ENDURO Long Term Test | First Ride: NICOLAI ION-16 Techline
NICOLAI has a long-standing reputation for building unique bikes “Made in Germany”. Although the bikes are sold in the United States, I had never heard of them before I moved to Germany. When I got my hands on this ION-16, it was truly with fresh eyes and no stereotypes. I didn’t know what to expect or the reputation of the company, so what do I think about the bike now after four weeks of riding?
In the story I wrote about my trip to the NICOLAI factory, I was totally surprised by the cool atmosphere and the high-tech tools crammed into the historic barns. I was impressed by the slick parts that come straight out of the CNC machines, the clean lines of the tubes, and the fat welds. I finally have time to look at the build and it is pretty damn sexy. The ION-16 techline is dripping with Hope and SRAM goodies that complete the gorgeous frame.
The Basics
The ION-16 is set on 27.5 wheels, has 160mm of travel and can be bought as a frame or a complete bike. The frame weighs 3.35 kg without the shock and costs € 2,399.00. The complete ION-16 Techline costs at € 5,499.00 and weighs 14.1 kg with no pedals installed. A RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork up front and a Monarch Plus RC3 shock take care of the bumps. The bike is heavier than comparable the Specialized Enduro Comp and Giant Reign, but the extra weight doesn’t feel like a noticeable burden while riding.
Small Details
There are some small but well thought out details hidden on the frame. Two of the three ISCG mounts have inserts which can be pressed out and replaced if they get stripped. If you have ever stripped one before, you will appreciate this feature. Additionally, NICOLAI machined custom cable guides to keep all of the different housings in place. There are no water bottle mounts on the frame, so plan to bring a backpack if you expect to get thirsty.
The cockpit is has a comfortable setup with Hope Race Evo E4 brakes and Ergon grips. I tend to be a traditionalist with things like grips, but I’ve noticed no problems or discomfort with the Ergons. The Hope brakes took a ride to break-in and feel great now. I have fallen in love with 1×11 drivetrains and the SRAM X1 setup provided crisp shifting right away.
I have a large ION-16 and the wheelbase is 1,199 mm with a head angle of 65.5°. The seat angle is 74° and chain stay length is 432 mm. My first rides have been good with no complaints about setup. I can climb and descend without distraction. There is an “ET” key that can be reversed easily and will change the geometry head and seat angle to 66.5° and 75° respectively. I’ve not yet tested this “ET” feature, so stay tuned for an extensive review in a few weeks.
Rider Setup and Riding Style
At 188 cm tall and weighing 86 kg, I fit well on the large ION-16 frame. I like to ride aggressively and hit jumps and drops, so I set the bike up to take abuse from deep braking bumps and flat landings. I was assured that this bike would be suitable for laps at the bike parks and I intend to test this extensively. However, keeping a bike with 160mm of travel glued to the ground on long, grinding climbs and or slick, twisty uphill singletrack might require some finesse.
Suspension Tuning
My initial setup felt a little stiff during low-speed compression and I wanted to see what help a suspension professional could offer. Luckily for me, Fahrrad Fahrwerk is close to Stuttgart and they are a NICOLAI test center. Fred took some measurements and together we made some minor adjustments to the fork and shock which made the low-speed characteristics feel much more active. I look forward to pushing the limits of the bike with the new setup.
Initial Impression
I have several rides on the ION-16 and no immediate changes to make. I thought I would change the seat or grips, but both have been quite comfortable. The tires grip well enough, but I may go for a more aggressive tread pattern as we come into the winter riding season. I’ve ridden a few downhill trails, climbed some fire roads, and sprinted up twisty singletrack with no complaints. I love to focus on picking lines when headed downhill and the solitude of the wilderness on climbs. If I am thinking about the bike then I miss those special moments on the ride. I’ve enjoyed my time on the bike so far and haven’t thought much about the components until I wash it and hang it back up on the bike rack. That’s the way I like it.
About the tester:
Evan is computer security specialist from the United States and contributes stories for the “Hello America” series. He now lives in Stuttgart, Germany and focuses primarily on trail rides and downhill bike parks. Evan has been riding mountain bikes for over twenty-five years and is passing his passion for bikes down to his kids. With easy access to trails in the Schwarzwald, the Alps, and right out his back door in Stuttgart, he is able to ride and explore year round.
For more information on the bike visit the NICOLAI Website
Need help with your bike setup? Check out the Fahrrad Fahrwerk Website
Words: Evan Phillips Photos: Ross Bell
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