Erts Cycles

At the start of the Antwerp brand, Brecht built all the bikes himself, at his home. Over the past few years, the brand has grown, now collaborating with social atelier De Sprong for much of the production process. This way, Erts Cycles not only participates in the local recycling of discarded bicycles, they also contribute to the social economy!

The bicycle makers at De Sprong are responsible for quality control, dismantling and coating the bicycle frames. Here, they employ people who have few opportunities in the regular labour market.

Erts Cycles chooses to use old bicycle frames as the basis for each new bike. These vintage, steel frames from 1970-’90 are high-quality and often manufactured locally. The discarded bikes are collected in the locally through Kringwinkels and recycling depots. 

After a quality check, the frames are stripped of old parts and given a fresh, colourful coating. Erts deliberately chooses modern components such as lights, mudguards, locks, luggage carriers and bicycle bells. This gives two advantages: it combines present-day comfort and innovation with the charming vintage frames, AND it makes it easy to have your bike repaired at your local bike shop.

Erts Cycles was created from the ambition to bring as many discarded bicycles back into use as possible, helping to close the circle. Circular principles were also taken into account in the design phase by facilitating possible repairs. In this way, the brand not only ensures that fewer raw materials have to be mined for the production of new bikes, they also make it possible to use your bike longer and have it repaired at your local bike shop!

Erts Cycles has a short supply chain thanks to local collection and production of the bikes. All steps of the process are carried out in the Antwerp region.

The vintage bikes are given a contemporary touch thanks to fresh colours and modern accessories. Yet the frames remain a paragon of 1970-’90s quality and style.

Build your own bike! At Erts Cycles, you can choose the type of frame, your favourite colour and the accessories you want. The Antwerp brand offers both racing and city bikes, each time giving you the choice between a horizontal or angled tube. In other words, something for everyone!

On Erts Cycles’ website, you can read all about the methods and materials the brand uses. It also highlights their collaboration with De Sprong.

COSH! Welcomes this transparency, while also hoping that more information will soon be shared about where the various parts and accessories come from.