.vsf t-400 rohloff

Produced by the VSF fahrradmanufaktur consortium in Germany, the T-400 Rohloff is their top-of-the-range trekking/expedition model. As can be expected of bikes of this standard produced on the Continent, it comes fitted as standard with all the equipment one could reasonably require.

In addition to the highly regarded Rohloff 14-gear Speedhub, it has a Schmidt SON hub dynamo and wired-in Busch and Muller LED lamps, both having the standlight facility. The front lamp is one of the few I have been able to see the road by. The T-400 also comes with a Tubus Locc rear rack, with the very neat touch of a built-in holder for Abus locks, Magura HS-33 hydraulic rim brakes, Satori-Up micro-adjust handlebar stem and a Brooks B17 saddle.

With all this equipment, it’s hardly surprising that the bike weighs-in at over 15kg. What’s considerably more surprising is that it costs, at current exchange rate against the Euro, only a little over £1,500. Of course there are other Rohloff equipped bikes on the market, such as the Cannondale Touring Rohloff at £2,349, but which doesn’t have the hub dynamo or B&M lights, or the Thorn Raven Tour, starting at £1,299, without the mudguards, rack, Brooks saddle, hub dynamo, lights, adjustable handlebar stem or hydraulic brakes, conservatively priced at an extra £500. Overall, the T-400 represents excellent value for money against its competitors.