Granit Stålhästen Collab

I had the pleasure of riding this bicycle around Malmö the last few days. It's a very Swedish feeling bicycle made by Stålhästen (literally translates to The Iron Horse - but it's unrelated to the Iron Horse bike company that produced bikes up until about 2009).

Stålhästen make steel framed simple bikes. Mostly internally geared or single-speed with coaster brakes. Some with racks. Some without. Electric. Acoustic. Have a look at their website.

A decade (and a bit) ago they collaborated with storage interior design firm Granit to make a simple stylish bicycle for commuters and people who wanted to haul the occasional beer crate home from Systembolaget. It isn't fast. It's not light. But it has a very good upright cycling position, so it is exceptionally comfortable to ride - no shoulder or arm pain to be had. The bike I borrowed was far too large for me, so I needed to have the seat down low to be able to reach the ground properly. This meant that I had my knees around my wrists occasionally - but that's not a fault of the bike.

Having a rack and basket on the front that is not attached to the fork in that Clydesdale style meant that it rode like a normal bike all the time. With and without the occasional crate of beer from Systembolaget.

Considering the lack of maintenance this bike has seen over the years, it's held up really well. Impressively so.

A great pub bike for sure.

A great flat-ground commuter.

Not a hill climber.

Would ride again. After tightening the chain and stand. And maybe a few dabs of oil on the chain.