ULTIMATE HARDCORE HARDTAIL 💥 NICOLAI ARGON / MTB BUILD
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2020
- Watch me assemble my new Nicolai Argon hardtail mountain bike, with Pinion gearbox, Gates Carbondrive belt and parts from Ergon, Hope, Mudhugger, VEE Tyre, Bike Yoke, Sixth Element and more.
This machine is definitely a hardcore hardtail - feel free to ask questions in the comments below!
Nicolai: www.nicolai-bicycles.com/
Pinion P1.9XR - pinion.eu/
Gates Carbondrive: www.gatescarbondrive.com/
Ergon grips/saddle: ergonbike.com/
Hope Technology: www.hopetech.com/
Find me on insta for the bangers! / macramsay
Fancy some MTB coaching? trailcoach.co.uk/ - Спорт
🎉 Celebrating 100k views on this video - I upgraded the forks with the new ERA from EXT! See the video here: ua-cam.com/video/F5YHvRH8yWQ/v-deo.html
Not exactly sure why you don't have more subscribers...your videos are awesome. I really enjoyed this build!!
Thanks Scott, that's very much appreciated! I'm really glad you enjoy the videos. I'll continue to make them and hopefully more people can enjoy them too 😁👍
One more 😬
New sub here!!
This is like the alien of hardtails XD
Didn’t realise you’d need a split in the frame for belt drives. Blew my mind.
Yeah, gotta get it in there somehow! There are frame designs that have a higher chainstay that you don't need to split, but it compromises the strength and rigidity...
Also there are belts made especially for frames that can't split.
@@kaedeschulz5422 wow, really? I wonder how that works... Not sure I'd trust a belt with a weak point at the split 😬
@@RamsayMacFarlane Nom It's split to in a way that over a certain distance it's cut to half the width and cut so that it can split off course. It's being hold together with some kind of clips. Maybe you will find some video on YT i don't have the money for this kind of drivetrain so i haven't looked into it at all.
@@RamsayMacFarlane Veer makes them, have a look at their site, pretty clever solution: www.veercycle.com. On the other hand - have you considered Kindernay XIV hub instead of pinion gearbox? 1kg lighter, cheaper, almost identical ratio range, super robust, hydraulic shifters and ability to easily switch it between wheels.
What a machine! Beautiful 💕
Excellent video Highlander. Your presentation was entertaining and informative. I bet you’ve had fun on that bike over the last couple months.
Ah cheers bud, thanks! 👊 I sure have man, it's been tons of fun! 🔥👌 Couple upgrades coming soon 😏
One of the most unique bike builds I've ever seen
Thanks Sonia! ✌️ Check out my other bike checks to see my Geometron, it's also pretty unique!
Love the Pinion and Gates. Hope it evolves, expands and become more cheapish. I'll never go pro so I don't need light weight . In fact I need training, the comfort of full suspension , the reliability , sturdiness and the low degree of maintenance . Heavy lifting , heavy biking , heavy man.
Btw.: love your accent
It's a brilliant system for exactly all those reasons! Becoming more widely adopted would definitely bring the price down and make it even more affordable in the medium/long term. Very few people actually need lightweight bikes!
Cheers dude 👊💥 more vids coming soon - just rebuilt the geometron today, vid soon ☺️
Ok that was awesome and easy to follow thanks so much for all the info!
So nice! Very long wheel base too. I'm in love with it !
The long wheelbase makes it so stable and gives a big leverage to throw it around with!
This is a thing of beauty
Wow some really neat features in that vid especially tuning the belt drive ! I’m coming up from London to pick up a Deviate in October my first gearbox bike , literally can’t wait to send it down Dumyat!
Thanks! Glad you've made the right move, I'm sure it'll be good for ya! 👌
UA-cam has presented your channel to me.... Love this build!!!
Cheers greeny! 👊💚
Really enjoyed your build and commentary. Beautiful bike!! I’m not very familiar with belt drive so that tensioner app was something else.
Glad you enjoyed Brett, thanks 👊
Now I know what I’m riding into heaven!
Liked this before the build started :P
What a setup 🤯
What a gorgeous bike Brother 👍🍺 absolutely love it!
beast of a machine
Hell yea man that thing is sick
New bike day is always fun! Nice!
Haven't done it for a good while (the main rig is so reliable) but it sure was a thrill!
Dude, this is amazing! You make the built seem so easy, too. Any video on how it rides? Just subscribed 😁
Thanks! It is so easy 🙂 especially with the gearbox and belt 👌 YES! Riding video coming soon, but gonna fit the new forks first - the current ones are awfully creaky at the CSU, always have been, inadequate kit! There is plenty riding footy on my insta just now @MacRamsay 🤘
Phenomenal build! Such a good array of components.
ITS A DREAM BUILD !
Stunning build !!!
Glad you like it, thanks! 👊💥
Bike looks awsome Ramsay 🤙
ATB
Martin
Awesome video Ramsay...! Watching this makes me feel old, lol. I started young in BMX in the 70`s... had Redlines, Mongooses, Cooks brothers, Race inc. The MTB began and built Cannondales with beautiful components when Chris King,. Kore and Race Face still offered anodized colors. My last Cannondale weighed 20lbs. W/Marzocchi bomber forks. Then the MTB powers that be needed to make more money. Take away the colors and start at the bottom again... change this, change that and make EVERYTHING BLACK. I am going to throw up now. Love your vids! Stay Radical!
Thanks Scotty! I've got a wee 16' wheel redline racing BMX just now hahaha it's a good laugh on the pumptrack! Got a pic on my insta instagram.com/p/CUU_w48Ml_g/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
I hear ya dude, the industry has made a joke of things in a lot of ways, very frustrating. I'm over the moon I finally have an adequate gearbox solution though! And we still have Hope and Nicolai kicking out the anodising 🙌
Thanks for taking the time to comment, still makes my day engaging in conversation as a result of these videos. I don't monetise them and hopefully never will - I make them for the love and for sharing my opinion/philosophy if I can. Would love to make so much more!
Gripshifts remind me of the good old days. Sick bike dude 👌
Haha yeah, good old slipshift 🤣 thankfully it operates almost completely differently than the old twisty derailleur (other than the twisting motion) and it is actually a benefit to the operation of the gears rather than an unpredictable hindrance!
I really do like the look of this hardtail and how the PINON gearbox keeps every thing neat and tidy by the back wheel there and that is why I am going single speed on my build, as sometimes less is more you know and this is very cool, and must be lots of fun to ride too !!!!!.
I would love to have Argon CX single speed!
Love this bike, thanks for the video.
I'm glad, that's for watching 🤘
Thats the nicest bike Ive seen ever i think
Thanks Piers! 👊 There's a couple of mods coming very soon that will really complete it, stay tuned!
I love how raw it looks
I'm looking forward to giving a polish sometime ☺️
love it men,from Philippines.ride safe
What a machine. Love the idea of the pinion box. Need to try me one.
Do it! Get a test ride if you can, you won't regret it 👌
really cool build video. You have answered all my doubts and questions regarding pinion drive. Nicolai Argon GLF with 2.8'' tires and pinion seems to be an ultimate second bike (rounded up with a G15 or G1 or Saturn 14 ST).
Thanks Mateusz 👊💥 Pair it up with a Geometron for sure! I have the GPI too (four years now) and just rebuilt it today (video soon!) see it my other bike check on my channel 👌 The new Saturn GPI is also cool!
What a bike!!
Cheers dude! Compliments the Geometron perfectly 👌
Nice one!
That looks badass! Love the simplicity of the single gear in the back. Is this an e-bike too, or is it that just an internal "transmission" type system? Very cool!!!
No electricity in this bad boy ⚡🚳🔌 but yes, it's an internal transmission!
The hardtail of my dreams! 😍 saving up to get Pinion GB. Been running with Rohloff. Still enjoying it but on the heavy side.. hehe!
The dream is perhaps not too far away then! The Rohloff is a beautiful piece of kit, it's just a shame it doesn't really work for MTB due to the unsprung axle weight 😔 still better than a derailleur! 😁👍
Ramsay MacFarlane actually my Rohloff was used for Specialized Demo9 DH before. But i heard its counterpart got a thru axle series. Kindernay, it’s so gorgeous! 😍
Man that bike looks so dope, love the pinion drive. I bet it's super quiet to ride! Stealth Machine!!
It's SO quiet! 😌 Just a gentle purr of the tyres and the tiniest of whirs from the gearbox 👌
@@RamsayMacFarlane Is the pinion gearbox much heavier than running like an 11spd setup? I've always wanted to run an internal gear hub on a hardtail, but the engagement is usually terrible.
@@stargazeification yeah it's significantly heavier, but the weight is in a good place! The engagement is pretty poor tbf, but you get used to it and it barely comes into play in most MTB riding 😛
Sweet Bill bro
One of my good friends (Sadly departed) used to swear by Nicolai’s and gear boxes. Certainly a nice build
Sorry to hear, but glad he had good taste/sense! 😜
Wowww, new subscriber from Philippines
Nice interactive mtb build!
Cheers dude 👊
I like your vids! I use to race bmx,but I'm getting back into biking with a trek Roscoe 7.picking it up in a couple days!!
Excellent, great to hear it! Thanks for watching and enjoy the new ride! 🤙
Somehow this got in my feed. I'm glad it did. I had no clue there were gear drive bikes like this. What an epic bike. I've NEVER seen one here where I live.
I'm glad you found it! Thanks 😄 where do you live? They are fairly new and less common in MTB but they have been going a while now and gaining traction! I will never go back to traditional drivetrain now.
@@RamsayMacFarlane I'm in the Eastern US. I'm wondering how well they do around gravel and sand. A lot of our trails are sandy with bits of gravel or rock in them.
@@Oper8or I ride in the worst conditions all year and it's totally fine although it does wear faster of course with more debris and grind paste. I think cycle monkey import them in USA 👌
Hey Ramsay, I just ordered the same setup and trying to figure out the rest of the build. Did you manage to change the Hope trials hub to Boost?
Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for watching!
great clip 👍
I loved this build, Nicolai has always accustomed us all to high standards of quality and convenience on all sorts of parameters,back in the day when I initiated myself in downhill biking there was someone in the group who managed to get his hands on a Nicolai Nucleon ST (it came without Internal Transmission hub) but immediately showed us the quality of the brand, the only thing is that it was a bit of a heavy bike still... Regardless, I've long decided to get a belt driven system bike in order to try something new while getting rid once and for all of the chain racket noise we all know so well.I had my mind set on buying a Cavalerie but I just came to the realization that Nicolai has long been equipping their bikes with both belt and Internal Transmission system plus designing a frame with very convenient details like we could see there 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻.
That's a beauty my friend. It would be my dream build.
Thanks Tango! Hopefully one day you can build this dream bike too 😄
Wonderful german engineering. 👌🇩🇪
And a very good Video!
Many greetings and keep it up.
I'm new to your channel Ramsay, and I like what I've just seen. 👏
This excellent build vlog leaves a major point unanswered though. Emmachizzit? 🤔
I'd wager London to a brick on that most of us drive cars worth far less than this beautiful build.
Finally, I love your shed. It looks like it predates bicycles by a long margin.
I'm off to look at your other vlogs!
Keep well and ride hard!
Thanks, glad you like my vids!
I'm not sure of a price on my build - I'm more concerned with getting the right kit that won't give up on me. It's definitely worth more than my vehicles, for sure! 🤪 I think full builds come in around 6k. The most important part is that it's an investment - you start saving again as soon as you buy it, no more broken derailleurs that sometimes go way further and kills wheels and all sorts, no replacing worn out drivetrains multiple times a year, almost no maintenance and lubes required etc.
As for the shed, thanks! It's actually my dad's shed that I've helped to build over the years. I grew up here and regularly visit. We just got the floor concreted and everything weather tight and a garage door... Wish it was my shed! Also wish we owned it 😭
@@RamsayMacFarlane 👍 😀
Sick bike bro.
Cheers 👊💥
Mint 🤘🤘
Beast
That's the dream
Those axle slides❤❤❤. When is the test footage coming along?
They're beautiful, huh?! There is plenty test ride footage on my insta @macramsay but some mods coming next on here to finish off the bike and then I'll shred it for the 'tubes!
Beautiful bike! Always love the Nicolai since 2 decades ago. Had afew of them in the past and currently have an argon pinion. Infact there are 2 pinion bikes in the household now.
Brilliant, I have two Pinion bikes now too! That's how good they are! My Geometron has been running for 4 years now and I have loved every minute of it.
@@RamsayMacFarlane yes they are very fantastic drive train. I have a p1.18 on my Nicolai while a c12 on a sick! Bicycle co wulfbaron titanium. Both have custom 3D printed gearbox cable covers and custom printed bash guard. Anyhow , yours looks really fantastic. 👍🏻
@@Disorderwrx sounds awesome, where can I see the bash guards?
@@RamsayMacFarlane hi I have drop you a msg with photos at your fb page. Do check it out.
Dream bike
wow nice vid , ur viewer here from philippines
Cheers dude! 👊💥
Big thumbs up dewd
🔥
Just found out from my service man there exist some Nikolai bikes and their flippin wicked!
Service man has good taste 🤩👌
got me thinking...💪🍺
Sick
Nice build! I’m looking at building a Fatbike/29+ Bikepacking rig. I can only get hold of a P1.9xr, I really wanted a 12 speed. Do you think the 9speed xr would be ok for off road Bikepacking?
Thanks! Love the bike still, so reliable and solid. I have 9XR on this one and it's more than enough still! I would ditch the 12 on my Geometron and run the 9XR instead - the range of 568% (estimate from memory) is still more than a conventional 1x drivetrain.
Hey Ramsay, where did you get the grip from? I have been looing for some for my Pinion bike.
Ergon GA2 Twist grip!
Thanks. Nice job. Love the pinion concept just wish they were a bit lighter.
Thanks! Sure, a bit lighter would be good, but look on the bright side - it improves the handling by having that weight central and low! Plus that weight is comforting knowing that you've got some durable and reliable kit underneath you 😉 My priorities are reliability, durability and performance because I ride so often and so hard 🙂 weight can wait... I'll cover this more in more detail in videos coming soon 👍
sick
Great looking build! what size is that frame? medium? large? have you had a chance to weigh the bike? Thanks!
Thanks! It's a medium Argon GLF. I don't weigh my bikes! Weight is the least important factor IMO - performance, durability and reliability are far more important. I build my bikes to suit the intended purpose, not to sit on scales! 👍
The bikes looks amazing 😉 wondering how it’s ride??
Thanks, I love it too 👌 it's been riding great - loads of fun!! Feels so planted. There's plenty footage on my insta (@MacRamsay) but I'll get another video up here when I've fitted the new forks and 29 up front! 🤘
I've never seen such a hardtail
Ground breaking! Literally 😜
Quality video mate. Would like to see you riding it though.
Plenty footage on my insta @MacRamsay if you wanna check it out! Will be fitting new forks very soon and then giving it a good thrashing for an edit on here 🤘
New suscriber
Very Good
Looks cool, the drivetrain makes sense for HC hardtail, but I really dislike the gripshift making it no for me
nice machine tho wish you a lot of fun with it
The twist shift is better than you might think! I would encourage everyone who is sceptical to try it before you express an opinion - the old 'gripshift' with a derailleur was terrible, I agree, but this is different - trust me! I've been riding it on my Geometron for over 4 years now and I love it, will never go back... That's why I got it on this hardtail! The gears are instantly engaged and you can shift multiple gears in one twist - while stationary! Please, test it if you can.
omg at 9:29 when he strikes the precision machined pieces against each other
What a beautiful noise 😍🙈
👏👏
Came for the Nicolai, stayed for the accent. Lovely build btw.
🤣🤭🥰 cheers! 👊
Dude that bike is sick I ride a Haro which is alright but I would love to have something like that but I just don't have that kind of cash to be able to get something like that it's kind of depressing I want a Santa Cruz Hightower carbon so bad but yeah
Wow Nice bike buddy what is the price of this masterpice ?
Can this be converted into an ebike? I assume you could just add a rear hub motor on it and battery on the frame?
Yes, a hub motor would work with the PInion gearbox and belt! It's a great option, but not for me, due to the huge extra weight on the rear axle making the handling utterly awful for anything other than tarmac.
i have the same frame, it is a damn good frame :)
Sure is! 👌
I’m sold on the gear box as a concept, but don’t like the idea of a grip shift. That’s a really cool looking bike. I love a hardtail.
The idea is understandably concerning, but trust me, it's nowhere near what you think! It's very different from old gripshift with a derailleur... VERY different! Multi-gear shifts with instant engagement is quite an advantage - give it a try (with an open mind) if you possibly can!
@@RamsayMacFarlane if ever the opportunity arises I will definitely try! It’s the future after all.
Great building. Enjoy that Ride. Would be absolutely perfect with an Intend fork
Thanks! Got the EXT ERA on now and it's fabulous but would be nice to try an intend fork!
@@RamsayMacFarlane not for that 😉
Cool. Sure nice on at. Maybe, i dont know. Do Not drive myself 🤷♂️ only Boltron 😉 but i like
thats a nice bike
Thanks dude, glad you like it!
When you ordered the frame did you specify mullet specific geometry or is that a stock 29 version?
Nvm - that must be the GLF not the GTB
It's the GLF and is stock 👌
hoop brakes rock
those massive welds look like the welds on dirt bikes! That thing could survive a cliff! 😂
Beautiful, huh? 😍 My Geometron HAS survived a cliff! 😂👌
I see! Someone also watches "my stoner mind" according to the outro music :D What a sick build! Do the big gear steps of the 9 speed create any problems for you?
9 speed is great, don't need to tiny gear gaps on the 12 speed version. I would switch to 9 on my big bike if had the option...
@@RamsayMacFarlane Good to know! I guess i will make a 9spd transmission then for my new build. It will be hard but whatever.
Kansan accent is cool! laugh out loud!!! Kidding!
Kansan?! Haha this is puuuure Scottish 🤪
Great assembly!!!! . . .your bike would cost about PhP250,000 or USD5,208.00 here in the Philippines. :-)
How much does a bike like this one cost?
gearbox is the future
Future is now! 😎👍
The loctite you are mentioning is actually nylon 11 pouder which will be melted on the bolts.
Oh cool! Thanks for the correction, I will look that stuff up, I need some! 👌
Sure the build is great, but what is the performance like? Especially interested in how the Pinion performs
The subsequent video (fitting EXT ERA fork) has some riding in it and I'll follow up with my thoughts after riding it for a while. Regards to the Pinion gearbox, it's my second - I've been running one on my geometron for over 4 years now and it works so well I got another, so... I honestly wouldn't go back to external drive ever again. There will be some more videos focusing on specific aspects on my two pinion-powered bikes very soon 👍
What a nice całe! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🏴 the Bike looks awesome i Like the end music
What is it?
Thanks! The end music is just some stock music from UA-cam, but it works really well!
Ramsay MacFarlane awesome good choice 👍🏻
Great video! to avoid annoying noise in the transmission, it would not hurt to put some copper grease. With only 5000 km my pinion C1.12 was a box of annoying noise
Copper grease in the mounting points? I've had my P.12 on the geometron for over 4 years and found that it only makes noise when it's loose or the cranks have dirt in the interface - I used moto-foam in the cavity to prevent mud ingress between the frame and gearbox too. I will probably strip and rebuild after a few months of bedding in! 👌
@@RamsayMacFarlane what a good idea the foam! I will try it next time I have to disassemble. my frame creaked and I thought the transmission was failing. According to the pinion technical service, I disassembled it, grease it with copper paste and change the threadlock. my problems disappeared
@@IbonEtxaiz nice one - sometimes creaky bits just need a good clean and lube!
What's the engagement points like on a Pinion?
Rubbish! 🙈😂 However, I see it a necessary evil and would obviously like to upgrade that aspect of it. You get used to it and it really doesn't bother me whatsoever and I do a lot of jibby trials stuff too. It's high on their list of prospective improvements! 🤞 Also, it provides a little slack for an perceived pedal kickback and disengagement from the suspension... Like the Ochain device.