V
VSF FahrradmanufakturTX-400
trekking
01
Origin
The TX-400 sits in VSF's expedition sub-range — bikes built specifically for long-distance world touring rather than commuting. Its defining choice is the 26-inch wheel, a deliberate decision for riders who travel through remote regions where 700c tires may be hard to find. The CrMo steel frame, Tubus racks, Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes, and Schwalbe Marathon Mondial tires combine into a machine that has crossed continents. It competes directly with the Surly Long Haul Trucker and Tout Terrain Outback — but made by hand in Germany.
02
Specifications
- Frame
- 25 CrMo 4 chromoly steel, double-tapered tubes; max load 140 kg system weight; available Diamant and Trapez
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Earlier builds: Shimano Deore SL-M6000 shifters, FC-T521 48-36-26 crankset, Deore XT rear mech, CS-HG500 cassette, KMC X10 chain (3×10). Current 2024+ build: Shimano Cues 22-speed 2×11 (HS33 variant)
- Brakes
- Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes with Brakebooster — a choice suited to expedition use where spare pads are universally available
- Wheels
- 26" (559 mm), Schürmann YAK19 aluminium rims, Shimano Deore dynamo front hub
03
The verdict
+Strengths
- 26-inch wheels with Marathon Mondial tires are genuinely unmatched for loaded expedition resilience
- Tubus racks and full front+rear pannier setup make it a complete four-corner touring rig out of the box
- Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes deliver reliable wet-weather stopping with easily sourced consumables
−Weaknesses
- At ~16 kg it is heavy for day rides; optimised purely for loaded distance, not urban efficiency
- 26" wheel size limits urban tyre variety in Western Europe compared to 700c
- Rim brakes require clean rims — muddy roads reduce effectiveness more than disc setups
04
Tags
05
Related models
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