In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
Steel is often associated with prejudices such as softness, heaviness and inertia. However, the VSF set, consisting of a steel frame and an aluminium fork, does not perform much worse in terms of weight than the aluminium Koga or carbon Megamo. It is by no means flabby - the stiffness measurements at the bottom bracket are on a par with test winners and were also confirmed during test rides!
VSF Fahrradmanufaktur GX-500: Pleasant seating comfort
The comfort while sitting was even more pleasant than that of competitors with similar values, which can be attributed to the choice of tyres and the handlebars that fit well in the hand. Both components are excellent for long tours that are not too wild.
The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur GX-500 is a rare case where the gears work well despite a single-speed crank. Weighing in at 11 kilograms, this bike is not designed to achieve best times or tackle steep climbs. The twelve gears are adequate, although the competition from Bergamont and Koga is more variable. However, the GX 500 has the advantage of being equipped with newer braking technology.
Incidentally, deficits in terms of manoeuvrability and speed are less due to the wheelbase or the slackest angle from the bottom bracket to the centre of the saddle, but rather to the weight of the tyres and the frame. When riding, you sit well behind the bottom bracket and not so close to the handlebars. It's a little reminiscent of the days when people rode randonneurs instead of gravel bikes. The outer cables are not particularly elegant and harder to keep clean, but maintenance and tuning are child's play. Everything is prepared right down to the lamp cable.
Between dramatically curved frames made of massive spars, the slim VSF with its thick tyres stands out refreshingly. This exotic bike has everything you need for riding and travelling, and "flat" is even sporty.
More gravel bikes from the test
The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur GX-500 in detail
- Price: 2399 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 11.67 kilos
- Frame sizes: 48 / 51 / 54 / 57 / 60 cm (test size greased)
- Note: 2,8
Features of the VSF Fahrradmanufaktur GX-500
- Brakes: SRAM Apex (160/160 mm) | Photo: 1.5
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Apex (1x12; 40, 11-44 t.) | Photo: 3.0
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R / 45-622 (eff.: 42.5 mm) | Photo: 1.0
- Impellers: KT 19C aluminium rims, DP 19 hubs
- Impeller weights: 1929 / 2469 grams (front/rear)
Geometry of the gravel bike
- Seat/top/head tube: 504 / 575 / 155.5 millimetres
- Wheelbase/caster: 1055 / 85.4 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 587 / 375 millimetres / 1.5653
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 662 / 562 millimetres / 1.1779
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: durable steel frame, many colours available, new 12-speed Apex
- Minus: Trains difficult to clean on the outside, heavy, sluggish tyres
