So baut kein normaler Händler ein Custom Nicolai E-Bike!

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-19

[00:00:01]Wow, we're at Kai Gimler's. Hi Kai. Yes, you are often asked about your special skills in design and color selection. Let me show you.

[00:00:11]These masculine colors that you use here on the bicycles are also used in the nail polish sector for travesty shows. Yes, nobody makes a distinction there anymore these days. Man, you're really stuck in the past, Sven.

[00:00:25]Okay, [laughter] we're talking about custom bikes. Yes, and that's usually something that 's extremely well-known from America, of course with motorcycles, and this is actually a small motorcycle, if you will.

[00:00:42]Yes, it has an engine and two wheels, so in that respect, yes. And above all, we now have the opportunity – I mean, you've been here quite often, we've already filmed several of our custom bikes – and it just so happened that the frame arrived yesterday, and now we can build it up or try it out so that the customer can see how it's received and at what level we then give our input. Uh, because so far we've only ever seen the finished products, like this black one, which has already been filmed, right? That's exactly how it came about. That means we get the bare frame.

[00:01:16]In that case, we already have the damper included here.

[00:01:19]We often don't get that from Nikolai himself, so we can decide for ourselves whether it's an Ölin, an Intent, or something else.

[00:01:28]And uh, now you can see here how the frames arrive with us.

[00:01:31]Wait a minute, Kai, I'm just here on my bike.

[00:01:34]Yes, we'll do a video exam about that, right?

[00:01:37]We can do that, gladly.

[00:01:38]That's porn! It looks like a mix of 80s styles.

[00:01:43]Really now? "Watch out," I was just about to say. My reputation was based on the bike. I wanted to bring back a bit of that 80s style.

[00:01:49]Cool. Look here.

[00:01:50]Yes, look at the brake. [laughter] That 's awesome.

[00:01:54]Those are the details that really matter, right?

[00:01:56]Yes, good. I'm old enough, I know what the 80s were like. Precisely. And [snorting] I mean, you always have two sides to your story. On the one hand, you have the overall look that such a wheel represents, and then of course there are the details that add to the enjoyment when you get closer. Exactly.

[00:02:12]So it really is, so it means, um, it's like a good cooking recipe.

[00:02:17]The basis is Nikolai's framework. Exactly. Um, then the Pinion MGU engine is appearing more and more frequently. So you've also used various engines. So it must be said quite clearly that the Pin MGU, in this setup with the Nikolai frame, is now our best-selling product. Then comes the S18. Could we perhaps go over here for a moment? There is also a single frame there. It's now equipped with the Bosch CXR motor.

[00:02:43]What is Bosch again? I Bosch, you spell it B O S, yes, exactly. It's becoming increasingly difficult to install. It's getting increasingly difficult. No, I think you should watch out, they've just gotten their asses kicked. Uh, there are quite a few more improvements coming. A 12 Amp charger is included, along with a 120 newm update; this is essentially the second e-bike base from Nikolai. So we'll get these frames individually as well. The same thing happening in two completely different setups, right?

[00:03:11]I think the frame also comes in two versions. It comes with a display, er, in the top tube.

[00:03:15]Uh no, the S18, you always have the display in the top tube. This applies to the S16. It's coming up now, let's say, delivery will probably be from around August.

[00:03:25]Now comes the V2 version with a display in the top tube and a slightly slimmer down tube. OK. OK. So, that means you could also supply with Bosch, but here we have the advantage that you don't have a gearbox, you have extreme durability, low maintenance. So, and I have to be completely honest with Sven, these have always been the main points we've discussed when it comes to the wheels. But as I told you, I was in Finale Ligure myself with an S16 with the Pin in the MGU almost four weeks ago now, and interestingly enough, I never really saw the bike that way for myself, because, let's say, we have nominal disadvantages like the high weight and various other things. [snorting] Uh, um, and I was blown away, completely blown away. It works like this: because we have the engine and transmission in one unit, and the transmission is electrically shifted, you can do it like in a car or a modern motorcycle, imagine it like in a car where you have paddle shifters, right? You can shift gears manually, but there are also various automatic programs. And now comes the really important part: you can put this bike into the so-called preselect mode. This means that when you stop pedaling, the pedaling will always adjust to your speed and your preset cadence. The appropriate gear was presented. So, that sounds simple at first, but it makes a huge difference off-road because you cover, let's say, over 80% of all gear changes. That means you pedal, pedal, and the moment you pedal in a certain gear, there's no gear change, but you stop pedaling, you stop pedaling and you roll, and the speed changes, and then the appropriate gear is always selected. And now pay attention, here comes the difference. So you arrive, you have the handlebars firmly in your hand at all times. So it's like driving from another planet. You come charging in without kicking. The gear will always be suitable. You can hear that too. You always do SIT. So the gear is always engaged. Now there's another turning scene. Then you've already got the right gear engaged. You step on, still holding the handlebars firmly in your hand. You only need to brake here, but no more "oh [ __ ], I have to shift so fast, I have to generate a crank revolution somehow" or something. That's all gone, and suddenly it's like riding an enduro, riding a Friereit, from another planet.

[00:05:32]Mhm. Is the engine powerful? Because it looks so small there.

[00:05:36]This is the Pinion M.

[00:05:37]This is the Pinion MGU. So, the engine and transmission, you can see them here. These are therefore gears produced using electrical discharge machining (EDM). Basically automotive technology, right? Uh, the gearbox needs an oil change, nothing else. Uh, it's listed as having 85 newm.

[00:05:53]However, this is only a comparative average value, because the situation here is as follows. Now let's assume it's a Bosch in Yamaha, a DJI, or whatever. You have a motor and an output shaft, and there's some kind of torque on it, say 85, 95, 120, and here we're already behind the gearbox, so to speak. This means that the Newton meters vary depending on the gear. They can be up to 160 newm.

[00:06:17]That means the lower the gear, the more uh, talk you have, more torque. Ultimately, it depends, as the power ultimately passes through the three gear stages and I can't say specifically for each gear, but the power at the rear wheel varies depending on the situation, up to 160 newm. Okay, well, the electronics are included here. It also needs to be extremely shock-resistant, because a bicycle can withstand everything – shocks, temperature, and so on – all of that has to be taken into account. Exactly.

[00:06:46]But that's a tricky thing, of course; that's the case with all engines, isn't it?

[00:06:49]Most people don't realize that, for example, if you have a display on your bicycle, the display is usually just a screen for showing information. All the storage of driving data, mileage, and so on always takes place in the engine. That means this is the engine, storage medium, and transmission.

[00:07:06]Cooling is another issue entirely. It is becoming increasingly important. A lot of heat is generated, first in the battery, then, um, let's say, in the engine; this heat has to be dissipated. Um, oil change... um, if I'm on a world trip and do n't have time to change my oil, it won't break down immediately, will it?

[00:07:22]No, absolutely not. Well, we're actually already familiar with this, if you go back to the old hub, much tighter transmission oil changes were planned and I haven't heard of anyone who somehow neglected the oil change and the transmission broke down. Yes, well, here comes 15 ml of oil, that's not much. It just gets spread around in your teeth and smears, that's it, right?

[00:07:45]No half a liter is coming out, right? So, it's not cooled by oil or anything like that. Yes, so it really is a pure lubricant. This is also separated here. That means the engine, all the units, are of course cut open here. Exactly. It looks very nice. You actually have a master craftsman's title; you are a bicycle mechanic specializing in that field. Exactly. In our case, the master craftsman title, or rather the master craftsman training, was not a completely separate process. That's how it is now. Motorcycle and bicycle training are completely separate. In my case, it was both together. Theoretically, I'm also a master mechanic for motorcycles.

[00:08:14]I do work on motorcycles, but I wouldn't, um, well, that's my area.

[00:08:21]The point is that you install things and are also liable for them, because you are now finally the one putting these custom bikes into circulation. Exactly. Um, you can't just use anything, it has to be certified for e-bike operation at least.

[00:08:34]So, tell me what parts are, like stems, for example. If we look here, we have one from Reverse, which also has these E signs on it. So this is the so- called Eccape, uh, excuse me, EL One. So these are all parts, including the handlebars and so on. We make sure that we only use parts that are approved. The same applies to the wheels. Uh, well, that's quite important. Clearly. I think it's perhaps not quite so bad with a bicycle, because it doesn't have approval in the conventional sense.

[00:09:05]I believe the engine is the limiting factor. That means it must not have a continuous power output exceeding 250 watts. Nevertheless, the engine has much more power. But that only means for a short time.

[00:09:15]Only for a short time. Exactly. So there is a peak output, but the continuous output must not exceed 250 watts. Exactly. Yes. Let's get back to the service you offer. Um, it 's not just that the customer tells you to take these parts and screw them together, he can do that too, but you also make suggestions. So, the customer comes to you and says, "Should the bike look like this?" or sometimes even tells you how they get to you. Do they somehow bring you pictures from Pinterest and say yes, so there are various possibilities? For example, I have a client who sends me their company logo and says, "Hey, think about what we can do with that?" Uh, the customer will be coming in for a consultation soon. Um, often it's the case that they 've seen some Nikolai wheels or something like that, and then they come up with ideas. That was the case, for example. The customer had specifically seen a Nikolai in RAW with the purple milled parts.

[00:10:05]The bike came with a Fox fork with Kashima coating, and then this cover was also in purple, and I said, "Look, let's do it a little differently, because, for example, if we also use this cover in purple, right?" So, the color is available now, you have to see, these foils are relatively thin. Now you stick this on and then you have a pretty close comparison to the milled lever, and this one fits and this one doesn't, and anyone can see from 100 meters away that this one fits perfectly.

[00:10:33]Therefore, I always hold back a little and then use the contrast path, and we'll add to it now, so if you look, these will be the wheels, we have the purple milled spoke nipples, then the spoke nipples and the rims, and with that we create another connection to the milled part at this point, so the hub at the front, the hub at the back, and it's now far enough away that color differences aren't noticeable. Yes, it looks different, but it's so subtle, it just comes naturally, so even if you take 15 different deflection levers from Nikolai in Purple, you will see differences. That's craftsmanship. Yes. And that always reflects the background, and sometimes you can change that.

[00:11:18]Absolutely. Yes, that's how it is, at least that's what I've learned, we've seen a lot of painting videos now, that, for example, the base color already changes everything, and then there's also dirt on it. So, that means, uh, it all fits together in the end.

[00:11:28]That is, um, tell me, um, can the customer choose everything? So, that means he can choose anything. Already. So, if you look here, for example, an intent fork is inserted. This bike here has an Ölins fork, and of course we also have Fox and Rockshock forks. So, upside down here.

[00:11:47]Exactly, it's also upside down.

[00:11:49]In this case, for example, the damper was somewhat, let's say in quotation marks, limited.

[00:11:54]Wow, that fork costs so much. I just bought a bicycle for [laughter] Well, I'll have to see. It's all made in Germany, after all. It's all CNC milled. Look by yourself. So, just these stanchion protectors down here. Do you see that? This structure is from 10C milling in one piece.

[00:12:09]Then there are these fork bridges, which are also milled in 10C. They are even milled hollow. So, there's a hell of a lot of work involved, right? You also have the, uh, diving tubes. This is a side site. That's why we have the immersion tubes here and the standpipes here.

[00:12:23]These are z. e.g., tapered at this point on the outside. This too is CNC milled.

[00:12:28]Clear.

[00:12:28]That means they taper downwards.

[00:12:29]Correct. Exactly. Well, you just ca n't get that at a bargain price right now. Clearly.

[00:12:34]But it's not a huge print run either. That means you're riding a bike that's one of a kind.

[00:12:41]I mean, sometimes there are some sort of standard combinations. For example, this RAW with Purple, you'll see that again sometime.

[00:12:49]Yes, but now in conjunction with the damper, exactly, so that's exactly what all the parts come with. I mean, look, here we also have the Hope brakes.

[00:12:57]Mhm.

[00:12:58]No, which you can then fit. Please hold on a moment. Uh, you can tell Hope if you'd like that color, or if you already have it. No, no, we'll order them from Hope. So, it will be available in orange and in silver. There are also these entire bodies here. It's also available in black or silver. And then you still have the option to choose the contrasting colors and lever size, right?

[00:13:16]No, it's the same, but this is the latest generation, the GR4.

[00:13:21]No, stop that. This is still the Evo.

[00:13:25]Wait, yes, it is the G4. However, it has already affected the Evo. It therefore has a very effective grip width adjustment, which makes a huge difference. It's not any easier to see when it's mounted on the handlebars. The same one here.

[00:13:36]Yes, exactly.

[00:13:37]Okay, so that means you like taking that one, that one grabs hold. Good braking.

[00:13:40]So the Hope has been working really well for at least the last two generations. In the past, this might have been more of a product for fans who cared more about the workmanship than the function, but those days are long gone, because we really like to install them and can absolutely recommend them.

[00:13:57]This bike is so beautiful. I mean, the one over there is also very beautiful. I'm happy about that, because this is, for example, a wheel that I built for us to show off in the shop. Just like the grey one here, for example, or the black one above. And then, of course, I always try to include something a little special, but it shouldn't scare anyone away. Yes, well, putting out a completely purple bike is always difficult, because ultimately I have to find a customer for it.

[00:14:21]Okay, so that means the one with the Bosch motor is inherently more delicate in appearance. Yes, it does n't have those 1000 watt-hours, it's more like a Kavenmann hanging in the middle. Exactly. We have a permanently installed 600 watt-hour battery here, which you can supplement with the range extender with 200 watt-hours or 250 watt-hours, and it's also good, but the S18... well, yes and no, it always depends a bit on how it's set up, right? So, we're not talking about the cranks here, the chassis is also more expensive, right? So, how long does the construction take? Well, the construction time is like this, of course: first we have to order the frame from Nikolai, and in the past it was really tight, we waited up to 5 months for the frame.

[00:15:02]Now everything is here, and so it works like this for us: the moment the customer orders the frame, I place the order with Nikolai, so every customer has a project box for us, we can take a look at it in the back.

[00:15:14]Mhm.

[00:15:15]Um, oh, that will all be on the wagon.

[00:15:19]Yes, we just managed to drag the parts over there. So, as you can see, that's where our task comes in, and when the frame arrives, everything is already there for us. That means as soon as the framework arrives, we can start planning and then begin building.

[00:15:32]Mhm. So, realistically, that means half a year, so regarding the timing, I've just come from Freiburg, where we met with Nikolai, they finally have a third welder and frame parts will now be manufactured in advance to drastically reduce these waiting times, because the target is always 12 weeks.

[00:15:54]Mhm.

[00:15:56]Yes, soon, um, I've seen that there are people who aren't actually programmed with such engines, who can also weld.

[00:16:05]They can also weld, but this is very, very small-scale.

[00:16:10]I have the feeling that Nikolai is really taking off, or something like that, everyone wants a Nikolai now.

[00:16:14]Actually, one has to say that the production numbers, just in our case alone, we have implemented around 20 S16 projects in the last year. We have built 3 4 S18s. The fact is, they are still limited to about 1000 frames per year in terms of production volume, one has to say.

[00:16:34]Um, now you have to look at it, they've built a new factory in Mühle. We were previously at the farm in Lübrechzen. That means they're trying to expand their capacity, but you have to see, just finding a welder like that, try doing that.

[00:16:48]It's not just that you can do it.

[00:16:50]You also need to find someone who sits there every day and does nothing but these welds, and you really have to be into that. That means these are people you could conjure up out of thin air.

[00:17:00]Cool. So, what kind of sticker is this? Oh, Nikolai.

[00:17:03]That's Nikolai's. Exactly.

[00:17:05]Mhm. It will also have a CE mark later on. Exactly. We'll get the CE mark, so to speak, with the frame kit.

[00:17:12]We've included all of that in the documents, right? And exactly.

[00:17:15]Stupid question, I think there's an engine that goes 45 km/h, the MGU. Is it possible for you to order one with a size 45?

[00:17:22]Yes, but it comes as a complete wheel because it has approval from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, also a chassis number, and there's relatively little you can change about it. Sure, we can change the saddle, the handlebar grips, and so on, but going deep, what we do here in the custom area, wasn't possible with an SPL, which is no longer officially a motor vehicle.

[00:17:40]Motor vehicle. Exactly.

[00:17:41]Okay, so let's begin. So, the wheelset, as you can see here, will then be, for example, a Mallet wheelset. So we have 29 spokes in the front and 275 in the back.

[00:17:52]Then you can imagine that 's just one spoke length, right? So the scars will be included as well.

[00:17:57]Wait, wait, wait a minute. Okay, let me show you. These are the salivary cells. Those are the spokes. Exactly.

[00:18:01]Then here are the nipples.

[00:18:02]The nipples.

[00:18:03]Then that 's the rear wheel hub with freewheel.

[00:18:06]Here we have the front one.

[00:18:07]OK. Can I adjust the volume of the freewheel? Well, because that can be annoying.

[00:18:13]Yes, that's a topic. Well, I mean, I can't really say that this freewheel is already loud or practical.

[00:18:21]Yes, it's a philosophical question. Some like it, others don't.

[00:18:25]So we also have wheels that we don't spoke ourselves. These are the Pirop stories, we can take a look at them right now. They have a relatively quiet scar, actually.

[00:18:35]Yes, most people want it loud. It can never be loud enough.

[00:18:38]That's how it is now, isn't it? That's quite different, isn't it?

[00:18:44]This setup is also quite interesting; we also install these wheelsets very often now. This is a carbon rim with Vectara spokes, manufactured in Germany. So this is not steel, this is a fiber.

[00:18:55]Wait, I'll answer it. Okay, it looks like paper, stretch it a little because of its color.

[00:19:01]So, tell me, these threads come in a wide variety of forms, of course. Right now I actually only have one. Actually, you can order these threads in all frame colors.

[00:19:09]Nothing happens if it rains.

[00:19:10]No, that won't resolve itself. It does n't dissolve. It actually comes with a liquid that you should rub on it from time to time.

[00:19:18]You should do a little bit of maintenance, but now we'll have to see.

[00:19:21]Maybe take matters into your own hands. That's a rear wheel. This is an ASM4 approved enduro wheel for an e-bike. The complete wheelset weighs 1370 g. That's brutal.

[00:19:34]Yes, exactly.

[00:19:35]You can elaborate further on the moving masses. This is also a very important topic, especially with this model. Because we have, uh, the weight distribution that the engine provides. That means we have the weight of the wheel low and centrally located in the frame. Yes, so that means the center of mass is here.

[00:19:54]This means that we also have lower unsprung masses at the rear. That means the suspension simply works better. And with a wheelset like this, you naturally take these advantages of this concept to the next level.

[00:20:05]The engine helps you with that, so balancing the weight is also a factor. Um, going downhill you have the engine on, right?

[00:20:11]Yes, of course, because then you also have those gear changes. If you look now, I was just watching the World Cup taking place here in Korea yesterday, and belt-driven transmission technology is becoming increasingly widespread there. Above all, Gates, the first to win a World Cup with a belt drive, gets an extra €100,000, and some of them are now riding with ply plates inside the frame. What we already have here naturally is then simulated there.

[00:20:40]How much does the engine and gearbox actually weigh?

[00:20:42]Wow, I can't even remember what I'm wearing now.

[00:20:47]Okay, so it weighs a bit. That means the main weight is definitely the battery; the battery is very large, it really weighs everything.

[00:20:54]All of that is a real one.

[00:20:55]Yes, so we now have the 1060s in here. The bike next to this one has the 800 series in it. Well, I can say that I know I'm out and about in Finale Ligure with the 800. We then went up to the NATO base and from there started our journey into the hinterland. After riding for about 40 km and climbing 1200 meters, I still had 37% battery left.

[00:21:15]Well, I had the 800. Yes, 800s. It's like this: you can't really tell whether it's a 1000 or an 800, but the look is a bit more delicate.

[00:21:23]The look is a bit more delicate, and I mean, of course, the way the frame is made, together with the huge battery and the motor, naturally results in a total weight. So there are definitely one or two places where you'll notice it. But I have to say, when I think back to my downhill days, our first downhill bikes also weighed 23-24 kg, right?

[00:21:43]The vi approximately. No, no, no. So, with the large battery we can get a maximum of, wait a minute, with the large battery and all the extras we're at about 272 with the small battery, so we can get up to about 26 kg.

[00:22:00]I've learned that coats are very heavy.

[00:22:01]Yes, exactly.

[00:22:01]How much does Max weigh?

[00:22:03]You can easily get close to a kilogram, and depending on the model, sometimes even over a kilogram per wheel.

[00:22:07]Per tire. Exactly. Correct.

[00:22:10]But you just have to say, well, that 's the thing. So I've discovered this bike for myself now, and really as a pure speed demon, and um, you just need a tire that can handle that. It's no use having a bike. Oh, and very importantly, let's talk about the weight again; this nominal weight sounds terrible. When he's driving, you absolutely have so many advantages, you fully realize that. During the two days I was on the road, there were two situations where I wished the bike was perhaps a tad lighter. For that reason, I had only advantages and fun with the bike for the rest of the two days.

[00:22:45]And I'll show you your hat. This is your new logo. Exactly.

[00:22:48]For about three-quarters of a year, I think.

[00:22:51]Yes, not quite half a year now.

[00:22:53]And will that logo soon be emblazoned on bicycles too?

[00:22:57]Um, I'm on it. It's your turn. [laughter] Okay, so tell me, it's simply about promoting these custom bikes a bit more, and that's why we developed the logo. Exactly.

[00:23:08]So, um, it continues. So you can do an incredible amount, um, of course, the people who know about this stuff, who buy it here, um, they might not even start. Or have you ever had someone say, "I'm not really a pro, but I think this is so cool," and then they're gone? I'll hang it on the wall sometimes, and drive it every now and then. No, not quite.

[00:23:26]We already had a history with Nikolai back in 2011, when we started out. Then at some point, Nikolai went into direct sales, and we only had e-bikes left, so we fell behind. Now we've started again with Nikolai's e-bikes, and some of our old customers have joined us.

[00:23:42]Many of them do n't ride the bikes anymore, but now they're hanging on the wall.

[00:23:47]Hardly anyone sold them.

[00:23:48]Yes, exactly. I know, I mean, you have to see, it's a whole process.

[00:23:52]You come here, you have an idea, then you discuss it with me, then I come with my suggestions and at some point we agree on a commission, then comes the waiting time for the frame and so on.

[00:24:02]It's a whole process, and it's not like you can just pick up a bicycle anywhere.

[00:24:07]Okay, let me show you. Say, this also says Nikolai on it, they have nothing to do with each other, right? Yes, yes. Kalle Nikolai was in development at H&F, which means Hacken Nikolai and Friends.

[00:24:19]However, the company is now in other hands.

[00:24:23]Okay, I understand. That means, well, this is something off the rack now, you have lots and lots of those, you still sell them, there are still very nice bikes, but you also chase after trends, which is still our main business.

[00:24:35]No question. This is my little island of happiness, where I can let loose a bit more.

[00:24:39]I really enjoy driving old used cars and also motorhomes. You too, because I don't want to follow any trends, and you're not following any trends here. That means the wheel will never get old.

[00:24:51]No, of course not. Sure, technology is advancing, but again, that's just the way it is, but it's something completely outside the norm.

[00:24:58]So, uh, if you buy a standard Nikolai bike with good components, including a Pin MGU and frame, how much does that cost ex- works?

[00:25:07]Uh, 12.12. And how much do you pay for a nice one where you live?

[00:25:10]So, it depends, we can actually realize such a pin, the MGU, for just under €100,000. We recently had a case where the customer said, "Yes, exactly." So we installed a cheap suspension system and stuff like that. It was simply a matter of squeezing the whole thing into the leasing budget. But it can go quite high, we recently filmed one for the AMG GTR bike with 174.

[00:25:33]Now I have a customer whose bike ended up at 178. But he didn't want to wait that long, so he resorted to the frame that I still have on backorder, and that one is also in RAW format.

[00:25:42]That's obviously cheaper than if I were to make different colors and such. That means the combination, this sense of style here with the oils, with the orange, with the Maxis tires, with this rim, with this beautiful combination with the spokes, with this great hub, all of this fits together to create this look.

[00:26:02]Retro style from the 80s and 90s. Yes, let me introduce you. Cool that you realized that.

[00:26:07]How come? [laughter] That's easy to see, because you have such, ah no, not such bikes anymore hanging on the wall, and I myself have ridden something like that. That was state-of-the-art back then. Absolutely, right? Exactly. So, um, is it like this: if I have this now, what happens when people pick it up?

[00:26:26]So, that's a somewhat longer process. So, firstly, we always only do ergonomics as a final step, right? No, no, I mean the feeling when they pick it up.

[00:26:33]Oh right. Yes, we cover the wheels of course, and then you come here, and then the cloth is lifted, and uh, yes, they get them in between, because it's a bit awkward in this case. We're filming the bike now, you know, and that's a project in itself. At the beginning I said, well, the color could be from the travesties show. That was fun. Of course, besides saying, "Look here, this nail polish might match," but is the customer allowed to see the components from time to time, or do you invite them over and say, "Here, take a look at the colors, does this work?" or do they not get to see them at all?

[00:27:07]No, normally that's how it is, look, that's quite typical.

[00:27:11]Uh, we were just discussing this, we already have a certain waiting time for the frames and it 's usually the case that people get impatient as the end approaches. I know that from my own motorcycles. You wait two years for it, and then for the last four weeks you're sitting there scratching with your fingernails. And since we plan the completion at our place the moment I receive the shipping notification for the frame from Nikola, it's usually the case that the customer only comes when the bike is finished.

[00:27:35]God, we're filming on May 6th, I know that for sure, because tomorrow is your special day, right?

[00:27:43]Morning? Yes, it's my birthday. Yes, I'm turning 37, right? No 38. Yes. Yes, you can see that, you can see that. Plus tax. [laughter] Tell me, is this something for older gentlemen, because it costs a bit of money. So, let me put it this way, the 23-year-olds who think that kind of thing is cool, when they see the prices, they're already a bit steep.

[00:28:01]Yes, of course. They are usually, say, people of an age, like you and me. Yes, quite typical, really, people who have now given up their companies, I've had a few of those, or, like now, we have a client, a very young guy in the automotive sector, he has two companies there, so, my goodness, we're building something like that for him now, he's relatively young, but usually it's more like Samm from 40 onwards, right?

[00:28:25]And your age, how old are you?

[00:28:27]I'm 37 now, you're 37, I'm 35.

[00:28:30]35. Okay. So I'll add a little more. Yes, but we had our hair dyed at the same hairdresser, right? Wait, let me show you. Well, here we are. Yes, can you see it?

[00:28:42]K. Yes, we've been working together for almost 10 years now. Yes, the guy with the videos has something to say.

[00:28:48]What?

[00:28:49]I overslept and missed our 15th anniversary the week before last. April 8th.

[00:28:55]Crazy. April 8, 2011.

[00:28:57]15 years of Kimler.

[00:28:58]15 years of Kimler Bikes. And nobody gave it a thought. Yes, Kai Gimler, who really is the Chorife, yes, you're not in some Motorworld where you should actually be, but you're actually here quite pragmatically.

[00:29:15]Well, it was quite a decision back then, you know, they were almost still working together on the decision. You're in a shopping center, and what's great about this is that you have endless free parking. This is it, you can test drive around it. No one comes and says they couldn't find a parking space. You've adjusted the opening hours a bit. Being closed on Mondays, but open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 6pm has proven successful.

[00:29:38]Saturdays?

[00:29:39]Yes, absolutely. Firstly, I must say, we are no longer alone in this. Um, please. Several bicycle shops have now followed suit.

[00:29:49]Others want to work.

[00:29:50]Yes Yes Yes. No, no, they've adjusted the opening time.

[00:29:53]Closed on Mondays as well. Even the Harley dealership in Sabrücken is now closed on Mondays.

[00:29:57]So there was a bit of a trendsetting aspect to it. It was actually your idea.

[00:30:00]Yes, because I said Saturdays are nice until 6 pm and we abolished the lunch break. You have an earlier lunch break, you know? Yes, right?

[00:30:06]No, no, no, no. Right at the beginning of the lunch break.

[00:30:08]No, no, no, no, no, no. We were only closed on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

[00:30:13]OK.

[00:30:14]So. And that was basically a very long lunch break. Exactly. Yes, but listen, that was also awful for us, because honestly, if you close up at 2 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays and still have to do a bit of extra work, then the day is already half done, and so we either have Sundays and Mondays off or have the time to catch up or do some extra work.

[00:30:33]Now people are seeing it on our TV channel, Salland Television, and they've seen the prices – €10,000 to €15,000. Is that where you are?

[00:30:41]Well, if you take a look, we have a full video from Ghost here, for example, which starts at 7.5. Here we have the €5000 model, but there's one below that.

[00:30:48]Fuli, a fully suspended bike with a Bosch CX motor, and a very interesting bike, this is Steppenwolf, has actually won a price-performance award in the trade magazine.

[00:31:02]We're here with a DJI motor and an 800 watt-hour battery at 51.99 and the drone weighs under 22 kg. They contacted me, Steppenwolf. They're sending me two wheels. We need to film together. Uh, two brand new ones, I don't really know which ones, and I'll bring them to you. Can we make a video about it together?

[00:31:19]Yes, I have everything here.

[00:31:20]Oh, you have them all here. They don't need to send any. No.

[00:31:22]No, I have no idea. They've contacted me now. Yes, we have the Tundra in both equipment variants.

[00:31:28]Okay, Steppenwolf. Let's make a video right away. OK. Kai Gimla.

[00:31:32]Yes indeed. [snorting] We are in repentance. B O U S. Penance. So, it's located in the Saarland and, um, you've kind of specialized in that. Of course, it's clearly a typical bike-trading business, but also having bikes [snorting] in the program that not everyone has. So there is a bit of variance.

[00:31:50]Forbidden Bikes with the new DJI M2S, which can accelerate extremely rapidly, but also has its own unique geometry and rear suspension concept. Yes. Yes, so that's there. And um, the whole thing was actually always your dream, that you said, uh, let's do again what we did back then in the um, biobike sector without a motor. You've always built custom builds. Exactly.

[00:32:17]And then e-bikes came along and they basically gave you a huge surge in demand for e-bikes. It all started around 13 or 14, I think that's when it really got going, and now you've found a framework where you say, this is worth it, this is now another custom bike and we're going to do it anyway.

[00:32:33]You still haven't answered the question about the construction time, how many weeks it will take again. So basically, it's the waiting time for the frame, and then you can say maybe another week with us. So that means you spend a whole week building a bicycle. Can one say that? No, but we do need to integrate that into our processes a bit, and I like to take my time with things like that. Do you also miss out on some things yourself?

[00:32:55]Yes, of course.

[00:32:56]Yes, that means you have several people, there's a large workshop at your place, and for example, our Nikolas now does things like spoked wheels. He's really good.

[00:33:09]I saw that you also have a braking machine.

[00:33:10]Yes, exactly. Yes, a really cool thing.

[00:33:12]Where? Show me. Come with me. It's at the back.

[00:33:14]So I saw that these things aren't cheap at all.

[00:33:17]No, not at all. We have two of them. So, all the wheels we have for sale are braked by us. But even in the workshop, when we replace brake pads, these brake pads are also broken in again. Hi.

[00:33:30]And the advantage of H is simply this: often, when you have new brake pads, they still have pad edges and are often not quite parallel to the brake disc, and this is then taken into account here on the machine, which is like a roller test bench. You put the wheel on it, the machine is sintering now, so I know everything is clear. I thought that was the sticking together of... No, sintering is the baking of metallic powder. So, this is Sinter, the manufacturer. The braking machine has electronics built in. That means you have different programs depending on how many pistons and what kind of brake disc you have, and it will always be displayed here that you have to pull the brake lever so that it stays within a certain range. It always takes a few minutes, and then the brake is broken in. Yes. Yes. So, depending on the brake disc size and number of pistons, the programs are already relatively long.

[00:34:25]The brake pads aren't worn down, or are they just broken in? No.

[00:34:28]Yes, that way I'll sell more brake pads, right? So, the new ones are called.

[00:34:32]No, of course not.

[00:34:33]Cool. Thank you. Ciao ge. Ciao.