IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS THE BIKE:
BICYCLE ACCESSORIES AND SPARE PARTS FOR YOUR BIKE

Europe a good 200 years ago: Everyday life is marked by poor harvests as well as a lack of food and horses.

Out of necessity, Karl Freiherr von Drais invents a vehicle to replace carriages with human muscle power. Something there are billions of today: the bicycle. What would the world look like without his invention?

Fortunately, we don't really have to imagine a life without Road, Gravel, Mountain, Kids’ or E-Bikes. All thanks to the two bike-components founders Marcus Wenkel’s and Klaus Hoenig’s plan to supply passionate bikers with essential components for their bikes, everything has been running smoothly for 20 years. At any time of the year and for any type of cycling. During a night at the pub, in 1997, the two RWTH Aachen mechanical engineering students came up with the idea to found an online company to ship bicycle parts and accessories. Why? Because they both were and are passionate bikers. So they were and are aware of how important suitable and high-quality accessories are for cyclists. Starting in 1998 their first shop went online. The business, which was initially run out of the two students' shared flat, quickly got off the ground. And the apartment - at the same time office, warehouse and packing station - was quickly too small.

Where should all the seatposts, forks, bottom brackets and tubes go? Fortunately, Aachen's city centre was open to business growth in the year 2000. Quickly the two founders are no longer the only ones who process, pack and ship orders to customers all over Germany. The bike-components team is getting bigger and bigger and the next move is scheduled for the same year: The young company rents adjoining shops to cover the increasing demand for space. By the way: Today, the former business premises at the Neupforte in Aachen is our bike-components retail store where we offer you individual bike upgrades, extensive advice over a coffee and a workshop. The store manager, Markus, enthusiastically passes on his experiences in the field of biking to interested people and with his instinct for details, ensures you smooth riding pleasure.

What originally emerged from the passion of two cyclists is now a company with 200 cycling enthusiasts who are passionate about everything to do with biking. So from where do we ensure your bike gets what it needs? Since 2014 we have been located in Würselen near Aachen - in a spacious office and a spacious logistics centre with 23,000 m² of storage space. However, here are the most important numbers: We provide you and over 300,000 other cycling enthusiasts from all over the world with around 70,000 bike components.

 

PASSION CONNECTS: BIKES ARE MORE THAN JUST OUR JOB

Can I send you a cake? "As a thank you for our service, a customer wanted to send us a cake. After discussing the logistical problems of this very fantastic idea, several kilos of chocolate ended up in our returns office at some point. Yes!" For Tim and his colleagues from the bike-components service team good and honest advice is more than just a job. "If we find THE solution together, it's (almost) better than working on our own bikes. Our goal: The customer is even more in love with their bike after our conversation and wants to go for a ride right away"

We prove every day anew that an online company does not have to be an anonymous web page where the customer is just a number in the system. For us cycling is more than just a hobby; it is our passion. And this is what we want to share with you. Every day we sit in the saddle, put bikes together and think about which bike parts we should invest our money in next. Every time new items arrive at our warehouse, our mouths water and our eyes begin to glow. We know you're no different. And we want your bike to "get" exactly the part that best suits your needs. With an assortment of more than 70,000 parts and more than 300 brands there might be things that you didn't even know existed. For example, the name Gandhi does not only belong to a peace-loving Indian, but also a gently embracing seatpost clamp for sensitive seatposts. And don't you think that your bike has earned a shower after an intensive day on muddy trails? Of course! So time for a shower on the go in the form of a mobile pressure cleaner. Here, you will get everything your bike needs.

Our product range is growing just as rapidly as the enthusiasm for bicycles in Europe. On average, we Europeans cover more and more kilometres per year on bicycles. Trend: rising. If it is not warm enough in Central Europe, we like to put our Road bikes in a travel bag, a pump in our carry-on and head out to Mallorca to enjoy some spring training on the coastal roads. Or when in the morning there’s another traffic jam on the highway... Then it is beyond question, even on a wet and cold autumn day, to head out with a rain jacket and waterproof panniers to elegantly avoid the backed-up masses of cars on the 15 kilometre route to the office by bike. And sometimes we want to get up high! For example, in the Ligurien mountains around Finale. To put the newest suspension forks, helmets and durable pedals to the test on wicked trails. There is so much to the world of cycling. Just like our assortment.

 

SUGGESTION BOX

We move heaven and hell so that you get exactly what you are looking for. If you still don't find something, it shouldn't be the end of our relationship. In our suggestion box you can tell us what you're looking for. And we will check as soon as possible whether we can get the brand, or the specific part, for you. Or perhaps even include them permanently in our portfolio.

 

EMPLOYEES

How do we know what we're talking about? Our recommendations and advice are based on our own experience. Granted: Nobody has to force us to test and ride. It is not unusual for a queue of volunteers to form as soon as new parts are ready. And when Rainer from the service team tested the new tyres himself at his favourite spot in Alpe d'Huez, he knows exactly for which terrain they are best suited and with which equipment the trails in the French Alps are best shredded. But why wander far when there’s so much good so close to Aachen. Markus often heads out on his BMC Fourestroke 01 to the `Trail Trials´ in the Eifel. And once a year to a 4-hour race in the Hürtgenwald. "I started here in a team with my colleague Frank and we've maintained that every year so far." The emails or phone calls are not always about components, installation or repair instructions. Digressing is allowed! It goes without saying that during conversations between like-minded bikers, tips for rides and trips are exchanged. For Dirk, the Czech Republic is the perfect country for relaxed bicycling touring. "A very good network of roads and cycle paths, cheap and rustic campsites, relaxed motorists and many different regions with beautiful nature” A little further south is Stephan's dream destination. "I would like to cross Rwanda with my Road bike from north to south and from east to west. Because I know the country from several research stays." Perhaps he will soon be able to tell you which bicycle parts and tools you should have as you start your ride into the heart of Africa. 

 

WORKSHOP AND TOOLS

We want bicycles to move. As much as possible and at any time of year. Therefore, in our shop under the category `Tools & Maintenance´ we have a large selection of tools, with which you can get your bike back up a running. Torque wrench, chain tool, toolbox or spoke wrenches for truing wheels. We’ve got it all! Via our service hotline or via email we are happy to help you install new bicycle parts to your bike yourself. And advise you on the selection of the right parts for repairs or rebuilds. There’s a good chance one of us has already faced a similar challenge and can help you with a few tips. Our service does not stop at checkout. Also on our Blog you can find instructions for repairing, tinkering and testing. Are you are in search for the ideal chainring size? Or have you always wanted to know how to bleed brakes yourself? Then the How-Tos section is the right place for you. Of course you will also find what you are looking for if you are looking for travel inspiration: whether high up on a trip to the Himalayas, at the best MTB spots in the Alps or on a bikepacking tour all over Europe. On the bike-components blog you can head into what bike-like direction you like. Is there a topic or a place you would like to know more about? Then write us a short email with your request and we will take it with us to our next editorial meeting!

 

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AND ALWAYS WITH YOU: BIKE-COMPONENTS ON THE ROAD

Of course we at bike-components don’t disappear as soon as computers or smartphones are turned off. Because we appreciate personal contact and exchange with you. In order to give you the opportunity to test products and bikes live, and to get to know some of us personally, we are everywhere all year round. Are you travelling in the Aachen area? Then our bike mechanic Isa, for example, will be at your side in the bike-components shop live with advice and action. Every Wednesday we start our weekly rides with Gravel bikes or Road bikes right from the store. Because we know: cycling together is simply more fun! Depending on the weather, mood and desire, the routes lead to the Eifel, through the Dutch Mergelland or along Belgian paths. For Björn from Product Management, who leads one of the groups, this ride is just a part of him. "After a long day at university or at work, roll over the asphalt into the evening or just gravel your legs free."

 

TESTIVAL

Test the best bikes of the season together with other passionate bikers? This has been possible since 2017 at the bike-components Testival. On the trails and in the bike park of Germany's largest cycling club, the Geländefahrrad Aachen e. V., you have access to the latest bikes from brands such as Liteville, Scott, Santa Cruz or Yeti. Close to the Three Country Boarder- with extensive All Mountain and Enduro trails - bike-components is exactly the right place. Because there are not just great places to bike in the alps - but also in German low mountain ranges the heart of mountain biking beats steady. We also know this and regularly visit these areas after-hours and on weekends.

 

TRAIL TROPHY

Massive Swiss high mountain landscape, Italian riding flair in South Tyrol or densely wooded low mountain ranges - the TrailTrophy takes participants to the finest trails between Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. No matter where the Trophy stops next year At all official stops, we are on site with our service tent and are available to you and your bike with a small workshop station. As title sponsor, bike-components celebrated together with the organisers the 10th anniversary in 2019 in Vinschgauer Latsch. Because this is where it all started in 2010.

 

CANNONDALE ENDURO TOUR

Once across the border, heading west, we hit the Cannondale Enduro Tour. Hardly any other racing series enjoys such great popularity as this tour - which is partly due to the fantastic trails in the north-east of France. The stages are driven blind and the drivers are cheered on loudly by over 1,000 spectators.  As 'Presenting Sponsor´ bike-components is there when different nationalities between Vosges and Northern France meet on unique trails.  

 

PUSHBIKERS

A sport that connects. The Maloja Pushbiker's Road bike aficionados and founder Christian Grasmann know this best. If you do something with passion and conviction, you've already won. Bike-components has been a sponsor of this cycling team for three years. Why? "First and foremost, it is our common love of cycling that unites us." For Christian, it's not about who you are and what bike you ride. "Pushbiker should always be synonymous with a passion - whether it's wide, narrow, clean or dirty tyres."

 

As Albert Einstein said so wisely "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." So let's make a difference and ride together!