New Nicolai with Pinion gearbox announced

Range report: got 1020 vertical meters at around 0 degrees C from 50% battery (720Wh model) on 36km with a system weight of about 150kg at my personal tweaked eco mode (40% support and 50Nm torque), which is perfectly fine for me.
 
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How you all gettting on with your bikes?

I'm off for a weekend riding on my Nicolai. Really looking forward to getting back on it.

I was disappointed to see the new 800Wh battery pushed back until April though, I was hoping to pick one up so I could have 2 batteries for the double-battery big days.

Also, since riding the Nicolai down the trails, its remarkable just how: a) just how quiet it is on riding down hill, and now every other bike is noisy in comparison. Just got the new Trek Rail, and although the Bosch is quiet, theres chain slap that is irritating,

And b) just how good the rear suspension performance is. Its absolutely brilliant and no doubt that the removal of mass on the rear hub contributes to this feeling.
 
Rob Rides EMTB said:
...

Also, since riding the Nicolai down the trails, its remarkable just how:
a) just how quiet it is on riding down hill, and now every other bike is noisy in comparison. Just got the new Trek Rail, and although the Bosch is quiet, theres chain slap that is irritating,

And b) just how good the rear suspension performance is. Its absolutely brilliant and no doubt that the removal of mass on the rear hub contributes to this feeling.
Click to expand...
Rob, while I don't have this rig, I have ridden IGH/gearbox MTBS for a decade now and I think a number of things are things are contributing to rear suspension performance you are touting, beside the main feature of having a lighter rear axle:
  1. You may be experiencing very small-to-absent pedal kickback; a topic I raised recently on the forum and was hoping to get some input from you. There are number of factors that contribute to kickback, and one of the big ones is chain whip. It's not just heavier than a belt, but also much longer length to take up all that slack needed for the large rear cogs, and is exaggerated when your are going downhill on the small cogs. (Technically, being on the a small rear cog reduces axle rotational kickback, but I feel this is overwhelmed by chain whip effects).
  2. The belt tensioner is also doing a lot less work to keep tension than a long cage T-Type derailleur to keep dynamic tension across all the rear cogs. This also reduces kickback and contributes to open feeling of the rear suspension.
  3. I could be wrong, but the MGU may have some degree of engagement float - something similar like you would get if added an Ochain spider or Sidekick hub to a EMTB. That additional float frees the suspension to be more active without counteracting against the tensioner.
  4. Axle path: The greater the rear axle path growth is, the stronger the pedal kickback that can hamper the suspension dynamics . While the bike sports what looks to be traditional 4-bar linkage, every bike is different and I'm not aware of Nicolai publishing any suspension kinematic charts for this bike. I was able to find some charts on the MTB version of this bike, but it's anyone guess what the actual max chain growth is, but 4-bars typically have less compared to other designs.
  5. Along with the light rear-end The bike is rather heavy, so the sprung-to-unsprung ratio is even greater, which may be the strongest contributor to suspension performance.
I think all of these factors are starting to gain traction, not just this bike, but with the surge of interest in gearbox/belt drive downhill bikes and folks are starting to see the advantages pile up.

Can't weight to see your full review.
 
Starting to get to grips with mine. The experience of having a heavy bike when lifting it around, into the van etc, but that rides with a feeling of being way lighter than it feels the rest of the time is difficult to put into words. I’m riding a float x2 but, yes, the suspension is excellent. The quietness while riding is also brilliant - you don’t know how much you appreciate it until you’ve got it!

Has taken me a bit of time to get used to the controls, my brain seems to need pictures as a reference and with no rear cogs it’s amazed me how many times i changed gear the wrong direction. I’ve also finally settled on a configuration for the upshift and downshift levers and it’s getting better 😆

I’m a bit worried about how exposed the motor and wiring is, seems to accumulate quite a bit of dirt and dampness.

It attracts a lot of attention in a good way, so many people stop and chat and ask about it, which is always nice. All the comments start with how good it looks.

the battery life is not amazing. It’s about 10-15% less than equivalent sized bosch or specialized batteries. And i did buy 2 batteries when i bought it but then they announced a new improved battery and that is always frustrating when that happens!!!

Don’t like the bar controller but so far it’s something i can live with, just.

Have loved not having to invisiframe it, that was starting to become a real chore with new frames.

It’s different, and i’m really liking that!
 
I agree on battery life. Although, its been so cold in the UK at the moment its hard to work out the real life (they suck massively in the cold!)

It rides SO much lighter - feels in no way like a 26KG+ ebike. That weight central and low helps big time.

DSC02307.jpg
 
Yeah I did consider the coldness but I’m gauging it against my mate on his 4 year old bosch in the same conditions.

In any case it’s a great bike.

I don't have many photos other than this one from when it was being built up

IMG_7232.jpeg
 
Considering what Nicolai achieved with this MGU from Pinion, i wonder what could release Brands such as Atherton, Alutech or Zerode.
I also hope Pinion will soon implement wireless controls, and an integrated small screen (on top tube).
I'd really like a bit more option, before i trigger the 'instant buy' button on Nicolai eshop :cool:
 
Rob,

I have a frame only due in the next couple of weeks and have a few questions if you don't mind.
Do you know if the new 800 and 1060wh batteries will fit straight in the current bike?
Would the bike benefit from a progressive coil spring or would a standard one be best.
Cheers
Jan
 
Not sure if this was posted on another thread, but Rob dropped solid "owner experience" video a few days ago that I missed:


Interesting that engagement float came up as a topic and as a good thing - no need for Ochain with this steed.
 
Hi Everybody,
what do you think about the quality of your Pinion and FIT components ? In an german Forum where i am active too there is a Thread with Pinion and FIT Problems wich has about 700 + post from different ppl with Problem with there Pionion or FIT Components . https://www.pedelecforum.de/forum/index.php?threads/erste-probleme-pinion-mgu.111705/ so its German and maybe bit hard to understand.
I am personaly realy unhappy with the Quality . I have a complete failure of the Pinion / Fit components approx. every 400 km, so that the bike no longer runs at all. Some system-relevant part always has to be replaced or I have to go to the dealer to get it running again.
 
What are “fit components“ and what failures have you had with Pinion?
 
FIT is "Flyer Intelligent Technology".

It was a company founded by Flyer ebike manufacturer.
Now BRP (Pinion Owner) bought the FIT 2.0 system from Flyer and integrates it into Pinion company structure.

FIT2.0 is the " open" ebike plattform which integrates the Pinion MGU together with a "Master Node" (Remote or Remote Display), Battery, Battery-Charger and the FIT-Maintenace Tool (for FIT Dealers only).

"open" means:
Ebike manufacturers can decide which FIT2.0 compatible CAN-Bus elements are part of a specific ebike model.
A lot of combinations of Remotes, Displays and Batteries are possible.

"open" does not mean:
End customers have access to the CAN-Bus elements.
 
Onetime said:
What are “fit components“ and what failures have you had with Pinion?
Click to expand...
A brief overview from my S16MGU.
Replacements in 9 months:

1x FIT Ultracore battery 960Wh
Symptom: no charging possible

3x FIT Remote Display
Symptoms: plus+minus- Switch no function, on switch does not work, sparepart was delivered faulty

1x Pinion MGU
Symptoms: "break" feeling over 25kph, loud "feep" sound of MGU caused by a dry running o-ring in the MGU

My bike is running fine now since approx. 1000km. Fingers crossed.
 
Rob Rides EMTB said:
Taking my Nicolai to Finale Ligure end of the month. Really looking forward to getting back there with this bike!
Click to expand...
Just watched that video...
*** Warning. Old man rant ***

Bloody hell Rob. Slap on a full face, You are going a decent speed on some pretty chunky terrain.

You'll be fine until its not fine.... I was sweet literally for 20 years then smashed half my front teeth out in a crash. Now i'm full face for any riding in anger.
 
As for the bike. That back in just looks a very small box section compared to current designs. It reminds me of early 2000's back ends. i broke a few chain stays back in the day that was that sort of size. I'd be reluctant to go full send on it incase it failed.

I'll be interested in gearbox bikes when the motor is more refined and weight get to around 22-23kg. 26kg is just too heavy for me given i lift over fences, hike a bike up mountains and need to pedal and pop above motor cut out.
 
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