Finally, a properly designed, dedicated E-MTB

PIGGLET

PIGGLET

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www.nicolai-bicycles.com

Nicolai Saturn 16 MGU, 10.999,00 €

Das neue Nicolai Saturn 16 MGU mit Pinion MGU Motor-Getriebe-Einheit jetzt konfigurieren
www.nicolai-bicycles.com www.nicolai-bicycles.com

I've always thought this would be the future of E bikes (Gates drive through gearbox). In regular off-road use, most existing EMTb's are basically just a standard bike with a motor bolted on and arguably not really fit for purpose. Most of the guys I know only get around two to 3 years out of a bike with year round riding in the North York moors and by that point they have lunched numerous derailers and usually a motor or two. These are guys all in their 50's and above.
Yup, it's expensive but as more manufacturers use the system I reckon there will be lower cost alternatives. (Nicolai are the 'Rolls Royce' of mountain bikes in terms of quality and engineering but that obviously comes at a cost).
Even so, based on a discussion with a few mates they could potentially drop the cash and be quids in if they got 5 years out of it, which in theory should be easily achievable.
This system is SRAMS nightmare, not sure if Shimano have developed anything similar yet but it has the potential to seriously disrupt their sales of drivetrains, (in SRAMS case, the sale of replacement parts) on high performance off-road E MTB's.
 
Superb...and at £9k, expensive, but no more so than other top of the range eMTBs (although many seem to be on offer at present, post the 'post covid' madness)
 
Auto changing gears and an oil change regime - I'm surprised it's still got pedals !

Lovely bit of engineering though and the Explorer version would make a great commuter (although I can hear the bike thieves salivating now)
 
Auto changeing gears have been around on conventional bikes and Ebikes with conventional drivetrains for a few years. The difference being on a conventional drivetrain it relies on a super fragile £500 electronic derailer hanging on the back of the bike just waiting to be ripped off when a bit of twig or heather gets suck in the jockey wheels, which it does regularly when exploring and riding natural terrain.
 
I know I aint as stupid as I look but why hasnt someone improved the old sturmey archer type of back wheel gearing.
I think I have seen a 5 speed. I wouldnt think yerd need more, unless yer the racing type.
 
MickDB1 said:
I know I aint as stupid as I look but why hasnt someone improved the old sturmey archer type of back wheel gearing.
I think I have seen a 5 speed. I wouldnt think yerd need more, unless yer the racing type.
Click to expand...
Rohloff....

Welcome - Rohloff AG

www.rohloff.de www.rohloff.de

Shimano do a similar one, Alfine/nexus.
 
MickDB1 said:
I know I aint as stupid as I look but why hasnt someone improved the old sturmey archer type of back wheel gearing.
I think I have seen a 5 speed. I wouldnt think yerd need more, unless yer the racing type.
Click to expand...
I suspect it would have to be beefed up significantly to be reliable when handling the torque delivered by the motor of an ebike. That all adds a lot of unsprung weight to the back wheel so not ideal especially for an emtb.
 
MrC99 said:
I suspect it would have to be beefed up significantly to be reliable when handling the torque delivered by the motor of an ebike. That all adds a lot of unsprung weight to the back wheel so not ideal especially for an emtb.
Click to expand...
I can't imagine adding a kilo or two would make a huge difference to a 25kg bike with an 80-120kg rider ?
 
It says in the guff that the motor produced 600w. Nice.

But to be legal, 250w is the max.

It's not clear how they square that. Maybe they don't...
 
Davey B said:
I can't imagine adding a kilo or two would make a huge difference to a 25kg bike with an 80-120kg rider ?
Click to expand...
It does, its very noticeable, especially when jumping and fast direction changes. Nicolai were using exactly this system (rohloff geared hub and gates belt) on their e bikes until the pinion system arrived. I thought it was a better option than a derrailer but not ideal on an enduro or downhill bike due to the impact on the rear wheel. Its the go to option for long distance cyclists/world travelers.
 
Don't know if I missed it, but what is the total weight of this? Loving the idea though, derailleur gears are so vulnerable, I mashed so many over the years.
Mark
 
There are other manufacturers who will be selling ebikes with the Pinion system before long Reise & Muller for example
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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