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ARGON GTB

    1.599,00 €
    incl. 19% VAT , plus shipping costs (Rahmen)
    • Available immediately

ARGON GTB

The Argon GTB is our closest relation to the forefather of mountain bikes – the classic hardtail. No full suspension bike, no matter how sophisticated, can compete with a hardtail in terms of weight and efficiency, nothing accelerates more directly, gives more feedback and can be handled with less energy. With all of our love and respect for the classics, the Argon GTB stands as a modern bike being designed and manufactured according to the latest technical standards. Its Geolution geometry is the same as the Saturn 11, our full suspension Marathon Race bike. A steep seat angle allows long and steep climbs to be tackled ergonomically, efficiently and effortlessly while seated. An attacking riding position is achieved by the long reach and 30-50mm stems are used for optimal direct steering and maximum control – the days of long cross country stems are history. A slack 68° head angle, long wheelbase and 100-120mm fork travel provide fun on fast single trails and safety on descents. The geometry of the Argon is size-adaptive, for example, the chainstay length grows with the frame sizes.

WELDING TECHNOLOGY

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENGINEERING IN PERFECTION

We weld all of our frames by hand using the TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) method. Our specially trained welders have many years of experience, our lead welder has worked in-house for over 20 years. For each model and frame size we build a precise welding structure called the frame jig. In this jig, the CNC-cut tube sets are precisely assembled and fixed in place with all turned and milled parts of the frame to be welded. The frame components are first tacked together with individual spot welds at precise points in a defined sequence, and then, to minimize distortion and stresses, welded in several passes.

PINION

The innovative gear shifting solution from Stuttgart-based manufacturer, PINION, sets the bar for bicycle gearboxes. The resourceful Swabians have been close development partners of our company since 2012. Integrated into the heart of the frame, the PINION gearbox ensures a low center of gravity and outstanding riding dynamics. All sensitive moving parts of the gearbox are protected from moisture, dirt and damage inside a sealed housing. Service and maintenance requirements are minimal. Lightning-fast precise gear changes, shifting at any time, and instant multiple-shifts are among the strengths of the PINION transmission, as are its smooth and quiet operation, wide gear ratio range and identical gradation between all gears.

7020 ALUMINUM

We manufacture all NICOLAI frames from 7020-T6 aircraft aluminum and are convinced that this alloy is the superior material for mountain bike construction. Compared to the 6061-T6 (AlMg1SiCu) alloy normally used in bicycle construction, 7020-T6 (AlZn4.5Mg1) has about 30% higher tensile strength and about 20% higher elastic limit. Where carbon frames can spontaneously fail in the event of an overload, NICOLAI bikes are calculated and designed to deform in a safely defined area of the frame in the event of an overload, significantly reducing the risk of serious crashes and injuries. A NICOLAI aluminum frame is designed to withstand many years even under severe competition conditions.

Rado

Rear Aligning Dropout

Our RADO dropouts guarantee perfect alignment between the front and rear wheels of the bike. Finalising the toe and camber of the rear wheel and fixing the RADO in an exact position means that every NICOLAI is always one hundred percent straight. Despite precise preparatory work, construction methods and the utmost care, any aluminum frame is subject to a certain amount of heat distortion during the welding process. Of course, after welding, each frame is straightened, precisely measured and the final alignment ensured. Instead of forcing the frame into alignment, the RADO can be precisely fixed in place with guided grooves and the choice of 5 different camber heights.

After locating the correct toe position along the guided grooves, the frame is drilled and the RADO is pinned by a dowel. The chosen RADO for each frame has the correct camber dimension milled into the RADO. This means that the original alignment is retained when the dropout needs replacing.

MANUFACTURING QUALITY

Made in Germany

The manufacturing quality itself is not yet an added value for a customer. The following two added values “durability & precise driving characteristics”result from production quality. Only if the welds are welded deep into the root and have no notches, a bike frame can withstand the impacts from the ground for many years without breaking. Precise riding characteristics are achieved when the rear wheel is precisely straight to the front wheel and even a layman notices that an oblique bike rides strangely (but usually he thinks it’s because of his riding ability).

COLOR SELECTION

EXTRA LOVE

Thanks to our own powder coating facility, local anodisers, and our in-house production line, every NICOLAI frame can be customized to meet your individual needs. We process over 50 powder coat colors applied in high-gloss or semi-gloss finish, as well as fades and our classic ‘camo’ options. Customers can even choose a separate color for each welded frame component. Our frames can also be anodized with a glass-peened and durable black, bronze or titanium finish. For turned or milled components such as rocker linkages, bearing covers, or cable guides, we offer an extended ‘Extra Love’ range of anodized colors that allow color matching with your favorite branded components. We also offer an uncoated aluminum finish as "factory raw". To finish, add your choice of decal style, location, size and color to guarantee a unique, personalized and truly custom bike.

TAILOR MADE

With our regular frame sizes, we cover a very wide range of body sizes and can offer the vast majority of bikers a perfectly fitting bike. However, there are also people who cannot find their optimal geometry within the range of standard sizes and adjustment options because, for example, they are particularly short, have exceptionally long legs or have a medical restriction. Our complete in-house production means we can offer frames specifically to measure and anything up to custom electric-assist tandems, for example.

#GEOLUTION

Geolution is a unique geometry concept that we developed in cooperation with Chris Porter from the English brand GEOMETRON. It is based on the idea that a longer wheelbase, a slacker steering angle and a steeper seat angle make the bike faster, smoother, easier to climb, and overall, safer to ride. Climbing characteristics are improved because the steep seat angle and long front end position the rider centrally preventing front wheel lift on steep climbs. The long wheelbase and a slack steering angle, on the other hand, allow for high downhill and cornering speeds and prevent an ‘over the bars’ feeling on steep downhills. The upright seating position and the centralised center of gravity ensure optimum load distribution and balance between the front wheel and rear wheel. This increases rider control in dynamic riding situations and improves the bike's overall handling.

WARRANTY AND SPARE PARTS

All NICOLAI frame models come with a 5-year warranty against breakage and material failure, even when used in extreme conditions like racing or jumping. The prerequisites are that the respective models are used within the scope of their designated purpose and have only been equipped with approved components. In addition, we guarantee supply of spare parts for all models for at least 10 years. Since we manufacture all frame components ourselves on our own machines, it is even possible to reproduce sold-out spare parts beyond the 10-year period in certain cases.

BIKE CONFIGURATOR

You can configure the ARGON GTB as a complete bike. Components from FOX, ROCK SHOX, INTEND, HOPE, MAGURA, TUNE, CONTINENTAL, SRAM, LEVELNINE are available.