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Submitted by
Tom Barstow
a Downhiller
from Plymouth, UK
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Direct | | Strengths: | Pivot point/linkage, strength, adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | slightly weighty, paint, construction time... | | Similar Products Used: | 222, 224, Giant DH team, Azonic eliminator 2, Demo 9, Foes mono. | | Bike Setup: | 40s, roco WC, vented motos, sram XO, dt rims, mrp, sunline | | Bottom Line: | Ordered this frame, and at the time there was a six week wait for one, but i was in love with it so i persevered. At three weeks i was told it would be a week early so i got all excited and finalised the kit that i was building it up with. Alas, 14 weeks it took. i asked for a ti spring and some t-shirts for my trouble but recieved nothing...
However, upon recieving it all was forgiven! The frame is a work of art and when built up has a nice stance that just looks like it rides nice. And it most definately does, being a single pivot it feels really active and predictable, it has next to no pedal bob (which is unusual). the linkage actuated shock is perfect (dont bother with pedal platfrom shcks, they dull the bike) and behaves like its been tuned to perfection, even though it hasn't... and as a bonus its kept nice and clean in the front triangle.
The amount of adjustablity is immense, there are three travel settings, countless geometry settings(by way of shock shuttle) and asliding adjustable wheelbase... that works!!!
This frame isnt going anywhere, its as burly as they come and weight wise it isnt too bad considering (my full bike 44lbs). After a year of racing, mucking around and drops the bushes (which my i add are a work of art) are still as smooth as the day i got it, and im loving every moment riding it (we are still in love...), the only downside is the paintjob is a bit of a let down when paying nigh on £2300 for a frame (inc addons).
I would recommend this bike to anyone who is serious about going fast and enjoying yourself, this is no tech bike so pure UK short course racers will struggle.
Nicolai have apparently stopped making this frame and replaced it with something else, so i hope this review will help possible second hand purchases- IF YOU CAN FIND ONE, BUY ONE!
Plus this goes as a testimony to nicolai's other bikes, if they are all made with the same care then you cant go wrong. If you want to place an order with them then good on you but dont expect good customer service, just be patient and remember, good things come to those who wait...!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonas Wagner
a Downhiller
from Brugg
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whistler Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | Really stiff and low riding machine
Excellent manufactured with love to detail
One of the best full on DH rigs out there
Very stable at high speed and in air | | Weaknesses: | frame is heavy but unbreakable
| | Similar Products Used: | SC Vp Free
Alutech Wildsau
Demo 8
V10 | | Bike Setup: | M Pire ST, Fox DHX 5.0 with RCS Titanium, Magura Loiuse FR, Boxxer WC with E -Thirteen ALI, RF Singnature DH, Truvativ Holzfeller cranks, Specialized Lo Pro Mag, DT Swiss FR Hubs, Mavic 325, Ultegra derailleur, Thomson Seatpost, SI SLR saddle, CK Steelset | | Bottom Line: | This bike truly fits my needs.
With having continous bearing problems on the Santa Cruz bikes i was ready for something new.
Very tough bearing on the M - Pire.
Very good machining and welding.
Really low, BB is about 14".
All the weight in in the centre of the Bike, gives it grip like hell.
It jumps very well for DH style jumps or big mountain gaps.
I bought this bike used and it works still perfect, only some minor scratches.
You notice the weight on slow and technical terrain.
But for big mountain descents it´s perfect the longer and faster the course the better the M-Pire.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Franck
a Downhiller
from France, Chambéry
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 3100euros | | Strengths: | the rear suspension. the quality of the frame. the look. | | Weaknesses: | weight and really hard to clean after a muddy ride | | Similar Products Used: | Almost all of them, Demo9, M3, Diesel, H-octane, VPS | | Bike Setup: | 888rc-823 rims-formula extrem dh brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is not a free ride bike, but a world race down hill bike. Sure it can handle the biggest drop, but mostly the Mpire is a Down Hill bike. Bottom Less. Stable at really high speed, easy to turn. really low. choice of many colors. can't break that frame. Ur last DH frame. Can't go wrong with that bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a
from quebec
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | # 19 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very controled suspension. Feels bottomless, and ramps up off big hits. Stiffest and strongest frameset I've used to date. Tracks well, low BB helps with cornering. Frame build is seconde to none. Proably the best manufactured bikes on the planet (you need to see to understand). Everything is faced, chased, and realy ready to build. | | Weaknesses: | If I was to be realy picky, I'd say lose 1 lb. make ISCG standard. Also, due to stiffness of rear end, the wheels take more abuse | | Similar Products Used: | Balfa BB7, Devinci Wilson, M1, Giant Team DH, Norco VSP line, tons more. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic, Boxxer, Hope, RaceFace everything. | | Bottom Line: | A solid bike for serious DH abuse. Not a FR bike because it's not a climber. Can take anything you dish out, and then some. I'm very happy, and I will continue to buy from this company as long as they produce bikes designed this well and that perform this well. Bottom line: Best I've used to date. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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