The Polish label Northshore (NS) Bikes has long been known primarily to dirt bikers and freeriders. As a Lite model, our test candidate is more or less the slimmed-down 120 millimetre version of the Eccentric Alu 29 with 140 millimetres of travel, which, however, would go beyond our price range for 2149 euros. We had set the limit at 2000 euros.
At 417 millimetres, the chainstays of the Eccentric Lite 1 are super short for a twentyniner and allow the bike to scurry nimbly around tight bends. The Eccentric is child's play on the rear wheel. At the same time, the tame brakes and the unusually offset handlebars curtail the joy of high speeds and steep sections.
NS Eccentric Lite 1: The biggest weakness is in the head tube
Too bad: The Maxxis Rekon tyres reach their limits early on, especially on wet trails. However, the biggest weakness of the Eccentric is in the head tube: the Rockshox Judy rumbles through the roots and smacks loudly. In addition, we noticed significant bushing play in the delicate fork with 32-millimetre stanchions. Together with the loud chain slap, this puts a damper on the subjectively perceived ride quality. NS Bikes doesn't give the Eccentric a single protective sticker.
With its light 2142 gram frame and fast-rolling tyres, the NS Eccentric Lite 1 gets off the ground much faster than the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race or Dartmoor Primal Pro 29, for example, which, together with the twelve-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, invites you to scrub up the kilometres. Unfortunately, the Shimano HG freehub makes it difficult to upgrade from the Sunrace cassette to a wider range model.
Due to the slack seat angle, the riding position is long. The mixture of acceptable weight, good propulsion and sporty geo pays off on tours and bike park motorways.
Conclusion on the NS Eccentric Lite 1 in the test:
Unfortunately, the trail qualities of the NS Eccentric fell victim to cost-cutting measures. As a mountain bike light, it is well suited for making tracks in easy terrain. Here again, it lags behind lighter race bikes at the same price. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Technical data and grades NS Bikes Eccentric Lite 1
Manufacturer information
- Price: 1769 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: S, M,L (tested size L, 49 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 13.5 kg
- Frame weight: 2142 g
- Weight of wheels: 5414 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 3720 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 760 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 56 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: NS Bikes Octane One Solar
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon; EXO TR 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Rockshox Judy Silver
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Brakes: Shimano MT 410 / 180/180 mm
- Gears: Shimano Deore 1 x 12
- Ratio / bandwidth: 32; 11-51 / 463 %
- Seatpost / Ø: NS Bikes aluminium / 31.6 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 20 from 25
- Chassis efficiency: 7.5 out of 10
- Rolling resistance: 18 out of 20
- Weight: 4 of 20
- Inertia impellers: 5 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 7 out of 10
- Seating comfort: 5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 19.5 from 30
- Front suspension: 11.25 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 8 out of 10
- Brakes: 9 out of 20
- Tyre grip: 11 out of 20
- Driving stability: 1 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 70.5 OUT OF 105
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 60.75 FROM 115
- Other: 14.25 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating*: satisfactory - 145.5 out of 250 points
*The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Jan Timmermann
Editor
