Nicolai Saturn 16 29" Frame

The Nicolai Saturn 16 frame - The basis for a versatile enduro bike

The Saturn 16 frame from Nicolai is the basis for full-suspension enduro bike that shows its strengths not only in competitions but also on all-mountain day tours. The GEOLUTION trail geometry has a more upright riding position, so it's less race-oriented than the G1 and promises above all agility, fun climbs and great downhill rides. So you can master steep climbs and really step on the gas downhill. The central seat position ensures optimum control. In addition, you have a wide range of options for further fine-tuning. Here the pressure strut mutators are pre-installed for use with 29" wheels, but by swapping out the mutators it is also possible to have a 27.5" or a mullet setup with 29" front and 27.5" rear wheels, or to adjust the bottom bracket height and head tube angle. With a 27.5" setup, you can even turn the standard 150 mm travel into 160 mm by using a shock with more travel. By replacing the swing arm mutator, you can optimise the chainstay length to suit your needs. Different types of shocks have also been considered: to get the most out of both an air spring and a steel coil shock, the lower shock mount is interchangeable (standard mount with 21 mm offset for more linear air or steel coil shocks). In this way, an optimal characteristic curve is possible in each case. Quadruple-sealed ball bearings minimise the need for maintenance. Careful weld work makes the frame particularly robust and creates the signature Nicolai weld seams.

Specifications:

Application:

Enduro, All Mountain

Wheel Size:

29"

Travel:

150 mm

Size:

S, M, L, XL, XXL

Front Triangle Material:

aluminium (7020-T6)

Rear Triangle Material:

aluminium (7020-T6)

Linkage Design:

Horst link

Technical Information:

Wheel Standard:

12 x 148 mm (Boost)

Axle Type:

12 mm thru-axle

Seatpost (Ø):

30.9 mm

Seatpost Clamp(Ø):

34.9 mm

Headset:

ZS44/28.6 - ZS56/40 (top to bottom)

Steerer tube rec.:

1 1/8" - 1.5" tapered

Recommended Fork Axle to Crown:

575 mm

Recommended Fork Travel:

150 - 160 mm

Bottom Bracket Standard:

BSA

Shell Width:

73 mm

Chainstay Guide:

ISCG 05

Brake Mount:

disc PM7 (direct mount 180 mm)

Front Derailleur Mount:

not possible

Rear Shock Eye-to-Eye Measurement:

230 mm

Rear Shock Stroke:

60 mm

Rear Shock Bushing Width:

22.2 x 8 mm / 20.0 x 8 mm

Bottle Cage Mounts:

1

Approved For:

Rotor Size (max.):

203 mm

Tyre Size (max.):

29 x 2.4"

Chainrings:

1x

Fork Axle to Crown Size (max.):

575 mm

Note from the Manufacturer:

The frame is approved for use with forks with a maximum of 36 mm stanchion tube diameter.
For sizes S and M a BlockLock headset is required.

Features:

• mutators for 29" pre-installed, but the frame can also be set up as a mullet or 27.5" (exchange of pressure strut mutators required)
• with a 27.5" setup, the suspension travel can be extended to 160 mm with 230 x 65 mm shock dimensions
• lower standard shock mount with 21 mm offset to the upper mount with progressive linkage especially for linear air spring or steel coil shocks (possible to exchange shock mount with 14 mm offset for progressive shocks)
• internal cable guide for seatpost
• topologically-optimised design for the lightest and stiffest possible frame components
• quadruple-sealed ball bearings
• careful manufacturing, durable construction
• short stem recommended
• designed for 44 mm fork offset
• for 3 mm ZS headset height
• headset minimum offset below 9 mm
• with ISCG mount
• made in Germany

Technology:

Mutator
Mutators are components that are used at the support points of full-suspension rear frames. They are available in different sizes and can be interchanged, which enables you to finely-tune the geometry and use different wheel sizes. Pressure strut and swing arm mutators are used on the Saturn 16. The pressure strut mutator between the seat stay and bell crank is used to adapt to different wheel sizes, so you can also set up the frame with 27.5" wheels or as a mullet (29" front, 27.5" rear). The head tube angle and bottom bracket height can also be influenced with this. The swing arm mutator is suitable for fine adjustment of the chainstay length, which affects the centre of gravity, handling, manoeuvrability and smoothness.

GEOLUTION Trail
GEOLUTION Trail is a more moderate variant of the Enduro concept and aims for agile, smooth-running and climbing-friendly handling.
GEOLUTION is a geometry concept developed by Nicolai and Chris Porter. It is based on the knowledge that a longer wheelbase, a flatter head tube angle and a steeper seat tube angle make the bike faster, smoother, safer and better able to climb. The long reach, steep seat tube angle and long wheelbase puts you squarely in the centre of the bike with a sporty, relaxed riding position. This complicated subject can be broken down into 4 advantages, which offer both professionals and beginners a clear added value: unparalleled climbing ability (front does not climb), no roll-over feeling while riding downhill, an integrated sitting and standing position for the rider on the bike (more control), higher cornering speed (more grip on the front wheel).

7020-T6 aluminium
Not all aluminium is the same! Nicolai only uses a 7020-T6 (AlZn4.5Mg1) alloy for frames. Compared to 6061-T6 aluminium, this grade offers much better strength. The tensile strength of 7020 compared to 6061 aluminium is about one third higher. The elastic limit is about one-fifth higher. These characteristics, combined with high-quality welding, result in a bicycle frame that is far superior in terms of durability. Compared to carbon, aluminium is much tougher, so that hitting, falling or stone chipping does not damage the structure.

RADO
To make sure you hit every lane on the trail, Nicolai mounts a form-fitting, exchangeable drop-out on all frames for adjusting the toe and camber. Due to the distinctly milled right dropouts for adjusting the camber, the rear only needs to be slightly readjusted after installation, which eases the strain on the material. The respective camber height is milled into the RADO with numbers 0, 1, 2 or -1 and -2. After the toe and camber have been adjusted, the RADO is fixed with a pin at the factory. This means that the original setting can be easily reproduced when replacing it. This is the only way the manufacturer can guarantee that Nicolai products operate precisely on tracks.

Geometry:

(based on a fork axle to crown length of 575 mm)
S:

Recommended Height:

164 - 172 cm

Stack:

618 mm

Reach:

465 mm

Seat Tube Length:

405 mm

Effective Top Tube Length:

593 mm

Head Tube Length:

110 mm

Chainstay Length:

447 mm

Wheelbase:

1247 mm

BB Drop:

32 mm

Seat Tube Angle:

78.25°

Head Tube Angle:

64.0°

Seat tube protrusion:

45 mm

Pressure Strut Mutator:

3.5 mm

Swing Arm Mutator:

41 mm

M:

Recommended Height:

170 - 180 cm

Stack:

618 mm

Reach:

490 mm

Seat Tube Length:

440 mm

Effective Top Tube Length:

620 mm

Head Tube Length:

110 mm

Chainstay Length:

447 mm

Wheelbase:

1272 mm

BB Drop:

32 mm

Seat Tube Angle:

78.25°

Head Tube Angle:

64.0°

Seat tube protrusion:

80 mm

Pressure Strut Mutator:

3.5 mm

Swing Arm Mutator:

41 mm

L:

Recommended Height:

178 - 188 cm

Stack:

635 mm

Reach:

515 mm

Seat Tube Length:

455 mm

Effective Top Tube Length:

647 mm

Head Tube Length:

130 mm

Chainstay Length:

447 mm

Wheelbase:

1306 mm

BB Drop:

32 mm

Seat Tube Angle:

78.25°

Head Tube Angle:

64.0°

Seat tube protrusion:

80 mm

Pressure Strut Mutator:

3.5 mm

Swing Arm Mutator:

41 mm

XL:

Recommended Height:

185 - 195 cm

Stack:

654 mm

Reach:

535 mm

Seat Tube Length:

475 mm

Effective Top Tube Length:

671 mm

Head Tube Length:

150 mm

Chainstay Length:

453 mm

Wheelbase:

1340 mm

BB Drop:

32 mm

Seat Tube Angle:

78.25°

Head Tube Angle:

64.0°

Seat tube protrusion:

80 mm

Pressure Strut Mutator:

6.5 mm

Swing Arm Mutator:

47 mm

XXL:

Recommended Height:

193 - 202 cm

Stack:

672 mm

Reach:

555 mm

Seat Tube Length:

520 mm

Effective Top Tube Length:

695 mm

Head Tube Length:

170 mm

Chainstay Length:

453 mm

Wheelbase:

1369 mm

BB Drop:

32 mm

Seat Tube Angle:

78.25°

Head Tube Angle:

64.0°

Seat tube protrusion:

80 mm

Pressure Strut Mutator:

6.5 mm

Swing Arm Mutator:

47 mm

Models:

Custom Colours:
This product is a custom frameset, the sales prices are base prices. For individual advice on the selection options of colour, frame size and details, tailor made variants as well as further questions about Nicolai please contact our service department.
Since every Nicolai frame is made to your specifications, it is included in the Nicolai production plan. Depending on colour, special customisations and model, production time can range anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks. You will receive more detailed information about your desired model on customisation request from our customer service team.

factory raw:
The " factory raw" option gives you a frame in the desired size in an uncoated aluminium finish.

Contents:

• 1 x Nicolai Saturn 16 frame
• 1 x Nicolai thru-axle
• 1 x Nicolai spare derailleur hanger
• 1 x ISCG mount
• 2 x cross threaded bolts for brake mounting
• 1 x cable guide clips
• 1 x zip ties
• 1 x polishing fleece (only factory raw)