In a ‘what took you so long?’ announcement that we know will delight some of our friends, Nicolai has announce a Pinion-gearbox shifting, full suspension trail bike. The new Saturn 14 will come in 27.5, 29 or Mullet wheel size and features 130 or 138mm of rear travel (dependant on rear wheel) with a 140mm fork up front. With plenty of modern geometry influence from Geometron (a medium has a reach of 480mm) and a tensioned Gates belt drive, Nicolai reckons the new Saturn 14 is going to be pretty future-proof. For a while at least.
Here’s what Nicolai reckons (caps all their own…)
“NICOLAI’s interpretation of a radical gearbox driven trail bike is called the SATURN 14 GPI. The SATURN 14 GPI inspires the rider with its modern and balanced GEOLUTION TRAIL geometry on home trails, in the bike park or crossing the Alps. Agile, smooth running, easy to climb and low maintenance describe this bike best in four ways. You can say goodbye to going ‘over the bars,’ a wandering front wheel on climbs and daily maintenance. The SATURN 14 GPI does exactly what a trail bike should do.Â
“Two possible wheel sizes, PINION & GATES CarbonDrive (GPI) and plenty of room for water bottles, it is the most versatile gearbox-driven NICOLAI we have ever built.“
- GEOLUTION TRAIL geometry
- 27.5″, 29″ or hybrid options
- 130/138mm rear suspension travel
- Sizes S-XXL
- Custom ‘TailorMade’ geometry available
- Complete colour and component customisation
- 5 years warranty, 10 years spare part availability guarantee
- PINION P-LINE P1.12 or P1.18
- GATES transmission ratio 39:39 or 39:34Â
- Made in GermanyÂ
We know that Nicolai, with its industrial welds and bare-bones Teutonic efficiency isn’t for everyone, but it seems that Nicolai fans are often progressive geometry fans and progressive shifting fans, so we see that there’ll be a lot of interest in the new Nicolai Saturn 14. It’s not cheap – with a frame coming in at €4,249 (to include Pinion P1.12 gearbox, cranks, Gates Drive sprockets and belt) and complete bikes from €6,749. But hey, that’s the price of progress, eh?
Here’s the Geo chart for you:
It’ll all be there to see on the Nicolai Saturn 14 homepage.
Love it…
…apart from that grip shift. I’d need to go to aftermarket for a trigger
The tension bar looks like what Felt used 10 years ago….if it works…
Not an expert and I suppose it must be fine … but I thought that bending a belt back on itself like that was not recommended..?
(Missing my belt set-up now that the grotty conditions are here again.)