The Specialized specialist in Zurich's Seefeld district is both a neighbourhood bike store and a meeting point for gravity freaks, slurry riders and, of course, e-bikers. In 2014, he set up Café Che diagonally opposite, an Italian coffee bar and e-bike showroom in one.

Joseph Elsener, who opened a frame smithy in the building next door to the current store in 1922, served athletes at the Oerlikon racecourse, among others. His custom-made racing handlebars are also said to have been sold in New York when Swiss track riders did their laps there.

Today's owner Christian Elsener, Joseph's grandson, has the respect of the local bike community also because he supports events such as the Pizzacup and ran his own store team for a long time. Today, Züritrails benefits from Elsener's support. Christian's two sons are now the fourth generation to work in the store. The team also includes two of the patron's sisters, Christian Elsener's wife and seven other employees.

100 years is an impressive number, all the more so when you see how fresh Velo-Elsener has remained. Reason enough to pay another visit to the institution in Seefeld and take a look at a few specials.