Excelsior Bicycles: Retro City Style with Everyday Purpose

Excelsior builds its bicycle identity around everyday journeys with a vintage visual character. City bikes, cruisers, trekking models and retro e-bikes form a range aimed at riders who want transport to have some personality. The useful distinction is beneath the styling: different Excelsior models approach shopping, commuting and leisurely outings with different frames, gearing and equipment.

The company behind the retro character

The contemporary bicycle brand belongs to Hermann Hartje KG, based in Hoya, Germany, as confirmed by Excelsior’s company imprint. That is a useful starting point when researching a name that also appears in historical cycling and motorcycle records: the present range has a clearly identified business behind it.

Excelsior’s own brand introduction places urban riding and vintage styling at the centre of its offer, while also describing trekking bicycles and countryside outings. Its appeal therefore rests on a recognisable design direction across several everyday riding formats. Buyers can begin with the appearance they enjoy, then narrow the choice by how they actually travel.

Two ways to approach everyday cycling

Glorious: carrying capacity shapes the design

The 2024 Glorious listing shows how Excelsior connects decorative detail with utility. It describes a steel frame, chrome-plated components and coordinated contact points, alongside a removable wicker basket in the front carrier and a rear luggage rack. Hub-dynamo lighting and Shimano Nexus hub gearing complete the city-focused package; the manufacturer describes three- and seven-speed versions.

For a rider choosing a shopping bicycle, those carrying arrangements deserve as much attention as the colour. Comparing the available gear versions also makes more sense than treating every Glorious as an identical bicycle.

Secret: a different interpretation of city style

The 2022 Secret trapeze listing takes another route, combining an aluminium frame, internally routed cables, disc braking and a seven-speed Shimano Nexus hub. Its cleaner presentation illustrates the breadth within Excelsior’s urban identity. These dated manufacturer listings are specific examples, so confirm the equipment of the bicycle being offered.

Choose around the journey

Excelsior is particularly relevant to riders comparing practical city bicycles with a strong visual identity. Start with mounting comfort, luggage needs, braking preferences and gearing, then assess the styling. Explore the Excelsior brand page with those priorities in mind: the most useful comparison is between complete everyday setups, because a basket-equipped retro bicycle and a cleaner urban model answer different needs.