91 bike-components.de A spirit of optimism prevails in the German MTB scene during the mid-1990s. Kalle NICOLAI has just established his company NICOLAI GmbH and his bicycles collect international titles in bike racing. In 1997, Klaus Hoenig and Marcus Wenkel establish the online shop bike-components in their shared apartment. Back in those days, an analogue modem was required for internet access. At the same time, Kalle NICOLAI leaves his parents’ double garage and relocates his company to the nowadays-legendary old barn. Today the internet is inescapable and it seems impossible for us to live without it. As is the case for bike-components, now firmly established in specialized mail order trading for bicycle components and equipment. The company, with its 140 employees, operates out of a magical work-place environment, incorporating office and warehouse space. Pulling the light open-plan offices together is a big chill-out lounge and a kitchen, which has become the focal point for everyone (not unlike their original HQ apartment). Where is the connection between online business and NICOLAI? bike-components pursues a twin-track strategy, online and high street, running a shop in Aachen’s town centre. The Aachen store is many things to many people. A place to pick up your bike bits, a place to hang out, a showroom to tease and the place where your dream bike becomes your new bike. NICOLAI customers love the shop’s atmosphere and expert service. It might come as a surprise to some but Aachen in fact has a bike park and quite a big MTB community. What should not come as a surprise is that NICOLAI bikes are not hard to spot in and around Aachen, not only in the shop window or on the stands in the workshop. NICOLAI is the exception to the rule. The bikes are cutting edge yet not the least bit trendy nor influenced by the latest bike industry hype. The supply of NICOLAI parts is guaranteed for at least ten years, making bike-components an Aladdin’s cave for the loyal NICOLAI rider and ensuring the NICOLAI bike- components bond is here to stay. And who knows, maybe to outlive the internet. <e> 01 The Carrera Race cars remind us of kindergarten back in the day. 02 The modern logistics centre has nothing in common with the original start-up shared-apartment, where it all began. 03 Shopping is also an experience. The store in Aachen’s downtown is a successful example how to combine stationary trading and online trading. 04 Loyal NICOLAI customers. An ION18 and a Helius CC are in for an overhaul in the workshop. 05 A luxurious showroom more typical of a luxury car dealership. Would you be able to resist playing with the online configurator for your next dream bike? 06 The shop staff with NICOLAI T-shirts know the product range inside out. You can ask them anything. 07 The entrance to the warehouse, or is it actually toyland? See 01 . 08 It’s CNC machining scrap for some people, for others it’s treasure: The precious CNC pieces belong in the showcase for fans. 08 bike-components.de OHG Versand: Carlo-Schmid-Straße 12 D-52146 Würselen Ladengeschäft: Neupforte 2d D-52062 Aachen