Standert. Kreissäge Review

The Berlin-born Standert. Kreissäge is THE road bike for amateur racers in this test fleet. Despite being the only aluminium model on test and despite being the cheapest model by far retailing at € 2,499, its predilection for speed lets it mix with the big carbon players. Although, on the undulating roads of Mallorca it can’t deny its roots…

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: What’s the best road bike for Mallorca?

From the very first pedal stroke, the Kreissäge [German: circular saw] delivers a dynamic ride, impressing with its agility and ability to transmit power responsively and efficiently with every turn. Its stiff, progressive steering hails from the aluminium Zipp bars, seeing the bike steadfastly keep on course with buttery smoothness at high speeds. The SRAM Force rim brakes work superbly on the H+Son Archetype aluminium rims, but there’s a loud squeal each time. The 25 mm Vittoria Corsa tires not only offer grip and speed, but also massively increase the comfort level of what is otherwise a fairly unforgiving and stiff bike. It goes without saying that the tires smugly rake in admiring glances on every seafront promenade on the island.

The classic-looking Kreissäge channels a thoroughly contemporary vibe, with its matte blue paint, conventional frame design with oversized steerer and oh-so-precise and stiff 3T fork that handles with first-rate raciness. We had minor grapples with the aesthetic of the massive steerer and thin stem, but are confident that those less versed in workshop craft will be pleased to note the added simplicity lent by the external cable routing.

Unfortunately, those who value comfort and subtle shifts in gearing will be left disappointed: firstly, the aluminium frame is rigorously stiff, meaning speed not comfort; and the SRAM Force 1×11 drivetrain with its 50Tx11-32T set-up certainly covers all of the gradients on Mallorca, but the gaps between the gears are substantial. If you’re out for long rides then you’d probably appreciate more subtlety. In order to achieve such compact geometry, Standert. had to sacrifice the front mech and prioritize a shorter wheelbase and higher bottom bracket – after all, those are what count for explosive power in crit racing, a trait that we spontaneously put to the test on the race track in Mallorca’s Sineu.

The Standert. Kreissäge in detail

Drivetrain SRAM Force 1, 11spd
Rims/Hubs H+SON Archetyp/Lucky Cat 11
Brakes SRAM Force
Tires Vittoria Corsa, 700x25C
Weight 7.66 kg
Price € 2,499
More Info standert.de

Conclusion

An out-and-out racing bike, you can’t deny that this € 2,499 whippet is Berlin born-and-bred. The team at Standert. have designed a bike that they – as racers – appreciate. We love this bike’s simplicity, proving you don’t need a second mortgage to obtain great riding performance and style. The Kreissäge’s stiff and uncompromising attitude might not suit everyone, but it’ll certainly appeal to those versed in sawing their way through a peloton.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: What’s the best road bike for Mallorca?

All bikes in test: BMC Teammachine SLR01 | Cannondale SuperSix Evo HiMod Ultegra Di2 Disc | Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2 | Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra Di2 | Festka Spectre Space Odyssey Edition | Giant TCR Advanced Pro Disc | Heroïn H1 Limited Edition | Lapierre Xelius SL 700 Ultimate | Rose X-Lite CDX 8800 | Stelbel Antenore | Trek Madone 9.5 Ultegra Di2

---

This article belongs to the GRAN FONDO Issue #004. For the full interactive experience we recommend reading it in our magazine app for iPhone & iPad – it’s awesome – and free!

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Robin Schmitt, Manuel Buck, Benjamin Topf Photos: Julian Mittelstädt, Valentin Rühl