Germany, stated: “The Schwinn Vestige is an extremely worthy ambassador for the new generation of
the most renowned Schwalbe tire!”
One third of the protection
belt is made from recycled
material.
schwalbe profil 1 2011
5
6
NEWS
Technology
Racing Ralph HT
Particularly for Cyclo-cross competition the Racing Ralph is now available
in a tubular tire variant – Racing Ralph
HT (“Handmade
Tubular”) with Triple
Compound and latex
tube (size 28 x 1.25).
Also a new 26 inch
version of the tubular
is available for mountain bikers the Racing
Ralph HT in size 26
x 2.00.
Turbo-training tire
The Insider was developed specially for
training on rollers. On home-trainers
the load is particularly high, because the
whole load of the braking roller is concentrated on a small area consequently
heating up the tire. Tread separation is
the likely result. The Insider’s special
‘Roller’ compound generates less
internal friction, does not
warm up as much and
withstands the intense point loading
caused by turbo-trainers
particularly well.
Schwalbe is Tubeless ready
Schwalbe’s MTB Evolution tires are now Tubeless ready: They can be converted into a tubeless tire by the addition of a latex based puncture sealant liquid (“latex milk”), or used quite
normally by inserting an inner tube.
“Tubeless ready” has all the advantages of tubeless
riding, but avoids the disadvantages of high weight
in the UST tubeless system. A precondition is an airtight Tubeless wheel. “More and more Marathon and
XC competition riders use Tubeless ready systems”,
explains Schwalbe technician, Markus Hachmeyer.
Excluded from Tubeless ready are the Freeride and
Downhill tires, as well as Smart Sam.
In order to make the tires “Tubeless ready”,
Schwalbe reduced the inside diameter slightly, thus
the tire sits more firmly on the rim. The bead received a strengthened rubberizing and has more contact
area with the rim making it already sealed without
the use of a sealing fluid. Latex liquid is nevertheless
necessary, because air can still escape from the
lightly rubberized carcass.
Prepared with a sealing fluid, for instance Doc
Blue, the tires can be ridden completely tubeless
– with all advantages of the system, in particular
1
3
There are performance gains likewise: Tires
prepared with sealing liquid can be ridden at low
pressure, under two Bar. The tires are thus very supple, adapt perfectly to the terrain and offer optimal
grip in any situation, with the danger of a puncture
remaining low as a result. Also, since no tube is
required, the rolling resistance is around 15 per cent
lower. And without a tube there can be naturally no
valve tear-off caused by tire creep. An additional
benefit is its lightness: TL-ready tires are about
five grams heavier than their predecessors and in
addition 50 milliliters of liquid per tire is required.
However they still weigh approximately 200 gram
less than a Tubeless-tire. Therefore there is an overall weight saving of 300 grams in the rotary mass,
which clearly improves the bike’s agility.
For whom then is the still classic Tubeless system suitable? “For all riders, who want an all-round
carefree package and for whom the higher weight
4
A World First: Sportsman
The Sportsman from Schwalbe is the
first dual compound sports touring scooter tire. “The Sportsman makes scooter
riding that much safer“, says Schwalbe’s
Product Manager Marcus Lambertz.
Schwalbe designed the tire in size 3.5010 for classic scooters – such as the
Lambretta and Vespa – models that are
extremely popular especially
in the UK. But this allrounder is suitable for
any scooter using this
particular size wheel.
Sportsman is approved
for use up to 150 km/h
and can be purchased
from specialist dealers
from mid 2011.
schwalbe profil 1 2011
2
Fitting without a tube: Coat both tire beads with an assembly liquid (Schwalbe Easy Fit) ( 1 ) and fit as usual.
But: Before fitting the second bead, fill with fluid ( 2 ), best posi­tion is opposite the valve. Continue assembly,
finishing at the valve! First inflate rapidly to a high pressure ( 3 ) (Track pump or compressor). After inflation:
Rotate and shake the wheel in all directions to ensure the sealing liquid is well distributed everywhere inside
the tire ( 4 ). It is normal to begin with air and sealing fluid will escape down the sidewall. Inflate again and
repeat shaking the wheel until the wheel seals permanently. ( 3 + 4 ) For a puncture out on the road: Fit a
spare tube remembering to clean out the sealing fluid and removing the tubeless valve.
puncture protection. Punctures caused by embedded
stones or thorns lose their dread, because latex fluid
is evenly distributed around the tire’s inside through
the rotation of the wheel when riding and thereby
reliably seals any small holes. Nevertheless if too
large a hole develops while riding, a tube can be
inserted.
is no concern. Because handling the sealing liquid
naturally has its downside”, describes the tire technician. In riding performance converting to Tubeless
only brings advantages. However conversion, and/or
fitting is not for everyone, even though the TL-ready
tire is clearly lighter. Here the specialist dealer has
an opportunity to not only sell, but also to install the
system too.
NEWS
Fabian Cancellara takes his first victory for
Leopard-Trek.
Team Leopard-Trek
display excellent early form
(Italy) The new Leopard-Trek racing team has shown
its early season form in the spring classic races.
Riding on Schwalbe Ultremo HT, four times World
Time Trial Champion Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland)
rocketed to an early lead in the final stage of TirrenoAdriatico. Setting a blistering, pace-setting time of
10 mins. 33 secs. over 9.3 kilometers, Cancellara
took a nine second lead in the San Benedetto del
Tronto individual time trial. Only one week later he
rode to his second victory in the Belgian Grand Prix
in Harlebeke (Luxembourg) and showed his early
season class with a stage win and overall ranking
in the French Criterium International. The team’s
outstanding early form points towards their potential
successful performance in the forthcoming, prestigious international races. Schwalbe began sponsoring the new ProTour-Team Leopard-Trek, based
in Luxembourg, at the beginning of 2011 (more on
page 1).
Three Awards for new Marathon
(Germany) The new Schwalbe Marathon with GreenGuard is not only durable and long-lasting, but also
stylish: Marked by three equivalent, internationally
important honors. In one of the most renowned product competitions, the “Red Dot” design award, the
jury in Essen awarded the Marathon a “Red Dot” for
its high quality design. Also the International Design
Forum (iF) in Hanover honoured the bicycle tire with
its GreenGuard, which consists of one-third recycled
latex. Beforehand Schwalbe’s long distance tire had
already received the Gold Award from the bicycle
industry’s world show, Eurobike, Friedrichshafen
(see pages 4 and 5). The three prizes are proof that
Schwalbe had succeeded in the construction its 25th
anniversary edition and 5th generation Marathon.
Added Schwalbe CEO, Frank Bohle: “Europe’s most
commonly sold bicycle tire has an enormous effect
on everyday cycling. The fact that the new Marathon
has also been honored for its attractive appearance
is additionally an extraordinary success for a tire.”
Schwalbe are new title
sponsor of British 4X series
(Great Britain) Schwalbe will be title sponsors of the
British 4X Series in 2011. At a meeting in Schwalbe
UK’s head office in Telford, Chris Roberts, British 4X
Series organizer, signed the contract with Schwalbe
UK’s Marketing Manager, Dave Taylor, that will see
the series become: ‘Schwalbe British 4X Series’. In
addition, Schwalbe also sponsors the Euro 4X-series!
The association was a logical step for Schwalbe who
have become known as one of the best 4X tire provider
in the World. In 2010, seven of the top
10 UCI riders were using Schwalbe.
Dave Taylor: “Schwalbe are incredibly
proud to be the title sponsor of the
National 4X Series 2011. We view
4X as one of the most exciting and
technically challenging MTB disciplines around. We’re looking forward
to exposing 4X to new audiences
and, with our range of 4X tires being
among the best in the business, we
hope to achieve big things this year for the 4X fans”.
facebook: www.facebook.com/british4x
Twitter: www.twitter.com/british4x
Start of the 2011 Schwalbe
British 4X series in
Leamington Spa.
Champagne Bikes
(France) Schwalbe Kid Plus is quite a versatile tire
that was originally developed for strollers, but it
has now also turned out to be useful on vineyard
tricycles. But not just in any vineyards, some of the
world’s most renowned: Vineyards that grow grapes
for the worlds’ most famous champagnes – located
in Champagne near Reims, some 150 kilometers
north-east of Paris. The vineyards belong to the MHCS
group (Moët Hennessy Champagne Services), part
of the famous Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy Group
(LVMH). Work in the vineyard is most
of the time less romantic than meticulous, and trikes have been used there
for almost 20 years as sustainable,
more productive, and easier form of
transport. The small, three-wheeled
vehicles are uncomplicated and pedal
propelled with a load capacity of up to
100 Kilograms. Invented specifically
for caring for the precious grapes
this truly unique trike is named the
‘Trivigne’. It has been developed for the
particular needs of the vintners; adjustable in height;
strong brakes and it includes storage for cutting tools.
450 Trivignes are used in the vineyards. And now
their small plastic wheels run on Kid Plus tires. “The
MHCS group originally found us through an internet
search for a tire manufacturer. In the past few years,
the only part of the Trivigne which they have changed
has been the tires”, explains Pierre Dubruc, Director
of Bohle France. “They replaced the former solid tires
with Schwalbe Kid Plus, for better comfort and performance.”
PhotoS (2): MHCS
Photo: Foto-Roth
Schwalbe international
Unusual trikes in famous
vineyards run on Schwalbe
Kid Plus.
schwalbe profil 1 2011
7
8
Market
The nuns in Okolongo, Namibia, use
the Prana to help distribute food and
visit the sick.
Retrofitted with motor and basket: the
Prana can be converted into an EPAC.
Wheels for the world
Whether in Kenya, Albania, or the Australian Outback: the
“Prana” cargo bike can be found in the most unusual places
around the globe. Not just for fun, but for transporting bananas,
construction materials, firewood or livestock, not to mention
half the family as well! In other words, virtually anything and
anybody up to a maximum weight of 300 kg. This veritable workhorse among bicycles is also gaining in popularity in Europe.
Prana is an ancient Indian word that translates as “energy of
life” and a fitting name for a bicycle that is propelled by sheer
muscle power. But it gives energy back as well: where gas is
unavailable or too expensive, where no buses operate, this
small transporter can safeguard livelihoods and improve the
quality of life.
But the bright orange, or green painted Prana certainly
bears no resemblance to a beast of burden! “It’s so light and
manoeuvrable to ride that you barely notice you’re sitting on
a cargo bike as it is just 30 centimeters longer than a conventional bike”, comments special bike builder, Klaus Schröder
from Bergisch Gladbach (Germany). He attributes the smooth
riding characteristics to the new frame construction. The lon-
EVENTS
7.2. – 7.24.2011 8.31. – 9.3.2011 ger wheelbase and the side panniers set at axle height mean
the load is evenly distributed, making the Prana easy to control
even when heavily laden. The oversized tubing ensures excellent rigidity and offers a safe, predictable riding experience. Big
Apple tires take care of the suspension – their large volume
guarding well against punctures. However, at prices ranging
between 780 and 1,000 Euros depending on the equipment
level, it is unaffordable for people in developing countries.
That’s why Klaus Schröder collaborates with aid organizations
and sponsors.
Schwalbe donated three Prana bikes to a local organization in Kisumu, Kenya. The organization makes bikes available
specifically to people engaged in projects such as those involving the supply of water, or waste disposal.
Equally, from Norway to Greece, the USA and New Zealand, Pranas take care of all manner of transport needs: as a
bike for the whole household, for the school run, or for people
who are a little overweight. Moreover, by adding an electric
motor the cargo bike can be turned into a cargo EPAC.
Klaus Schröder: “It has taken us 25 years to reach our
goal. And to really accept the bicycle as a means of transport.
Why shouldn’t the same success be achieved in using the bicycle as a means of cargo transport?“ It is an independent means
of personal mobility, without any need for petrol, or reliance on
buses. All you need is “Prana”. Go to www.velonom.com
Tour de France
EUROBIKE Friedrichshafen (Germany)
Foto: Jeff Crow
Hardcore Sitting flash
Masthead
What 19 year old Aaron Fotheringham from Las Vegas can do
with his wheelchair is breathtaking and unique worldwide.
Zooming down steep ramps, jumping over obstacles, making
Backflips, Double-Backflips and Handplants. His latest trick is
a Frontflip, which he performed in the extreme-sports show
‘Nitro Circus’, that Aaron has starred in since 2010. What we’d
call unbelievable, Aaron calls “hardcore sitting”, a type of
sport invented by him that is comparable with BMX. The only
difference: Aaron’s signature weapon of choice is a wheelchair
with which his skill has made him famous. But his numerous
TV appearances in Germany, USA, Italy and France have made
him much more than just a sports personality. He has become
an international ambassador and symbol of courage for everyone. Schwalbe has sponsored this young American since 2007
and, with him, developed a sporty, everyday wheelchair tire,
the Airborne. www.aaronfotheringham.com
Editor: Ralf Bohle GmbH n Otto-Hahn-Str. 1 n 51580 Reichshof-Wehnrath n Germany n Tel. +49 (2265) 1090 n Fax +49 (2265) 7022 n E-Mail: [email protected] n Internet: www.schwalbe.com
Publisher: Vincentz Kundenmedien n Postfach 6247 n 30062 Hannover n Germany n Tel. +49 (511) 99 10-312 n Fax +49 (511) 99 10-309 Staff Editor: Claudia Müller n Layout: Angelika Jungvogel
Printing: BWH GmbH n © Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG
schwalbe profil 1 2011