Bike builder master craftsman, photographer, shop owner, blogger, and man who appreciates cool old things... "JoJo" Maes and his shop - Dusselrad

http://www.duesselrad.de/

with Google translate garbling the original a bit, here is an article from Stephan Wapnner:

Maes goes mobile

 The bike service Düsselrad: Franz-Josef Maes leads the store successfully for ten years - and with quiet hands.

 On the office table a fossil, a worn typewriter, "I like old things," said the friendly man with blue overalls, steel-rimmed glasses and wild, gray hair. "I like the representation of old things."

He points to a wall calendar, on the February Journal the painting of a traditional road bike can be seen.

Franz-Josef Maes, who is called by friends, acquaintances and even many customers "Jojo", has made a passion for bikes into a career.

 He runs the bike trade and service "Düsselrad". Not only for the people in the district is a first port of call when it comes to his beloved vehicle. Düsselrad is in a romantic-looking backyard in Unterbilk. Düsselrad consists of approximately 200 square meters area of ​​two "showrooms", a workshop and an office, with more than 2000 jobs annually. And the impression that the company Dusselrad gives to visitors is that this is a third or fourth generation shop.

Maes began ten years ago. "I somehow managed that people believe it  has been here always," smiles the 49-year-old. There is no customer mass treatment, a maximum of one well-organized chaos, and - above all - the owner and his partner Andrew "Isi" Mertner - friendly and competent advice.

Maes Mobility - convenient and good. Düsselrad is in four years, the producers of the popular bicycle. A high quality manufacturer whose "skeleton" is made in a workshop, and the Bielefeld partner at Concordia Street - is refined - according to the individual wishes of the customer.

Handlebar, saddle, bell, pedals and colors of Powder Blue on toxic green to gray mouse - In Düsselrad everyone gets their own personal Düsselrad experience. "I'm sort Kleinkonfektionär" said Maes, who asks 600 to 800 euros for one of these bicycles.

 "Jojo" Maes, who somehow reminds me of Gyro Gearloose, has not always made bicycles, earlier he has chauffeured people in a balloon over Europe and the western United States, then the dreamer came slowly back down, building Internet networks temporarily in Munich. "But I realized that I do not fit into Bavaria and especially that modern working life is not for me with his strange hierarchical thinking," said Maes. Then, "Jojo" settled down and founded in his hometown Düsselrad.

 "The decision I have never regretted," says the bike expert who has for pretty much anything that moves, a driver's license. and with his wife Sabine and for many years with the motorcycle took part in the so-called team race in the Eifel. The numerous trophies that are available in the workshop on the shelves make it clear that the two are a good team on the road.

Maes collects bikes - the oldest model from 1910 hangs on a wall in the courtyard - but also motorcycle tanks and even typewriters. What he does not like are mountain bikes but such "mountain bikes"  Düsselrad takes in for repair, if the bottom bracket is down or chain is broken. Ever for Maes and his colleagues "Isi" no job is too delicate.  Stephan Wappner

http://www.duesselrad.de/