Rixe Export De Luxe Classic Road Bike 1950s

In the troubled years of the 1920s, The company Rixe was founded in the heartland of German bicycle production, Westfalia. Through their uncompromised approach on quality and a clever setup of the production facilities, they soon became one of the leading motor- and bicycle companies.

After rough times in the aftermath of WWII, in the late 40s and 1950s the production was flourishing again and Rixe was able to export higher numbers to the US, the Middle East and northern Africa.
It was this time that the name Export de Luxe was introduced to top class models both from the motorised and non-motorised bike line.
Our Rixe Export de Luxe from the 1950s is exactly one of these bicycles. And its construction and set-up make clear that it is indeed an excellent example of European lightweight bicycle production.

The frame is made from Lightweight Vitus tubing wich was connected by the popular Nervex Professional lugs. Chromed stays, chromed headlugs and a cromovelato headtube show that this bike was not cheap in the making and also are a good illustration of typical trends in German road bike design throughout the 1950s.
The fact that the bike has an unused extra shifter braze-on on the downtube, makes clear that the Export model derived from the 'normal' lightweight range and could be equipped with a Simplex shifting as well.

Our de Luxe, however, received a fine Campagnolo Gran Sport shifting with Bar-End shifters and Campagnolo Gran Sport Hubs. Though these early Campagnolo hubs are always spectacular, the best part of the wheelset are the Scheeren rims. Made by a German company in Berlin, these rims with a wooden core and aluminium hull achieved an unrivalled lightness and are highly collectible nowadays.
Scheeren also produced the stem and bar for our bike. From Switzerland come the Weinmann brakes, from England comes the Brooks saddle. The French Stronglight bearings and crankset complete a setup which seems to mirror the European idea which grew strong in the years this bicycle was made.

The overall condition and the original setup make this bike a special piece and a perfect example of German post-war bicycle production.

The bike was checked thoroughly and is ready to be ridden.
Eroica eligible and a decorative ride for your weekend jaunts.