Just finished this, was waiting on the bushings for the rear shock (have had a few sneaky rides on an old Fox shock already)

Delighted with it – incredibly solid (virtually silent when I land a jump), plush, confidence inspiring, low and wasy to handle, jumps well – but what I didn’t expect was climbing – got up a tech climb last night that I’ve never managed before. Couldn’t be happier with the bike.

Very nice enjoy love mine.

Lovely. Great spec on the build. Like.
Is it an AC?

wrecker – Member
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Lovely. Great spec on the build. Like.
Is it an AC?

It’s an Ion 16

Is that a new model then? I thought Ions were downhilly jobbers.

Yeah, it’s their new 2013 Enduro/AM bike. They still have the Ion 18 and 20 as DH bikes and the Ion 14 as a sort of Slope/4x thing

Look the business, don’t they?

Very nice, quite industrial looking but in a good way 8)

Yeah. Thought it might be a a handful to climb, front is 65 degrees, but it goes up better than my Spicy did. Obviously I’m biased, and in the midst of new bike excitement, but I think it’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden

Oh mate that’s lush!!!

Always fancied a Nicolai and that looks mean!

What’s the frame design advantage over the old AM .?

the_lecht_rocks – Member
What’s the frame design advantage over the old AM .?

Supposedly 200g lighter (there some debate on that), lower, slacker, 142 rear, post mount brake, has wee flip chips to alter the geometry, tapered headtue – basically all the new-fangled standards on one frame.

As for the different suspension layout, I think it’s supposed to improve acceleration, I think they’ll eventually use the downtube mounted rocker for all their bikes. Never ridden an AM, so can’t compare.

Any pedal strikes?…. 😀

oh, thats lovely.

ChunkyMTB – Member

Any pedal strikes?….

Ah yes – that was the advantage of the new layout…… 🙂

Supposedly 200g lighter (there some debate on that), lower, slacker, 142 rear, post mount brake, has wee flip chips to alter the geometry, tapered headtue – basically all the new-fangled standards on one frame.

Nice. Make me one in carbon with reverb stealth port. Please.

I love that 8)

The Ion design is stiffer, has a lower centre of gravity, and a more modern/linear linkage ratio.

One of those has jumped to the top of my shopping list should anything happen to my Helius AM.

Thats nice that is.

hmmm… nice.

I’m the proud owner opf Mildred’s old Helius ST and once I’ve got my new Boxxers fitted reckon it’ll be the business.

I need to start saving ready for when my bike 2 works bike can be sold next Spring to replace it with a more XC biased Nicolai ;o)

That is very nice. The new suspension layout improves the aesthetics as well which if we’re honest is the most important thing 😀 Hopefully they make a 29er variant for those that like big wheels.

Very, very nice indeed. Looks VERY purposeful.

pic isn’t working for me :/

Here’s a link for those that can’t see the photo as i couldn’t

http://s8.postimg.org/lud34h7t0/ion_16.jpg

George – hope that’s ok.

Hmm.. I can’t see it now either.

wrecker – Member

Nice. Make me one in carbon with reverb stealth port. Please.

Reverb stealth port is on there already. Not sure they’ll do carbon unless they can figure out a way to make it with massive welds in raw silver.

Not sure they’ll do carbon unless they can figure out a way to make it with massive welds in raw silver

With straight tubes and out of aluminium

Gotama

Hopefully they make a 29er variant for those that like big wheels.

Delivery expected shortly by those brave souls who went custom for just such a thing…

Aye, big thread on MTBR on a custom 29er one.

I think this one will take 650 too, plenty clearance. Just wait for one of my mates to buy a set of 650s and I’ll bung them on for a look.

Not long till Eurobike – wonder what Nicolai will be coming out with for next year?

I is said brave soul! There are two 29er frames Built. Dipper from Gavity sports is having one too. i think Whafe is ready to order one. Nicolai have built one for themselves for evaluation too and the principal behind them agreeing to develop mine was that it may go to production. Should be picking it up in 2 weeks from Nicolai.

That’s lovely George, looks very right. Wish I could use BOS on the 29 but alas not..

The Ion doesn’t necessarily have a ‘better’ linkage curve, just different. It is more DH biased in the suspension response, it won’t be as forgiving of a poorer air shock as the Helius design and whilst providing more anti squat for initial pedalling it correspondingly has more kickback so as with everything…compromise and what you want.

I is the first Nicolai to combine all the current ‘standards’ in one frame that isn’t custom.

BOS supposedly have a 29er 120mm fork in the works. Not enough, I guess.

650lb Ion or Helius TB with 125mm of travel and warranted for 140mm forks would be nice.

The regular TB is only warranted for 130mm forks.

Plus Nicolai are the only company I’ve ever seen that stipulates you can only use 32mm forks. A travel reduced 34 or 36 is a no-no. Very very odd??

Rik – Member

Nicolai are the only company I’ve ever seen that stipulates you can only use 32mm forks. A travel reduced 34 or 36 is a no-no. Very very odd??

130mm 36s are longer than 130mm 32s – the crown/chassis is bigger

I is said brave soul!

Interesting, please post on here when you’ve taken delivery and built it up. Always had a longing for a nicolai. Will now toddle off over to mtbr to dig out the details.

130mm 36s are longer than 130mm 32s – the crown/chassis is bigger

120mm 34s are not longer than 130mm 32s though. That’s why I can see a manufacturer putting a maximum axle to crown length on but not a stanchion diameter size. Crazy…..

What’s the weight of your Ion 16?

Gotama here’s a pic or 2 been riding it for a while now, I loves it…so do most who’ve ridden it. So did Nicolai so its now a production bike…selling well apparently ..

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Frame details are the same on a 16 for those interested.

Very nice