S16 MGU 2025

The Nicolai S16 MGU 2025 is the German specialist's gearbox-equipped enduro eMTB, built around the Pinion MGU (E1.12) motor and gearbox unit (85 Nm torque, 250 W rated, 600 W manufacturer-claimed peak, 4.1 kg) and a 720 Wh FIT Tubepack battery. Travel is 160 mm front and 160 mm rear on a hand-welded aluminium chassis with Horst Link suspension. Five sizes from S to XXL, reach 468 to a properly stretched 550 mm, head angle 64.5 degrees flat, chainstays 459 mm. Single base trim at £9,300, claimed weight 28.5 kg. The community read in one line: an obsessively-engineered German enduro on the most innovative motor-gearbox unit in the industry, sold to riders who appreciate the Pinion MGU's belt-drive simplicity but accept it's a V1.0 platform with documented teething issues.

Drive system and range. The Pinion MGU E1.12 is the headline of the bike — a combined motor and 12-speed internal gearbox in a single unit, eliminating the rear derailleur and cassette in favour of a sealed gearbox with a belt drive. 85 Nm torque, 600 W peak, 4 times assistance ratio. @zizajaun confirms the spec. The 720 Wh battery is removable; an 800 Wh option is also available. Real-world range will sit in the 45 to 65 km territory depending on terrain. Reliability is the open question — see Caveats.

Geometry and handling. Properly Nicolai: long, sensible head angle, hand-welded TIG aluminium. 64.5 degree head angle is bang on the enduro norm. Reach is generous — 468 mm (S) through to 550 mm (XXL) — among the longest size range in the entire eMTB market and well-suited to very tall riders who struggle to find genuinely-long platforms. Chainstays held at 459 mm flat is the one geometry compromise. Wheelbase scales from 1283 to a stretched 1380 mm.

Build and value. Single base trim at £9,300 (28.5 kg). The 28.5 kg claimed weight is class-leading heavy for an eMTB and reflects the 4.1 kg Pinion MGU plus aluminium chassis. At this price expect Ohlins or RockShox Zeb Ultimate suspension at 160 mm front (longer fork option to 170 mm), high-end coil or air shock, Intent Trinity or Magura MT7 brakes, and the integrated Pinion shifter (no rear derailleur). Pricing is German-specialist territory rather than mainstream.

Community-verified strengths.

• @emonty documented 4,000 km of mostly off-road riding in dirt, slob, rain and snow. MGU replaced at 3,000 km under 2-year warranty, snapped belt replaced in 5 minutes. "I love this bike, gives me a big grin every time I ride it. Nicolai's service is top notch."
• Hand-built German aluminium frame with proper engineering pedigree. Lifetime potential with the right support.
• Belt drive plus internal gearbox means no chain stretch, no derailleur hangers, no cassette wear, and shifting under load with the bike stationary — properly different from a regular eMTB.

Caveats and known gripes.

• @monkeynuts documented multiple issues: 800 Wh battery failed twice (faulty batch from manufacturer), motor developed a whistling/squeaking noise from a seal not getting lubrication. Motor was exchanged under warranty and the issues resolved post-update.
• 28.5 kg claimed weight is properly heavy. This is the heaviest production eMTB at this travel category by a noticeable margin.
• Pinion MGU is V1.0 technology. @slickrock calls it "an early-adopter product" rather than beta. Buyers need to understand the long-term reliability story is still being written.
• Belt tensioner location on the underside of the bike is vulnerable to rock strike damage.
• £9,300 is premium pricing for a single base trim with no upgrade path within the model line.

Verdict. The Nicolai S16 MGU 2025 is a properly considered, hand-built German enduro for early adopters of the Pinion MGU gearbox-motor concept. It suits riders who value engineering craftsmanship, who appreciate Pinion's internal gearbox approach for low maintenance and shifting flexibility, and who accept that the MGU is still developing through firmware and component revisions. Look elsewhere if you want a proven mainstream drivetrain, sub-26 kg weight, or wider brand support outside central Europe. Production status: current, single base trim, five sizes from S to XXL.