Progress in 2023
Moving into 2024, we have a super exciting project that I can’t wait to share with you folks. But in the meantime, here are some highlights from 2023:
1. Right at the start of 2023, I was joined by Alex Ham who moved from South Africa to join Lal. We’ve had fun charging into all sorts of technical challenges, learning things, and riding bikes. Marz and Benji have also been great to have around, Marz being Alex’s wife, and Benji being their dog and Lal’s official shop dog.
2. We worked with NS Billet for them to machine our derailleur links out of aluminum. Pictured is David, the machinist who figured out how to machine these parts. It helps that they’re a bunch of mountain bikers who share our passion.
3. We climbed some 3D printing learning curves for learning how to print some complex parts with carbon-filled nylon.
4. Patents for the Supre Drive were granted in the US and Canada, and we’re making progress in the EU.
5. I learned how to use an ERP system (inventory, purchasing, sales, accounting, etc.). We’re using Odoo.
6. I bought my first car, a VW Golf named Ralph, and I welded a hitch receiver to give it a four-bike North Shore Rack. I also camperized this car and slept in it during Crankworx Whistler.
7. Nicolai started manufacturing the Nucleon 16 Supre bike, and we started manufacturing the Supre Drive. We developed a part tracking system (with nifty QR codes), developed quality control procedures, and proudly manufactured and shipped parts destined for customers.
8. Nicolai did back to back testing between the Nucleon 16 with the Supre Drive and the Nucleon 16 with a regular derailleur (the switch requires a different swing arm of the frame). They found that with the Supre Drive, the bike was more stable, balanced, silent, and had a better overall ride feel.
9. Our first customers started riding the Supre Drive. The feedback has been great and very appreciated.
10. We worked with the Nicolai race team that includes riders Lena, Tim, and Mupfen. It was helpful for them to beat up our parts, and Lena won a whole bunch of races.
11. We did some trail building both by building an unsanctioned trail near our shop and by joining trail maintenance events organized by our awesome local trail association, the Coast Mountain Bike Trail Association (CMBTA).
12. I bonked for my first time – weird highlight, but it was a fun ride with the Chromag folks in Whistler.
13. We raised another investment round with angel investors who believe in our vision and who are super supportive. We use a discount-only SAFE investment mechanism, which is effective and straightforward.
14. We bought our first big CNC machine from the helpful folks at NS Billet, and we had quite the adventure moving it and learning to use it. I made my first youtube video about this adventure.
15. I built a bike lane sweeper as a side project. It’s essentially a bike trailer with a powered brush for sweeping debris off of bike lanes. I just need to figure out how to clone myself so that I can pursue all the exciting ideas.
16. Alex and I were joined by an engineering intern named Leo for a few months. Leo brought good energy and ideas.
17. We worked with Nicolai and Pinkbike for the Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre to get reviewed. It was fascinating to see the Supre Drive in the huck to flat slo mos.
18. We’ve continued to receive support and encouragement from the awesome mtb community on the Sunshine Coast and elsewhere, and from you folks. Thank you!
2024 is going to be awesome. Stay tuned!