Test / E-Performance / MTB: With the Nicolai G1 Eboxx, we had the latest E-Fully from the noble Made in Germany forge in a short test. At Plan de Corones in Italy we were able to collect some first driving impressions.
For the 2018 season, Nicolai presented the first Eboxx E-Fully; the traditional manufacturer from Germany also remained true to the motorized bikes and relied on mechanical engineering know-how, on countless exciting detailed solutions and last but not least on the Geometron geometry concept. The previous G16 Eboxx E-Fully is based – as the name suggests – on the well-known G16: with 160mm spring travel and 27,5″ wheels. Last year, Nicolai expanded his fully motorless portfolio with the G1, a genuine 29er enduro. This is exactly what now gets a variant with the new Bosch Performance CX motor with the G1 Eboxx.
First the most important technical key data: Of course, the G1 Eboxx is also made of high-quality aluminum. The frame is still made in Germany and provides 160mm of spring travel at the rear. Initially, the new Nicolai E-Fully will be available in two configurations. In addition to the Qlfine with derailleur gears that we tested, there will also be a model with E16 Rohloff gear hub and drive belt, as with the G14.
The new Bosch Performance CX motor beats at the heart of the G1 Eboxx. Its compact dimensions allow for a much more pleasing and compact construction of the bicycle frame. While the predecessor was visually extremely dominant, the new model disappears almost completely behind the crank and chain ring. On the Nicolai, the drive is behind a completely redesigned plastic cover that ensures good air circulation to counteract heat problems. The motor is fed by the new Powertube 625 battery, which disappears completely in the down tube. The new Kiox display, together with the corresponding operating unit, takes over the entire control.
The rear end gets 160mm of spring travel from the 210×55 damper and, thanks to its progressive kinematics, is also ideal for steel spring dampers. Not too surprising, then, that both trim levels are factory-fitted with coil dampers.
Unsurprisingly, the Geometron concept is also used in the G1 Eboxx; A brief explanation for those who haven't dealt with it yet: A long main frame meets a slack steering angle and a steep seat angle. On the one hand, the rider is pushed very centrally into the bike and also has a lot of leeway to be able to shift his weight on the trail. The wheelbase is also growing: great when going straight, not so great in tight corners. The available frame sizes are exemplary. From S to XXL, they cover a size range from 1,50m to 2,10m. If you are still not happy, you can still use a custom-made frame, which is also possible with the G1 Eboxx.
Nicolai G1 Eboxx Qlfine: First driving impressions
For some first riding impressions, we grabbed the Nicolai G1 Eboxx at the Eurobike Media Days for a trail ride on Kronplatz in South Tyrol. What is initially surprising is that the bike doesn't feel unusual and extremely large when you sit on it, despite its enormous dimensions (more than 1300mm wheelbase in size M!). We attribute this primarily to the steep seat tube angle of 78°, which pushes the rider far forward. Furthermore, we noticed the quiet background noise of the CX motor right away on the first meters. While the new Bosch drive otherwise tends to "sing" a bit, especially at high cadences, the one on the Nicolai remains pleasantly reserved. This is probably due to the massive frame construction.
The Kiox display on the stem reigns supreme in the cockpit. The small color screen is very easy to read even in direct sunlight, but the position directly on the stem is a bit too exposed for us. In the event of a fall, the display or the holder will be damaged quite quickly. The remote, on the other hand, is a very good solution, which is ergonomically a clear improvement over the Purion variant.
Our test loop is made for a modern E-MTB. Steep ramps, technical climbs, rooty descents and some tight hairpin bends. It's nice that the Nicolai really shows character. While many other E-MTBs also work very well these days, they often ride a bit interchangeably. The G1 Eboxx, on the other hand, is immediately recognizable as such. This applies to the climbs, where with its long wheelbase and the 75Nm of torque from the Bosch motor it irons away almost every obstacle, even if the choice of line is not optimal. This characteristic can also be found on downhills: thanks to its extremely smooth running paired with the suspension that absorbs well, it shines in particular in high-speed passages and encourages you to simply take the direct line through the rock field, where previously you always took the path of least resistance . Especially less experienced riders benefit enormously from the iron mentality of the Nicolai E-MTB.
The downside of this approach becomes apparent as the trail twists and turns tighten. Here, the bike also seems a bit sluggish due to its considerable weight, the long wheelbase requires a lot of physical effort to get the bike through the hairpin bends.
Two thumbs up for the equipment. Sure, more than 7.000 euros is a lot of money. But at least you get a frame that is made in this country and a not necessarily noble, but extremely functional, robust and proven mix of components. This can be seen, for example, in the shifting system: Yes, "only" a Sram GX 11-speed shifting system is installed here. But let's be honest: The range of the 10-42 cassette is sufficient for an E-MTB, and the performance is hardly worse than with more expensive groupsets. For this, Nicolai is investing in a high-quality Fox Factory chassis, durable E-MTB wheels from Hope and SQlab grips and saddles. However, once again, we didn't quite warm up to the wireless Magura Vyron post. Even with the new version, the response time is just a bit too sluggish for fast ups and downs on the trail.
