Manon: We're here in Berlin. Hank: We're going to show you guys the coolest
bike shop. It's got a bike shop, workshop, cafe, vintage-
Manon: You could just show them. Hank: Let's go.
[Music] This unique bike shop is full of awesome bikes,
coffee and kit, but before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's learn a bit more about
the history of this shop from one of their longtime mechanics, Arne.
Arne: Steel Vintage Bikes started in Berlin as an online bicycle shop specifically for
vintage racing bikes. In the beginning, it was quite a humble small shop with few people
working there. We also had a small workshop and it grew a little larger and became more
successful, so we rented an extra room and decided to open a small cafe because everybody
knows coffee and bikes go well together. After that, we became so successful that we had
to rent much larger facilities and went to a different district of Berlin, this is now
a Mitte. As you can see, it's already crammed. We even opened a second shop now in Berlin
to cope with the demand. [Music]
Since we come from a background where we are specifically dealing with special types of
bikes and people who are interested in a specific field of cycling, we're now opening up to
a wider community. We like to interest more people not only in vintage bicycles but also
in modern cycling, modern cycling gear, a bit of the cycling lifestyle generally.
Hank: You've got an array of different cycling fashion here. You've got retro, you've got
colorful, you've got loads of casquettes. Hey, you stole my outfit.
[Music]. Arne: We send bikes really all over the world.
From Alaska to Tasmania, we've sent them everywhere. Of course, most of the bikes are sold in Europe
but probably 50% go overseas. Manon: Check this out. This is a 1990s Denti
Spider Speed prototype. Look at that suspension, actually looks quite comfortable and a bit
of [unintelligible 00:02:51] as well. This is made out of tires, inner tubes and handlebar
tape. You've seen the cafe and you've seen the shop. Now, we're going to take a look
behind the scenes of the workshop, where not many people get to go, follow me.
Hank: This hidden-away part of the bike shop is where the true heroes are kept. The bikes
that are brought through the store are vetted for their authenticity and restored to their
former glory days with the appropriate bike parts to their era. All with the intent to
ensure they can be ridden like they were brand new.
Manon: First of all, this workshop is immaculate. I guess it has to be working on vintage bikes.
They've got everything they need to restore and refurbish the bikes here, as you can see
all the group sets and handlebars on the walls. This is a Francesco Moser frame and it's actually
the same frame design as what he broke the world hour-record attempt on in 1984 in Mexico
City. It was so popular, they put the bike into production and I can see why. It is a
super cool looking bike. I wonder where Hank is.
Hank: Here I am, I found myself in the mix of 200 vintage bikes. They've got bikes ranging
from the 30s, 60s, 70s, 80s. You name it, they've got it here right. I guess it's time
that I show you some of the special ones. Which one should I pick? Check this out. This
is the Mexico TT bike, the same bike the Russians used back in the Moscow Olympics. The interesting
thing about this bike is the tubing. It's ridiculously thin, not much wider than my
thumb, in fact. Colnago gone proper aerodynamic using that thin tubing, oval tubing down on
the forks there. They've also put the brakes behind the front
forks so you've got integrated brakes as it were. Beautiful bike, I have to say. It's
also got a filed seat post. Everything for those aero gains. Super cool-looking bike.
Another bike I found here is this Cinelli track bike back from 1960s. This is a perfect
example of the refurbishments they've done here. It's been re-chromed, repainted, and
you've also got an original Cinelli saddle there, leather in perfect condition. If you
ask me, this deserves to be in a museum. It is absolutely perfect.
This is the Colnago C35 Ferrari Classic Bicycle. A bike that, I think you would agree, really
catches your eye. The lines, the colors, and everything about it make it an incredibly
cool-looking bike. This bike was designed in collaboration with famous Italian brands
like Ferrari and Campanoglo back in the 1980s. Campagnolo also decided to create a fully
gold-plated C-record groupset with Cobalto breaks. Literally, no expense was spared in
the creation of this truly iconic bike. Another bike that really grabbed my attention
is this, Eddy Merckx's Team Molteni bike built by Ugo De Rosa. It was the actual bike he
rode back in 1975 at the Tour De France. You can understand why Steel Vintage Bikes are
so proud to count this piece of history in their collection. Now, another bike that has
really caught my eye is this one, Gianni Motta's Personal 2001 R Brevettato. Gianni Motta,
if you aren't aware, is one of the greatest cyclists back in the 60s and 70s.
The one you're looking at here is one of the rarest of all Gianni's bikes. Stiffness was
a key part to this frame and so there's a few things that he did to help stiffen it
up. The bottom bracket shell has got two long extra fins. The fork crown was specifically
designed to reinforce the fork. The rear dropouts were soldered over the rear stays instead
of into them to improve the stiffness. All wrapped up in a classic pursuit frame of this
era. The groupset is Campagnolo Croce d'Aune with Delta brakes. Wheels are superb Ambrosio
disc wheels with Campagnolo C-Record hubs. Then, to top it all of, it was painted in
fluorescent glow-in-the-dark paint in the Italian classic colors.
Arne: To be honest, what I like most about my work is when I can get hands-on with the
bikes because that is a work that really gives something back. You work on it and in the
end, when you leave in the evening and you switch off the lights, you can have a last
glimpse on the bike that you just finished that is so good.
Hank: Now that was a cool shop. Manon: It's been amazing visiting Vintage
Steel Bikes here in Berlin. If you're ever in the area, make sure to check them out as
you won't get disappointed. Hank: They've got really good coffee, too.
Manon: You got yourself a nice little casquette there, too.
Hank: Yes, I've got myself a little souvenir. Manon: Nice.
Hank: All right, what's next? Manon: More bikes, I guess?
Hank: Yes. [00:08:05] [END OF AUDIO]