Take an aluminium frame that is not too heavy and combine it with some of the best components and add-on parts on the market. With this simple but proven recipe, Bergwerk - a former cult mountain bike brand that is now owned by Müsing boss Ditmar Bayer - achieves a respectable test result. Heavy riders would like greater riding stability and the weld seams of the aluminium frame, painted in a pretty retro look, could be more delicate. However, any criticism is silenced when it comes to the equipment. The "Pax" is the only bike in the test field to offer a complete "Dura-Ace" groupset from Shimano, plus top tyres from Continental on sturdy Citec wheels and high-quality add-on parts from Ritchey. The frame geometry appeals to sporty to race-orientated riders.
Purchase/info: Bergwerk GmbH, phone 02680/989306,
Weight frame/fork/ headset bearing*: 1,336/558/94 g
Frame sizes**: 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle: 73.5°/73°
Seat/top/head tube: 560/560/165 mm
Wheelbase/ caster: 994/56 mm
Stack/reach***: 565/392 mm
EQUIPMENT
Fork: Columbus Tusk
Steering bearing: Acros, 1-1/8 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace (50/34 t.)
Wheels/tyres: Citec 3000/Continental GP 4000 S
Handlebar/stem: Ritchey WCS
Saddle/post: Fizik Arione CX/Ritchey WCS (27.2 mm)
*weighted weights; **manufacturer's specification; test frame size greased; ***stack/reach: projected vertical or horizontal dimension from centre of bottom bracket to top edge of headset cap
