New Nicolai with Pinion gearbox announced

Suns_PSD

Active member
Jul 12, 2022
522
439
Austin
I doubt it's cast iron and looking at it I'd guess that's the typical weight for a machined Al of that size.

Someone put a magnet on it to find out.
 

slickrock

Active member
Aug 7, 2022
156
151
SF Bay Area
I doubt it's cast iron and looking at it I'd guess that's the typical weight for a machined Al of that size.

Someone put a magnet on it to find out.

Like I said...

IMG_1914.jpg
 

Rob Rides EMTB

Administrator
Staff member
Subscriber
Jan 14, 2018
6,260
13,700
Surrey, UK
By the way, loving this bikes handling. The suspension performance is incredible. As is the handling. It handles so much lighter than the weight suggests.

The rear suspension is so supple, ultra reactive and actually feels pretty playful, which surprised me a bit.

I’m running it as a mullet bike, I reckon the weight reduction out the back with the smaller rear wheel and tyre, no mech / cassette massively influence how the rear end performs.

Hitting enduro trails on the bike is so good. Ultra quiet, very good chassis and incredible suspension.

The motor noise still bothers me on gears 1-4. And it’s a bit clunky elsewhere. I’m getting used to it, but have a wish list for a V2 Pinion already!

IMG_3309.jpeg
 

whitymon

Member
Nov 29, 2023
260
128
Europe
My bet is that this tensioner is provided by pinion, same as the crank?

Maybe Nicolai could have machined an AL one but as we mentioned it, casing this part on a jump and it could really destroyed the bike with a light piece.

As for v2 to me:
- tob tube integration or low profile controler
- noise
- tensioner more integrated. We could have a higher fixation of the pulley that does not go lower than BB
- wonder about an inverted installation of the tensioner or a high pivot / could generate drag so I do not know
- slim battery, down tube is very big
 
Last edited:

lar1337

New Member
Jul 26, 2024
20
16
United Kingdom
By the way, loving this bikes handling. The suspension performance is incredible. As is the handling. It handles so much lighter than the weight suggests.

The rear suspension is so supple, ultra reactive and actually feels pretty playful, which surprised me a bit.

I’m running it as a mullet bike, I reckon the weight reduction out the back with the smaller rear wheel and tyre, no mech / cassette massively influence how the rear end performs.

Hitting enduro trails on the bike is so good. Ultra quiet, very good chassis and incredible suspension.

The motor noise still bothers me on gears 1-4. And it’s a bit clunky elsewhere. I’m getting used to it, but have a wish list for a V2 Pinion already!

View attachment 149862
Could only keep one....which?
 

Onetime

Active member
Aug 10, 2022
468
480
Cali
By the way, loving this bikes handling. The suspension performance is incredible. As is the handling. It handles so much lighter than the weight suggests.

The rear suspension is so supple, ultra reactive and actually feels pretty playful, which surprised me a bit.

I’m running it as a mullet bike, I reckon the weight reduction out the back with the smaller rear wheel and tyre, no mech / cassette massively influence how the rear end performs.

Hitting enduro trails on the bike is so good. Ultra quiet, very good chassis and incredible suspension.

The motor noise still bothers me on gears 1-4. And it’s a bit clunky elsewhere. I’m getting used to it, but have a wish list for a V2 Pinion already!

View attachment 149862
How is the Ohlins suspension vs the Intend that you had on it?
 

slickrock

Active member
Aug 7, 2022
156
151
SF Bay Area
It is heavy isn’t it!

Wonder why they chose this material? I can only assume it’s for strength/ durability vs aluminium - it’s exposed under the bottom bracket so will no doubt be at risk of impacts.
I did some digging into this. It looks like this tensioner is second iteration of the one used on the GT1 EBOXX bikes. The original version looks like it had a CNC alloy swingarm and an external mechanism to adjust spring tension.

g1-eboxx_2022_gates_1120x1120_01-560x560.jpeg

Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 9.11.00 PM.png





Also the prior version was unified - it consisted of 2 end-piece housing that were single pieces mated together that both housed the spring as well as provided mounting flanges.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 9.10.35 PM.png


This newer version (don't have a diagram) separates the spring housing from the flanges, so different flanges can be used with different models for their bikes (Saturn flanges or EBOXX flanges). This is clearly a more flexible design and would also allow a DIYer or other OEMS to craft their own linkage flange to outfit on other bikes. OTOH, this probably makes for a heavier design due to the extra attachments. As to why the the moved away from an CNC arm to a cast metal (BTW, I don't think its full cast iron anymore since the magnet weakly attaches) I'm not sure.
 

slickrock

Active member
Aug 7, 2022
156
151
SF Bay Area
My bet is that this tensioner is provided by pinion, same as the crank?

Maybe Nicolai could have machined an AL one but as we mentioned it, casing this part on a jump and it could really destroyed the bike with a light piece.

As for v2 to me:
- tob tube integration or low profile controler
- noise
- tensioner more integrated. We could have a higher fixation of the pulley that does not go lower than BB
- wonder about an inverted installation of the tensioner or a high pivot / could generate drag so I do not know
- slim battery, down tube is very big
A lot to unpack here:
  1. This tensioner is not from Pinion, but rather from Nicolai partnership with Universal Transmissions.
  2. The Pinion tensioner that goes along with their own MGU (and their other gearbox products) is IMO a far worse design, as it sits keel-like under the motor, directly exposed to strikes and mud, not to mention an ungainly look.
  3. Nicolai is a better design and they know this - it's transverse mounted behind the motor (fully behind with the EBOXX and mostly behind with the Saturn) so it's out of harm's way. As such arm could be fully alloy. If anything, It seems over engineered.
  4. As you hinted there are other places to put the tensioner that could streamline the design - on the swingarm, on rear axle mount on the frame near an idler gear, but all this requires deliberate design work on frame builder. Frankly, Pinion should provide a better tensioner design that directly mounts to their motor.
  5. Something to think about - create a rear suspension with concentric rear axle path. That way you wouldn't need a spring tensioner at all. Because EMTBs have mid-motors this may require an idler gear configuration.
 

shakazulu12

New Member
Jan 18, 2024
22
25
Phoenix, AZ
Hmmm. I'm in the USA. If I try and buy a complete bike, it says shipping not available. Which I already knew. However, if I try to purchase a frame kit, it let's me do it. Although the shipping price is 1,000 Euro. Which I assume is because Lithium batteries are a major hassle.
 

shib

New Member
Sep 18, 2024
20
38
Germany
August 22. First inquiry was in July with a quoted delivery week of (german) calendar week 40, when. placed the order delivery was estimated for week 43, which was later postponed to week 45 and I collected the frame yesterday (week 46). Building the bike was simple and I just returned from our local trails where I applied some November dirt on the shiny new bike. Can't say much right now because the trails were in a super gooey state, but the bike felt familiar right away... next Saturday we're having a long ride and weather is supposed to be better by then, so we'll see...

IMG_5099.jpeg


The motor is not quiet, I think it's something I can get used to though. When pointed downhill, the bike is by far the quietest bike I ever had. Impressive!

Edit; I did a last minute swap from Fox DHX to EXT e-Storia @ 205x65, so 166mm rear travel. The shock is supported by Nicolai and you can get it with a frame or complete bike.
 
Last edited:

Jamo

Member
Jul 25, 2020
62
23
Fife
Thanks for your reply.
I ordered mine 28th June, and like you had been given a variety of different dates through August, september, october, and now here we are in November and I still dont have it.

Really disappointed - not just at the timescale but also the various ‘excuses’ that were offered by nicolai for the continued delay.

I am receiving a frame only and I’m in the uk. I had a feeling nicolai have been prioritising other orders ahead of mine and you have confirmed this.

Anyway i’m told it’s now on its way to me as of today. Kinda looking forward to seeing it, but to be honest most of the initial excitement has fizzled out by the way it has gone.
 

shib

New Member
Sep 18, 2024
20
38
Germany
Hmmm. That is really weird. I have ordered many frames from Nicolai and they never did that. Wonder what the excuses were?
 

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