Editor’s Note: See c_g’s introductory post here on this full suspension bike.
Nicolai Helius AC 29″er – Short Term Test: by c_g
OK, it has been two eventful weeks on board NICOLAI´s first production 29″er full suspension platform – the Helius AC 29″er. The bike is designed to be a true All-rounder – excelling in epic rides equally as in technical conditions.
In this short test period I have been blessed with the opportunity to ride the NICOLAI every day and even do two alpine adventures to test the bike on. Furthermore we had wide variety of trail conditions from torrential rain and mud fests to bone dry trails (which was very welcome for the simultaneous tire testing going on) and so my ride impressions are rather complete on this bike.
FRAME BUILDING: Like I said in my intro – I had never been too much into NICOLAI´s love for aluminum and them entering the 29″er market only last Eurobike had only just shifted my attention their direction. To be fair – NICOLAI had been doing 29″er frames for very long time, but always as pure custom builds – the Argon CC and RoCC 29″er and the tested Helius AC are their first standard geometry production 29″ers.
When I had the opportunity to really inspect the bikes during Freiburg Collective and see how immaculately manufactured and designed they were I grew interested though … they really are as beautiful to the eye as they are from a technical point of view. But would it prove equally as good while riding?
Even after the test period I found very few details I´d change in the bike´s design. One these details was the straight rectangular seat and chain stays that caused me on some occasions (particularly when pedaling in technical sections) to hit my heels on the stays – not too badly though, and after some time I seemed to have adjusted to it, but a bit of bent tube shapes there would better the situation and avoid unwanted contact altogether.
It is very uncommon for a modern day alloy frame to have absolutely no bending on any tube or hydro-forming, and some may argue that there is constructive potential missed. However; Nicolai is a engineering driven company, and as such they firmly believe that any straight tubing will always be the shortest and strongest connection between two points. If it were not for the occasional heel contact I´d agree, and by riding impressions I have found no reason to doubt this execution.
FRAME FLEX: There is no flex in this frame – anywhere. Everything is built (one might say overbuilt) to transfer the utmost in pedaling force and steering input directly to the wheels and so it comes as no wonder that the Helius AC really is one of the most precise bikes I have ever ridden. This counts double for it being a full suspension bike. That applies for the massive front triangle which is superior in stiffness and precision, and the multi linked rear. Though the testing has been too short to verify long term durability – the shear size of the bearings and bushings, and the precision manufacturing applied, makes me believe there won´t be much trouble in the future in this aspect either.
My test frame was equipped with an Maxle rear (available as an up charge option) adding extra stiffness (not sure it is needed but I had it anyway). This did make the rear wheel mounting somewhat elaborate, since the wheel was not self centering, and threading the axle was sometimes challenging my patience.
SUSPENSION ACTION: The suspension design with the mounted Rock Shox Monarch RT3 shock creates a suspension platform that is not the most sensitive but the most stable I have ridden up to date. I am very sensitive (if not to say anal), about rider induced suspension action, and the Helius AC (despite its 120 mm max travel) really rides like a hard tail in almost every setting. Only when fully open and rebound to the lowest – would there be very little action under rider input. This applies equally to seated pacing as to hammering standing. Of course this comes at the cost of small bump sensitivity, (which I don´t mind all that much), but not at all by sacrificing shock absorption capacity. When riding the Helius AC hard I frequently found myself using up all its travel without ever coming to the point of bottoming out. Interestingly the suspension action was very subtle, and active to anything but the small chatter, yet super linear – I never felt it to sink in too deeply when riding ditches, or depressing too much under weight shifting, or ramping up on big hits. I am not sure to what extent the suspension design is the cause or more to the shock´s set up, but in combination the Helius AC 29″er was the very first full suspension bike I felt like the suspension was assisting me when riding 100% of the time and not only for a part of my riding.
The only thing I could see changed when it comes to suspension action would be to go for a lighter damping on the shock to allow for a bit more sensitivity when desired by the rider. As it is, the bike rode so stable that I never ever needed to go to the strongest platform setting. The 120 mm Reba on the frame thus felt a bit too active when set up as usual and I chose to reduce the negative pressure to balance with the stable rear.
I did try out the other shock mount settings which alter both the effective travel and the bike angles and ended up liking the 120 mm and 108 mm best. But that really was less because of the differences in suspension feel and more due to the change in rider position and altered angles (since the fork remained at 120 mm all the time). Besides, why go with less travel when even the longest travel already gave me such an efficient and stable ride sensation?
HANDLING & STEERING: So the suspension is good, but how about the handling? Like our past tests have shown the Euro manufacturers often attempt to mimic 26″er handling when designing their 29″ers, which often leads to exaggeratedly stable or agile bikes but rarely the golden middle grounds.
How did the steep angles (72°/74°) and the longish CS (463 mm) add up? First of all the Helius AC climbs like a mountain goat. It requires very little weight shifting when climbing and can be paced up confidently almost every ridable ascent. I love to climb and so this gave the Helius another big plus on my list. I climbed the bike both seated and standing and it is great in both types of riding, though in my opinion it favors the seated mode. The 118 mm long head tube plus the external head set did create a slightly tall front, but I never found this to be an issue – neither for ergonomics or efficiency, nor for climbing. The very neutral suspension sure helped making the climbing even more enjoyable, too. (The only bike that climbs as willingly that I have ridden lately was the BULLS Tirone – also with long chain stays, but this bike suffered from its overly stable steering).
Interestingly the Helius did not steer slow at all. In fact it was one of the more agile and nimble steering bikes I have ridden, yet the superior precision (assisted by the thru axle wheels back and front) kept me in control all the time. This agile front and slightly long rear lent to ever so slight feeling of imbalance, but it took me less than one ride to adjust and learn to really love the way it steered. The thing I credit the HELIUS AC most with is that it had me enjoy every ride regardless of what the character of the ride was – it always provided the sense of confidence to tackle any section willingly yet never made me feel bored.
But even more so, the bike handled so naturally and with such an ease that it would manual and allow for wheelies whenever needed. There is one particular log that I hardly ever clear on the first attempt on any full suspension 29″er, but with the Helius it was no issue at all … WOW!!
By being a true “Do-It-All” bike the Helius AC gives up a bit of a competitive edge though: While some bikes simply make me chase my own lap-time intuitively, on board the Helius AC that thought never even crossed my mind … maybe because I was simply having too much fun riding it through all kinds of terrain :). But don´t mistake this with a touring bike – the Helius AC can well be ridden fast and aggressively.
Verdict: So was it the perfect bike in my opinion? By ride feeling, handling and suspension action – YES. In these respects it has been among the best bikes I have ridden up to date.
To me the combination of superior climbing stability yet maintaining an agile single track-loving feeling, really sets the Helius AC apart from most other full suspension bikes I have ridden. Couple that with the stable yet very capable suspension and excellent steering precision and what you get may well be your dream bike (it came very close to being mine :)).
Only when it comes to weight, would I say that there must be potential to go lighter without sacrificing too much of the other qualities. If Nicolai managed to lighten up the Helius AC frame a bit – it would get a perfect score.
RIDE ON,
c_g
PS: Personally I have entered this test with some curiosity and skepticism, as I felt NICOLAI had been a company that was being hyped a bit too much. But the ride really made me change my mind. By this brief test I have been lead to really giving them credit not only for their attention to detail and their sense for creating a well executed machine but also for creating the near perfect ride – for me that is. I am definitely keeping them on my radar for more 29″er news.
It’s refreshing to see some tall guy declaring is long chain stays love 🙂
I do too, and thus like the salsa frames i rode, with the same long chainstays and relatively steep head angle.
After so many years, i still don’t understand why chainstay lenght does no change with the size of the bike. Only bulls seems to have understand this basic principle.
Funny to see a bike so well reviewed with this geometry, while all around the HA’s are getting slacker and the CS shorter 🙂
@ GT, Tough one: AC vs Rip?
@lars:
Pay attention, this is a review from European branch, I don’t think GT has experience with Nicolai.
But, if you are from Europe, here’s some thought for you:
Nicolai is 400 € cheaper then Rip9 (standard geo), build quality is light years ahead of Niner, and comes with 5 year warranty (Niner 2 for alloy frames). You can even go full custom AC and still pay less then you’d pay for a Rip9 frame.
Of course, all of the above doesn’t matter if that “pedal damn it” sticker is something you yearn for that much.
20.100 FR: Agreed on the growing CS length by size … for some it may be a question of philosophy why some don´t do it or simply becasue it is easier and cheaper to produce.
But really it is less of a love (for long CS or any particular feature) but simply an openminededness for any such feature and honest curiosity about how the resulting bike ands up handling.
Besides my verdict is based on me and my riding style and does not necessarily resemble everybody elses preference – e.g I love climbing technical terrein seated.
lars: I agree that the geo numbers look unusual and I expressed my thoughts about this in the intro article. I think it is my obligation and duty as a tester to keep an open mind. Unusual bikes generally make me wonder and curious as to how the handling is affected – had I discarded the bike only by briefly deciding the numbers just CAN`T make a good bike … I might just have missed this one :-).
Regardless of what the numbers read we all here at TNI strive to give you our honest and open riding impressions and if a bike with the worst set of numbers ends up riding brilliantly – then we are sure to let you know – same for good ol´ “standard” geometries, that simply don´t add up in the test bike ridden by either of us.
Sorry … no experience on a R.I:P. so far.
Ojos Azules: Thanks for clearifying my Euro based position. For pricing it is easy to consult the web for your national prices to compare. Often US brands are more expensive here in Europe than some Euro brands – no different for Euro brands in the US – I think.
c_g,
You mentioned that the bike was a great climber, but better seated than standing…..
I’m still learning, so was wondering what characteristics do you look for when trying to find a bike which climbs well standing. I was thinking that Helius AC being built really rigid and peddling similar to a HT would lend itself to great climbing either way.
I checked out the manufacturers website and the design, construction and finish are truly impressive IMO……maybe re-thinking my next bike purchase
SS29er: I may quote myself here: “I climbed the bike both seated and standing and it is great in both types of riding, though in my opinion it favors the seated mode.” … So please note that I am saying it does really well in both ways.
When climbing in a seated position the only real weight shifting can come from leaning forward, which when done too strongly leads to an unnatural riding position – a long wheelsbase and CS lenght can compenaste that to some extend which is part of why the Helius AC is such a great and confident climber (no, I haven´t forgotten the steep seat angle and other factors that influence this as well … but if I were to factor in all aspects, I´d never come to an end :-)).
In contrast when standing and pedalling at maximum output (SS riders know what I mean), any rider weight shifting (which standing is a lot easier) does affect the weight distribution more on short weheelbase bikes and short CS lengths – which is why many SS riders prefer such bikes as they are easier weighed and unweighed (read: controlled).
You see this discussion and my argument is not about stiffness and power transfer (where the Helius is in the masterclass anyway) but about weight shifting and rider preferance.
Hm,, not sure I made my point to you as clearly as I wanted to – if not, just ask again.
@lars, @Ojos Azules, @c_g: The RIP 9 has been changed a bit since I last rode it, and I have no experience with the Nicolai.
I will say that I am not convinced the “shorter is better” chain stay camp is the correct way to go with 29″er geometry. In my opinion, the “shorter chain stay” wars were played out in the late 80’s/early 90’s on 26 inch geometry which should show us clues as to what is going to happen with 29″ers. 😉
Also, in my opinion, I feel it is more about weight transfer, and weight bias between the front and rear of the bike. Chain stay length is certainly part of this, but it is merely one component in a system that necessarily needs to work in harmony with a rider to create a “good riding bicycle”.
This is why numbers don’t always tell the story of a bicycle, because we don’t know relationships between components, nor do we account for rider style and terrain with those simple specs. Only testing for yourself will out any good or bad in any particular bicycle. We are merely pointing out our experienced opinions in hopes you can gain a better perspective. In the end though, everyone should make up their own minds. 🙂
Well, numbers CAN tell the story of a bike, but you need the whole bunch of them, not just CS lenght, to be able to compute where you CG is going to be and the weight distribution.
oops, didn’t read too good, now i see it’s done by G_c. Didn’t know Euro’s ride 29ers at all 😉 this side at all. 😉 @ C_g: where are you from?
For the record:
In the Netherlands a Rip costs €2230, including damper.
A Helius AC 29er with upgrade to tapered headtube will cost you 2550, if you decide to pick it up in Germany 🙂 Custom geo would do 600€ more.
I’ll back Guitar Ted up on his contention that there isn’t a Godly nature to short chainstays in and of themselves. The balance is definitely important… You can get away with a steeper head tube angle with those longer chainstays than you could with shorter stays, for example. Short-stayed bikes, built with appropriate geometry, sure are fun though.
… That said, the Giant I’m racing this season is an awesome riding and climbing bike, and it has looong chainstays. So clearly, balance is where it’s at.
Guitar Ted, can you compare the AC to he Trek Superfly 100? Not sure if you’ve ridden that. I’m trying to decide whether to get Nicolai to build me a lighter frame AC29er, maybe with slightly shorter stays and a 71deg head angle but 1.5″ headtube to allow a zero stack and angleset. I wondered how the stiffness of the Nicolai compared to a much lighter carbon offering?
Chainline: It was me riding both bikes – both the NICOLAI Helius AC and the TREK (GF Collection) Superfly 100 Elite.
By weight the NICOLAI will never beat (regardless of tubing) the Carbon Cahassis of the Superfly 100 but in terms of stiffness I see them both as equals.
To me the two big differences are with the handling charactersitics and the suspension feel.
– Where the NICOLAI is more more confidence inspiring and a bike you can climb up anything without much weight shifting, the Superfly 100 feels more nimble and require a more active riding style when climbing. Both feel very active and fun – for sure not overly stable or even slow.
– In the suspension feel, the Superfly is the more active and more sensitive one (including a deeper sagging when climbing and requieres a higher platform/dampoing to avoid rider induced suspension action), where the Helius´ suspension is hardly noticable (by rider induced action) but fully and very effectively usable. In terms of agressive riding both are very capable and easily tackle much more than XC-type terrain.
–> If you like seated climbing very much and like your suspension best when not noticable – gop for the NICOLAI. If weight is high on your list and/or you like your suspension very active – got for the Superfly 100.
It really depends on your riding style and preference but I am sure you will be very happy with either.