NCC Velograph BLOG

We’ve moved.

Tobie — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:37:10 +0000

Thanks for stopping by. Our blog has moved.
Our new website is up and running – with the blog picking up there where we left off here. Please click on!

NCC Hours – An apology.

Tobie — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:55:29 +0000

Howdy,

Last night I had the good fortune to stay a few minutes late and learn a good lesson.

I’ll start with an apology.

To the many folks who’ve come after 6pm but before 7pm since October, I am sorry that we were not here for you. We change our hours for a few reasons, and snubbing our customers is not one of them!

I hadn’t realized that the (crippled, lame) website was still stating we were still open until 7pm. We’ve been trying to get our new site launched for a comically long time and forgot it hadn’t been updated with the new information.

We will still be closing at 6pm until the end of March and then we’ll be open until 7pm.

Thank you to the stream of people that came last night. It was nice meeting you and I am glad I was here.

We are hilarious around here.

Tobie — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:26:50 +0000

Ari had the idea. Eric did the design. Printed at VGKids on dark black AA tees.

Available in M, L, XL in very limited qtys (we count them using one hand).

$19+$4 S&H.

Call 815.758.2403 or email tobie@nccdk.com to get yours.

Troll Rolls again

Tobie — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:12:37 +0000

Here we have another very different build of the Troll. No matter what you put on it, it’s always going to be a monster.

Enjoy it, Mr. Turner!

Nuvinci.

Tobie — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:03:25 +0000

Russ and I took a little trip out to Utah last summer and had the pleasure of riding a fleet of incredible bikes we’ll never sell in Illinois. It was called “Dealer Camp” and a number of dealers were invited out to experience the new goods from a number of smaller upcoming brands. This was a much nicer experience than say, Interbike. We didn’t feel like sheep, for one thing, and we didn’t come home reeking of filth for a month.

One company that successfully caught our eye was Nuvinci. We were familiar with “those weird hub guys” before the trip, but getting to try out their system was what made us take a second look. It’s unlike anything else, and although we can (and I’m about to) use many common words to describe what it’s like, you won’t get it until you get on it.

The Nuvinci N360 in an Internal Gear Hub system that uses a Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) transmission. In earthspeak, that means that it uses little balls in the hub to create infinitely adjustable gear ratios – not fixed gears like a chain shifting on cassette cogs. The most unique part of this experience is using the grip shifter. Because the ratio continuously changes, there are no “clicks” – just a smooth, silent, shift. You just leave the shifter where the ratio feels good. You can shift from a standstill and accomplish a huge shift with just a flick of the wrist.

The range is pretty incredible: 360° of change. You can have a higher or lower range by changing the chainring or cog.

We’ve built up a couple bikes with the N360 recently and we’re thinking it should be an option for more people. It’s a hassle-free drivetrain for commuters and touring cyclists. It’s perfect for people that want the gear range of a standard drivetrain but don’t want the hassle of derailleurs. And it’s pretty attractive if you’re a just an IGH nerd.

Here’s a video showing the inner-workings of the CVP technology. I’ve watched it a few times now and I still don’t get it.

Elves. I’m just sticking to the theory that there are elves in there changing the gears.

Troll and Log Adianoeta.

Tobie — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:55:47 +0000

Final Build on Kristopher’s Troll:

Beefy.

And Kristopher, in a thoughtful act of gratitude, made use of a felled tree by carving us a shop log:

Which is pretty incredible on any day, but today it’s simply mind-blowing because I, too, just brought in a Shop Log:

Every shop has a shop blog, but find me another shop with a Shop Log, let alone TWO shop logs. I love a good adianoeta, but this is incredible.

Groundbreaking Film starring the Surly Troll

Tobie — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:27:01 +0000

We’ve really outdone ourselves this time.

Ride the Divide Screening

Tobie — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:14:31 +0000

Check out the trailer:

Bring a lawnchair, yoga mat, inflatable mattress, or love seat.

Door Prizes, Popcorn, Drinks, Epic Endurance Documentary… what more could you ask for?

Trolls in America

Tobie — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:22:26 +0000

The Trolls have landed.

Check out these hot dropouts:

We’ve got a couple on order, and they’re flying out of stock. If you’re interested, call your local Surly dealer at 815.758.2403 now.

The last Pugsley

Tobie — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:33:11 +0000

I felt like I really needed to post something on 1.11.11. So, speaking of ones, this is the last one:

This is the last Pugsley we have until March. It’s an 18″ and after this, we’re out.

We’ll typically pick up some framesets when supply gets ugly, but even those are out. It’s pretty amazing.

But take heart! Now you can get tires for your fatbike that will imprint spiders in the snow:

IF you have a fatbike, that is…