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S11 GPI

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Financing  Easy assembly  5 year warranty  Testride Technical Data  Custom Gallery

S11 GPI

A STRONG BUT LIGHTWEIGHT CHARACTER

NICOLAI has created a lightweight and fast 29er full suspension thoroughbred with the NICOLAI Saturn 11. Its strengths play out in XC and marathon sports as well as extended mountain tours or hunting down home trails after work. The still young ‘Down Country’ category describes particularly light, nippy fullies with an XC focus, which, thanks to slacker geometry and a stiff  chassis makes a great performer on fast trails and descents. However, CEO and founder, Kalle Nicolai, sees this less as a new trend than as a new name for something familiar: “At least since its 2016 revision, the NICOLAI Saturn is a bike that slots one hundred percent into the down country category. We have always communicated this, we just lacked this catchy hashtag in 2016.”

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.

Gates Carbon Drive

CARBON FIBER REINFORCED MAINTENANCE FREE DRIVE BELT

For all NICOLAI models with gearboxes or hub gears we use the GATES Carbon Drive. This carbon fiber reinforced drive belt transmits power efficiently, quietly and chainslap-free to the rear wheel, without stretching. The CentreTrack guides the belt along the sprockets keeping everything in line and never jumps off. Unlike traditional chains, the Gates Carbon Drive requires no lubrication or special care. Dirt and mud can simply be washed off with water, though most of this is removed by the cleverly designed teeth profiles that expel dirt as you pedal. The service life of a Carbon Drive can exceed that of a conventional chain many times over.

TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION

When designing turned and CNC milled parts, we use FEM software (Finite Element Method), which can be used to simulate the loads that will occur on the trail in order to determine the optimum shape (topology) of these components. Critical areas of the design become visible in this way and can be strengthened by adding material, or weight can be saved by removing material from low stress areas. In this way we can produce highly complex parts and assemblies for our frames that combine maximum durability with minimum weight.

HORST LINK

Our suspension systems pursue the goal of combining competitive performance and maximum fun on the trail, as well as high pedaling efficiency by kinematically decoupling the rider's movements from the work of the suspension. For this reason, we design our 4-bar link rear triangles according to the proven and timeless ‘Horst-Link’ principle. The Horst Link describes the pivot point that sits at the end of the chainstay and just in front of the rear axle which counteracts the shortening of the wheelbase during compression. Through years of racing experience and with the help of simulation software, we have succeeded in further optimizing and refining the Horst-Link technology on our bikes. In particular, this has allowed us to significantly improve the anti-squat (pedaling) characteristics of the suspension.

Insert Bearings

FULL SUSPENSION BEARING TECHNOLOGY

The rear triangle of a full-suspension bike is subjected to very high dynamic loads during riding. The pivot points are the focal points where forces are transmitted between frame components. The full-ball, double-sealed ball bearings installed on our frames not only achieve top marks for power transmission, but also a particularly low breakaway torque, which ensures a sensitive and smooth chassis and suspension response. At the same time, they offer the best possible sealing against dirt and moisture for a long service life and extended maintenance intervals.

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.

5 FRAME SIZES

Most NICOLAI models are offered in 5 or even in 6 frame sizes, from XS to XXL. This provides customers between 1.55m and 2.10m with their perfect fit, a range that few other brands provide. A sizing chart for body and frame sizes can be found in our detailed Tech Sheets for each model. Building a perfectly fitting frame means much more than just extending it for each size. We take various factors into account here with regard to body proportions and rider weights, for example adapting tube cross-sections and thicknesses, modified geometry and particularly low standover heights for smaller sizes, or frame reinforcements that take into account higher weight and greater strength of XXL frame riders. Saddle position, stem height and shape, handlebar width and height serve to fine-tune geometry – albeit within a relatively limited range.

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.

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.

BOTTLE CAGE

ATTACHMENT POINTS FOR WATER BOTTLES AND ACCESSORIES

Even though many riders now rely on hydration or hip packs, few want to do without the option of a bottle cage within the front triangle. For a clean look, we offer our customised magnetic FIDLOCK mount together with a NICOLAI 0.6L Twist bottle. The FIDLOCK mount allows intuitive release and engagement of the water bottle in both directions even while riding, plus it’s secured in the frame even on the wildest rides and hardest hits. For further mounting options, for example to attach small toolboxes, pumps or bags, the NICOLAI frame clamps from our accessories line are ideal.

MANUFACTURING QUALITY

Made in Germany

The manufacturing quality in itself is not yet an added value for a customer. The following two added values “longevity & precise riding characteristics” result from the manufacturing 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 driving characteristics are achieved when the rear wheel is precisely straight to the front wheel and even a layman notices that a crooked bike drives funny (but usually thinks that it is due to his driving skills).

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. 

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

The S11 can be individually defined as a complete wheel in the configurator. Components from the manufacturers FOX, ROCK SHOX, INTEND, HOPE, MAGURA, TUNE, CONTINENTAL, SRAM, LEVELNINE are available.

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TRADE AND DISTRIBUTION

NICOLAI frame kits and complete bikes are offered in Germany through our direct sales channel. We offer off the shelf models, or completely customized dream builds with a wide choice of components via our online configurator. Personal discussions and direct contact with customers are our top priority. Abroad, selected partners are available for sales. With our large test bike fleet, we regularly visit bike parks and trail centers around central Europe. Here, potential NICOLAI riders can extensively test our bikes after prior registration and receive individual advice. At the NICOLAI factory we have set up a showroom where all current models are on display. Here, you can also make appointments for personal consultations, test rides, buy bikes directly or pick up pre-ordered bikes.