Because the perfect bike for him wasn't available anywhere, he built it himself without further ado. The hobby tinkering turned into a profitable business idea.
Neubiberg -
The hoped-for happiness did not materialize.
Worse still, Andreas Wolf had a bad feeling.
When the Neubiberger retired in 2018 after 30 years of working in an IT company, he bought an expensive eMTB.
Because the now 61-year-old cycled ambitiously all his life, up and down passes, sometimes through rough terrain.
“But after a back operation, it didn't work so well,” says Andreas Wolf.
The eMTB should bring the necessary comfort.
But the Neubiberger was disappointed.
“The e-mountain bike was too heavy for me for forest paths and forest roads.
Therefore it could hardly be driven without engine assistance.
I was pretty unhappy with it, ”reports Andreas Wolf.
“So I thought I would build one myself.” The result: an e-bike suitable for off-road use with a comparatively low weight of 16.5 kilos.
The new lightness - hence the company and brand name "Light-Ride".
Friends advised him: make a business out of it!
With a degree in mechanical engineering and business administration, Andreas Wolf brought the necessary know-how with him.
Technically for building bikes.
And economical for selling bikes.
Because the self-made “Daniel Düsentrieb von Neubiberg” inspired his friends so much that they advised him: Make a business out of it!
Andreas Wolf refined his first self-made construction from 2018 together with a two-wheel mechanic friend - a technical challenge in the basement at home that resulted in a business model: “We examined the market.
There are practically no such light e-bikes with full equipment. ”The 61-year-old received a start-up loan for his start-up - and got started.
The battery has three watt levels
Light, robust, individual, all with high-quality components: This is how Andreas Wolf describes the philosophy of his self-built bikes.
“The core of the concept is to get a high quality bike with electric assistance.
A fully-fledged e-bike that, due to its lightness, can also be driven without a motor - you only have to switch it on when necessary, for example on inclines or in strong headwinds, ”says the 61-year-old, describing the advantages of his bikes.
The quality of the wheels is impressive.
Cable pulls laid inside the frame, robust eleven-speed gears and brakes from the mountain bike sector (Shimano XT), plus the electric motor from a German manufacturer in the rear wheel;
Front fork suspension, mudguards and lights, luggage racks and stands complete the "Light-Ride" bikes.
The battery is available in three watt levels (250, 370 and 500), which, depending on the geometry, can be attached to the frame or inconspicuously behind the saddle.
"The 370 battery is enough for 80 kilometers, so I even drove around the Tegernsee up to the Spitzingsattel and on to the Schliersee", says Andreas Wolf.
Sales figures are already above expectations
Its target group are trekking and touring riders in the “50 plus” age group who value high-quality equipment with low weight.
In May this year, the Neubiberger started accepting customer orders and setting up a showroom.
The corona pandemic sparked a bit in between, so that the website was not ready on time.
What did not slow the start-up company: “I have a business case.
20 bikes in the first year, 40 in the second, 80 in the third. I'm already well above that. "
The procedure is as follows: The customer is measured and asked about the driving style, from sporty to comfortable.
The frame is determined on the basis of the data, then the color and other special requests are taken into account.
Up to four bicycles per week can be built in the still small workshop, around one and a half days per e-bike are needed - from order to delivery it takes around ten weeks, due to individual parts that have to be ordered individually.
"If things continue like this, we would like to open a shop with a workshop in the Neubiberg area in 2021," the company founder describes his next goals and combines them with a job offer: "Since the industry is booming, I also need an experienced bike mechanic." Instead of retiring, at 61, a new start in my career
One in which Andreas Wolf can bring in all his passion for cycling.
Further information on the Radl Manufactory is available here.