Product news: Nicolai G1 – New Enduro for 29″ and 27,5″ with extreme geometry

Product news / MTB: With the Nicolai G1, the German aluminum artists from Nicolai present a new enduro that, thanks to its modular design, is available with 27,5″ and 29″ wheels and, like its predecessors, relies on the extreme Geolution geometry. Also new is the collaboration with the Italian damper manufacturer EXT, whose new damper is available in the frame kit.

Since the gradual decline of 26″ wheels, the wheel size on mountain bikes has been an absolute long-running favourite. Especially in the enduro segment of the Nicolai G1, the trend is clearly swinging in the direction of the large 29-inch wheels, even if 650B wheels certainly have their advantages and, of course, their legitimate fans. In our experience, there is no better or worse here and a lot depends on your own driving style and personal preferences. This puts the manufacturers in a rather uncomfortable position between the chairs of the two wheel size fan camps. Nicolai solves the problem with the G1 as one would expect from mechanical engineering specialists: Thanks to a clever, modular frame construction with an exchangeable link between the compression strut and the damper rocker, both 1″ wheels and 27,5ers can be used in the G29.

Nicolai G1: Modular construction enables unique adaptability

The geometry and the rear triangle kinematics are already adjusted ex works by this modular part, which goes by the name of pressure strut mutator. Also interesting: Not only the wheel size, but also the frame size determine the design. In this way you can achieve the same feeling on the bike and the corresponding tire clearance for all sizes. The length of the chainstay also grows with this, thanks to a mutator installed just in front of the rear wheel axle.

But that's not all of the adaptability: The completely newly developed linkage lever of the G1 offers two different mounting points for the damper, with which the suspension travel of the rear triangle can be varied between 162mm and 175mm. For example, the enduro becomes a powerful freerider during a longer stay in the park without major modifications - at least on paper. A detailed test will have to show this in practice. Speaking of the bike park: the G1 is approved for double bridge forks, provided that the maximum installation length is not exceeded here either. Speaking of the damper: During the development of the Nicolai G1, for the first time they worked closely with the Italian manufacturer EXT, who have had dampers for mountain bikes in their range for some time, but are known to many primarily from racing and motorsport should. So it's not surprising that in addition to the proven Fox X2 Factory, you can also configure your G1 with the new EXT Storia Lok V3 coil damper.

Nicolai G1: geometry at the limit

As with the already available and established mountain bikes of recent years, the geometry of the Nicolai G1 was developed together with Chris Porter. Together with the British GeoMetron founder and owner of Mojo Suspension, the Geolution concept was established, which pushed the previously known geometries to the limit of what was feasible. This should never have become so clear as with the new Nicolai G1. With a super-slack head angle of 62,5° (!) and an almost vertical seat tube with a seat angle of over 78°, fans of this very modern orientation should be salivating. In addition, the main frame is also very long: In size L, the new Nicolai Enduro has a whopping 515mm reach and a 642mm top tube. Tall riders can also be happy: The G1 is also available as a real XXL wheel - the 29″ version has a wheelbase of no less than 1371mm! It should get pretty tight with one or the other rear carrier. If you don't like the offered geometry or have very specific ideas of your own, you can get the Nicolai G1 with your own geometry for an extra charge of 750 euros.

Geometry Nicolai G1 29

Geometry Nicolai G1 27

Nicolai G1: As a frame set and complete bike – prices from 2.699 euros and 5.999 euros respectively

As usual from Nicolai, the new G1 is also available both as a frame set (with and without dampers) and as a freely configurable complete bike. Because each frame is produced individually for the buyer, you also get numerous color and design options during the ordering process. From the color and surface coating of the frame itself to the linkage, dropouts and decals - (almost) all wishes are made possible here. The same applies to the complete wheels - the G1 dispenses with preconfigured equipment variants and gives the customer a completely free hand. The selection of components ranges from proven but high-quality standard components from Fox, Sram or Renthal to fine products from small series manufacturers such as Intend or Beast Components.

Of course, so much individuality also has its price: the bare frame without a damper costs 2.699 euros, the EXT Storia Lok V3 coil damper costs 950 euros, the Fox X2 Factory 2-Pos is 200 euros cheaper. The entry-level version of the G1 complete wheels – already equipped with high quality – starts at 5.999 euros and there are almost no upper limits. A dream bike that we clicked together using the configurator with Intend Edge fork, hand-built I9 wheels with Beast carbon rims and Sram X01 Eagle group easily cracks the 10.000 euro mark.

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