S18 SWIFT

For the suspension components, we have selected the most capable components from the market leader Fox, the Factory Series. The Fox 38 Factory fork responds particularly sensitively thanks to its Kashima coating and, with its Grip X2 damper, enables a professional, individual setup in no time at all. With 180 mm of travel, it handles any terrain with ease. Its torsion-resistant casting and powerful 38 mm stanchions ensure maximum steering precision.

The new Fox Float X2 Factory 2-pos air shock with trunnion mount comes in the dimensions 225 × 70 mm. Like all our shocks, it is custom tuned and has been specially optimized for use in the S18 SWIFT. Thanks to a new single-tube design and a larger oil flow rate in the compression stage, it now controls the 180 mm travel at the rear even more sensitively and ensures that the rear wheel sticks to the ground for maximum traction. Compression and rebound can be adjusted separately in the high and low speed stages for a perfect setup. Thanks to the 2-position lever, the damping can also be set to hard with one click while riding in order to pedal more efficiently uphill or on flat surfaces.

The Magura MT7 Pro HC is one of the most powerful brakes on the market and is deployed successfully in the Downhill World Cup. With a forged, one-piece 4-piston calliper and ergonomically optimized, smooth-action one-finger levers, it combines maximum braking power and sensitive modulation. The S18 SWIFT is equipped with a 220 mm Magura MDR-P disc at the front and a 203 mm disc at the rear.

The DT Swiss HX 1501 Spline wheelset was specially developed for use on eMTBs and is designed to withstand the roughest conditions. Tubeless ready, with DT Swiss ratchet technology, straight-pull spokes and welded 30 mm wide rims in hookless design, these wheels can handle anything the downhill track throws at them.

The Continental Kryptotal tires have proven themselves in both the Downhill and Enduro World Cup. With an aggressive, open tread pattern and effective puncture protection thanks to their enduro carcass, they combine precise steering characteristics, maximum grip and a long service life. With specific tread designs, the S18 SWIFT uses a front tire in 29 x 2.4 with the Super Soft compound and a rear tire in 27.5 x 2.4 with the Soft compound.

The Bikeyoke Dropper Post is a premium product in terms of function, ergonomics and ease of use. High-quality workmanship and a lightweight design, it also features automatic bleeding. We offer the post on the S18 SWIFT with different stroke lengths depending on the frame size, but are also happy to accommodate individual requests. For the S frame, a seat post with 160 mm stroke is recommended due to the shorter seat tube. For sizes M to XXL, you can choose between 185 mm and 213 mm travel. From size L, a Rock Shox Reverb with up to 250 mm travel is also available on request.

For the contact points, we have outfitted the S18 SWIFT with the 6OX Ergowave Active saddle, available in various widths, and 7OX grips, both from SQLab. The cockpit is made up of a 780 mm wide Acros Gothic handlebar with 25 mm rise and 35 mm clamp diameter in combination with a matching 40 mm Acros Gothic stem. An Acros Blocklock headset prevents the steering from turning over. A-Flat MD pedals from Acros complete the package.

One highlight here is the Dynamic Control feature, which is available in EMTB+ and TURBO modes. It prevents the rear wheel from spinning, allowing you to climb even more efficiently on loose or slippery surfaces. And with the integrated Extended Boost feature in EMTB+ mode, the bike recognizes the initial pedal impulse on rough climbing sections and pushes you up the rock steps without you having to turn the pedals. The push assist, which is activated via the Mini Remote control unit, not only has a practical Hill Hold function that prevents the bike from rolling backwards, the pushing speed now adapts to the surface and incline thanks to the new sensor system. A Hill Start Assist is now also integrated, which automatically recognizes whether you want to push the bike or start off on an incline. In addition to the preset assist modes, the Bosch Smart System also offers further options, 4 of which can be individually selected and configured via the eBike Flow app: ECO, ECO+, TOUR, TOUR+, AUTO, EMTB, EMTB+ and TURBO.

The menu options and functions of the Kiox 400C are only visible for those features that are actually integrated. For example, if the bike is equipped with an electronic TRP derailleur or the Bosch ABS Pro system, the menu can also be used to select the Auto-Shift functions or set the ABS modes. As part of the Bosch Smart System, the display can be paired and configured with the eBike Flow app on your smartphone and is open for new functions and updates.

Two different ABS modes can be selected via the Kiox 400C: Race and Trail Pro. The new Race mode now allows you to break so hard that the rear wheel can be lifted, in order to turn the bike around hairpin bends or perform a stoppie. In Trail Pro mode, the rear wheel stays on the ground to prevent you from falling over the handlebar on steep sections, for example. However, ABS can also be deactivated completely. 

With our suspension system, we aim to combine competitive performance and maximum downhill fun with high pedaling efficiency. For this reason, we design our rear suspension according to the proven Horst Link principle. The Horst Link is the pivot located at the end of the chainstay in front of the rear axle, which counteracts the shortening of the wheelbase during suspension compression. Through years of racing experience and with the help of simulation software, we have been able to continuously improve the Horst Link kinematics on our bikes and individually optimize the anti-squat characteristics of the suspension according to the specific application of each bike.

100% anti-squat as a set value means that with an average rider and central load distribution, the chain drag generated during acceleration is strong enough to counteract the bobbing motion generated during pedaling. If the Anti-Squat value is above 100%, a spring-out movement of the rear end is indicated during pedaling. If the value is below that, it indicates a spring-in movement, called squat. Depending on which sprocket of the cassette the chain runs, the chain tension vector changes when pedaling and thus also the anti-squat value. The S18, for example, has an anti-squat value of 153% at 30% sag with a gear ratio of 34T/42T.

Apart from the anti-squat characteristic, we have also optimized the kinematics of S18 SWIFT in terms of anti-rise behavior. Anti-rise describes whether the rear brake causes a spring-in or spring-out movement at the rear when the rider's load is distributed evenly on the bike. We have realized an anti-rise value of 76% in a 30% sag position, which means that the rear end reacts quite neutral when braking.

The following boxing and unboxing videos show the thought we put into shipping and how much engineering can go into a box alone:

UNBOXING Video

BOXING Video

The NICOLAI Bikebox is also available individually in the store.

With a test bike selection, we regularly visit bike parks and trail centers, where interested parties 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 or test rides and buy bikes directly or pick up pre-ordered bikes.