When the enduro trend flared up, the bikes were regarded as real all-rounders. From moderate trail tours to the occasional bike park use, everything was possible. That is now history. Today's enduro bikes are mostly downhill specialists with high weight and radical geometry.
The German luxury forge Nicolai was a pioneer when it came to geometry: under the name of Geolution the bikes have been trimmed for full throttle. A long reach and slack steering angle result in a particularly long wheelbase, which makes for a very smooth ride. However, this geometry needs to be mastered and is too much for less ambitious riders. What's more, not every enduro biker is chasing best times. That's why Nicolai is now introducing an additional enduro bike (the Nicolai G1 is still available): the new Saturn 16.
Free choice of wheel size
The key data sounds entirely appropriate for the area of use: the Horst-Link rear suspension provides 150 or 160 millimetres of travel depending on the shock length. At the front, suspension forks with 150 or 160 millimetres are available. As usual with Nicolai: the frames are made of aluminium (AlZn4, 5Mg1) and are available in sizes S to XXXL. Customers have a free choice of wheels: 29 inch, 27.5 inch or Mullet (front 29, rear 27.5 inch). There is space for a bottle cage on the down tube. According to the manufacturer, the frame weighs 3.6 kilos without the shock. Comparable frames (made of carbon) weigh between two and three kilos. The frame kit is available from 2799 euros, the complete bike from 6150 euros. Warranty: five years.
The geometry of Saturn 16
Although the geometry is more moderate than that of its enduro sibling, the G1, it is still on the long side: In frame size L (29 inches), the reach measures 515 millimetres, which is around 30 to 60 millimetres longer than the competition. The 64 degree head angle is in the mid-range of current enduro bikes, the seat angle is relatively steep at 78 degrees - so the riding position should not be too stretched.
The attention to detail is impressive: due to the manufacturing process, aluminium frames warp during welding. A sophisticated welding seam sequence minimises the distortion. To ensure perfect directional stability, Nicolai can adjust the toe (rotation of the wheels around the vertical axis) and camber (tilting of the wheels around the longitudinal axis) via the dropouts, just like a car.
Nicolai also installs so-called mutators at various interfaces between the individual frame components. This allows the geometry to be fine-tuned afterwards. If that's not enough, the Saturn 16 can also be customised (surcharge 750 euros).
Saturn 16: Many options for the damper selection
As with most current enduro mountain bikes, the Saturn 16 can be fitted with both air and coil shocks. Due to the different characteristics in terms of progression, this leads to moderate rear suspension function for most manufacturers if the "wrong" shock is used: For example, if a rear triangle has been optimised for use with an air shock, it will offer too little progression with a coil spring shock. This is why Nicolai provides different damper mounts, aiming to offer optimum rear suspension characteristics with both damper variants.
Of course, the eye also rides along. The customer is spoilt for choice: leave the frame in "raw", anodise it (black, bronze, titanium) or powder-coat it (various colours possible). In addition, various frame add-on parts can be anodised to match other components (e.g. hubs) on request. There is also a choice of decorative colours. Like the colours in the Nicolai configurator can be selected.
