By George Scott

Published: Wednesday, 06 July 2022 at 12:00 am

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Millions of spectators may have lined the roads of Denmark’s capital city to greet the Grand Départ, but we didn’t need the arrival of the Tour de France in Copenhagen to confirm the country as a cycling-mad nation.

Copenhagen rightly has a reputation as one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities. Cycling is engrained in the fabric of everyday life, with cycle lanes criss-crossing the city and bikes lined up outside every bar, restaurant and apartment block.

The BikeRadar team may have been in Copenhagen for the start of the 2022 race to cast an eye over the latest five-figure Tour de France bikes, but with 10 minutes to spare on our final morning in the city, I also took a closer look at the bikes everyday Danes ride to work, school and the shops. 

Practicality is the name of the game here. On my old commute in London, go-fast, drop-bar road bikes would line-up for the Traffic Light Grand Prix on the elbow-to-elbow blast alongside the River Thames. In Copenhagen, flat bars, mudguards, in-built locks, kickstands and chainguards are key spec details.

Consider this an antidote to the rest of our Tour tech coverage (but do go and check that out, as well…).

A Dutch bike in Denmark

George Scott / Our Media

Here’s a bike that represents the pinnacle of everyday style and practicality from a brand – Mustang – that can be found on just about every street corner in Copenhagen.

This is the archetypal Dutch bike, with everything you need for city riding: an upright position, sensible tyres, a rack and basket, kickstand, chainguard, flat pedals, bell and lights. It’s very smart, too, with a black finish and tan contact points.

Family fleet

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Cycling is a family affair in Copenhagen, with this trio of bikes racked-up alongside one another ready for the ride to school.

Practicality extends to kids’ bikes in Denmark, too.

A Catalyst for commuting

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Most city bikes in Copenhagen are purpose-built for the job, but there’s still life in this old Cannondale Catalyst, now being put to use for urban duties.

The Catalyst has disappeared from Cannondale’s range, but the hardtail mountain bike has a few improvised practical touches for city life, even if it can’t match purpose-built bikes.

Commuting gains

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We couldn’t put together a Tour de France-inspired gallery – even one of city bikes – without an aero bike. This mash-up of wild aero tube profiles and big city practicality caught the eye.

Avenue is a Danish brand that describes itself on its website as “exciting and aerodynamic”, with aero-sculpted tubes featuring across its range of city bikes. We love it.

Car-free and care-free

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Cargo bikes are the very definition of Copenhagen’s cycling spirit in a bicycle: car-free and care-free.

This electric cargo bike – or, more accurately, trike – is driven by a Bafang motor in the rear wheel.

Who needs drop bars?

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Spending just a short amount of time in Denmark highlights how impractical most road bikes are for everyday urban riding.

This was one of the few drop-bar bikes being used for city cycling that we saw in Copenhagen – otherwise, it’s flat-bars all the way.

Eye-candy

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This beautiful bike, with its Brooks saddle and chromed steel fork, caught the eye.

It looks great, but there are a few smart details when you get a bit closer, too.

Big frame, small wheels

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This Leader mini-bike has a big frame and small wheels.

With a design like this, the overall profile of the bike can be smaller, so it’s easier to store at home.

It’s similar to the Velo Orange Neutrino we featured on our YouTube channel in 2020.