Innovative, precise testing systems for tailor-made solutions

Overloads, shocks, riding mistakes – that’s what bicycle frames and components must endure. We test on test stands simulating in fast motion the fatigue strength and the foreseeable misuse of bicycle components, to identify and exclude such scenarios and their possible consequences prior to real riding.

Thanks to precise, innovative and reliable testing systems we offer tailor-made solutions for (nearly) all challenges of modern, dynamic test requirements, i.e. for bicycles and pedelecs as well as for their components. Depending on the successfully passed tests, your products will obtain test seals upon request documenting the safety level achieved.

Our testing services in the accredited test laboratory ensure reliable tests in accordance with important standards for electric bicycles/e-bikes, bicycles and transportation/cargo bikes, such as the DIN EN ISO 4210, the DIN EN ISO 8098, the DIN EN ISO 11243, the DIN EN 15194 and the DIN 79010 standards. Where necessary and reasonable, the standards are supplemented by company-own test criteria.

These are based on our longstanding accident analyses and were verified and validated with scientific support by universities and colleges. You find a detailed list comprising the current scope of accreditation in the (German) annex to the certificate and in the (German) internal annex to the flexible scope of application.

Test seals for passed SAFETY tests

Since the end of 2012, Zedler-Institut has been supplying test seals for successfully passed tests of mountain bike, road racing, trekking and pedelec frames as well as components.

The new test seals are available in four categories for bicycles and e-bikes which are classified according to the requirements of the different SAFETY tests.

Our institute standards Basic, Advanced (ADV), Advanced Plus (ADV+) and Advanced Plus XXL (ADV+ XXL) are built on one another.

In a first round we principally test the complete ISO or EN requirements from “A” to “Z”. In doing so you reach a first step of operational safety and discharge from liabilities.

Prior to the impact tests we complement the contents of the standard by further load cases that occur in real operation, but are not comprised in the standard. Examples are a possibly recommendable brake load test for disc brakes and the rear triangle test for full-suspension frames. If a test piece passes ISO and the additional load cases, it has reached the Basic level.
Advanced is a further “round” through the different load cases, however, at reduced load cycles with higher forces compared to EN/ISO.
Advanced Plus is another round through the complementing load cycles with reduced cycles and higher loads.
To successfully pass Advanced Plus XXL another round must be passed with increased requirements.

Once the fatigue tests are passed, time has come for our proven crash testers who test several overload or possible accident scenarios. These final impact tests will also help you later in the handling of complaints, if once again there is the unjustified claim for replacing a forcibly folded frame. They will help you to effectively invalidate the “just riding along” argument.

In the end, an XXL-level frame will have passed more than 20 individual tests/test criteria successfully.

We should be pleased to offer you the respective test seal for your products.

Detailled information on tested products are available online for manufacturers and end-users.