A person is lying relaxed on the ground of a parking lot next to a bicycle, which is also on the ground, between two parked cars.

Vortrieb Modell 1.2 - Your very own transport revolution

The city bike for urban commuting - and for whatever you make of it! Leave the car behind and experience more freedom with the Vortrieb Modell 1.2.

Who hasn't experienced it? Traffic jams, frustrated drivers, aggressive behavior - stress right from the early morning. Will you make it to work on time today? Your pulse might already be racing before you’ve even sat down at work. Long faces at the gas station as fuel prices are far from relaxing. A quick look into cars reveals: Most people are sitting alone behind the wheel. Better not ask about efficiency and sustainability. Out of the car, into the office — and sitting again.

“I’d really like to move more, but I just don't have the time.” Long story short Ready for tours and still sporty! Easy-care and Uncomplicated The Vortrieb Modell 1.2 Features in detail: Full steam ahead, but please comfortably! Models for men and women, or: For small or tall riders

Rides: Downhill, Enduro, Road
Bikes: Santa Cruz Megatower, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Focus Atlas, Surly Krampus, Surly Cross Check

Two people are riding bicycles on a bike lane in a city street, while cars are stuck in traffic next to them. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.

While cars are stuck in traffic, cyclists move forward relaxed and quickly – the transport revolution in action! © bc GmbH

“I’d really like to move more, but I just don't have the time.”

How often have we heard that statement? Admittedly, not everyone can do without a car or a motorized two-wheeler. If your workplace is far and poorly accessible by public transport, you hardly have a choice. However, for many, the bicycle would be a much better alternative: It’s cheaper, more environmentally friendly, healthier, less stressful, and in many cases even faster than the car. In our city of Aachen, for instance, a highway bridge was recently demolished due to structural weaknesses and is currently being rebuilt. This means the main traffic artery is gone. You can probably imagine what’s been happening on the roads in Aachen's outer areas since then. At the same time, something is happening with the infrastructure: Safely constructed bike paths, long-distance bike routes, and bike streets, where bicycles have priority over cars, are becoming more common. Admirable!

A person carries a bicycle up a staircase in front of a building with flowers and a charming surroundings.

A person stands with a bicycle on a cobblestone street in front of a building in a city, surrounded by historic architecture.

Cycling through the city with ease: A sustainable alternative that saves time, money, and stress.

A person rides a bicycle on a bridge over a highway where cars are stuck in traffic, with green hills and trees in the background.

Above the traffic jam: Enjoy freedom with a bicycle! © bc GmbH

Long story short: Urban bikes rule!

A city bike is needed. Of course, not just any bike, that’s clear. It must have all the features you need for commuting to work and for daily rides: Mudguards for when it rains, a rack for work equipment or shopping, permanent lighting without the annoyance of charging batteries, and a stand if there’s no proper place to park. Naturally, the city speedster must be low-maintenance, because if you ride a lot, you don’t want a bike that needs a lot of care.

Ready for tours and still sporty!

The fact that this "full equipment" on a city bike doesn’t have to look old-fashioned and unsporty like many touring bikes proves our Propulsion Model 1.2: The snug, high-quality aluminum mudguards from Hebie are barely noticeable and have an integrated rack system that's as inconspicuous as possible and with a permissible total load of 16 kg is more than sufficient for most uses. The days of the dreadful spring clamp are over - your gear certainly goes into a secure, tidy, and waterproof pannier. The lighting, of course, is autonomously powered by an integrated Shimano hub dynamo in the front wheel, is also integrated into the mudguards, and therefore doesn’t need to be unsightly bolted onto the frame and fork. For safety in traffic and on forest paths, our city bike is equipped with a powerful, hydraulic disc brake from Shimano, which, unlike traditional rim brakes, maintains nearly 100% of its performance even in wet conditions and doesn’t wear down the aluminum rims.

A person rides a bicycle on a paved bike path in an urban setting, surrounded by trees and a relaxed atmosphere, while another person goes in the background.

Ride through the city with ease on a low-maintenance urban bike.

Easy-care and Uncomplicated

To minimize maintenance, we opted for a Shimano Alfine hub gear with 8 speeds, which, as a gear hub, doesn’t require external mechanisms and thus is much less susceptible and more maintenance-friendly than a traditional chain gear system. Basically, all you need to do is oil the chain - that’s pretty much all there is to regular maintenance. And so that the chain doesn’t leave oil on your pants, the Shimano Alfine crank is equipped with a trouser guard ring. This is how we managed to create a city bike that brings all the features of a trekking bike without looking unsporty.

The Vortrieb Modell 1.2 Features in detail:

Integrated Dynamo Headlight Hub dynamo front light by busch+müller

Frame Features More standover height, compact main frame, smooth welds, seamlessly integrated fork

Well-Thought-Out Ergonomics Sporty and comfortable

Drivetrain Quiet, reliable, low maintenance. Complete Shimano system with Alfine internal gear hub.

Rear Light with Integrated Reflector Hub dynamo rear light by Herrmans

Integrated Dynamo Headlight Hub dynamo front light by busch+müller

Frame Features More standover height, compact main frame, smooth welds, seamlessly integrated fork

Well-Thought-Out Ergonomics Sporty and comfortable

Drivetrain Quiet, reliable, low maintenance. Complete Shimano system with Alfine internal gear hub.

Rear Light with Integrated Reflector Hub dynamo rear light by Herrmans

Full steam ahead, but please comfortably!

The riding characteristics are accentuated by the sporty yet simple design: The Vortrieb Model 1.2 moves efficiently and lively. The light and stiff aluminum frame doesn't waste any energy, and the Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tires roll quickly and quietly, but with their 37 mm width, they still offer the necessary comfort for cobblestones and bumpy forest paths. Forgot to shift to a lighter gear before the red light? No problem: The Shimano Alfine hub gear shifts even when stationary, without you having to pedal. In the frame design, we've paid great attention to creating a geometry that supports sporty-active riding without being exhausting and uncomfortable, as the riding position, similar to a touring bike, is relatively upright. The slightly rearward-angled handlebar and the ergonomic grips support a neck-friendly posture without tension.

A person locks a bicycle with a pannier bag to a bike rack in an urban setting, next to a parked car and a building with ivy.

Sporty and comfortable on the go: The Vortrieb Model 1.2 with a practical pannier bag – perfect for urban daily life without compromising on style and comfort!

Models for men and women, or: For small or tall riders

The top tube slopes backward, making it easier to get on and off. Besides the men's model, we naturally also have a women's model, which comes with a significantly lower top tube. However, there's no reason for taller riders not to also ride the men's model. And why shouldn't a shorter man be able to ride the women's model if it makes it easier for him to swing his legs over? Down with stereotypes and equal rights for all! To ensure all types of riders find their right size, we offer a total of 6 frame sizes from XS to XXL.

A woman rides a bicycle with a pannier bag on a road, surrounded by a green, rural environment with trees and hills in the background.

For all rider types: The Vortrieb Model in six frame sizes

A man rides a bicycle dynamically through an urban environment, with a focus on the front wheel, while buildings and trees are blurred in the background.

– whether women’s or men’s model, everyone finds the perfect fit here!

Flexible on the go: Experience new freedom with the Vortrieb Model 1.2!

We're eager to hear which arguments against a bicycle remain, if you're not part of the group that has a longer commute. With the Vortrieb Model 1.2 city bike, the commute doesn't become a necessary evil but an active, sporty start to the day, bypassing the line of cars with their frustrated faces. Nice weather after work? Why not take an extra lap through the fields and meadows. Going out to the countryside with the family on the weekend? No problem: Just pack the picnic blanket and snacks into the panniers and hang them on the rack. Bad weather? With the money saved on fuel, you can buy high-performance cycling clothing, so rain doesn't matter either.

But we can talk all we want: How a bike can enrich and lighten up your everyday life is something you have to experience yourself. Experience your new freedom with the Vortrieb Model 1.2.

Need more advice on the bike? Of course, our customer service is available for further questions.