Nordest Bardino Ti first look

First Look: Nordest Bardino Ti Prototype A “Fast And Silent” Enduro Hardtail From Tenerife

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Nordest is based in Tenerife (lucky so and so’s) so it makes bikes that suit the rocky, volcanic trails they have on the sun-kissed island. The current range includes a host of hardtail frames ranging from the all steel Sardinha frame, the more aggressive steel Bardino frame and even a Ti bike with Pivot gearbox called the Lacrau.

What we have on test is a Titanium prototype of the Bardino frame which Nordest says is 30% lighter than the steel frame, is more resilient to corrosion and offers more ‘elasticity’ i.e it handles trail shock a little better than steel or alloy does.

Nordest Bardino Ti first look
65° head angle and a 160mm fork make for one slack bike.
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Nordest Bardino Ti first look
Graphics are etched into the Bardino frame.

According to the Nordest website, the Bardino Ti 650b is designed to be a ‘silent, fun and fast enduro model’ and as such has been designed with geometry that is said to work with forks from 140-170mm travel, though 160mm seems to be the sweet spot.

Our prototype frame is manufactured from TiAL2.5V double butted tubing, with a rear triangle designed to accommodate 27.5in Plus tyres. According to Nordest our prototype frame has a chainstay of just 415mm, but final production versions of the frame will be adapted so that riders can opt for either Plus or 29er wheelsets.

Nordest Bardino Ti first look
Big tyres and big travel.

Bardino frames come in 3 size options, M. M/L and L. We really wanted an L for test with a reach of 475mm, but we’ve ended up with an M/L which has a 455mm reach which is about what we would expect from a modern hardtail.

Nordest Bardino Ti first look
We really like the matching top cap and compression knob Cane Creek supplies with its forks.

As Nordest is aiming the Bardino at the Enduro crowd the front end is a suitably slack 65° while the seat tube is 74.5°.

Nordest will offer the Bardino Ti as either a frame or a complete bike. Frame prices range from €1,299 – €1,499 the more expensive option being custom, giving customers the option to choose the geometry that suits them and rear wheel spacing.

Nordest Bardino Ti first look
Thomson stem is 40mm while the bar is just 750mm wide.

Complete bikes cost from €3,350 – € 4,299 depending on the build kit, but the build we have on our bike is a little different to what Nordest has online.

Up front, we have a Cane Creek Helm coil fork with preload, rebound, and low/ high-speed compression adjustments. The fork is plugged into a Cane Creek headset and controlled by a Thomson 40mm stem and 750mm wide carbon handlebar.

Nordest Bardino Ti first look
We wonder if clearance will be increased for the final production run?

Brakes and drivetrain are both from SRAM, while hubs are flashy Chris King options laced on to wide, plus-specific rims shod in WTB tyres.

Nordest Bardino Ti first look
SRAM Guide Brakes.
WTB Saddle on a Bontrager dropper post.
Nordest Bardino Ti first look
SRAM GX Eagle 1×12.

A Bontrager dropper post and WTB saddle handle seating while Orbea gives you a place to rest your hands.

We’ll be testing the Nordest Bardino over the next few weeks to see how this Spanish Enduro Hardtail handles a UK Autumn. The full review will be published in Singletrack Issue 122.

If you have any questions about the Nordest Bardino Ti then feel free to ask us in the comments below, or head on over to the official Nordest website here.

Andi is a gadget guru and mountain biker who has lived and ridden bikes in China and Spain before settling down in the Peak District to become Singletrack's social media expert. He is definitely more big travel fun than XC sufferer but his bike collection does include some rare hardtails - He's a collector and curator as well as a rider. Theory and practice in perfect balance with his inner chi, or something. As well as living life based on what he last read in a fortune cookie Andi likes nothing better than riding big travel bikes.

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Comments (4)

    I want to like it but I’m struggling, maybe it’s just the angle of the photo but I do find the apparent “almost straight but not quite straight” line of the top tube into the seat stays really annoying, it should match or it definitely shouldn’t, close but not right just sets my teeth on edge a bit.

    Ok so how much do you get for kidneys nowadays

    Amazing bike, I would like to buy it…
    any confirmation about kidney nowdays @pmurden
    hahaha

    Not ridden any of my other bikes since I finished building mine up. Currently running with 29er wheels and can’t wait till get a set of 650b+ to try.

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