Article Nicolai S18 Swift – A 180mm Gravity eMTB

[Onetime]

I wish Nicolai would do the Saturn 16 MGU in a long travel version, or a long travel Avinox. At this point, the Pinion needs more power to keep up with Bosch and Avinox, but I still want one! Your bike looks awesome as usual Rob!

 

[Fangs2k]

Fantastic looking bike Rob!

I’ve been pretty close to ordering a frameset and was pretty much decided on colour etc. Not sure the S18 Swift is available currently as a frameset now unfortunately? Maybe they’re making way for the 2026 models.

A shame, but I procrastinated too long it would seem!

Ah well, here’s to next years model!

 

[Ou812]

Fantastic looking bike Rob!

I’ve been pretty close to ordering a frameset and was pretty much decided on colour etc. Not sure the S18 Swift is available currently as a frameset now unfortunately? Maybe they’re making way for the 2026 models.

A shame, but I procrastinated too long it would seem!

Ah well, here’s to next years model!

It’s available as a frame set, I’ve been emailing them back and forth about ordering one for myself. I have some colour samples on the way to see how the colours I’m interested in actually look like in person before I make a decision. The “raw” colour is available immediately, it’s a slight wait if you go with a custom colour.

S18 SWIFT - KIT, 6.399,00 €

180mm Mixed Wheel 29"/27,5" Bosch Perf CX BDU38 Bosch Kiox 400C

www.nicolai-bicycles.com

 

[Fangs2k]

It’s available as a frame set, I’ve been emailing them back and forth about ordering one for myself. I have some colour samples on the way to see how the colours I’m interested in actually look like in person before I make a decision. The “raw” colour is available immediately, it’s a slight wait if you go with a custom colour.

S18 SWIFT - KIT, 6.399,00 €

180mm Mixed Wheel 29"/27,5" Bosch Perf CX BDU38 Bosch Kiox 400C

www.nicolai-bicycles.com

Cheers, that page was blank for me the other day with a ‘not found’ message.

I’d be happy with the raw alloy frame, or at least I thought I was until I saw Rob’s video and bike! I quite fancy something in green/pistachio.

Raw finish would be quite practical though as I could brush out scratches etc.

I’ll give it some thought and perhaps drop them an email, it’s a considered purchase and I want it to be right and a long term keeper.

 

[Kepa]

It would be cool if they’d build a frame around the motor of your choice. For some reason, bafang m820 intrigues me a lot.

 

[BikeBert]

@Rob Rides EMTB and other owners. Any updates or real-world experience with the Nicolai S18?

I’m very interested in the frame kit, but the 600Wh battery is the main thing holding me back at the moment. I know there’s a 250W range extender option, which isn’t the most elegant or practical solution for me, plus it takes up the bottle mount.

I’m curious what kind of vertical meters people are actually getting from the 600Wh battery in real-world use.

For reference, I’m currently on a Levo Gen 3 and find the 700Wh battery paired with the “only” 564W motor to be a real sweet spot for my riding. A stronger motor is nice on paper, but it will obviously eat through the battery faster. I could probably run lower power modes to conserve Wh, but I'm still worried about the range or depleting the battery below 10%.

Would really appreciate any feedback or numbers.

 

[CJG]

Almost got mine built up, will post pics and report once I do!

 

[ntm95]

I'd love to hear more about these. What Rob has built up would seem pretty ideal for my riding area, but I have handling concerns based on the bb height.

 

[CJG]

I'd love to hear more about these. What Rob has built up would seem pretty ideal for my riding area, but I have handling concerns based on the bb height.

You can change the Bb height with the mutators. I ordered the 461 and 453mm chainstay sets so I can play around and see what suits me

 

[BikeBert]

@Greg Watts
Could you summarize what's known about the Nicolai S18 and its 600Wh battery range? How does it compare to Unno Mith?

 

[Greg Watts]

@Greg Watts Could you summarize what's known about the Nicolai S18 and its 600Wh battery range? How does it compare to Unno Mith?

Right, here's the state of play on the Nicolai S18 Swift, synthesised from several months of discussion.

The S18 is Nicolai's 180mm gravity eMTB running the Bosch CX with 100Nm and a 600Wh battery. The frame itself has been universally praised. @LautSprecher called it a looker and a well-thought concept, which for a brand that's historically made bikes only a mother could love, is quite the compliment. It's hand-built in Germany, aluminium, with massive double-sided bearings, a 5-year warranty that covers racing use, and it's rated for dual crown forks and up to 190mm rear travel (you just remove a spacer from the shock). The chainstay length is adjustable too, with @CJG ordering both 461mm and 453mm mutator sets to experiment. Rob noted the weight sits around 23.5kg with the 600Wh, and an 800Wh battery would add roughly 900g, putting it at about 24.4kg.

Now, the elephant in the room: that 600Wh battery. This has been the single biggest point of contention. @TonTonUB was fairly diplomatic about it, calling the combination of Bosch and 600Wh "such a mess" and suggesting the bike is essentially wasted potential without a larger battery. @KRC96 made the valid point that as motors push more and more watts, the 600Wh won't last much longer than a 450Wh does now. There's a 250Wh range extender option, but as you've already noted, it takes up the bottle mount and isn't exactly elegant. Nobody in the thread has posted actual real-world vertical metre figures yet, which is notable given the bike's been out for months. Rob has his frame and is building it up, and @CJG's should be done by now, but hard numbers on range are conspicuously absent from the discussion so far. Given Bosch's max discharge rate of around 900W and the CX motor pushing 750W peak, you'd reasonably expect the 600Wh to deliver somewhere in the 1,200-1,500m vertical range depending on assist mode, rider weight, and terrain, but I'm extrapolating from general Bosch data rather than S18-specific owner reports.

For context against your Levo Gen 3 with its 700Wh battery and 564W motor, you're right that it's a sweet spot. The Bosch CX makes more peak power but will consume the smaller battery faster, so you'd likely need to run it in lower assist modes to match the range you're used to. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it does change the character of the ride.

As for the Unno Mith comparison, I don't have any community discussion or verified specs for it in my records. The Mith is Unno's full-carbon gravity eMTB, and it's a very different proposition: Spanish boutique carbon versus German boutique aluminium. I'd need to search for current specs and owner reports to give you anything meaningful on that matchup rather than guessing.

The broader consensus on the S18 is that the frame, suspension, and versatility are genuinely excellent, possibly best-in-class for a gravity eMTB platform. The 600Wh limitation is real but depends entirely on how you ride. @Dirtnvert saw the slimmer downtube and 600Wh as a feature rather than a bug, arguing the lighter package with 100Nm should drag around like a trail bike anyway. If your rides are sub-1,500m vertical and you're comfortable managing assist modes, it'll work. If you're doing big Croatian alpine days and want to hammer Turbo, you'll be watching that percentage drop with increasing anxiety.

I can dig into the Unno Mith specs with a search if you want a proper head-to-head, and I've also got geometry data for the Nicolai range if sizing is part of your decision.

 

[BikeBert]

I can dig into the Unno Mith specs with a search if you want a proper head-to-head, and I've also got geometry data for the Nicolai range if sizing is part of your decision.

@Greg Watts
Dig into Unno Mith and compare both bikes' specs, including geometry, taking into consideration that at my height of 180 cm, I think I'm a size L on Nicolai and S2 on Unno Mith.

 

[CJG]

Here's some pics of mine, loving it so far! Obviously not a trail build and I hadn't ridden for about 3 months but managed 42km & 1700m elevation yesterday with 5% battery remaining at the end. Still playing with the power settings but did the most KM in Eco and Tour+.

 

[Greg Watts]

@Greg Watts
Dig into Unno Mith and compare both bikes' specs, including geometry, taking into consideration that at my height of 180 cm, I think I'm a size L on Nicolai and S2 on Unno Mith.

@BikeBert Right, here's the full head-to-head. I've pulled geometry from both manufacturers and I need to flag something about your sizing first, because it matters.

The Sizing Question

At 180cm, you're right in the middle of the Nicolai L range and that's a solid fit. But on the Unno, you're at the very top of the S2 window (170-180cm). The S3 covers 180-195cm. This is important because the reach difference between Unno S2 and Nicolai L is significant, and if you went Unno S3 the bikes would actually be much closer in fit. I've included both Unno sizes below so you can see the picture.

Geometry Comparison

                    | Nicolai S18 L | Unno Mith S2 | Unno Mith S3
--------------------|---------------|--------------|-------------
Reach               | 497.5 mm      | 460 mm       | 490 mm
Stack               | 656 mm        | 636 mm       | 658 mm
Head Angle          | 64.0°         | 63.5°        | 63.5°
Seat Angle (eff.)   | 77.8°         | 77.0°        | 77.0°
Top Tube (eff.)     | 639 mm        | 590 mm       | 623 mm
Head Tube           | 140 mm        | 120 mm       | 145 mm
Seat Tube           | 445 mm        | 420 mm       | 440 mm
Chainstay           | 448 mm        | 450 mm       | 450 mm
Wheelbase           | 1308 mm       | 1261 mm      | 1302 mm
BB Drop             | ~30 mm        | 30 mm        | 30 mm
Standover           | 734 mm        | 706 mm       | 708 mm
Fork Offset         | 44 mm         | 44 mm        | 44 mm
Front Travel        | 180 mm        | 170 mm       | 170 mm
Rear Travel         | 180 mm        | 160 mm       | 160 mm
Wheels              | Mullet 29/27.5| Mullet 29/27.5| Mullet 29/27.5

Look at those reach numbers. The Nicolai L at 497.5mm is 37.5mm longer than the Unno S2, which is a huge difference. You'd basically be going from a spacious cockpit to something noticeably more compact. The Unno S3 at 490mm is much closer, only 7.5mm shorter, and would give you room to grow into the bike rather than feeling cramped from day one.

The Nicolai also has a half-degree steeper head angle (64.0 vs 63.5) and a steeper effective seat angle (77.8 vs 77.0). The steeper seat angle is genuinely useful for keeping your weight over the motor on climbs. The head angle difference is marginal but the Nicolai will feel very slightly quicker to steer.

Wheelbase tells the stability story: the Nicolai L at 1308mm is longer than the Unno S2 (1261mm) but almost identical to the Unno S3 (1302mm). Again, this points toward S3 being the more comparable size.

Drivetrain and Power

                    | Nicolai S18 Swift | Unno Mith
--------------------|-------------------|------------------
Motor               | Bosch CX Gen 5    | DJI Avinox
Torque              | 100 Nm            | 105 Nm (120 Nm boost)
Peak Power          | 750W              | 850W (1000W boost)
Battery             | 600 Wh            | 800 Wh
Range Extender      | 250 Wh (optional) | None needed
Total (w/ extender) | 850 Wh            | 800 Wh
Fast Charge         | Standard Bosch    | 0-100% in 2h 25m
Frame Material      | 7020 Aluminium    | Carbon fibre
Weight (approx.)    | ~24 kg (L)        | ~21 kg (S2 Pro)
Price               | €10,999 (complete)| €11,995 (Pro)
Frame Kit           | €6,399            | Not available

This is where the two bikes diverge most sharply. The Avinox produces more torque (105Nm sustained, 120Nm in 30-second boost bursts), more peak power, and the Unno carries 200Wh more battery without needing an extender bolted to the frame. For a gravity rider doing big vertical days, that 800Wh integrated battery is a genuine advantage. The Bosch CX is the more proven, refined system with a massive dealer network, but on raw numbers the Avinox wins.

Weight is the other big gap. The carbon Unno at roughly 21kg is about 3kg lighter than the aluminium Nicolai at approximately 24kg. You feel 3kg, particularly on technical climbs and when manhandling the bike over obstacles.

What Each Bike Does Better

The Nicolai S18 is the gravity sledgehammer. 180mm of travel front and rear, proven Bosch motor, legendary Nicolai build quality, and that frame kit option at €6,399 is genuinely tempting if you want to build it exactly how you want. The Mutator flip-chip system lets you adjust BB height and chainstays, so you can fine-tune handling. The aluminium frame is repairable and bomb-proof. It's the bike for someone who prioritises descending and wants the confidence that nothing is going to break.

The Unno Mith is the lighter, more modern package. Carbon frame, 800Wh battery, Avinox power, and it comes in 2.5-3kg lighter. The 170/160mm travel is less than the Nicolai's 180/180, so it won't be quite as planted in truly rough terrain, but it will feel more agile and playful. The Fox Podium inverted fork on the Factory build is exotic kit. The trade-off is that DJI's dealer network and long-term support is unproven compared to Bosch, and there's no frame kit option.

My Take for Your Situation

If you go Unno, seriously consider the S3. At 180cm on an S2 you're at the ceiling of the size range with a 460mm reach, which will feel cramped compared to anything with a modern long reach. The S3 at 490mm reach and 1302mm wheelbase is a much closer match to the Nicolai L you were considering.

The battery question you raised earlier about the Nicolai's 600Wh is a real one. With the range extender you get to 850Wh, but it's bolted to your bottle mount and adds weight and complexity. The Unno simply has 800Wh built in. If big vertical days are your thing, that's a meaningful advantage.

Both are excellent bikes. The decision probably comes down to: do you want proven reliability, more travel, and the ability to build from a frame kit (Nicolai), or do you want lighter weight, more battery, more power, and a carbon frame (Unno)?

 

[BikeBert]

Here's some pics of mine, loving it so far! Obviously not a trail build and I hadn't ridden for about 3 months but managed 42km & 1700m elevation yesterday with 5% battery remaining at the end. Still playing with the power settings but did the most KM in Eco and Tour+.

I'm afraid to ask but...
how light is the bike?

 

[CJG]

I'm afraid to ask but...
how light is the bike?

25KG - hides it well when riding though

 

[CJG]

Another post-ride pic for attention. @Rob Rides EMTB how are you getting on with the reserve wheels? My only complaint so far is that I'm getting loose spokes after every ride so considering a carbon rim on the rear at least.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Another post-ride pic for attention. @Rob Rides EMTB how are you getting on with the reserve wheels? My only complaint so far is that I'm getting loose spokes after every ride so considering a carbon rim on the rear at least.

View attachment 177595

Looking great!

To be honest the carbon rims have been great - the rear is the DH rim. Thats the thing I link about carbon rims, they tend to not need much fuss. No trueing etc (obviously catastrophic failure is possible!)

 

[slickrock]

New S18 review from @Rob Rides EMTB, with another ringing endorsement on the bike's rear suspension. It's good to see Nicolai refining the bike and that Pinion is improving their MGU system around the edges (controls, battery), but the MGU itself is seemingly unchanged. Perhaps another calendar year before we see material upgrade in that department, or if other players enter the market (E2, Intradrive, etc.) or the big brands throw their hat in the ring (promising patents from SRAM, Shimano or maybe DJI can't help itself from joining the fun ). It appears that Nicolai will be willing and ready in either case.

 

[zattluca]

@Rob Rides EMTB

Hello Rob, nice to meet you!

I have lots of questions about your build that I saw on YouTube, there is a chance we could exchange some emails or DM?

I've tried to reach out to Nicolai about the bike and possible builds but they don't seem too keen on this project.

It would be my dream to complete that build but I need more information.

Do you have maybe some direct contacts with Nicolai? Somebody that could help me build the bike?

Cheers,

Luca