Re: [CR]HKS Kettler early German alu aero frame (Shimano AX)

From: "Richard Timm" <richard@radbasteln.de>
To: "Simon P-J" <simonpj@mac.com>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <C46236A7.4DA17%simonpj@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]HKS Kettler early German alu aero frame (Shimano AX)
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 08:19:59 +0200

Hello Simon,

had one and are still in good contact with several owners. Nice bike, komplete 600 AX except the Dura Ace AX front derailler. Frame is lugged Aluminium, the Kettlers are not extremely lightweigt but okay. Tubular rims, very nice aerodynamic Nitto bar.

Pictures of mine are here: http://www.radbasteln.de/kettler/ (kompletely original setup). I gave it away to an collector as it was not an object for tinkering. This bikes are nice examples for that aerodynamic attempts in the early 80ies and they are not expensive- a very good complete original one may sell for approx. 200 Euro, possibly less if the seller doesn't know what it is and doesn't use the keywords AX for example.

When buying one, keep care that the bottle and the holder are in good condition as the bottleholder is part of the shifting system (see pictures). This bikes are still not rare in Germany. Was a highend one at its time but german highend bikes were not as nice as french or british or italian ones were. Form clearly followed function... no blinkblink, no funny colours, a Kettler is a serious bike ... :)

best regards, Richard

Richard Timm Hamburg Germany

Simon P-J <simonpj@mac.com> schrub:
> Early 1980's (?) lugged aluminium aero frame on German eBay:
>
> http://ebay.com/<blah>
> QQitemZ160242012606QQihZ006QQcategoryZ9194QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewI
> tem
>
> Does anybody know anything about HKS Kettler aluminium frames?
>
> Wyndham Pulman-Jones
> Girton, Cambs., UK.