Henning Rakete is a photographer and loves to ride his fixed-gear bike through Berlin. As the founder of a ride club, he shares his passion for cycling and has been bringing bike enthusiasts together for group rides in and around Berlin since 2021. He prefers a minimalist setup on his bike and uses Motoschlappen strap pedals on his Schindelhauer Viktor.

Tell us: who are you and what kind of bike do you ride?

I am Henning, I come from Berlin, have worked in the cycling industry for many years, and am now mostly out and about on two wheels with my camera. I also founded WeRideBike (@weridebike) – a ride club with which we organize weekly group rides. I currently ride a Schindelhauer Viktor with Carbon Drive.

When did you start cycling and have your bike preferences changed over the years?

I have been rolling on two wheels since I was about 4 years old. My first bike was a 20-inch BMX. I received it as a gift from my mother for my school enrollment. Since then, I have tried many subcategories of cycling (BMX, dirt, freeride, downhill, road bike, singlespeed, fixed gear, enduro, all-mountain).

And what do you do when you’re not cycling?

When I’m not cycling, I edit my photos, try to do sports in other ways, cook, and enjoy reading. Once a day, I learn about something, someone, or a place I don’t know in the real world.

Where do you park your bike at night?

Not many people know this, and I’d like it to stay that way. Unfortunately, too many bikes are still stolen, which has happened to me several times.

What do you use your bike, or bikes, for?

To ride in the slipstream of buses, chase scooters, have fun with friends, get around the city faster than other means of transport, or to do a bit off-road riding.

How often do you get on your bike?

I ride about 4-5 days a week throughout the year. In summer, I ride daily; in winter, there are sometimes several days in a row when I don’t. My personal goal is to be in the saddle once a day, even if it’s just for a few sprints.

Why do you enjoy being on your bike so much?

I enjoy the muscle soreness as a sign of personal progress and physical maintenance; at the same time, I consider laugh lines to be one of the best life insurances, as they say more about a person than a thousand words and stories could. Since time is probably our most valuable asset, I keep my travel routes short by using the fastest means of transport in the city.

You use our Motoschlappen pedals with strap on your bike. How would you describe MOTO pedals?

Unconventional, innovative, minimalist, functional, and timeless are the terms that best describe the pedals for me. This applies to both the initial visual impression and the long-term use on the bike.

How do you rate the grip behavior?

I initially rode the pedals on the Schindelhauer Viktor without straps, which I do not recommend to anyone. However, even in this short acclimatization period, it has already shown that the grip is above average.

What pedals did you ride before the MOTOs?

I have tried quite a few: including pedals from Wellgo, NC-17, Sixpack, Tioga, MVTE, Shimano, Nukeproof, and Crank Brothers.

What is the difference for you compared to conventional pedals?

With the MOTO pedals, the grip level is high, shoe wear is lower without pins, and they are flatter, which is particularly pleasant for fixed-gear riders in curves. And the wide selection of colors and materials makes the pedal perfect for customized builds and projects with attention to detail.

Bike Check: Schindelhauer Viktor by Henning

• Frame: Schindelhauer Viktor, silver
• Frame size: 59 cm
• Fork: Schindelhauer Viktor, silver
• Handlebar: Schindelhauer stem-handlebar unit
• Stem: Schindelhauer stem-handlebar unit
• Headset: Tange Seiki, integrated 1 1/8 inch
• Saddle: SQ Lab 611 Ergowave, 14 cm wide
• Saddle post: Lightskin Integrated LED saddle post, black
• Crank: Shimano Alfine, Hollowtech II
• Chainring size: 63 teeth
• Sprocket: 22 teeth
• Drive: Gates Carbondrive, 118 teeth
• Pedals: MOTO x Schindelhauer strap pedal "Motoschlappen"
• Tires: Continental Grand Prix 5000s, 25 mm
• Front wheel: Schindelhauer - high-flange front hub, Alexrims CX30 rim, radially laced
• Rear wheel: Schindelhauer - flip-flop rear hub, Alexrims CX30 rim, 3-cross laced