Nicolai: big changes for 2012
There has been a revolution within the Nicolai fleet of frames for 2012. In order to streamline the product list and make frame production more efficient the following models will no longer be available to order from standard production runs, Helius CC, Helius AFR, Nonius and UFO models, DS and ST. These frames will still be available to special order but the timescale for production may be longer than standard list frames.
The Changes…
Argon Frames
The Argon family of frames remain largely unchanged from 2011, prices have also been held from 2011. The only obvious change is the 1.5″ headtube, now standard on the Argon FR to accomodate the increasing numbers of tapered trail forks available through aftermarket sales.
Helius Frames
The obvious change is the loss of the Helius CC and Helius AFR frames from the Helius range. The Helius AC had long overtaken the CC as the bike of choice for the biggest market sector, full suspension trail and all mountain bikes. The slacker geometry and lower bottom bracket and top tube on the AC suited trail riding much better and the AC is almost the ultimate trail centre frame.
Although the individual prices of the AC and AM have risen £55 since 2011, the good news is these bikes are now standard with ISCG mounts, Maxle compatible (12x135mm) rear dropouts and more importantly the tapered head tube/1.5″ head tube (AC – Tapered, AM – 1.5″). The tapered headtube was a £150 frame upcharge for 2011. It is important to note, these are frame only prices, they do NOT include a rear shock. Moonglu can supply rear shocks for these frames at competitive prices, please call or email us for a quotation.
The big news in the Helius range is the Helius AM Pinion frame. Unveiled at Eurobike, the Helius AM Pinion features an 18 ratio Pinion P1-18 internal frame gearbox. There’s a big buzz around the Pinion Gearbox and for good reason – the box offers 18 real ratios giving it a massive 636% gear range and it’s both significantly lighter and cheaper than the Rohloff equipped G-Boxx. Frame orders are being taken, the first batch is already sold out and production does not start until early 2012. The full Helius AM Pinion bike at Eurobike was reportedly weighed at 33Ibs making it significantly lighter than any other previous gearbox equipped bike.
The Helius AM Pinion was previewed at Eurobike by Pinkbike
Pinkbike also claimed the first ride review on the Pinion AM.
Ion Frames
There are now 3 frames in the Ion range, the Ion14, Ion18 and Ion20.
Ion 14: Can be run with 100mm and short stroke shock as a 4x racer or with a 140mm fork and longer stroke shock as a bike park playbike. This is the bike designed for GatesNicolai team rider David Graf who took 2nd at the Fort William World Cup 4X recently.
Ion 18: replaces the Helius AFR as Nicolai’s 180mm fork/200mm rear travel freeride frame. The Ion 18 benefits from the lower centre of gravity of the ION design and the offset seat tube means the saddle is right out of your way when dropped. With Nicolai’s 4 bar Horst link suspension the Ion climbs way better than you’d expect from a bike with this much travel. These are ideal for uplift days and for most riders give much more flexibility than a true ‘DH’ bike.
Ion 20: World Cup downhill frame – 220mm of travel.