ergotec
The ergonomics and safety experts for all aspects of the bicycle
ergotec (Humpert) has been developing steering systems for bicycles for 100 years. The company has pioneered a range of ergonomic and medically certified components for bicycles.
Rolf G. Häcker
is head of our product development and testing centre. In addition, he is a member of the standards committee and is active in the e-bike working group of Germany's Bicycle Industry Association. Rolf Häcker already has 40 years of experience in the bicycle industry, including operations as a specialist dealer, head of quality assurance and head of product development, as well as 20 years with ergotec in the above areas.
Rolf Häcker is our specialist on all questions regarding technology, product-specific details and standards.
Alexander Gahle
is an expert bicycle mechanic and the former workshop manager of a large bicycle retailer. He has more than 20 years of professional experience and has been closely associated with various areas of cycling and bicycle technology since early childhood. Alexander Gahle has more than 250,000 km of experience in cycling, road cycling, MTB, touring and as a commuter by bike.
Since the beginning of 2018 he has complemented the ergotec team and is responsible, among other things, for technical support, advice and training for specialist dealers.
Thorsten Braukmann
has been working in the bicycle industry for 25 years. The main part of this has been in retail, where technical as well as ergonomic advice has been a priority. In addition to his professional experience in cycling he also has a wealth of experience from his own cycling trips as well as from organising and carrying out cycling holidays.
For 8 years he has been a sought-after expert at ergotec when it comes to training, technical support and consulting.
Dr. Achim Schmidt
Cycling expert at the German Sport University Cologne
Achim is the founder of the German Bicycle Research Centre and a sports scientist at the Institute for Outdoor Sports and Environmental Research at the German Sport University Cologne, a cycling expert and author. He has become acquainted with all facets of cycling in countless industrial and competitive sports projects on almost all cycling topics. As a former racing cyclist, he has spent several 100,000 km in the saddle himself and knows the problems of cyclists. Achim has been the leading scientific expert on our team since 2010. On the basis of many studies he provides tips on how pain can be avoided or reduced when cycling and what individual settings on the bike are ergonomically optimal.
Dr. med. Thomas Castner
Medical specialist
Dr. med. Thomas Castner is a specialist in anaesthesia and emergency medicine and an expert on medical products.
For more than 20 years he has been involved in the field of product development, CE certification and practical tests of medical devices. He came to the exciting research field of bicycle ergonomics via sports medicine and pain therapy.
Margarita Devocko
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist, natural health practitioner (physiotherapy)
Specialist in manual therapy and craniofacial therapy (CRAFTA)
For more than 10 years Margarita has often treated people in her practice who also suffer from pain when cycling. The contact with ergotec came about through the printed version of RichtigRadfahren.de, which she gave to affected patients in her practice as part of their treatment.
In the course of her treatment of cyclists with pain syndromes (neck, shoulder and arm pain as well as knee, hip, foot and back complaints), Margarita has often found that the symptoms can frequently be traced back to an incorrect seating position when cycling, especially on longer rides. In addition to the incorrect seating position, the cause can also lie in the selection of incorrect components.
Margarita says: "We base our treatment on the complaints, functional or activity restrictions that become visible in our findings. We not only look at the specific region of your complaints, but at the whole body. The aim of our treatment is to promote your independence and self-reliance as a patient and to activate the self-healing powers of the organism."
To the websiteGerman Bicycle Research Centre
The German Bicycle Research Centre is a network consisting of various bicycle experts. Both product developments and basic research are carried out at the DFZF.
Franz Zint
Pensioner, 72 years
Franz retired over 10 years ago and has been constantly on the road by bike or e-bike ever since. He rides to the bakery or to visit friends every day and often undertakes long tours of over 100 km with his wife. His experience and feedback are a great help to us in the development of new products.
