TX-1000
Origin
vsf fahrradmanufaktur has built bicycles by hand in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony since 1994, growing out of the German VSF (Verbund Service und Fahrrad) dealer cooperative founded in 1985 by independent bike shops who wanted durable, ecologically-minded touring bikes rather than mass-market throwaways. The TX ('T' for Trekking, 'X' for expedition) line became the manufaktur's flagship long-distance platform, and the TX-1000 has sat near the top of it for roughly two decades. It was conceived for the classic German ideal of the Weltreiserad — the round-the-world bike — where reliability and field-serviceability matter more than weight or speed. Over its life the TX-1000 migrated from chain drive and Magura HS33 rim brakes to a Gates CDX belt and Shimano XT hydraulic discs, but the constant has always been the hand-brazed CrMo steel frame and the Rohloff Speedhub 14-speed hub gear.
Specifications
- Frame
- Hand-built double-butted CrMo steel (25CrMo4), Diamant (diamond) or trapez frame, made in Oldenburg DE; 10-year frame warranty
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Rohloff Speedhub 500/14, 14-speed internal gear hub, 526% range, 13.6% even steps; Gates CDX Centertrack belt (modern) or chain (older builds)
- Brakes
- Shimano Deore XT BR-M8100 hydraulic disc, 203 mm rotors front & rear (modern); older builds: Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes with brake booster
- Wheels
- SON 28 dynamo front hub (12x100 mm), Rohloff rear; 27.5" (584) on modern belt build, 28"/700c (622) on classic build
The verdict
- Rohloff + belt (or enclosed chain) drivetrain is near-maintenance-free and extremely long-lived — ideal for heavy loaded touring and all-weather use.
- Hand-built CrMo steel frame with 10-year warranty and high system-weight limit — comfortable, tough, and repairable anywhere in the world.
- Fully equipped out of the box: dynamo lights, Tubus steel racks, mudguards, quality Schwalbe touring tyres — nothing to add before a trip.
- Heavy (~17 kg) and not fast — this is a load-hauler, not a quick fitness or road bike.
- Expensive new (~4,800 euros for the Rohloff/Gates build); the value is in longevity, not sticker price.
- Rohloff hubs have a characteristic gear noise/whir (loudest in gears 7-8) and a slightly notchy shift; the classic Chainglider chain guard can rattle.
Generations
Classic era (mid-2000s to ~2019)
- Chain-driven, rim-braked Weltreiserad; ~15-17 kg; cheaper used, simpler roadside repair but rims wear and chain/Chainglider needs care.
- Wheels
- 28"/700c
- Frame
- CrMo steel
- Brakes
- Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes
Modern era (~2020 onward)
- Belt + disc + SON dynamo + Supernova lights; lowest maintenance, best wet-weather braking; ~4,800 euros new.
- Wheels
- 27.5" (584)
- Frame
- CrMo steel
- Brakes
- Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc, 203 mm
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | CurrentTX-1000 Rohloff / Gates / Disc (27.5", current) | TX-1000 Rohloff / Gates / Disc (2022-2023) | TX-1000 Rohloff / Chain / Rim-brake (28", classic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2024 | 2022 | 2018 |
| Frame | CrMo steel 25CrMo4, Diamant 27.5" | CrMo steel 25CrMo4, Diamant 27.5" | CrMo steel 25CrMo4, Diamant 28"/700c |
| Drivetrain | Rohloff 14-speed + Gates CDX belt | Rohloff 14-speed + Gates CDX belt | Rohloff 14-speed + chain (Lasco 42T) |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore XT M8100 hydraulic disc, 203 mm | Shimano XT hydraulic disc, 203 mm | Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes + brake booster |
| MSRP | €4,800 | €4,500 | €2,900 |
| Purpose | Flagship | Flagship | Value |
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