Nicolai Saturn 16 5

792 of 18418
(12 people)
chainbreaker9000
4/20/2025 4:55am
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Parts
Brand
Model
Additional info

Parts

Frame
Nicolai
Saturn 16 29"
XXL
Frame: Nicolai Saturn 16 29". Misc: XXL
Rear Shock
Push
SV EIGHT
Rear Shock: Push SV EIGHT
Fork
EXT
ERA V2
160mm
Fork: EXT ERA V2. Misc: 160mm
Headset
Cane Creek
Slamset
Headset: Cane Creek Slamset
Handlebar
Other
Dartmoor Lightning Hi
25mm rise
Handlebar: Other Dartmoor Lightning Hi. Misc: 25mm rise
Stem
Yoshimura
ENDH
Stem: Yoshimura ENDH
Grips
Revolution
RevGrips
Grips: Revolution RevGrips
Brakes
Magura
MT 5
Brakes: Magura MT 5
Brake Levers
Other
Oak Components
Brake Levers: Other Oak Components
Shifters
Box
Prime 9 Gen 2
Shifters: Box Prime 9 Gen 2
Rear Derailleur
Box
Prime 9 Gen 2
Rear Derailleur: Box Prime 9 Gen 2
Chainguide
MRP
AMG v2
Chainguide: MRP AMG v2
Cranks
Hope Technology
EVO
165mm
Cranks: Hope Technology EVO. Misc: 165mm
Chainrings / Sprocket
Hope Technology
Chainrings / Sprocket: Hope Technology
Bottom Bracket
Hope Technology
30mm Bottom Bracket
Bottom Bracket: Hope Technology 30mm Bottom Bracket
Chain
KMC
Chain: KMC
Cassette / Rear Cog
Box
Prime 9
Cassette / Rear Cog: Box Prime 9
Pedals
Yoshimura
Chilao
Pedals: Yoshimura Chilao
Front Rim
Spank
359
Front Rim: Spank 359
Rear Rim
Spank
359
Rear Rim: Spank 359
Hubs
Hope Technology
Pro 5
Hubs: Hope Technology Pro 5
Spokes
DT Swiss
Spokes: DT Swiss
Front Tire
Continental
Argotal 2.4
Enduro, soft
Front Tire: Continental Argotal 2.4. Misc: Enduro, soft
Rear Tire
Continental
Kryptotal Re 2.4
Enduro, soft
Rear Tire: Continental Kryptotal Re 2.4. Misc: Enduro, soft
Saddle
Other
Selle SMP VT30
Saddle: Other Selle SMP VT30
Seatpost
PNW Components
Loam Dropper 200mm
Seatpost: PNW Components Loam Dropper 200mm
Seatpost Clamp
Hope Technology
Seatpost Clamp: Hope Technology
General Info

General Info

Model Year
2024
Model Year:
2024
Intended Use
Trail / All-Mountain
Intended Use:
Trail / All-Mountain
Weight
39 lb 6 oz (17,860 g)
Weight: 39 lb 6 oz (17,860 g)
Additional Info
Additional Info:
chainbreaker9000
4/20/2025 4:55am
792 of 18418
5 comments

View replies to: Nicolai Saturn 16

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nicasucksdude
11 months ago

what's the point of the normal to direct mount stem?

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chris73
1 year ago

How is that Box  Cassette/ derailleur working for you? 

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chainbreaker9000
1 year ago

Really great. I have been running Box drivetrains since the very first version, and I really like the Prime 9 concept. You get the full range of cassette, but it's less finicky than 11+ speed. The Gen 2 Prime 9 is a massive improvement in shifting performance. While I didn't have issues per se with gen 1, the gen 2 seems to shift more precisely with a lighter touch on the lever. I haven't had this long enough to comment on reliability. I have broken a couple prior-gen derailleurs from impacts, but the price is low enough that it doesn't hurt too badly to replace. 

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bigbrett
1 year ago

How do you like the Saturn 16? Have you ridden a G1? Any comparison? Not much information out there on this bike, really curious how it stacks up against other boutique offerings. 

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chainbreaker9000
1 year ago

I'm really enjoying it. I haven't ridden a G1, but I have a 2018 G15. On the G15, I had modified geometry a bit with a longer shock (netting ~155mm travel) and an angleset. The main difference in geometry on the Saturn 16, coming from the G15, is that the seat angle is a good bit steeper, which makes it feel all around better and less sluggish on sustained climbs. The stack height is also far better for me, although that comes with a kind of oddly long headtube on the XXL (160mm). But, on the G15, I had quite a few stem spacers and a 50mm rise bar and still felt like the stack wasn't quite where I wanted. I also felt like the G15 reach on XL was just a bit short of what I wanted. I did try the seat stay mutators on the Saturn 16 to slacken the head angle .3 degrees, but the little bit of reduced BB height was too much, so I'm back to stock geometry. I had been contemplating a new G1 frame, but it felt like just a bit too much bike? I will certainly be taking the Saturn 16 to bike parks this summer and there's nothing in my skill level that I wouldn't take this bike on, but I'm very comfortable with 150-160mm rear travel and 64 degree HA. In that regard, the Saturn seemed like a better fit. 

It's probably a lot to do with seat angle, but the bike feels a bit livelier and even a bit more spritely on climbs and tech than the G15, even though chainstays are 2mm longer and wheelbase is 20mm longer.  For me, it is very close to the G15 that I had very dialed to my preferences, but with better geometry in stack height, seat angle, and reach. 

The Saturn 16 is very hard to find, especially if you live in the USA. I ordered directly from the manufacturer and shipping it was an absolute and expensive nightmare. Seriously, if I ever do that again I am going to fly to Germany to take a vacation and bring the frame back with me on the return. 

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