Nicolai ION 16 production has started

Introduced at Eurobike last year, the prototype of the new Nicolai enduro platform, the ION 16 was one of the most ogled at bikes on the NICOLAI stand. From the very beginning in 1995, the focus of NICOLAI has been on downhill and enduro bikes, (fast descending and efficient hill climbing. Enduro frames even when it wasn't called enduro back then).

The production has now started and the first ION 16 can be delivered soon, reason enough to introduce the new enduro bike to you here.

The four-link concept with the shock propped up by the down tube has proved successful. The ION 20, ION 18 and ION 14 have already done excellent jobs at world cup events. The time was ripe to complete the family with an ION 16 but the new offspring wasn't to be just a fill in to make up the range. It was to be a newly designed bike in all areas and a pioneering work for the entire NICOLAI collection including zero stack headsets, post mount brakes and 142x12mm dropouts.

Alright, let's have a look at the details which the ION 16 has to offer as an innovative benefit:

So what are the main characteristics of an enduro bike? They are? good acceleration even on climbs? downhill performance with good traction? and fast and precise cornering. The geometry of the Ion16 was derived from things we learnt about bikes that were used at the Megavalanche, such as the Helius AM.

The four-linked rear with the newly developed CNC machined light and strong pivot, is designed to give it the strength of a rigid rear and the softness of a full suspension with the control of the rear wheel on the ground. It is not designed for high speed shredding of World Cup downhill courses, rather the main goal for the youngest member of the ION family is the winding single track of courses such as the Trans Provence. The Ion 16 will prove itself on fast and technical trails, but leaves sufficient reserves of travel to cope with even heavy drops.

The front with its 160 mm travel is kept low with a zero stack 44/56 compatible steerer tube.

Four-link means four points of junction. The new adjustable bearings with 4way seals have been extensively tested in some of the worst conditions we could throw at it. In the Scottish morass they were buttery smooth day after day. The ION 16's rear is frictionless and low maintenance.

The ISCG 05 mount is CNC machined as a part of the one piece unit that houses the BB, the lower pivot point and the junction of the seat tube. It also has the same replaceable threaded inserts that are fitted to the post brake mounts on the rear wheel that will accept a disc of up to 180mm. Another innovation on a NICOLAI is the 12 x 142 mm through bolt system which adds significant stiffness to the rear end.

Another great feature is the adjustable geometry. The steering angle can be altered by 1° simply by adjusting the "Excentric Trail Key" at the upper pivot of the four-link rear end. The bottom bracket height can also be lowered by 9mm. This is where the downhill genes of the ION 16 kick in.

If you take a closer look at the seat tube you will see a neat detail where a small drilled hole allows the cable for a Rock Shox Reverb Stealth to pass.

This all is part of a bike which will lead to a new decade of NICOLAI bikes built around the ION platform, focussing on descending performance whilst still providing fast acceleration.

The new kinematic works? the bike responds immediately. Every single push on the pedals results in instant acceleration. Shock tuning has been optimised. The back of the bike is sensitive to small bumps whilst still being stiff throughout the travel.

Production has now started and the delivery of the first ION 16 is not too far away.

More information visit: www.nicolai.net or www.nicolai-uk.com