High-end road/touring bike shops in Munich

Hi guys,

Yes, I've used the search function of the forum, but I haven't found what I am looking for.
I've taken good notice of two threads in particular:
Munich Bike Shops, where to buy cheap/used bicyles
That doesn't do it for me, I'm looking for a quality/new bicycle.

And then, Mountain Bikes - Where to buy a good one
I'm not looking for a mountain bike, I'm rather looking for a road bike.

Actually, I'm looking for a Randonneur type of bicycle, to do some long distance cycling. I need something pretty close to a touring bike, but that would be light enough for some brevet/Audax.
I was in Radl Bauer yesterday, and they don't have a single touring bike with drop handlebars or the sort of geometry I'm looking for. They've got quite a few Koga Miyata high end touring bikes, but I don't like the flatbars nor the geometry, and they all weigh about a ton on top of that.

So does anyone know a shop serious about bicycle touring that would maybe do some professional fitting. To give you an idea of what type of bike I'm looking for: Fahrrad Manufaktur T-Randonneur, Patria Randonneur, Surly X-Check, Stevens Gran Turismo (though I would prefer a steel frame), etc...

I've already checked the websites of those companies for local dealers in Munich, but do you guys know a good shop where I could find this sort of bike?

Cheers!

Try these two 'ProRad' in Munich (it's where I got a replacement value on my Specialized Road bike) and
Alpha Bikes in the northern part of Munich (Freimann, Heidemannstrasse).

I haven't seen many steel frames or specific touring bikes in bike shops round here. You may find that you have to order what you are looking for.

I would start with RadlBauer, then there is also
Sigi Renz http://www.radsportsigirenz.de/htm/index.php?nav=about who have higher end bikes and kit.
If you want a Bianchi then the Bianchi shop http://www.bianchistore.de/ were very good with measuring me up for my bike.

One of my colleagues recommends these people: http://www.sport-altmann.de/index.html who sell Treks.

Good luck

Thanks for your suggestions guys, I'll check those out. Someone also recommended Bike Schmiede in Lehel by PM.
I'll probably visit quite a few in the next few weeks, I'll try to update my initial post if I find something good.

It's true there doesn't seem to be a lot of steel touring bikes out there with a classic sort of geometry. Even the brands that are widely distributed in Germany, like Trek or Bianchi, do not sell their touring bikes here. Try finding a Trek 520 or a Bianchi Volpe around here, they simply aren't sold, I wonder why...

Velo am Ostbahnhof carries Fahrradmanufaktur bikes, but I don't know exactly which models they have (or could order). They're where my husband got his touring bike.

Edit: for custom work, my husband suggests Extreme Bike, on Paul-Heyse-Str. He says that he doesn't know if they do the kind of thing you're looking for, but he knows that they do custom stuff, and a co-worker of his speaks highly of them.

Thanks a lot. I'll definitely go and check Velo am Ostbahnhof. According to their website they carry almost the complete range of Fahrrad Manufaktur bikes. I'll check if they can also order the ones they don't have.

Troy... the Fahradmanufactur bikes are some of the rare steel breed. Germans, for the most part stick to aluminum (my vote for worst bike material ever). If you're looking for a Surly LHT or something of the like, RadSport Roesch (around the corner from the KVR can order you about anything from Surly. I'm not sure what other touring frames that you might be interested in.

PM or email me for more info. if you want. I don't get on TT very often. A friend sent me to this thread.

Troy... the Fahrad Manufactur bikes are some of the rare steel breed and quite nicely built. Germans, for the most part stick to aluminum (my vote for worst bike material ever). If you're looking for a Surly LHT or Cross-Check or something of the like, RadSport Roesch (around the corner from the KVR can order you about anything from Surly. I'm not sure what other touring frames that you might be interested in.

It's possible you can order a frame or full bike from anywhere that sells parts via http://cosmicsports.de/start.htm as they're the German distributor for Surly. Also, the Specialized shop on Leopoldstrasse has a Karate Monkey in the window so I'm guessing that they may be able to get Surly stuff for you too.

PM or email me for more info. if you want. I don't get on TT very often. A friend sent me this thread.

Thanks wunnspeed! My list of shops to check out is growing longer and longer ;-) I'll send you a PM if I need more info.
I knew the VSF Manufaktur bikes before coming to Germany, they're a bit heavy for randonneuring/centuries/brevets, but they definitely are good value.

I've always had steel bikes, so I wouldn't really know what to expect from an aluminium frame. But I heard alu bikes are a lot stiffer and that wouldn't really suit my randonneuring/touring needs.

I first thought of building a rig from a Cross Check kit. That could make quite a lightweight steel bike for randonneuring, and still allow me to fit racks, fatter tyre and fenders for touring.
But it looks like there are other options out there.

As a sidenote, there is a Freizeit und Reise Messe going on at the moment. I know MTB Cycletech (a Swiss manufacturer of excellent MTB and touring bikes) is going to be there, and probably others too, so I'll try to go during the weekend.

TroyMcClure, I am a big fan! I remember you from such films as Jour de Fete, Breaking Away, American Flyers and Höllentour!
Honestly if I were you and I had the vacation, I would go home, get a bike there and ride it back! There is no better way to break a brand new Brooks Saddle in than like that! For me that was not an option so I brought my trekking bike back with me from the US. I got my panniers and rack bag here though.

Unfortunately I do not have any suggestions for a shop other than the ones mentioned. Good luck finding a shop!
David

High-end touring bike? THe Lauche and Maas Reiserad has to be the ultimate... Ok so you probably want drop bars but everything else is spot-on.

Zwicknagel-fahrraeder.de

P.S. Have you taken a look at the L'audax club parisien website (http://www.audax-club-parisien.com/) and seen if there are any hints about what they are using? My French is not good enough and it is too late for me to concentrate!

Hey davidfromttu, I'm glad you like my quality acting
I'm French, so I can read the Audax Club Parisien website just fine Actually, they don't really have good info on bikes. They've got some broad information about PBP and others brevets, but nothing about bikes.
It seems like you really know me because I do indeed have a brand new Brooks Team Professional just waiting to be broken in. But that one will go on my regular steel road bike (racing bike?) which I will definitely ride between France and Munich, but that is totally unadapted for audax/randonneuring/touring. The way I'll do it is I'll ride fast as far as I can everyday until I reach Munich and sleep in cheap hotels along the way. I need a new bike on which I can fit fenders, racks and lighting.

It's not that easy to find a randonneur bike back home in France. They used to be very popular in the 60s-80s, but now the aluminium trekking/crossbike/whatever-you-call-it bikes have taken over. I've done some research and it looks like a lot of the French riders who do brevets, or ride the PBP or Paris-Bordeaux have custom lightweight steel bikes built by very local frame builders. There's not many of those good frame builders, I'd rather go for something more generic. Plus they're usually very expensive (several thousand euros I heard), and it's too much money for TroyMcClure, let's face it, I've seen better days!
After having done a little more research, it looks like I would be able to get a Patria Randonneur or a Fahrrad Manufaktur T-900 R for under 2000 euros. Would be nice to have something a little lighter, but that is actually fine, it's not like I'm a pro racer.

lurch > Thanks for the info, Stephan Zwicknagel looks like he knows his stuff cold, I'll drop by his shop someday and see what he recommends.

Hey T McC - I didn't guess about where you are from, I looked that one up on the member profile. However, the Brooks saddle was a guess; it is what I have and seems to be great for long distances. The trip from France to hear sounds like fun. I took a short trip up to Passau last year with 2 full panniers and rack bag and a backpack all in the back. I had a tent and sleeping bag and cooking gear as well but ended up sleeping in a cheap hotel the 2nd night as I had to wait too long the for my tent to dry!
Good luck with putting the bike order together!
David

A trip to France does sound fun. A trip just about anywhere, long-distance, sounds great. I've been itching to do an Alpen Cross on my singlespeed. BIG-TIME!

Have fun.

Alpen cross would great for me too... Although I've been dreaming of touring in Romania, just about anywhere eastwards would be perfect.

Hi,
Please see my new web page: www.cosio-cycles.de
Or give me a call?
Regards Andy C.

For very expensive bikes try ProRad

You could also try Bittl Sports in Allach. They let you sign-up for a 15% discount Kundenkarte straight away too (at customer services). They do a lot of high-end road bikes, not certain about tourers.
http://www.bittl.de/service/katalog_bike.html

>Hi,
>Please see my new web page: www.cosio-cycles.de
>Or give me a call?
>Regards Andy C.

Looks like a really nice shop. It's also nice to know something about bikes in this town and didn't take the job because it's "just a job". It's pretty obvious after looking at your page and resume that you actually have a passion for bikes. I'd be curious to find out who your suppliers are (Cosmic, etc.) and whether you'd order parts for me. I'm a 29'er fanatic and the Germans almost refuse to order parts for me without looking at me like I'm nuts because I won't ride a 'drone-bike' (fully suspension, aluminum frame... blah, blah).

Anyway, sorry to hijack the thread. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

Give me a call when you have time, I work with Gary Fisher and the 29'er for many years with the Trek demo programs...And I can order what you need.
Or stop by when you have time? I start work on Mon. at 14:00 - 18:00.
Regards A.C.

Give me a call when you have time, I work with Gary Fisher and the 29'er for many years with the Trek demo programs...And I can order what you need.
Or stop by when you have time? I start work on Mon. at 14:00 - 18:00.
Regards A.C.

Up with the thread.
I met Andy (mucandres on the forum) in his shop yesterday. He's a very nice guy and he obviously knows his stuff cold. For me it was already worth going there just for a nice chat on bikes.
I told him what I was looking for, and hopefully he'll be able to offer me something custom that would suit my needs.