Light, fast, electrifying – The new SWIFT models

The Saturn label encompasses the manufacturer‘s lightweight, full-suspension trail bikes, from the Saturn 11, which covers down-country to trail riding, to the Saturn 16, which can be considered a light enduro bike. The Saturn 14 is a true trail bike in the middle of the range, available in three different versions it makes up the core of the new SWIFT series. The Saturn 11 SWIFT comes in an exclusive high-end version equipped with the ultimate components as a custom showstopper, it sets the benchmark for what is possible at Nicolai in terms of weight and dynamics on a fullsuspension EMTB.

Bosch Performance Line SX Motor – A Class of its Own

The newly developed Bosch SX motor provides the basis for the Nicolai Saturn SWIFT models. With a total weight of only 2.05kg, it’s 1kg lighter compared to the existing CX motor used in the EMTB segment. It also establishes a new mounting standard that allows a lighter frame construction. In combination with the new internal Compact Tube 400Wh battery, which weighs a mere 2.0kg, the result is an unprecedented system weight of only 4.05kg. In addition to its lighter weight, the new Bosch Sprint feature provides a dynamic assist related to the pedaling cadence for a sporty response. During fast sprints and climbs, up to 600 watts of power can be unleashed, which equals the peak power of the full-fat Bosch CX drive, at an assist rate of 60-280%. The maximum torque of the SX drive is 55Nm. The maximum assist rate in eMTB mode ranges between 120-340%. Pedal resistance has also been reduced by 30% for even greater efficiency and a more natural riding experience.

SWIFT – the Ride Changer

Pro-rider Frank Schneider has extensively tested the new Bosch SX drive system for Nicolai and is thrilled: „A Saturn SWIFT with SX drive is a different beast. It rides differently and as a rider you are moving more naturally than you’re used to with all previous e-bikes. And this difference is not just marginal, it‘s huge. In terms of handling, dynamics and power development, it is much more similar to a regular bike than to an e-bike, and this is not only due to the significantly lower weight. The key is the new Sprint technology, which is only available in the SX unit installed in the SWIFT. When the familiar Bosch CX motors with their ample torque take over and push you forward as soon as pressure is registered at the crank, the SWIFT demands significantly more physical input from you. As the power output is also dependent on the cadence, it feels much more natural. Only at a high cadence the full power of 600W is available. Your pulse easily goes up 15 beats, nevertheless, you don‘t want to stop, because you have never flown so fast through your favorite trail. The natural riding feeling is also supported by the fact that the power output of the SX motor levels out so smoothly when you reach the limit that you don‘t even notice it. You want to ride faster than 25 km/h? Then you can easily go faster. The typical feeling that a brake anchor is dropped behind you the moment the motor assistance switches off is completely absent with the SX drive. With the eBike Flow app, you can also tune and configure each of the four riding modes in terms of assist level, dynamics and torque until you find your perfect characteristics.”

Saturn 14 SWIFT – Trails are its Favorite Dish

The Nicolai Saturn 14 SWIFT replicates 1:1 the geometry and suspension kinematics of the regular Saturn 14: Nicolai‘s take on a modern, radical trail bike with maximum all-round capabilities. With 150mm of travel at the front and 130mm at the rear, the Saturn 14 SWIFT is perfect for any playground, from a home lap to an epic all-day ride, from technical mountain trails to a spin in the bike park. The geometry of this 29er full-suspension bike follows the manufacturer‘s wellknown Geolution Trail concept, with plenty of reach, 480mm in size M, a 64.8° slack head angle and relatively long chainstays. Due to the steep 76.5° seat angle, however, the bike feels more compact when seated than the reach would suggest. Thanks to the centralized body position, steeper climbs can be mastered while seated without the front wheel rising and wandering. When powering through single trails, the load distribution between the front and rear wheel is perfectly balanced, providing excellent bike control. And when it gets more technical on the downhill, you have plenty of clearance behind the saddle. The four-bar link rear suspension works sensitively, transferring the combined power of rider and motor to even the roughest terrains. The suspension offers well-defined support in the mid-stroke and always has some in reserve thanks to adequate progression. At high speeds and in rough terrain, the Saturn 14 SWIFT stays stable while the capable suspension flattens the ground, providing a high level of confidence for even the toughest and steepest trails. The Saturn 14 SWIFT is the Nicolai with the biggest hunger for trail miles.

Saturn 11 SWIFT – Aggressive Excellence

With the Saturn 11 SWIFT, Nicolai has introduced a light, fast, 29er EMTB to the trails, which plays out its strengths in an XC-focused sporty riding style, as well as hunting fast single trails and on cruisy but challenging, alpine tours. The Saturn 11 SWIFT, like its big brother, the Saturn 14 SWIFT, has adopted the geometry and chassis of its regular version. The relatively long front triangle offers 455mm of reach (Size M) and, in combination with a 67.6° slack steering angle makes for a perfect balance of sportiness and control. The steep 74.5° seat angle ensures a central riding position, typical for Geolution geometry concept, and allows for efficient pedaling while seated, even on steep climbs, as well as for ideal load distribution between the front and rear wheels. With a 754 mm standover height, the Saturn 11 offers sufficient clearance for technical sections. With its 106mm of rear travel and 120mm at the front, it covers the spectrum from down country to trail bike. As an agile, aggressive EMTB with XC genes and thanks to its slack geometry and efficient suspension, it’s also impressive on technical trails and descents. The kinematics of the sensitive Horst-Link four-bar linkage is designed specifically to match the progressive characteristics of small-volume, lightweight air shocks. This ensures that the Saturn 11 SWIFT does not bob when accelerating and always provides a direct riding sensation. It combines efficiency, comfort, control and safety in all areas of its spectrum. In total, this results in a light, agile trail rocket that combines high sporting demands and fun in the best possible way.

Battery and Range Extender – Greater Range, Less Weight

The Saturn SWIFT models are fitted with the Bosch Power Tube 400 battery as standard, with a capacity of 400Wh and only 2kg. For more miles, the Bosch Range Extender can be used, a compact 250Wh auxiliary battery stored in the downtube‘s bottle cage mount, where it has sufficient clearance on all frame sizes. Despite the Range Extender option, Nicolai has opted against a fixed main battery and has designed the frame in a way that the battery can be changed without tools on the fly. The idea is that for extended tours and big days on the mountain, a second Power Tube 400 battery, weighing only 2kg, can be carried in the backpack, increasing the total capacity to 800Wh. Nicolai emphasizes the advantage that the battery can be changed quickly, because you then no longer have to suffer any range anxiety even on alpine full-day tours.

Bosch eBike Flow App – Configuration and Connectivity

Using the eBike Flow smartphone app, the Saturn SWIFT is always connected to the digital world, even if the trail you have just discovered is not yet marked on any map. It is the nerve center of the Bosch Smart System and connects the network of drive unit, battery and control unit. Thanks to the app’s individual riding-modes function, the 4 assist levels – Eco, Tour, Sprint and EMTB – can be configured according to individual requirements and preferences. Here, the level of support, dynamics, maximum torque and maximum speed can be set within the given limits. In addition, system updates can be installed automatically via the app. With a smartphone on a cockpit mount or an optionally available additional display, the eBike Flow app can also be used for navigation and route planning via Komoot. With the optionally available Bosch BCM3100 ConnectModule, theft protection, alarm and tracking functions are available as well.

Bosch Purion 200 Control Unit – All in One

The new Bosch Purion 200 control unit has been improved in terms of its ergonomics and readability, it features a high-contrast 1.6“ color display that provides information on all important riding-data: SOC, selected assist mode, speed, range, riding distance and time. Additional functions can be added and configured via the eBike Flow app on a smartphone.

Smart Technology Design – Nicolai Engineering

The Saturn SWIFT series is an all-new development and continues the fresh design line Nicolai has pioneered on the recently launched Nucleon 16: Hydroformed top and down tubes, a front triangle brace and a reinforced seat tube with integrated clamp. The dropouts of the SWIFT series use the UDH standard, for mounting the robust SRAM T-Type derailleurs directly on the rear axle. Wide bearing supports and FEM calculated, load-optimized machined parts provide high stiffness at the rear triangle for direct, loss-free propulsion.

When calculating the suspension kinematics, it was taken into account that an EMTB has a stronger pull on the chain than a regular bike due to the motor assistance. The anti-squat characteristic was therefore slightly reduced compared to the standard Saturn models, so that the rear end is more supple and stays more active, optimally transmitting the combined electric and human power even on the roughest ground.

The Saturn SWIFT motor mount has a hatch on the underside, which is locked by a recessed quick release lever. This hatch serves on the one hand as a robust bashguard, and on the other hand for quick and easy battery access to remove it to charge or switch to a spare battery on a long tour. The Bosch Power Tube 400 battery is inserted from below into the down tube and magnetically held in position so that it does not drop out when opening the hatch, it is secured when riding with the locking the hatch.

The charging port cover on the right side of the motor housing can be inserted into a precisely fitting recess next to it and locks into place magnetically when the battery is charged in the bike or a range extender is connected.

To prevent cables, wires and lines leading from the cockpit to the frame from being damaged in the event of a crash or handlebar spin, the Saturn SWIFT is equipped with an Acros Blocklock headset that limits the steering angle to 180°.

The motor mount on the Swift frame has optimized ventilation inlets that allow the motor to be ideally circulated and cooled by the airstream.

The bottle holder follows a new Bosch standard. Either a cage for a water bottle or the special carrier for the Bosch Range Extender can be locked in place without tools. Each frame size offers sufficient space here, both for the Range Extender, as well as for a large 750ml water bottle. A second water bottle can be stored in an additional holder under the down tube on all SWIFT models.

Verdict

The Saturn SWIFT is the perfect machine for all those for whom the previous EMTBs are too heavy, too sluggish and too far removed from the original concept of mountain biking – but for whom a minimal assist drive is also out of question because the benefit is simply too small. The fascinating and sporty appeal of the Saturn SWIFT is, in addition to the agile handling, action-ready geometry, high-performance suspension and comfortably low weight, above all the natural ride feel due to the dynamic, cadence-dependent power output. This absolutely reflects the spirit of mountain biking: the harder and faster you pedal, the more you enjoy the riding dynamics and the flow factor. The more you are rewarded. And when you really get your pulse racing, the SWIFT adds a whopping 600 watts of power – for the fastest trail attacks and summit raids of all time.

Saturn 14 SWIFT Configurations

The Saturn 14 Swift is available in 3 variants named after popular riding spots in the German highlands. More elevation = Higher specification.

HLS – Hils, 480 meters: A low mountain range in Lower Saxony and Nicolai‘s home territory

The Saturn 14 SWIFT HLS is the entry into the SWIFT class and comes with high-quality components that combine sportiness, functionality and durability. With Fox Performance suspension, a DT Swiss M 1900 wheelset and Sram GX Eagle shifting, the electrified trail action with the HLS already gets off to a high-class start.

TNS – Taunus, 881 meters: The best riding zone in the Frankfurt metropolitan area

The Saturn 14 SWIFT TNS builds upon the HLS and comes with a configuration that leaves hardly any wishes unfulfilled: With Fox Factory suspension, a premium Newmen cockpit and the excellent Sram XO Eagle groupset, there is little that could be improved here. This trail rocket meets exceptionally high standards

HRZ – Harz, 1141 meters: Highest mountains in northern Germany, trail and bike park paradise

The Saturn 14 SWIFT HRZ represents the spearhead of the series. In addition to the Fox Factory Suspension and Sram XO Eagle groupset, the high-performance DT Swiss XMC 1200 carbon wheels give the TNS yet another kick in terms of acceleration, while the Hope Tech 4 brakes not only guarantee the most precise control and deceleration, but also match the Nicolai CNC-art perfectly. To the top! – with this bike and on the trails.

Saturn 11 SWIFT Custom

The Saturn 11 SWIFT is a custom showstopper with an exclusive build that includes only the lightest, finest and most advanced components, for maximum trail speeds and precision: Intend Samurai Trail Fork, Pi Rope wheel set, Sram XX Eagle Transmission – you name it. This dream bike sets the benchmark for what is possible in terms of weight, dynamics and performance with the SWIFT series t.

Geometrie Saturn SWIFT: Definition of Dimensions

Saturn 14 SWIFT
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Saturn 11 SWIFT
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