Dear Schwalbe Partner!

None of our company’s products better embodies the Schwalbe cor-porate spirit like the Marathon tire does. It stands for longevity, quality and innovation. But it’s even more than that: the Marathon symbolizes the emancipation of the bicycle industry in Germany and in many countries throughout the world. At first we were derided, but we persevered with determination and conviction and today, just like the industry itself, we can be proud of our solid market position. We are now launching the 5th generation of our long-distance runner – a wor-thy new edition, befitting our most important tire: innovative, sustain- able and more durable than ever before (page 4).

But it isn’t just the Marathon, but rather in general the demand for bicycles is growing. More bikes are being ridden in Germany, in Europe and in North America. By contrast, however, the focus of worldwide bicycle production lies in Asia. We opened a new logistics center in Indonesia in March, in order to shorten lead-times and support manufacturers producing there (page 3).

Yours sincerely,

Frank Bohle

PAGE 8PAGE 4

Wheels for the world: “Prana” cargo bikes can be found in the most unusual places right around the globe.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Mara- thon tire, Schwalbe is launching a new gene-ration.

“We are very pleased to be associated as suppliers with such a strong international team from the very outset“, says Doris Klytta, responsible for Schwalbe’s PR and sponsoring. Before the team was officially announced in January 2011, there had been six long months of careful rider and material selection. Luxemburg brothers Fränk and Andy Schleck as well

as World Time-Trial Champion, Fabian Cancellara, will lead the team, joined by German professional ri-ders Linus Gerdemann, Fabian Wegmann, Jens Voigt, and Robert Wagner. Co-sponsor is bicycle manu-facturer Trek, USA. The tire choice is Schwalbe.

The requirement of Leopard-Trek’s team managers was a tire partner interested in a par-

EDiTorial World Edition 1 i 2011 n May n 8th year

is a brand of Bohle

Faster delivery for oEMs: Schwalbe opens a new logistics center in indonesia.

PAGE 3

A surprisingly good combination: Leopard and Schwalbe Schwalbe is the tire sponsor of luxemburg’s newest race team leopard-Trek. The team

that world governing body UCi has straightaway ranked number one has ambitious goals:

“We want to win the 2011 tour”, says twice tour runner-up andy Schleck.

Aiming high: Andy Schleck (center) and Jens Voigt (right) from the Leopard-Trek Race Team.

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2 SALES

ticularly intensive collaboration. And it was precisely this point that swayed the decision in favor of the Schwalbe concept. The tire technicians work extre-mely closely with the riders, actively including them in their tire development programs. A further convin-cing part of the concept was Schwalbe Race Support. At major races and tours as well as on training runs Schwalbe’s Product Manager, Christian Lademann, is always in attendance. “We are presently accompa-nying the spring classic races. This is where the 25C version of our hand-made Ultremo HT tires is being put to the test,” reports Lademann. Over the coming

A surprisingly good combination: Leopard and Schwalbe

months, together with the Leopard-Trek riders, he will develop among other things a further tubular tire. “We are focused on the trend towards using wider rims, as well as meeting the team’s specific request to also use various tire widths – originally intended exclusively for the classic races – in all the other road races”, reveals Lademann, himself a cycling pro up until 2008.

“An ideal mix of speed,puncture protection and grip”

“The Ultremo tires provide excellent protection against road hazards while feeling super fast on the road,” states Ricardo Scheidecker, the Leopard-Trek Technical Manager: “This tire provides our riders with an ideal mix of speed and puncture protection, as well as exceptional grip that gives them lots of confidence even when negotiating difficult alpine descents and sharp corners leading into a sprint.” These features of the Ultremo HT (handmade tubu-lar) can be attributed to the special construction: it combines classical Italian manufacturing methods with high-end materials such as the new RaceStar triple compound. “This compound is presently the benchmark in tire technology! No other bicycle tire manufacturer can combine rubber mixtures in a tire so purposefully in series production”, explains Lademann. Schwalbe has become renowned for such triple compounding, where only the combination of mixtures can ensure the best performance. “It is our aim to constantly improve our products,“ says Doris Klytta. “In this respect the experience gained from professional racing is invaluable to us. We believe that in the Leopard-Trek Race Team we have found the ideal partner.”

The first win for the new Leopard-Trek Race Team: Dominic Klemme (24) was triumphant at the Le Samyn GP in Belgium.

Material experts gathered together: Christian Lademann (left), Schwalbe Race Support, and Jens Voigt.

Schwalbe-Tour-Transalp The most spectacular European stage race for amateur cyclists is now called the Schwalbe-

Tour-Transalp. “The Tour-Transalp, spread over seven days, is without doubt the most well

organized tour for amateur racers. We are extremely delighted to be able to support such a

unique and renowned stage-race with our brand”, says Holger Jahn, Schwalbe’s Technical

Director, who has already taken part in the race several times. “As a result, we can put the qua-

lity of our products to the test under the most extreme conditions and gear them directly to the

targeted application.” Running from 26 June to 2 July the Schwalbe-Tour-Transalp will again

attract around 1,300 racing enthusiasts to the Alps. The Tour, comprising seven daily stages,

starts at Sonthofen, Germany and will take the riders

through the Austrian and Italian Alps to Arco near Lake

Garda. This year Holger Jahn and Schwalbe’s Product

Manager Carsten Zahn will again take part. Holger Jahn:

“When, at the end of this long and arduous week, you

catch a glimpse of Lake Garda for the first time, you get a

sense of real joy, but tinged with some degree of sadness

because it is finally over.”

www.tourtransalp.de.

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Schwalbe Asia: Individual deliveries for OEM customers

The Far East region is the bicycle smithy for markets throughout the entire world. All the major manufac-turers and thousands of smaller bicycle and compo-nent suppliers largely produce in Taiwan and in other states of the region.

“The delivery time of our tires for the local OEM customers has now been reduced by several weeks”, Nico Simons, OEM Sales Manager at the headquar-ters in Germany is keen to emphasize. The reason is that for the first time Schwalbe Asia will allow despatch from stock in Asia whereas, previously production was “on-demand”. This brings a range of benefits to OEM customers who have their products manufactured, or assembled in Southeast Asia. They can be supplied in tune with their specific needs and they no longer have to purchase the merchandise in larger batch quantities. “Of course, the prerequisite for this is a corresponding forecast,” Simons adds.

Schwalbe now supplies entirely individual quan-tities of individual items, also relatively smaller quan-tities of individual products and sizes. This was some-thing of a problem, especially at the end of the season when only smaller quantities were required. Moreover, it is now possible to respond to subsequent orders with much greater flexibility. In the new warehouse – based on the forecast – a certain stock can always be held ready. At the same time the customer has less capital tied up in his own warehouse facility.

The new logistics center is located directly next to the Schwalbe plant in Jakarta, Indonesia, a joint venture between Schwalbe-Ralf Bohle GmbH and manufacturing company Hung-A. Up until now tires and tubes were sent to the logistics headquarters in Reichshof-Wehnrath, or in direct containers to the OEM customers.

What is remarkable is the equipping of the new subsidiary PT. Schwalbe Asia to European standards.

The technology, electrics and EDP system were even installed by German technicians – but without neg-lecting to consider the local peculiarities and country specifics. For instance, an electricity supply indepen-dent of the power grid was set up in order to ensure that stocking and destocking always runs smoothly despite the occasional power failure. Bespoke soft-ware tracks inventory management and warehousing of merchandise right across the globe. The route taken by every single Marathon, or Evolution Line tire is entirely traceable via barcode scanning and track- ing. The equipping of the work-stations complies with European standards as well.

“Schwalbe Asia opens up a host of opportunities for the Asian and global market,” says Frank Bohle, Managing Director of Ralf Bohle GmbH, Germany. “We can now meet our customers’ sport article needs more quickly and with greater flexibility. We are thus able to stay abreast of the international trend: more and more people are taking to their bikes throughout the world – and we wish to play an active part in promoting this positive development.“

This March Schwalbe opened a new logistics center in Indonesia: PT. Schwalbe Asia. Alongside

the headquarters in Reichshof-Wehnrath near Cologne (Germany) and the subsidiaries in the

Netherlands and Great Britain, it is the fourth worldwide logistics center. As a result, the lead

times for OEM customers have been significantly reduced.

Brand new and squeaky clean: the logistics center prior to commissioning in March.

The building, working areas and the IT system comply with European standards.

Petrus J. Muda, General Manager of Schwalbe Asia. The new logistics center is located directly next to the Schwalbe production facility in Jakarta, Indonesia.

schwalbe profil 1 2011

problem was: It was unbelievably difficult to find high-quality bikes and parts. We had to really search for better products, importing bikes and components from France and England.”

“And then somebody discovered this Schwalbe Marathon”, recalled Ulrike Saade. “It solved our pro-blems. Together with other VSF dealers we collecti-vely placed huge orders and then piled them up in our storerooms. And they always sold well. The cus-tomers were just happy to be able to get something of high-quality, the price wasn’t a factor.”

The everyday bike became attractive

The VSF played a special role in the success story of the long-distance tire. Back in 1985, today’s VSF managing director, Albert Herresthal, headed up a bicycle store: “Tire quality at that time was very poor, there were few committed cyclists. However the VSF led the vanguard of demands for quality and cyclists. We urgently needed better products. We shouted long and hard. But at the beginning only Bohle listened”.

Finally in 1987 the VSF created a factory, in order to get high-quality bikes. The sales price was twice as high as the average price at that time and in the industry it was laughed at. But the quality bicycle was born! In the first few years VSF bikes were exclusively fitted with Marathon. It was the first high-quality component on the bike. Herresthal: “The Marathon embodied the fact that tire techno-logy was altogether improved, because, before it came on the scene, there was simply rubber on a carcass. Schwalbe enhanced tire technology, refined the carcass and rubber compound, and coordinated everything more fastidiously.

So, together the VSF and Schwalbe made every-day cycling more attractive. The Marathon was an economic success for both sides – and for just this, there can be a little, mutual satisfaction. The tire supports the specialized trade with its good margin and today it does not have to be explained to con-sumers, as it is asked for by name. “My father deci-ded from the outset: That it should be sold only in specialist shops and nowhere else”, stressed Frank Bohle. “The Marathon reflects the emancipation of the bicycle industry. At first disparaged, we remain steadfast and today, like the whole industry, we are in good shape.”

In 1985 the Marathon perfectly captured the spirit of the Germany environmental movement

at the time. Everyday cyclists, touring cyclists and the specialized trade were overjoyed that

they had a top quality bicycle tire suitable for everyday use. With it as a symbol – including its

characteristic white billboard letters – the alternative bicycle scene was transformed into the

self-confident branch it is today.

It was the year Mikhail Gorbachov took office and of Boris Becker’s Wimbledon victory. And the Live Aid concerts in both London and New York had millions of people world-wide in front of their TVs. Simple Minds “Don’t You”, Murray Head’s “One

Night in Bangkok” and Tears for Fears, “Shout” were the sounds of the eighties. In Germany the Green Party took their first seats in parliament. In West Berlin, still surrounded by the wall at that time, 40 bicycle dealers created the bicycle trade organization VSF. And a new bicycle tire came onto the market. With it – and perhaps also a little by it – the bicycle industry morphed itself.

“The Marathon was the first sign of a new era in the bicycle culture of Germany”, said Schwalbe Managing Director, Frank Bohle. It was the very first high-quality tire designed

for everyday life. And it was fitted on the first high-quality everyday bikes. At the time there were quite a few unflattering opinions circulating about the ave-rage bicycles, like “badly dressed Christmas tree” or “factory-fresh garbage”. But from the mid-eighties the bicycle gradually began to change from a poor person’s vehicle into a valued transport medium. The new attributes were high-quality, robustness, longevity – characteristics which were formerly not associated with bicycles. Germany’s then new bicycle federations VSF and ADFC were at first derided. “My father, Ralf Bohle, was the first‚ serious business-man to pay heed to these groups”, explained Frank Bohle.

“The Marathon was in the right place at the right time”, said Ulrike Saade, Managing Director of events agency Velokonzept in Berlin. In 1985, to- gether with 40 other enterprises we founded the VSF which, in turn, grew out of the first German, co-operative bicycle shop, in, then, West Berlin, created with 5 colleagues. “We created the enterprise out of true environmental conviction, and sought an alter-native to the gridlock of cars filling our cities. With our long hair, Birkenstock sandals and overalls, and bearded men, we were completely alternative. At the bike shows we already knew at first glance, who suit-ed us and there weren’t many. “However the main

Marathon – 25 years the for quality bikes

Top Wolfgang Reiche in 1985 on his return to Bremen. 2nd from top VSF shop in the mid 1980s. Bottom Ulrike Saade in the bike shop’s office in former West Berlin.

COMPANY4

schwalbe profil 1 2011

55COMPANY5

The Marathon was the only tire among this years’ awarded novelties. The expert jury explained: “A gen- uine classic, which for 25 years has ranked among the most lasting products – now already in its fifth generation. It stands for innovation and longevity and is now even E-Bike ready. Faster one than enterpri-se cannot react to needs.” For the Gold awards, the specialist jury selected the twelve most innovative products from more than 550 submitted products in the year.

With its new compound and special anti-aging sidewall, the Marathon is again made even more dur- able. The completely redesigned sidewall can with-stand considerably longer the typical effects of over-loading due to insufficient inflation pressure. Also the new Endurance compound adds to its durability.

Its additional plus is the “green” aspect: The three millimeter thick GreenGuard protection belt provides exceptional defense against punctures. And it has further ‘green’ credentials. Its rubber layer is made up by one-third of recycled latex products. Along with improved puncture protection and higher durability the new Marathon is also E-bike ready. In the most popular sizes it carries the European ECE-R75 accreditation and is therefore also suitable for faster E-Bikes up to 50 km/h.

Greenbelt meets Bio-Bike

A bicycle, that likewise stresses the sustainability, is the new Schwinn Vestige (see photo), also awarded with Gold. It is made from flax fibers, which are one hundred percent degradable. The paint is water-based, fenders and hand grips are made of bamboo wood. Frank Bohle, Managing Director of Schwalbe in Germany, stated: “The Schwinn Vestige is an extre-mely worthy ambassador for the new generation of the most renowned Schwalbe tire!”

But at the beginning of the eighties how did Bohle happen on the idea of developing a quality tire, which exactly coincided with the development of a bike culture? That had something to do with a really special round-the-world traveler.

Globetrotting tire tester

In February 1981, six months before his planned trip around the world, Wolfgang Reiche from Bremen (Germany) wrote to 80 manufacturers of bikes and components for assistance. Five businesses replied, among them the only tire manufacturers – Bohle. Schwalbe sales manager at that time, Hermann Marx, simply sent him a pair of tires. And in this way Reiche became the busiest tire tester of the age. He journeyed for four years, 73,005 kilometers once around the world. With utmost care the pro-fessional schoolmaster started each day with a tire diary, sent back tire samples and sketched diagrams reflecting the lifespan of each individual tire. He has the original samples even to this day. On the basis of his reports a completely new tire was developed. Bohle sent, ‘poste restante’, ever refined prototypes to some of the most remote corners of the world. In September 1983 while on Bali, Reiche received the first tire named ‘Marathon’. Suddenly the tire life durability extended and the final pair of tires lasted 15,530 kilometers from Katmandu to the Schwalbe HQ, at that time in Bergneustadt, where the whole company turned out to welcome Reiche. Today the 63 year old works with the cyclist federation, ADFC, and is responsible for beds & bikes, trains bicycle tour leaders and is a cycle travel guide. He is still a con-vinced Marathon fan. How does he feel about “his” tires? In reply, he says he feels “a little bit jointly responsible”.

“Green” Marathon wins Gold

One third of the protection belt is made from recycled material.

‚Spezial‘, reads the first Marathon incar-nation, as seen on Wolfgang Reiche‘s bicycle with which he journeyed 73,000 kilometers.

On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Schwalbe presented the fifth genera-

tion of the long-distance runner Marathon. The new features include a new

profile design, innovative rubber mixture and a protection belt, from which

one third is made up of recycled material. In addition, it is E-Bike-ready. For

all this, the Marathon received the Eurobike Gold award in Friedrichshafen

(Germany), the highest honor from the world’s leading bike industry show.

the ambassador Made the Marathon go “green”: Schwalbe‘s Product Manager René Marks (left) and Carsten Zahn.

The new sustainable Marathon rounds off the Schwinn Vestige. The bike is built from natural biodegradable flax fibers.

“Tubeless ready” has all the advantages of tubeless riding, but avoids the disadvantages of high weight in the UST tubeless system. A precondition is an air-tight Tubeless wheel. “More and more Marathon and XC competition riders use Tubeless ready systems”, explains Schwalbe technician, Markus Hachmeyer. Excluded from Tubeless ready are the Freeride and Downhill tires, as well as Smart Sam.

In order to make the tires “Tubeless ready”, Schwalbe reduced the inside diameter slightly, thus the tire sits more firmly on the rim. The bead recei-ved a strengthened rubberizing and has more contact area with the rim making it already sealed without the use of a sealing fluid. Latex liquid is nevertheless necessary, because air can still escape from the lightly rubberized carcass.

Prepared with a sealing fluid, for instance Doc Blue, the tires can be ridden completely tubeless – with all advantages of the system, in particular

puncture protection. Punctures caused by embedded stones or thorns lose their dread, because latex fluid is evenly distributed around the tire’s inside through the rotation of the wheel when riding and thereby reliably seals any small holes. Nevertheless if too large a hole develops while riding, a tube can be inserted.

schwalbe profil 1 2011

NEWS6 TEChNOLOGY

racing ralph HT Particularly for Cyclo-cross competi-tion the Racing Ralph is now available in a tubular tire variant – Racing Ralph HT (“Handmade Tubular”) with Triple Compound and latex tube (size 28 x 1.25). Also a new 26 inch version of the tubular is available for moun-tain bikers the Racing Ralph HT in size 26 x 2.00.

Turbo-training tireThe Insider was developed specially for training on rollers. On home-trainers the load is particularly high, because the whole load of the braking roller is con-centrated on a small area consequently heating up the tire. Tread separation is the likely result. The Insider’s special ‘Roller’ compound generates less internal friction, does not warm up as much and withstands the inten-se point loading caused by tur-bo-trainers particular-ly well.

a World First: Sportsman The Sportsman from Schwalbe is the first dual compound sports touring scoo-ter tire. “The Sportsman makes scooter riding that much safer“, says Schwalbe’s Product Manager Marcus Lambertz. Schwalbe designed the tire in size 3.50-10 for classic scooters – such as the Lambretta and Vespa – models that are

extremely popular especially in the UK. But this all-

rounder is suitable for any scooter using this particular size wheel. Sportsman is approved for use up to 150 km/h and can be purchased

from specialist dealers from mid 2011.

There are performance gains likewise: Tires prepared with sealing liquid can be ridden at low pressure, under two Bar. The tires are thus very sup-ple, adapt perfectly to the terrain and offer optimal grip in any situation, with the danger of a puncture remaining low as a result. Also, since no tube is required, the rolling resistance is around 15 per cent lower. And without a tube there can be naturally no valve tear-off caused by tire creep. An additional benefit is its lightness: TL-ready tires are about five grams heavier than their predecessors and in addition 50 milliliters of liquid per tire is required. However they still weigh approximately 200 gram less than a Tubeless-tire. Therefore there is an ove-rall weight saving of 300 grams in the rotary mass, which clearly improves the bike’s agility.

For whom then is the still classic Tubeless sys-tem suitable? “For all riders, who want an all-round carefree package and for whom the higher weight

is no concern. Because handling the sealing liquid naturally has its downside”, describes the tire tech-nician. In riding performance converting to Tubeless only brings advantages. However conversion, and/or fitting is not for everyone, even though the TL-ready tire is clearly lighter. Here the specialist dealer has an opportunity to not only sell, but also to install the system too.

Schwalbe is Tubeless readySchwalbe’s MTB Evolution tires are now Tubeless ready: They can be converted into a tube-

less tire by the addition of a latex based puncture sealant liquid (“latex milk”), or used quite

normally by inserting an inner tube.

3 4

Fitting without a tube: Coat both tire beads with an assembly liquid (Schwalbe Easy Fit) ( 1 ) and fit as usual. But: Before fitting the second bead, fill with fluid ( 2 ), best posi tion is opposite the valve. Continue assembly, finishing at the valve! First inflate rapidly to a high pressure ( 3 ) (Track pump or compressor). After inflation: Rotate and shake the wheel in all directions to ensure the sealing liquid is well distributed everywhere inside the tire ( 4 ). It is normal to begin with air and sealing fluid will escape down the sidewall. Inflate again and repeat shaking the wheel until the wheel seals permanently. ( 3 + 4 ) For a puncture out on the road: Fit a spare tube remembering to clean out the sealing fluid and removing the tubeless valve.

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SChWALBE INTERNATIONAL 7

Champagne Bikes (France) Schwalbe Kid Plus is quite a versatile tire that was originally developed for strollers, but it has now also turned out to be useful on vineyard tricycles. But not just in any vineyards, some of the world’s most renowned: Vineyards that grow grapes for the worlds’ most famous champagnes – located in Champagne near Reims, some 150 kilometers north-east of Paris. The vineyards belong to the MHCS group (Moët Hennessy Champagne Services), part of the famous Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy Group (LVMH). Work in the vineyard is most of the time less romantic than meticu-lous, and trikes have been used there for almost 20 years as sustainable, more productive, and easier form of transport. The small, three-wheeled vehicles are uncomplicated and pedal propelled with a load capacity of up to 100 Kilograms. Invented specifically for caring for the precious grapes this truly unique trike is named the ‘Trivigne’. It has been developed for the particular needs of the vintners; adjustable in height; strong brakes and it includes storage for cutting tools. 450 Trivignes are used in the vineyards. And now their small plastic wheels run on Kid Plus tires. “The MHCS group originally found us through an internet search for a tire manufacturer. In the past few years, the only part of the Trivigne which they have changed has been the tires”, explains Pierre Dubruc, Director of Bohle France. “They replaced the former solid tires with Schwalbe Kid Plus, for better comfort and per-formance.”

Schwalbe are new title sponsor of British 4X series (Great Britain) Schwalbe will be title sponsors of the British 4X Series in 2011. At a meeting in Schwalbe UK’s head office in Telford, Chris Roberts, British 4X Series organizer, signed the contract with Schwalbe UK’s Marketing Manager, Dave Taylor, that will see the series become: ‘Schwalbe British 4X Series’. In addition, Schwalbe also sponsors the Euro 4X-series! The association was a logical step for Schwalbe who have become known as one of the best 4X tire provider in the World. In 2010, seven of the top 10 UCI riders were using Schwalbe. Dave Taylor: “Schwalbe are incredibly proud to be the title sponsor of the National 4X Series 2011. We view 4X as one of the most exciting and technically challenging MTB disci-plines around. We’re looking forward to exposing 4X to new audiences and, with our range of 4X tires being among the best in the business, we hope to achieve big things this year for the 4X fans”. facebook: www.facebook.com/british4x Twitter: www.twitter.com/british4x

Team leopard-Trek display excellent early form(italy) The new Leopard-Trek racing team has shown its early season form in the spring classic races. Riding on Schwalbe Ultremo HT, four times World Time Trial Champion Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland) rocketed to an early lead in the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. Setting a blistering, pace-setting time of 10 mins. 33 secs. over 9.3 kilometers, Cancellara took a nine second lead in the San Benedetto del Tronto individual time trial. Only one week later he rode to his second victory in the Belgian Grand Prix in Harlebeke (Luxembourg) and showed his early season class with a stage win and overall ranking in the French Criterium International. The team’s outstanding early form points towards their potential successful performance in the forthcoming, presti- gious international races. Schwalbe began sponsor- ing the new ProTour-Team Leopard-Trek, based in Luxembourg, at the beginning of 2011 (more on page 1).

Three awards for new Marathon

(Germany) The new Schwalbe Marathon with Green- Guard is not only durable and long-lasting, but also stylish: Marked by three equivalent, internationally important honors. In one of the most renowned prod- uct competitions, the “Red Dot” design award, the jury in Essen awarded the Marathon a “Red Dot” for its high quality design. Also the International Design Forum (iF) in Hanover honoured the bicycle tire with its GreenGuard, which consists of one-third recycled latex. Beforehand Schwalbe’s long distance tire had already received the Gold Award from the bicycle industry’s world show, Eurobike, Friedrichshafen (see pages 4 and 5). The three prizes are proof that Schwalbe had succeeded in the construction its 25th anniversary edition and 5th generation Marathon. Added Schwalbe CEO, Frank Bohle: “Europe’s most commonly sold bicycle tire has an enormous effect on everyday cycling. The fact that the new Marathon has also been honored for its attractive appearance is additionally an extraordinary success for a tire.”

Fabian Cancellara takes his first victory for Leopard-Trek.

Unusual trikes in famous vineyards run on Schwalbe Kid Plus.

Start of the 2011 Schwalbe British 4X series in Leamington Spa.

NEWS

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Prana is an ancient Indian word that translates as “energy of life” and a fitting name for a bicycle that is propelled by sheer muscle power. But it gives energy back as well: where gas is unavailable or too expensive, where no buses operate, this small transporter can safeguard livelihoods and improve the quality of life.

But the bright orange, or green painted Prana certainly bears no resemblance to a beast of burden! “It’s so light and manoeuvrable to ride that you barely notice you’re sitting on a cargo bike as it is just 30 centimeters longer than a conven-tional bike”, comments special bike builder, Klaus Schröder from Bergisch Gladbach (Germany). He attributes the smooth riding characteristics to the new frame construction. The lon-

What 19 year old aaron Fotheringham from las Vegas can do with his wheelchair is breathtaking and unique worldwide. Zooming down steep ramps, jumping over obstacles, making Backflips, Double-Backflips and Handplants. His latest trick is a Frontflip, which he performed in the extreme-sports show ‘Nitro Circus’, that aaron has starred in since 2010. What we’d call unbelievable, aaron calls “hardcore sitting”, a type of sport invented by him that is comparable with BMX. The only difference: aaron’s signature weapon of choice is a wheelchair with which his skill has made him famous. But his numerous TV appearances in Germany, USa, italy and France have made him much more than just a sports personality. He has become an international ambassador and symbol of courage for every-one. Schwalbe has sponsored this young american since 2007 and, with him, developed a sporty, everyday wheelchair tire, the airborne. www.aaronfotheringham.com

hARDCORE SITTING FLASh

7.2. – 7.24.2011 Tour de France8.31. – 9.3.2011 EUroBiKE Friedrichshafen (Germany)

EVENTS

MARKET

Masthead Editor: Ralf Bohle GmbH n Otto-Hahn-Str. 1 n 51580 Reichshof-Wehnrath n Germany n Tel. +49 (2265) 1090 n Fax +49 (2265) 7022 n E-Mail: info@ralfbohle.com n Internet: www.schwalbe.com

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Printing: BWH GmbH n © Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG

ger wheelbase and the side panniers set at axle height mean the load is evenly distributed, making the Prana easy to control even when heavily laden. The oversized tubing ensures excel-lent rigidity and offers a safe, predictable riding experience. Big Apple tires take care of the suspension – their large volume guarding well against punctures. However, at prices ranging between 780 and 1,000 Euros depending on the equipment level, it is unaffordable for people in developing countries. That’s why Klaus Schröder collaborates with aid organizations and sponsors.

Schwalbe donated three Prana bikes to a local organiza-tion in Kisumu, Kenya. The organization makes bikes available specifically to people engaged in projects such as those involv- ing the supply of water, or waste disposal.

Equally, from Norway to Greece, the USA and New Zea- land, Pranas take care of all manner of transport needs: as a bike for the whole household, for the school run, or for people who are a little overweight. Moreover, by adding an electric motor the cargo bike can be turned into a cargo EPAC.

Klaus Schröder: “It has taken us 25 years to reach our goal. And to really accept the bicycle as a means of transport. Why shouldn’t the same success be achieved in using the bicy-cle as a means of cargo transport?“ It is an independent means of personal mobility, without any need for petrol, or reliance on buses. All you need is “Prana”. Go to www.velonom.com

Wheels for the world Whether in Kenya, albania, or the australian outback: the

“Prana” cargo bike can be found in the most unusual places

around the globe. Not just for fun, but for transporting bananas,

construction materials, firewood or livestock, not to mention

half the family as well! in other words, virtually anything and

anybody up to a maximum weight of 300 kg. This veritable work-

horse among bicycles is also gaining in popularity in Europe.

8The nuns in Okolongo, Namibia, use the Prana to help distribute food and visit the sick.

Retrofitted with motor and basket: the Prana can be converted into an EPAC.

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