Sporty racing bikes with aluminium frames are a real rarity these days. This robust material is almost only used by well-known manufacturers on inexpensive entry-level racers and gravel bikes, which are comfortably cut for their target groups and are completed with favourable equipment.
Fans of light metal who are looking for a sporty, lightweight and high-quality bike will only find what they are looking for with niche suppliers who have specialised in alternatives to the carbon monotony. One of these is the Berlin brand Standert.
Since it was founded in 2012, the bike label has become remarkably well known - which in turn shows that high-quality bikes made of metal and aluminium are still in demand and that people are willing to spend a lot of money on them. The bikes are generally not cheaper than comparable carbon models.
With its beginnings as a cycling café with an adjoining steel frame shop in Berlin-Mitte, the brand is seen by some as the epitome of capital city hipsterism; others see the range as a change from the aerodynamically shaped carbon mainstream, timeless and more sustainable.
In any case, the signs in Berlin are still pointing to growth: in 2019, the company moved into a larger headquarters in Friedrichstraße and the model range was successively expanded to include all-road and gravel bikes made of aluminium and steel. With the Kreissäge RS aluminium racer, which is welded by hand from Dedacciai tubes in Italy, Standert has even had its own amateur racing team for several years.
Standert circular saw: Same name, different origin
The latest addition to the brand is an offshoot of this top model for the road, which is more affordable, more comfortable and more suitable for everyday use and is therefore intended to appeal to a wider audience. One obvious difference is that the Kreissäge model without the "RS" is not offered as a configurable frame set, but comes onto the market in three fixed equipment variants.
The version we tested with SRAM Force AXS is the most expensive at €4499, while the entry-level version with Shimano's electronic 105 and aluminium rims starts at €3299. This makes the bike more than 2000 euros cheaper than the "original" from Italian production.
Which brings us to the second difference, which some interested parties may consider relevant: The circular saw without the "RS" is not welded and painted in Italy, but comes from a factory in China.
The tube cross-sections are less elaborate, predominantly circular, and the basic material is also different, as classic 6061 aluminium is used for the frame tubes instead of the lightweight scandium alloy. This results in an additional weight of around 150 grams compared to the top version.
In addition, buyers of the inexpensive circular saw have to accept a somewhat less fine workmanship. The impeccably executed but significantly thicker weld seams are particularly noticeable on the seat knot and in the bottom bracket area.
Apart from that, however, the bike is a copy of the successful original model. The classic and tidy look is immediately appealing, and fans of classic racing bikes will also appreciate the sporty design.
The geometry differs only minimally, so even on the inexpensive circular saw you sit in a comparatively sporty and compact position. A very short wheelbase and steep angles result in very manoeuvrable handling, which enables snappy steering manoeuvres.
The bike reacts precisely and directly at all times, which is underlined by the high stiffness values from the TOUR laboratory that are typical for aluminium frames. The promise of comfort is limited to greater tyre clearance; tyres up to 35 millimetres wide fit in the frame and fork. With the "RS", 30-millimetre tyres are the limit.
We can't confirm that the classic diamond-shaped frame feels hard, as is sometimes claimed for sturdy aluminium frames: the carbon seatpost and handlebars noticeably absorb fine vibrations, and the 30 mm tyres also contribute to the decent impression of comfort.
In addition, the riding impression is characterised by the well-chosen equipment. The SRAM Force groupset works perfectly, fast wheels and top tyres are a joy to ride, and the newly developed handlebars are also easy to grip. Even a power meter is fitted ex works, even if the shaft-based SRAM power meter only measures on one side.
Everything feels high-quality; the fact that a similarly expensive carbon bike could weigh a good pound less is easy to get over. However, it's a different story with other equipment options: With aluminium wheels and a heavier groupset, the total weight is likely to climb towards nine kilos.
All in all, the Kreissäge is recommended as a sporty and robust bike for riders who place less emphasis on low weight and sophisticated aerodynamics, but more on a classic appearance.
Despite the aluminium material - the extent to which the aspect of sustainability still applies in view of production in China is something everyone has to decide for themselves. The similarly designed RS circular saw, which is produced in Europe, is still listed in the online shop. However, it is much more expensive and was sold out in the popular sizes at the time of testing.
The Standert circular saw in detail
- Price: 4499 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.3 kilos
- Frame sizes: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 cm (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 2,0
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 520/555/153 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 568/379 millimetres/1.50
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 624/556 millimetres/1.12
- Wheelbase/caster: 987/64 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (2x13, 48/35, 10-33 t.) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: SRAM Force (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Pirelli P-Zero Race 30 mm | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: DT Swiss ARC 1600 Spline
- Impeller weights: 1375/1754 grams (front/rear)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.3 kilos | Grade: 3.3
- Driving stability: 9.1 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 128 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Comfort front: 89 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 59 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
Standert circular saw: advantages and disadvantages of the racing bike
Advantages
- superbly equipped
- Stable driving
- Many finely graduated frame sizes
Disadvantages
- Relatively heavy
Jens Klötzer
Editor
