Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do you pronounce Skeppshult?

Like "wheps-hoolt". Skeppshult is actually the name of the small town where they are made. Originally the company was known as Skogsstjärnan but that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue that easy, so they have been known as Skeppshult for some time now. Albert Samuelsson started producing bicycles in 1911 and you can still see Albert Samuelsson & Co on the company crest.

What is so special about Skeppshult 

There are many things that set Skeppshult apart from others, some things are very significant, some things are in the small details.

It could easily be argued that Skeppshult is the most environmentally friendly bicycle manufacturer in the world. Since the start of 2008 their factory uses electricity which is generated 100% from wind power. In the 2nd half of 2008 they installed a new facility for treating the frames before they are powder coated. This new facility eliminated the use of heavy metals for the rust prevention treatment and significantly reduced the amount of water needed for this process. In 2005 they installed a new system which recycled the left over heat from the ovens used for powdercoating into heating for the factory in winter time. In 1999 they installed a powder coating facility for the frames which elimated the production and use of toxic substances by the previous painting facility.These are just some examples of the initiatives they take and it's this approach of "travelling their own way" which can be seen in many aspects within Skeppshult.

The V Bike like all Skeppshult bicycles is designed and made in Sweden. Unlike the majority of bicycle brands who have their frames mass produced in Asia, Skeppshult frames are made and painted in the Skeppshult factory where they have always been made since 1920. Just to put this into perspective, a manufacture such as Giant would produce in 7 days what Skeppshult produces in a year. Sweden used to have a healthy bicycle manufacturing history (as did Australia, most people would have heard of a brand made in Malvern, Melbourne) but Skeppshult is now the only Swedish brand to have a continuous record of frame manufacture and frame painting in their factory. Skeppshult are very proud of the fact that when you visit them, if you go to the back of the factory you will see neat stacks of steel tubing ready to be cut, bent and welded into a bicycle frame.  

Skeppshult bicycles come from the factory 99% assembled which is not very common. The only thing that needs to be done is to attach the pedals, basket and turn the handle bars 90 degrees. This way Skeppshult ensures their bicycles arrive to you the way they intended. 

Skeppshult bicycles are designed as a whole. So often the phrases "form and function" and "style and substance" are bandied about, almost to the point of losing their meaning, but in the case of Skeppshult they ring true. They design bicycles that are comfortable and stylish and they build them to last. Components from suppliers such as Brooks, DT Swiss, Schwalbe, Selle Royal, Wippermann and of course Shimano are used because they deliver the quality which Skeppshult builds.

Why are the frames made of steel?

Steel is a fantastic material to use for a bicycle frame. Carbon fibre and aluminium capture the limelight in today's road racing and mountain bikes, but for the commuter-style bikes Skeppshult design and manufacture, steel is perfect.

It might sound strange but a steel frame is more forgiving and "alive" than the stiffer carbon fibre and "dull" aluminium. The forgiving nature of steel translates to a more comfortable and enjoyable ride. On top of this, steel is durable and it actually adds to the aesthetics of the bicycle because the quality of the welds that Skeppshult can achieve with the steel is extremely high. Compare the welds on a Skeppshult bicycle with those on an aluminium frame and you will see the difference. Ride a Skeppshult bicycle and compare it to an aluminium frame bicycle and you will feel the difference.

What are the shipping costs?

To keep things simple we do not charge shipping costs for delivery within Australia. This means that a customer in Perth pays the same price for a V bike as a customer in Sydney.

What's the process for shipping and delivery?

We use Toll for delivering our bicycles. All orders will be dispatched on Wednesdays and will generally arrive within 3-4 days to most locations, but Perth and Brisbane customers should allow at least 4 days. Obviously there may be situations when dispatching on the Wednesday is not helpful e.g. you forgot your partners birthday is coming up this Tuesday so you need the V Bike to leave on Thursday. In such a case we can arrange for a different dispatch date.

Deliveries are not made on weekends and they need to be signed for - they will not be left at the delivery address. If possible, delivery to a work address can be useful. If you are not there to accept delivery, then a note will be left and you can either reschedule the delivery time or arrange to pick the V Bike up from the Toll depot.

We provide you with a tracking number which is helpful but the ETA's are not 100% accurate. With a network the size that Toll operates it is difficult for them to provide 100% accurate ETA’s, so from time to time a delivery will have an ETA of Tuesday but not arrive until Thursday for example.

Do I need freight insurance?

No, our insurance provides coverage for bicycles being delivered to you. So if a bicycle was to for example, "fall off the back of a truck" then that is our problem and we will arrange a replacement. The bicycles are well packaged but obviously we suggest inspecting the bike for any scratches before signing for delivery.

What is the warranty period?

All Skeppshult bicycles come with a 2 year warranty on the components, whereas most other bicycles only come with a 12 month warranty. So if the Selle Royal seat starts to delaminate in 18 months time or the LED tail light malfunctions, then we will replace it. Obviously consumables such as the tyres, bearings and chain etc are not replaceable due to normal wear.

What if I lose the keys to the built-in lock?

When your V Bike arrives we strongly recommend writing down the key number along with the frame number in the Skeppshult user manual so that the lock keys can be replaced. There is a spot to write this down on page 3 of the manual. For V Bike customers, please cross out the C and write a B because the V bike has a different prefix to other Skeppshult bicycles. If you lose both keys then contact us and we can arrange for new ones.