Rotwild is in many ways the archetypal German mountain bike brand. Founded by automotive engineers in the mid-90s, they have always had a strong focus on engineering excellence and have been content to head off in their own direction. Partly influenced by that automotive background, they have always looked where others haven't, pushing the application of engineering in mountain bike design back when many companies were still guessing. As mountain bike design has matured their designs have converged more and more towards the mainstream. Today that focus on the bigger picture has moved to the details and they meticulously obsess over every little detail of each of their bikes. They are open about the fact that they have no interest in becoming a mainstream brand, rather they know their customers and their niche now have 20 years' experience making bikes for precisely those people. They are not looking to compete with the Canyons and YTs of this world, but create bikes to last for a discerning customer who expects a certain experience and level of quality. We took a look inside their headquarters in Dieburg, south-west Germany to understand more about this unique company.
Maybe they are making most of the money with engineering service for other (car) companies? Or E-bikes?
And I´m not sure about their image nowadays... The partnership with AMG might be appealing to some, but for me it just does not fit. Don´t get me wrong. AMG are offering superb cars and Rotwild are offering superb bikes, but the image of high-end technique with a high-end price might be working for dentists, but maybe not for a biker.
This is what he was commenting on:
"Nowadays they just seem like typical walmart bikes and have totally lost their charm."
And you criticise HIS reading comprehension?
We don't need your permission.
You're an idiot, and you're talking utter crap..
Wasn't really familiar with Rotwild bikes before, but the latest models are very nice. Some awesome little touches on them.
Their factory/workshop looks ace as well. So clinical.
However with Rotwild making alot of parts in house I had an interesting experience when I wanted to change the forks in my Trail GT2 to a set of tapered forks. I needed to go from internal to an external cup and was going to use a hope pick n mix lower cup to allow for the new for setup, however when I pulled the old lower cup and measured up instead of a standard 44mm diameter it was 46mm could I find what I needed in a 46mm.....nope. In the end I had a friend custom machine me a 1mm thick shim to sit between the cup and frame.
The effort was worth it because to be frank I hated the white forks on there prior and I think it looks awesome now, if not a little old school.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/13909681
One question though, do they make their own bike in Germany or are the bike manufactured in the far east?
I assume it´s the same for Rotwild like for most of the rest of the bike companies: Engineered in Germany (or USA, Canada, GB...), produced in far east.
I think they would have shown some pictures of the production in the article otherwise.
I want to be amped to ride! It's all about the heart!
Seems like a bike company for people who don't like to get there bikes dirty.