---- ===== Kettler ===== In 1949, Heinz Kettler started an exercise equipment company in the attic of a sawmill in Ense-Parsit, Germany. Kettler soon branched out into cookware, cake plates, children's bikes, carts, camping supplies, stationary bikes, treadmills, folding chairs and many other things involving steel and aluminum tubing. Heinz Kettler first bicycles appeared in 1968 and then introduced aluminum bicycles in 1977, all made in Germany. Kettler's first MTB appeared in 1984 ((The 1983 Kettler catalog has no MTBs - but some have claimed to see Safaris introduced in 1983.)). Kettler finally closed shop in January 2020 after selling their bicycle division to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zweirad_Einkaufs_Genossenschaft|ZEG]] which continues the Kettler brand as [[https://www.kettler-alu-rad.de/gb-en/|KETTLER Alu-Rad GmbH]].

Heinz Kettler made a pioneering contribution to the area of bicycle development in 1977. Instead of using the conventional, heavy steel that was the industry standard, he was the first manufacturer to launch an aluminium bicycle onto the market. With the Kettler Alu Rad 2600, Heinz Kettler revolutionised the bicycle sector. [[https://www.kettler-alu-rad.de/gb-en/about-us/history]]

This ignores other bike makers who used aluminum tubing, such as: * [[https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/monark-silver-king/|Monark]] in 1934 * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminade|Caminade]] in the 1930s * [[https://vitusbikes.com/pages/history|Vitus]] in 1971 * [[https://alanbike.it/en/about-us/|Alan]] in 1972 Or early MTBs which pioneered using aluminum: * [[cc:start|Cunningham]], 1978 * [[snr:start|Speed & Research]], 1982 * [[crotch:start|Crotch Rocket]], 1983 * [[klein:start|Klein]], 1984 And many more. Perhaps Kettler was the first to launch an all-new Al frame in 1977. Kettler aluminum bikes were heavy, sort of like their patio furniture, which were probably made with the same tubing. The Kettler head tube badge is **//HKS//** ((Which can also be read as HSK, if you're used to reading left to right. It's confusing.)) , which stands for Heinz Kettler Sport. Resources: * [[https://www.velopedia.online/Search?query=kettler]] * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettler]] * [[https://www.kettler-store.com/us-en/about-us/history]] * [[https://www.kettlerusa.com/pages/about-us]] * [[https://patents.google.com/?inventor=Heinz+Kettler&sort=old]] * [[https://www.kettler.de/]] * [[https://www.heinz-kettler-stiftung.de/]]

{{heinz.jpg?400|Heinz Kettler}} \\ Heinz Kettler [[https://www.wp.de/region/sauer-und-siegerland/article228291697/kettler-die-letzten-tage-eines-traditionsunternehmens.html|wp.de]]

---- ===== 1984 Edition Alu-Rad ===== Aluminum frame, non-original Shimano Deore MT-60 (1987-8), SR quick release seat (1983 only), SR MTS-100 handlebars (1982-84), red only. One size only - which may explain the sliding seat. Large custom red cog on rear. Color matched frame, fork, bars, rack, bottle cage and granny gear.

{{1984.jpg?300|1984 Edition Alu-Rad }} \\ 1984 Edition Alu-Rad [[ https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/german-kettler-mtbs.310673/page-2|retrobike]]

---- ===== 1985 Safari ===== Aluminum frame, Shimano M700 v2 (1985), SR MTS-100 slingshot stem (1982-87), faux biplane forks, no derailleur braze ons - guides are either drilled or strapped.

{{1985.jpg?300|1985 Safari }} \\ 1985 Safari [[ https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/kettler-galerie.889790/page-2|mtb-news.de]]

---- ===== 1986 Safari Street ===== Same as their standard MTB with fenders and a rack. The derailleur doesn't match the catalog. Red granny gear. Many cables are strapped and not guided with braze ons.

{{1986.jpg?300|1986 Safari Street }} \\ 1986 Safari Street [[ https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/kettler-alu-rad-safari-street-mountain-bike-1986.446230/|retrobike]]

---- ===== 1987 Safari Adventure S ===== Shimano RD-M531 GS (1987-88), Biopace rings, strapped on full cable housing, red granny gear. Doesn't match any catalog.

{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Safari Adventure S }} \\ 1987 Safari Adventure S [[ https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/kettler-galerie.889790/|mtb-news.de]]

---- ===== 1988 Adventure SL ===== Matches 1988 catalog: Shimano XT M730 (1986-88), u-brakes rear, original semi-clock tires, HKS bars, ITM stem.

{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Adventure SL }} \\ 1988 Adventure SL [[ https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/kettler-galerie.889790/page-6#post-19192072|mtb-news.de]]

---- ===== 1989 Edition ===== Drop frame (damenmodell), Shimano Deore RD-MT62 (1989), rear u-brake, elaborate derailleur protector.

{{1989.jpg?300|1989 Edition }} \\ 1989 Edition [[ https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/kettler-galerie.889790/page-2|mtb-news.de]]

---- ===== 1990 Adventure ===== Suntour XC Expert v1 (1990), frame gusset, u-brake rear

{{1990.jpg?300|1990 Adventure }} \\ 1990 Adventure [[ https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/kettler-galerie.889790/page-4|mtb-news.de]]

---- ===== 1991 Selection ===== Shimano M735 (1990-92), Italmanubri stem, Panaracer Khartoum tires (1990-91), Alesa rims from Belgium, frame gusset, chainstay shelf

{{1991.jpg?300|1991 Selection }} \\ 1991 Selection [[ https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/kettler-galerie.889790/page-3#post-18593563|mtb-news.de]]

---- ===== 1992 Adventure XR ===== Shimano Deore LX (1990-92) gruppo, HKS logo, shark fin with spare spokes, frame gusset with chainstay shelf, internal cabling.

{{1992.jpg?300|1992 Adventure XR }} \\ 1992 Adventure XR [[ https://mountainbikemuseum.nl/en/mountainbikes/kettler-alu-rad-adventure-xr-686|mountainbikemuseum.nl]]

---- ===== 1993 Selection ===== Shimano XT M737 group (1989-93), frame gusset, chainstay shelf, updated logo. Designed in Virginia Beach, USA decals. These decals are not unique to this Kettler. Virginia Beach is home to [[https://kettlerstore.com/|Kettler, USA]] - and is also very far from any hill. The closest open space is the [[https://www.fws.gov/refuge/great-dismal-swamp|Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge]]. It's possible that this is a 1992.

{{1993.jpg?300|1993 Selection }} \\ 1993 Selection [[ https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/kettler-selection-vintage-retro-mtb-shimano-xt-rh50/2740539997-217-939|kleinanzeigen.de]]