e-bikes just changed forever

Nicolai Saturn 16 MGU - Pinion 12 Speed Electric ebike Motor and Gearbox combined into a single unit.

ETHICS, DISCLAIMER and TRANSPARENCY: Nicolai hired me to test the bike, review it and to produce a video for on my YouTube channel, and is such labelled as a paid partnership on YouTube. Nicolai have had no direct input on this content or any editorial or narrative control over the video. Nicolai do not see the video before it goes live. This paid partnership with Nicolai has allowed me time to test the bike and also film and edit working with an independent film crew to help capture the bike shots and produce the video content.

0:00 Introduction
1:03 Testing Grounds
2:02 Climbing Performance
4:13 Technical Climb Insights
7:15 Quiet Ride Experience
9:03 Motor Noise Analysis
13:01 Descending Performance
15:21 Gearbox Benefits
19:45 First Ride Impressions
22:23 Future of MGU Bikes
23:06 Conclusion

[YogiD]

Its about time they put a gearbox in the e-motor! Seems like ages we’ve been waiting for. 12k for an e-bike is ridiculous i can buy a Ducati 900er for less

[moto-rambler]

You lost me at the 36-second mark with the €11, 000 price tag ($12K USD or $16, 500 CAD). Much of the problems currently being suffered by the bicycle industry are epitomized in this video and by this channel. Completely detached from reality.

[all-to]

Hello, I am a gearbox developer. Your detailed MGU experience gives me a lot of inspiration.
I developed a low-cost gearbox if I wanted the derailer system used around the world to be converted to a gearbox system.
Currently, we have developed 7S, 10S, 12S, and 15S. Production is planned from this year. We will start selling it next year at the latest.
If my gearbox is sold to Europe one day, I would like to hear your experience. ^_^

[pjweds]

I've never understood why Ebike manufacturers didn't go straight to the combined motor gearbox setup it makes so much more sense than an antiquated rear mech.. I know so many people have had the rear mechs ripped off their Ebike, mine included...

[RobRidesEMTB]

I'm sold on this bike, I already want one! Nicolai will be going frame only options soon, and its also availible in Mullet config. I'd run 180mm / MX - what a bike!! Well done Nicolai.

[mlentsch]

The friggin' thing costs as much as a 170-mph proper street-bike - motorcycle. How in the hell is this even remotely equitable????

[brendan]

I really hope Orbea adds an MGU to a future Wild. I love the geo and everything about my Wild. But having an MGU would be another level! Awesome tech!

[StepDub]

The price is fine. It is clearly aimed at the market segment that does not even consider price when making any kind of purchase. This doesn’t intersect the mountain bike market in big numbers, so the price has to reflect the low numbers of purchases made. Hopefully the experience of making this product and the feedback that they get (like this excellent video) will work down to more affordable gear.

[vegaone]

This bike is built 50km away from me - just visited Nicolai last year. Amazing company

[Brockthedog]

What a shock. Another bike, not affordable. Bike industry just can’t get out of their own way.

[he]

Finally! Makes much more sense than the derailleur.

[tonygeddes]

Very impressive but that price is just Ludicrous. There’s not a hope in hell I’d ever pay that for an e bike. I’m sure I’m not alone.

[clint]

I love the sound of chain slap in the morning.

[francoinvisser]

Great footage quality! Good review and solid content. Always a blast to watch.

[Amphibax]

One of the few bikes around that pricepoint that actually does something to justify its price.

[SDKb]

Looking forward to this becoming mainstream. Defo a step forward 👍🏻

[g.wilsondh]

Give it a couple years until Shimano and Sram figure out a way to legally release their versions of the MGU, then all ebikes will adopt this model... makes so much more sense!

[erikk]

How about: weight, battery size/efficiency/removable, & climbing power compared to bosch cx?

[gwlcrew]

Great review as usual Rob, there are plenty of comments here about you loving the bike and it being a game changer, and you wanting one, isn't that what should happen? That's why i watch your channel, to find out what's coming and how good it is going to be. I have far too many bikes already but will be getting another with an MGU as soon as one becomes available, thanks for the great content.

[zebedeemk]

Internal drives are the future. I am tempted