Advanced Bikes are one of the hottest brands in the urban mobility market. From their base in Frankfurt, they aim to shake up the urban world, using innovative technologies and setting ambitious goals. We caught up with them on a post-work ride, delving into Advanced’s future and finding out what the fuss is all about.
VanMoof, Cowboy, Angell Bikes – there are countless bike companies vying to revolutionise the future of urban mobility on two wheels, and make the world just a little bit better in the process. Their smart ebikes are packed with connectivity features, to the point that they have more in common with consumer electronics than with bicycles. Others, like Riese & Müller, focus on the hardware: on the quality of their products, and their robust functionality. Digital features are implemented a lot more subtly and only where they offer tangible added value. Advanced bikes from Frankfurt, on the other hand, have committed themselves to innovative manufacturing processes, aiming to play a pioneering role in the circular ebike frame economy. As you can see, there are many different approaches – but which one will save the future?
The bankruptcy of VanMoof has recently shown just how risky the smart ebike market can be. More than one hundred million euros of investor funds were burned at the hands of an ingenious concept. An abundance of proprietary components, and a lack of quality, reliability and durability are to blame, along with a limited service network. The roads of this world are hard – especially for urban bikes that are exposed to the elements (and people); sometimes cared for and used correctly, but often neglected and mistreated.
Advances to date
Advanced have a lot of experience in the ebike segment: in 2011, the company was founded under the name “E-Bike – das Original” and the brand was relaunched 10 years later – 2021 – following a clear and consistent goal. The name Advanced says it all, since being advanced forms the core of the brand’s identity, headed by CEO Helge von Fugler. The URL of their website leaves little room for doubt (www.advanced.tech) – this company is all about progress and technology.
“By 2025, we want to be the first climate-neutral ebike brand, actively pursuing the vision of a circular economy. It’s made possible by circular design and leading technology.” This is the vision of the Frankfurt based company. And they seem to be on the right track. The frame of their latest ebike and the brand’s poster child, the Revolution RECO, is 100% made in Germany using injection moulding, and they have plans to make it completely recyclable too. The emphasis is on “plans”, because even Advanced are yet to realise this vision. The Frankfurter company have already caused quite a stir with their technology, winning the Design & Innovation Award 2022, and you might already have read our first ride review of their new bike.
The technology and vision for new developments in the future is there, but what about the bikes and the company? The first bikes have hit the market, their new production site in Lower Saxony is open – where they plan on producing up to 100,000 ebikes a year – and if there’s one thing that was obvious during our visit: Advanced are moving and shaking! And they must, because if you have big plans and want to progress quickly, you must take big steps!
Movement at Advanced
We meet at the Advanced HQ in Frankfurt’s city centre. The mood is relaxed, but the situation in the office is not. The elevator takes us to the 3rd floor – it has something of a hot garage start-up kind of atmosphere. Even if Advanced are anything but a start-up, they’ve had that kind of flair and mindset since the brand’s reorientation, which went hand in hand with large investment sums and a corresponding level of growth. And chaos! It’s bursting at the seams. There are bikes piled up in the hallway, in the meeting room, and in front of the desks.
The small workshop is hopelessly overcrowded. It soon becomes clear that this company is in the wrong office – not just because it doesn’t do justice to their rapid growth, but also because it’s too impractical for handling bikes. Along with the sales, service, marketing, and management that happens from here, it also serves as their development headquarters! There just isn’t enough space, and their staff count keeps growing. The good news: the solution is being built! The bad news: the team will have to wait until at least 2024 before they can move into their new premises. So, they will have to make do with workarounds and transitional solutions for the time being. Our solution: we put our helmets on, jump into the saddle, and ride to the café next door!
Coffee table chat: What sets Advanced apart?
In the café next door, Studio Tuesday, we sit with David, Harry, and Eva, and ask them what it’s like working at Advanced. The fact that there’s a lot of laughter and a positive mood was already evident in the office. Why is that? Social media manager Eva is quick to answer: it’s thanks to the TEAM! The fact that everyone is together, with short distances, and numerous creative meetings just makes it fun. Of course, the current office is too small and can get annoying, but they’re all excited and driven on by the big plans for the future. The nice thing is that progress at Advanced is tangible, and happens fast. Everyone has clear goals to work towards. It goes without saying that things don’t always go according to plan or as smoothly as hoped; some team members are still very new, and they have to get to know each other and get used to everything. The company is far less mature than other, more traditional companies in the bike industry. But they’ve got agility and the typical Frankfurter can-do mentality!
Like Eva, industrial designers David and Harry, who are responsible for the new showroom, also hail from the Frankfurt metropolitan region. They all have a penchant for urban bikes – David on bike trips, Eva out and about in the city, and Harry chasing seconds on the road. In addition to his 12,500 annual training kilometres, he prefers commuting to work by ebike – which takes him just 8 minutes instead of 30 minutes by car. Speaking of which, we empty our sodas and espressos and hop on our bikes.
Upcoming – from underdog to regional hero
We jet past the ECB along the river Main towards Offenbach. Harry leads the way, while giving us some interesting facts about the city’s history. You will quickly notice that he lives and breathes cycling. The fact that Harry and David ended up at Advanced is somewhat of a coincidence – neither of them knew the brand. Even if Advanced is from Frankfurt, they’re still unknown to many of its residents. But that’s set to change, especially with the opening of their new office in Offenbach! With its location on one of the most popular bike paths in the city, which thousands of cyclists use every day, the company isn’t just hoping to gain more visibility, but also make a contribution to the local bike culture in the form of a cafeteria, doubling as a canteen for their employees. That’s where we’re headed, to take a closer look!
Different helmets and shoes
We slip into smelly work boots, don sweaty high-vis vests, and put on Playmobil helmets! Time to check out the new headquarters, which are still under construction, have a beer with the construction workers, and ponder the future. There’s a palpable level of anticipation in everyone’s eyes. We go inside. During Eurobike 2023, Advanced already threw an industrial party in the unfinished building, and CEO Helge gave us a short tour – though most of what he said was drowned out by the music pumping in the background ;). So, we try again, this time in peace and daylight with the employees. Nils also joins us. Just over 30 employees will soon all find their place here, filling the rooms with life and ideas. The first few hours have already shown that they have enough of both to go around.
The most beautiful way to get around
Visual designer Inga, who is responsible for the complete brand identity and design, lived in Hong Kong for over a decade, where she hardly ever commuted by bike. She returned to Frankfurt only recently and is rediscovering the city on two wheels. The beauty of cycling is not just that it’s physical and fun, allowing you to see more and get further, but also that it brings people together. And so it is this evening. While we spent a lot of time talking about the future and Advanced’s plans, the topics gradually shifted. We start sharing personal life stories. From curious to courageous and interesting, it’s all there – including the realisation that no matter how different our careers, bikes have brought us all together.
So, who will save our future
Looking forward to the future is becoming increasingly rare these days. At Advanced, however, that’s what they do on a daily basis. Because here, a better future seems within reach. The Frankfurt based company won’t save the world, but their innovative technological approaches are a bold step in the right direction. The beauty of Advanced is that despite all the technological progress and lofty goals, the focus seems to be on people and togetherness. And, ultimately, that’s what matters the most!
Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Robin Schmitt, Inga Beckmann
