EN
Introduced at Eurobike last year, the prototype of the new Nicolai enduro platform, the ION 16
was one of the most ogled at bikes on the NICOLAI stand. From the very beginning in 1995, the
focus of NICOLAI has been on downhill and enduro bikes, (fast descending and efficient
hillclimbing. Enduro frames even when it wasn’t called enduro back then).
The production has now started and the first ION 16 can be delivered soon; reason enough to
introduce the new enduro bike to you here.
The fourlink concept with the shock propped up by the down tube has proved successful. The
ION 20, ION 18 and ION 14 have already done excellent jobs at world cup events. The time was
ripe to complete the family with an ION 16 but the new offspring wasn’t to be just a fill in to make
up the range. It was to be a newly designed bike in all areas and a pioneering work for the entire
NICOLAI collection including zerostack headsets, postmountbrakes and 142x12mm dropouts.
Alright, let’s have a look at the details which the ION 16 has to offer as an innovative benefit:
So what are the main characteristics of an enduro bike? They are; good acceleration even on
climbs; downhill performance with good traction; and fast and precise cornering. The geometry
of the Ion16 was derived from things we learnt about bikes that were used at the megavalanche,
such as the Helius AM.
The fourlinked rear with the newly developed CNC machined light and strong pivot, is designed
to give it the strength of a rigid rear and the softness of a full suspension with the control of the
rear wheel on the ground. It is not designed for high speed shredding of World Cup downhill
courses, rather the main goal for the youngest member of the ION family is the winding single
track of courses such as the Trans Provence. The Ion 16 will prove itself on fast and technical
trails, but leaves sufficient reserves of travel to cope with even heavy drops.
Fourlink means four points of junction. The new adjustable bearings with 4way seals have been
extensively tested in some of the worst conditions we could throw at it. In the Scottish morass
they were buttery smooth day after day. The ION 16’s rear is frictionless and lowmaintenance.
The front with its 160 mm travel is kept low with a zerostack 44/56 compatible steerer tube.
The ISCG 05 mount is CNC machined as a part of the one piece unit that houses the BB, the
lower pivot point and the junction of the seattube. It also has the same replaceable threaded
inserts that are fitted to the post brake mounts on the rear wheel that will accept a disc of up to
180mm. Another innovation on a NICOLAI is the 12 x 142 mm throughbolt system which adds
significant stiffness to the rear end.
Another great feature is the adjustable geometry. The steering angle can be altered by 1° simply
by adjusting the "Excentric Trail Key" at the upper pivot of the fourlink rear end. The bottom
bracket height can also be lowered by 9 mm. This is where the downhill genes of the ION 16
kick in.
If you take a closer look at the seat tube you will see a neat detail where a small drilled hole
allows the cable for a Rock Shox Reverb Stealth to pass.
This all is part of a bike which will lead to a new decade of NICOLAI bikes built around the ION
platform, focussing on descending performance whilst still providing fast acceleration .
The new kinematic works; the bike responds immediately. Every single push on the pedals
results in instant acceleration. Shock tuning has been optimised. The back of the bike is
sensitive to small bumps whilst still being stiff throughout the travel.
Production has now started and the delivery of the first ION 16 is not too far away.
Here are some frame specs to make up your mind.
https://docs.google.com/spread…e=true&gid=51&output=html
So if you have not made up your mind yet about the ION, then go to test it at one of the events
taking place this year the “18th anniversary of NICOLAI”. From 03rd to 05th of May 2013 at the
Bike Festival on Lake Garda, or the Dirt Masters at Winterberg from 17th to 20th of May 2013.
And for those of you who simply can’t wait, come and test ride it by visiting the NICOLAI factory
in Lübbrechtsen Germany.
See you at the venues,
Andreas
[quelle]Text und Fotos: ©`Nicolai GmbH ; http://www.nicolai.net[/quelle]
