NSU Neckarsulm Chrom Touring Bike 1940

NSU is a brand known for their bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds and cars. It was a German brand founded by Christian Schmidt und Heinrich Stoll in 1873. But at the beginning, it was something more modest which started the whole saga of NSU - knitting machines. Especially on the Austrian market, they become really popular and soon thousands of them were exported to this neighboring country every year. Austrian authorities wanted to protect their own market and increased the import taxes five fold. NSU was kept busy solving this troble and eventually came with a completely new product.

And so in 1886 the first NSU bicycle was born. At first they were mainly built from English parts and called a "Hochrad" - and equivalent of the penny-farthing in England. Because the high-wheelers were quite terrifying, the first NSU "safety bicycle" with smaller and even wheels was produced in 1988. The history of the company continued and many iconic motorbikes, cars and indeed bicycles left the factory in Neckarsulm. In the 1969, NSU became a part of Auto Union and in fact Volkswagen, which later merged these brands under the wings of Audi.

NSU bicycles have remarkable value and are highly sought after by historic bikes collectors. Especially the models introduced before the World War II are highly preised among them.
And here we present you such a bicycle. It is the NSU Chrom Touring bicycle, a model introduced in 1930s. According to the serial number 1526776, this particular bike was produced in 1940. It is one of the last ones continuing the pre-war era model line, since soon after all models were unified as so called "Einheitsrad". It remained so during this whole dark era until 1949, when new models were introduced.

This beautiful example of a 30s bicycle has been completely refurbished. The new paintjob has been done closely following the original and the thin green and white lines were masterly painted by hand, as they were back then. The geometry is quite different from more recent bikes. The angles of the head and seat tube are extremely slack and the whole wheelbase is majestic. In combination with wide tires, the ride is exceptionally comfortable and you will hardly recognize any bumps in the road.

Regarding the components, it has been put together using some very nice historic and period correct parts. In the front, the wheel is being stopped by the stamp brake, the rear one is decelerated by a coaster brake in the Komet torpedo hub. Then you have the L-shaped seatpost, Renak crankset, and nice rims with matching green and white lines. Nice touch is the original NSU bell and little plaquete on the seat stays or indeed the sweet analog odometer near the front hub.

A tastefully restored almost 80 years old bicycle to enrich a serious bike collection. Completely checked and serviced in our workshop, it is off course ready to be ridden and the silky smooth ride is a one to remember.