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Gotama Eurobike...
Shandy...Eurobike
Stato...fastest bike, period, was the DH bike... the 29er/trail bikes used were very different to a GeoMetron
I have some adjustable offset clamps to test out +/- up to 9mm , I'll be testing a 29er front wheel on some tracks and resetting the geo/BB using some offset bushes. Chris found the 29/27.5 combo was advantageous on some trails.
Okay, Chainline that 32lb downduro thing has me convinced. How much for a frame and fork combo?
Also, I'd be half tempted to run with a Boxxer World Cup dropped to 180mm to get the weight down further.
Pretty sure I could knock off a further 1.5lb off that thing. Brakes, saddle, crank and fork could all be lighter.
Tom-W1987 that saddle is only 120g 😉 Selle Italia SLR kit carbonio. Crank yes, could go lighter, I like the Hope, pedals can lose about 70g using Baldwins. Its light for what it
Ping me an email, in the profile, or I can email you...for the record, 32[b].3[/b]lbs so I can't be accused of over stating it 😉 measured multiple times to eliminate errors and benchmarked the scales with known weights...
I didn't know the boxer was lighter..you live and learn..
2585g versus 2626g for the 40. Really not much in it, plus every time you put a non-Fox fork on a Geometron, Chris Porter kills a kitten
I can't afford one right now Chainline so I don't want to waste your time. But I'm going to have one within the year 🙂 I really like the look of that and the dual crowns at that weight have convinced me the crazy length is worth it.
Wasn't so interested in the single crown model because I didn't want a bike that long with single crowns - didn't see the point.
Out of interest, why aren't you running an integrated stem? That's one of the huge upsides of dual crowns!
George, if you run the stealth maxle - it's about 80g difference, but with the right build these things add up. I reckon you could get one down to 31lb if you really really tried.
Genuinely, that's one of the coolest builds I've ever seen Chainline. Really really out there that thing! 🙂
It's made me consider one! It's actually less specialised than the 160mm single crown model. That Fox 40 can be jacked up to 200mm for Alpine trips....and hey presto....no need for a downhill bike....175mm is enough on the back for it to ride like a DH bike for Alpine trips....given a bit of fettling with that X2.
That's class leading - and what Enduro bikes need to evolve towards. 30lb bikes with steep seatubes, wide gear range and dual crowns.
Tom... isn't the Maxle Stealth only for replacing 15mm QR Maxles? Boxxer has a 20mm bolted axle already.
Damnit!
What's the benefit of running the 40 over a big 36? Is it purely stiffness? Does the smaller fork get overwhelmed?
whatnobeer I don't know yet. after my first ride it's clearly stiffer and more controlled but thats not a surprise. Is it material to the ride, unclear yet, obviosly the fact world class riders don't need a 40 suggests the 36 is fine. I loved the 36 but felt I wanted to explore the 40 as a concept and see if I could bust a few stereotypes about what is a DH bike and what is a trail bike.
I can say cranked into a corner full of braking bumps the performance of the fork is is outstanding!
First test, hairpin climbs. Despatched with aplomb, unsurprisingly. Also climbed a horrendously steep loose fire road shortcut to the top of Upper Cliff at the chase and a couple of cheeky DH trails nearby prior to descending them, climbs like a goat. Certainly doesn't feel heavy.
[img][url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7644/28356673486_a48b25ce59_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7644/28356673486_a48b25ce59_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KcMn6y ]IMG_0058[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pilot/ ]Phil[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Then tried Upper cliff, which feels a bit slow these days, I ran out of pedalling legs chasing more pace. It's tricky these days when dry as the bottom is so loose, t was fun though give me upper cliff anyday of the known trails.
[img][url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8688/28356677286_7bd392810c_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8688/28356677286_7bd392810c_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KcMoe5 ]IMG_0061[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pilot/ ]Phil[/url], on Flickr[/img]
This one's just gratuitous!
[img][url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7500/28356675156_8dfb2f92ca_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7500/28356675156_8dfb2f92ca_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KcMnAm ]IMG_0060[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pilot/ ]Phil[/url], on Flickr[/img]
The above for Scruff. Someone did ask " are you pedalling THAT up the hill" to which the reply was "yes, why don't you pick it up" so he did, followed by "oh, that's lighter than my steel hardtail!"
I took my Banshee Legend down lower cliff once. Only once. Your downduro bike looks super.
God damnit Chainline, you'd better still be selling those 175mm Mojos in 6 months....
Turns out I know some one who has bought one of these... Not to resist the test ride urge.
have a ride. nowt to lose. At least you will know how you feel about it.
He's a lot taller than me so not sure it'd be worth it.
Kinda depends how tall you are really. 5'10" fine for longest, roll bars back/saddle forward to suit.
The 29er has escaped and is in the wild
Dunno about the pricing - they say £2350 for the frame/shcik, but £500 less for the 27.5 frame?
Aimed at Chainline since you seem to be the man in the know..... whilst the 29er seems to be in the Surrey Hills with MBR is there any chance of having a test ride on it?
I'm confused now, that reads as if it's a fully custom frame, so why not just go direct to Nicolai, what do you get for the extra cost of it being a Geometron if it's frame only? Also there have been 29er versions before this so what's new?
Seems very much a none news story.
The pricing is wrong there honourablegeorge.
The std 27.5 bike is £2350, the 29er is custom order at an additional £500. (Hence the £500 less quote)
There is (likely) to be a std 29er version available from Eurobike onwards.
There are also 4 sizes available, S. M, L and XL or Long/Longer/Longest and Longesterer. the new XL with a proportionally longer ETT and reach, in the 27.5 currently.
Expect those sizes to carry over to the 29.
Full custom is still available from Nicolai and can be facilitated by either a dealer or Mojo.
Gotama, Contact Chris directly or I can find out where it is currently for you, alternatively if you are happy to cover some fuel I'm sure I can arrange to get hold of it and come do a demo with you at which point you could back to back it with my bike as well which is the same size just 27.5. Email me directly (from profile) if you'd like me to set something up for you.
.
#geolution on social media, some teaser pics of the new bikes/updates for this year...
You might need to be a geek to spot the subtle changes but not the bigger ones like...the hardtail, the big wheeler... The DH proto has been under the OneVision team all year....
This is a nice blog from my Italian friend who came over to the UK to test and pick up his GeoMetron...it was a long way from what he thought he wanted originally...
http://aadm.github.io/2016-01-10-nicolai-mojo.html
Chainline what is that chainguide you have on the new bike?
Chainline, what are the frame stats for the one with "aadm" decals? It looks very long and the top tube appears to be lower than on a standard frame.
tooFATtoRIDE its a standard Small/Long. Which means a ST of 430mm. ETT is 620mm so nothing differents there.
Shandy, Chainguide is a Hope Slick Guide. Same as on the old bike.
Fast Forward looks kind of normal now
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Be interests to see what Nicolai bring out. A 5inch travel 29er with this geometry appeals for messing about on.
I did see the Mojo 29er but was put off by the extra cost for the custom geometry.
BIGMAN 😀 No.1
[img] https://flic.kr/p/KwoaXZ ][img] https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8711/28567161891_e4a93c4dca_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/KwoaXZ ][img] https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8711/28567161891_e4a93c4dca_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KwoaXZ ]#geolution[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pilot/ ]Phil[/url], on Flickr[/img]
[img] https://flic.kr/p/JGSkfv ][img] https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8525/28029464453_4bf820e29e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/JGSkfv ][img] https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8525/28029464453_4bf820e29e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JGSkfv ]#geolution[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pilot/ ]Phil[/url], on Flickr[/img]
[img] https://flic.kr/p/KAsKdj ][img] https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8853/28613320166_6486fcde38_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/KAsKdj ][img] https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8853/28613320166_6486fcde38_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KAsKdj ]#geolution[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pilot/ ]Phil[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Do like that new headtube cabling arrangement
@BIGMAN tb was Helius suspension arrangement, but let's just say in a similar ballpark. I think it's fair to say Nicolai wholeheartedly believe in the GeoMetron geometry/setup and not not just for descent focused bikes and customers over the last year have shown they do too
So I decided to see what the fuss was about, and with lots of help from Chainline and Mudfish, I finished putting this together last night. Not ridden it in anger, yet, but it feels very normal and confortable for a pedal round the house. 31.1 lbs on my scales.
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So, early days and a very short spin, but pedals amazingly, easily better than the standard Ion which was a good pedaller to begin with - seemed to find myself with extra gears everywhere, has huge traction uphill (even with a semislick on the back), it goes around tight corners no problem, and the lack of front wheel lift on steep climbs is uncanny. No feeling of being stretched out or uncomfortable whatsoeever. Didnt really get to try it properly at speed or on drops yet, but it really is brilliant at all the things you'd exect it to be no good at. Will probably need to adjust myself a little to weight the front more in corners when I do get moving at speed, but very happy boy so far.
That looks lovely, nice build too. Really looking forward to having a go in a couple of weeks although I expect its going to get expensive very quickly 😳
Which frame and wheel size is it? I'm assuming 27.5 but it looks in proportion which the 27.5s usually don't.
It's a "Longest" (large) with 27.5 wheels. I managed to put it together reasonably cheaply, got a mint second hand frame/shock, set of half-rpice 36s from Alltricks, and most other parts nabbed from my 26er Ion or my DH bike, both of which will be sold. And the Fox Orange cranks from the LBS, 'cos I had to.
Suspect you'll like it when you try it, there's no "oh my go this is weird" feeling when you sit on it.
together reasonably cheaply, got a mint second hand frame/shock, set of half-rpice 36s
Yeah, ok, no need to rub it in 😉
I will be trying the Longest 27.5, Longest 29 and possibly the Longesterer 27.5. It's going to be very interesting as to whether the length of the 27.5 overcomes the issues which made me prefer 29 in the first place or whether I still like the wagon wheels. Riding them on local trails as well which is ideal given its 95% of my riding.
Do they really call it the "Longesterer"? 🙂
Half price 36s still on the go at Alltricks.com if you're quick.
Looks great!
Do they really call it the "Longesterer"?
yep, made me chuckle too.
Serious dust envy here.
It's going to be very interesting as to whether the length of the 27.5 overcomes the issues which made me prefer 29 in the first place or whether I still like the wagon wheels.
It will depend on how steep, tight and rough your local trails are. The 27.5 is very easy to turn and still very stable. I still think 29 works best on flowier trails and shorter travel bikes.
Ok chaps and chapesses here you go
https://issuu.com/why_gbr/docs/nicolai-mini-katalog-2017-final_x1
Not quite as radical as some of use had hoped they would go but still very brave for a mfr.. Easily solved with a -1 angleset
Changes to the rear horst which is now a bearing, some cable routing tweaks, a significant change to the swingarm yoke design to give more clearance for wide tyres, not the tread but sidewall with wide rims.
XL sizing for big guys,
The WC DH proto bike becomes production.
130/140mm 29er, properly slack and long, not hype, and the right height BB, low enough,
Two travel options for the G16 150/170 effectively depending on shock.
And boost rear ends.
This is my favourite thread on this forum. It's my dream bike that I have come so close to buying a couple of times. And been a royal pain in Chainlines ass.
A massive thanks to everyone who keeps this thread going, I will have one! One day.
They have also gone boost on their 2017 frames yet the GPI stayed 142mm...
The Argon-GLF hardtail is amazing.
No need to go boost at all really for most mortals. GPI already has more stiffness (required for the belt drive under gates specification) and more clearance also due to bearing spacing. I wanted them to do that to the std bike by going to 83mm front crank like the DH bike, which would have spread the bearings further at the BB junction and moved the chainstays out of the way of heelstrike, given a good chainline with 1x11, with massive clearance given the new yoke design. GPI already has additional stiffness for the wheel as you can build a dish less wheel so completely un necessary.
Chainline; seeing Toby this Wednesday but in the meantime do you know if the mojo bikes will be getting the updated cable routing and what they're doing with respect to the 29er and travel?
They have also gone boost on their 2017 frames yet the GPI stayed 142mm...
Wouldn't Boost on the GPi require a change from Pinion rather than Nicolai - the cranks/rings etc are Pinion made.
I wanted them to do that to the std bike by going to 83mm front crank like the DH bike, which would have spread the bearings further at the BB junction and moved the chainstays out of the way of heelstrike
confused. trying to get my head around why boost would reduce heelstrike. surely the rear is wider so more of a problem? (Nicolai's square, straight chainstays gave me trouble on my old Argon CC hardtail)
Enjoy Wednesday with Toby. 
New cable routing won't be available until the next batch of stock so depends on the stock Chris has already. It's nice enough but the existing cable routing is just fine to be honest. OF course you could wait.
The 29er was always a custom order (+£500). It still can be ordered if you wanted the longer travel version (Chris's is 150/160mm, for the upcharge you would get exactly what you wanted in whaever colour you wanted, in which case you could specify any cable routing and top tube height/ST length you like)
The new version is 133/140mm and will be available to order from Eurobike/now. The new G16 and G13, if ordered now/shortly would be delivered the 3rd and 4th week of September/wk38/39 .
I suspect however that unless done swiftly thy will sell out quickly for those delvery dates after Eurobike/a more official press announcement/medi announcement. 20 frames per batch.
I'm pretty sure (not asked him yet) that Chris will get some stock in though.
Just for the record the GeoMetron doesnt need any more stiffness. The boost is just because that's the way things are going industry wide and if you get a stronger wheel, why not (I don't destroy the wheels I've got)
The clearance from the new yoke is mainly to allow for using super wide wheels and having a touch more sidewall clearance, I've had no issues with my Derby's but they are fairly close. testament to the stiffness of the back end that there isnt any contact.
Similarly with the rear bearing replacing the bush. The bush at the back almost never wears as it barely moves, but as the other pivots have gone bearing it makes sense and its likely a little easier to maintain/take apart without the right tools much like the front bearings.
So all in all most of the changes are nice but not something I'd worry about at all. I'm in no rush as I'd need new wheels...
The G13 29er is obviously big news with those angles, but offering a range with this geo is awesome.
At 5'11" with longer legs/shorter upper body :
What size would be recommended for a G13 29er please ?
gemini29 I'd put you squarly in ideal Medium (Longer)territory 450mm ST 642mm TT, use a 33-35mm stem.
Loads of room for a 150-170mm seatpost.
Ow
New bikes look good, agreed with chainline with regard to the stiffness can't fault mine, bearing change from the roller bearings is alright will make it a little easier to work on but it's not a issue when they need to be replaced being a roller bearing as it is now.
Im not keen on the New hose guide running the hoses on the opposite sides to rotate around the headtube gives clean lines with no cable rub as it is now on mine.
My o my thing now is I want to ride the 29er version. I'll be having a trip to Mojo in the autumn to fulfill this!
Chanline, what's the difference between the Nicolai, and Mojo bikes?
@Wookster going forward, none in terms of the frame and geometry. Shocks and forks are set up by Mojo for both unless you buy a complete bike package via a dealer with the RS kit on it.
There will no longer be a Mojo logo'd ST gusset. It will be the original Ion machining.
The packages can be bought through selected dealers, call Mojo for a list of UK dealers.
They can of course still be sourced though Mojo, with the full setup package/demo days as per website and indeed if that's the case all shocks and setup is tuned for you.
PackAges bought through dealers that include shock and fork etc will be set up for the rider by Mojo based on a riders weight and riding preferences as far as I am aware.
Basically Nicolai have formally adopted the geometry(and setup for Fox) and applied it to that range.
As such, Chris will still order batches and hold stock for both dealers and Mojo rather than it being order only. But if a rider wants a specific paint colour or anodised colour that will need to be ordered with a possible wait time and if anodised other than black or a raw finish (both no cost options like paint) there will be a surcharge depending on the ano colour and how much you want (CS, SS, front triangle etc etc, limitless options to apply bad taste on that front!)
I would of course also recommend an angleset too (one generally prefers -1deg and the 180mm fork
Nice one thanks fella. I'm already stashing the pennies....
Ion G13 does look nice
excellent.
Why do the new Nicolais, like other bikes, have a boost hub, but a 73mm BB? Is have thought this would leave less room for heals at the back of the stays. Why not full boost?
That is 'full' Boost LAT. The crank does the boost bit with an offset to deliver the right chainline. You can convert an existing crank to boost with the right spiderless ring.
Ahh, thanks
Chainline - Member
@Wookster going forward, none in terms of the frame and geometry. Shocks and forks are set up by Mojo for both unless you buy a complete bike package via a dealer with the RS kit on it.There will no longer be a Mojo logo'd ST gusset. It will be the original Ion machining.
Yah, I prefer their early stuff.... 🙂
How much is a full bike?
[url= http://geometron.mojo.co.uk ]Prices! [/url]
Prices here, £2350 for the Frame, full builds just over £5k.
So very comparable to a Santa Cruz but alot more boutique/unique in some ways. Why aren't people queuing around the block? I.e it's Santa Cruz everywhere now 🙁
hora - MemberWhy aren't people queuing around the block?
THink people still look at a 180-forked bike with that geometry and the fact that it's not carbon and think that must weigh a ton/be awkward to ride/not go around corners, etc., etc. (None of which is true)
And you can't (for the most part) walk into a shop and see one or sit on one,
Everyone should though - they're awesome.
SC do make some nice looking bikes, but they always feel too small on the occasions I've had a go.
Realistically both are a shed load of cash, but the Nicolai has somthing about it that makes me think ohh yeah!!
You can build one for much less than £5k without too much compreomise tho. Especially using something like SLX and Hope wheels.
why aren't people queuing round the block
Small company with a corresponding advertising budget. They have, as I'm sure you know, been around for a long time but have only recently leaped to prominence as a result of the geometron. I have only seen one bike shop that has a Nicolai in the window and the idea of a shop holding stock is certainly very recent.
As said above, compared to carbon, or even hydroformed aluminum they don't took hi-tech, but I think with the recent exposure they will become a lot more popular and sought after.
So very comparable to a Santa Cruz but alot more boutique/unique in some ways. Why aren't people queuing around the block? I.e it's Santa Cruz everywhere
Having ridden one now (in the Alps) can now comment, my answer is in contrast to the owners. It's big - would be good if I lived out in that sort of environment but for most of my riding and racing, it's like taking a tank to a knife fight. It wasn't much fun on flatter, tighter trails, even considered to my reasonably long Patrol - which is probably as big as I personally want to go.
The weight - I've commented on the weight before - but apparently the bike I rode weighed just under 5lbs heavier than my Patrol. It felt like a few more to pick up and ride.
A few more personal issues in that no bottle mounts is a huge issue for me, and the looks. I just couldn't buy a bike that looks so bad.
I think it's great that people are pushing the boundaries though, it's just not for everyone.
I agree not for everyone.
Given the cockpit length of a L is similar to an XL of progressive makes like a Transition., other than the reach and head angle, how do those guys get on in the tight and steep?
5lbs! The Patrol frame weighs within 100g of the Nicolai according to their specs and me weighing a L (
On a scale guaranteed +/-1g accuracy) which is bigger then the transition L) so that difference can only be parts unless you're on the carbon. In which case it's 1lb lighter as a frame. With decent parts, most GeoMetron's should weigh around 31lbs even with a decent strength tyre.
If you didn't want to go longer than a Patrol for how you like to ride it would be interesting to compare to the GeoMetron that is equivalent to your size bike in ETT, to essentially test the reach increase, HA decrease and SA increase rather than just the feeling of overall size (tho the equivalent sizes only have a WB difference of 6cm overall)
Not everyone should just be in the longest they can take or only ride the recommended size by Chris, another reason for getting people to test ride back to back with different sizes and with their own bike.
I ended up sizing up, others have sized down.
I'm sure many could 'size down' and use a S GeoMetron if they are on a L of any other brand just taking on board the big geometry changes which would take less technique adjustment.
There have been a lot out in the Alps this year. Be good to hear feedback from owners and mates like this.
£2350 for an ally frame!!!!!!!
Hobnob - how tall are you and what size did you try? I'm interested in your thoughts as you ride in the same areas as i do and I suspect you're a damn site better on a bike than I am!
How did you get on with your test Gotama? It was last week wasn't it?