Martin J’s Kettler Alu-Sportrad

Posted

Martin J in Regensburg, Germany sent us this all aluminum OTSG First, Kettler Alu-Sportrad Beta. I love all the decals proclaiming Positron PPS 10-Gang, it sounds so impressive!

Hi,
Im submitting what I hope is an OTS first: a German Kettler Alu-Sportrad from the 1980s (presumably). I bought this bike last week as a replacement for my “beater” commuter-bike which was stolen some time ago. Kettler is a well-known German firm that makes lawnchairs, children’s tricycles and overpriced mediocre bicycles from aluminum. They’ve earned themselves a bad reputation in the 1970s and -80s for selling aluminum bicycle-frames that failed a lot. The problems have been solved of course and since it survived until now, I don’t expect this bike to fail.
It is equipped with the legendarily crappy Shimano Positron indexed 10 speed shifting (which nevertheless works quite nice on this bike) and features some oddities such as internal brake cable routing and tubular tires. (The tubulars might be the reason why I got it quite cheaply, since they are not the best choice for a commuter-bike. I decided to take the risk of having to learn how to glue tires nevertheless.) Brakes are Altenburger (= Weinmann) center-pulls, cranks and hubs are labeled Shimano but lack any further information. Since I took the pictures, I treated it to a new chain, half-clip pedals and some lubricant.
Thank you for keeping up the great work on this wonderful site, which provides a unique platform for the lovers of cool and decidedly un-cool old bicycles.
Greetings, Martin from Regensburg (Germany)

Thanks Martin

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  • http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com Hugh

    German engineered frames that fail? That surprises me.
    I always think of German-Engineering as being “As Good As It Gets” I think this is some kind of propaganda! I refuse to accept this! (:

  • laverack

    Truly Space-Aged. I really like those handlebars. Any brand/model name on them? They look like they are moustachioed without the drop, but not 3 speed style risers. Sure would like a set like that. Again, interesting ride!

  • M.Trpp