Has anyone done this? Did it work out any cheaper?
Bike Forum
Buying a Nicolai from Germany
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Posted 7 months ago #
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I've recently ordered an Argon CC frame. I initially submitted the order directly to Nicolai in Germany using their online 'Order Generator', but they referred it back to Momentum (the UK distributors), who contacted me to say I should order through one of the UK stockists.
There's a list of UK stockists on the Nicolai UK website, but if there aren't any near you Momentum can take the order directly.
I've got a two month wait for my frame, but they do sometimes have some in stock.
[edited because I didn't answer your question!]
Not sure about the exchange rate at the moment. I suppose if you can somehow get someone to order for you in Germany this might make a difference.What are you thinking of getting?
Posted 7 months ago # -
I was thinking of a Helius AC.
There's a beautiful one on the Moonglu website in raw finish.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'm thinking about a helius am for my next birthday and was thinking about ordering direct
I didn't realise you can't do this
Looks like moonglu might be the best option
Posted 7 months ago # -
Raw does work really well with the 'industrial' look of the frame. The trouble I find with Nicolai is there are just too many options.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I've "almost" finished building up my helius cc. Looking good so far
Posted 7 months ago # -
I have also found Gravity Sports to be brilliant. Fantastic service, well worth a chat.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I've dealt with Moonglu a couple of times and would recommend them.
Neil knows his stuff having been selling Nicolai for a few years.
Unless you've seen a really good deal on a frame from Germany I doubt you'd get one any cheaper. The prices on the likes of bikecomponents.de look comparable to the UK and you need to add in the cost of the shock.
It's worth checking the Nicolai blog if you're not in a hurry as bargain frames do appear from time to time.
http://nicolai-bikes.blogspot.com/Posted 7 months ago # -
I picked my CC up cheap from Simon at Nicolai UK (momentum) in their sale earlier this year, it's my 2nd one but first new one.
He's a great guy to deal with, even held mine for a good few weeks so I could get the cash together once I paid a 10% deposit.
Would definitely use them again, but if you're local to Moonglu or 18 Bikes they're both great, it just happens that I live about 10miles from Nicolai UK
Posted 7 months ago # -
[slight hi-jack] Steve_b77 what tyres are you running on your cc? I am worried about the clearance on the rear for 2.3 Eskar that I'm used to. Cheers [/slight hi-jack]
Posted 7 months ago # -
Also another shout for Neil @ Moonglu got my CC from him this year. Bregante ive currently got Conti Rubber Queens 2.2's on with room to spare if that helps at all.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Yeah you know we really owe it to our local guys to support them and not try circumventing the great service that our local bike shops, like Head for the Hill, Moonglu, 18Bikes and Gravity Sports offer and that of Momentum. I am absolutely all for market forces, but the last market force I would want to see is the one that completely erradicates our local bike shop.
You're buying a very specialist piece of kit with a Nicolai; there are lots of options and your local Nic dealer is best placed to advise you on what will work best for you.
I know they aren't cheap, but then they aren't supposed to be and as other people have said, there isn't that much price differential anyway.
The AC is a fantastic bike; you won't be disappointed if you order one. Colour is up to you of course but I personally just don't the whole 'raw' thing. Looks messy. If you want to see the beauty of the engineering get in anodized. Bronze is super classy and doesn't cost an arm and a leg plus it cleans and looks better than black. Orange ano is just wild but costly and may end up being a little too 'in yer face'. Titan ano is my personal favourite - stealthy and super cool looking.
Posted 7 months ago # -
[slight hi-jack] Steve_b77 what tyres are you running on your cc? I am worried about the clearance on the rear for 2.3 Eskar that I'm used to. Cheers [/slight hi-jack]
I've been running 2.2 Rubber Queens on my CC too and they are a pretty big volume tyre with plenty of room to spare.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I've got a 2.25" Racing Ralph in the back mounted on a Stans 355 ZTR rim and there's enough clearance not to get any rubbing, on a slightly wider rim you'd get even more.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Moonglu is an excellent shop - if I could afford one I'd get mine from there.
Posted 7 months ago # -
do they just do options on existing frames?
I'm looking for a fully custom aluminium builder
Posted 7 months ago # -
Got 2.35 Fat alberts on my CC, tight but worth it
Posted 7 months ago # -
Podge, if you order new from the factory you can pretty much have any colour you want, just not Candy Red like mine
You can also change geo, tube profiles etc. You can even build a fs wagon wheeler if that takes your fancy
Posted 7 months ago # -
Richard+Gravitysports=Superb
Posted 7 months ago # -
I have bought two from richard at gravity sports, and two from pysclewerxs in bristol, bot excellent. Had a problem with my am from gravity sports. One of the installed cups was hit and bent when it arrived in the post, richard replaced the cup with no questions.
Just bought my 5th from biketart in kent
Posted 7 months ago # -
do they just do options on existing frames? I'm looking for a fully custom aluminium builder
We be unlikely to be interested in a completely new frame design that had the same function as one of the current range - which takes in everything from short travel XC to WC DH. Custom Geometry is largely designed to build a bike that fits an unusually shaped rider - we've built long low frames and frames that are just plain big (6' 9" rider anyone?). Generally alterations are restricted to the front triangle as changing the rear affects the suspension.
That's not to say we won't do something new that might create a market - we've built a long travel 29er for example.
Drop us a mail to let us know what you're thinking.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Just bought my 5th from biketart in kent
What's the deal with this? Can't see any mention of Nicolai on their website. Would be very interested in a demo ride as they are just down the road from me.Posted 7 months ago # -
zilog6128 - Member
Just bought my 5th from biketart in kentWhat's the deal with this? Can't see any mention of Nicolai on their website. Would be very interested in a demo ride as they are just down the road from me.
At the minute, this is their first bike from Nicolai they have ordered.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Ian what did you order this time?
Posted 7 months ago # -
29er argon cc for africa
Posted 7 months ago # -
Simon, email will be sent this evening, thanks
Posted 7 months ago # -
First ride out on mine today just round llandegla. The Eskars were fine. Feels good, really chuckable on the twisty bits a nd stiff as a very stiff thing. Weighed it today and comes in at 29lbs so not exactly lightweight but then again, nor am I.
Posted 7 months ago #
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