Building a dream EMTB - Pinion MGU, Nicolai Saturn 16 (4K HDR)

[@IronX77]

Thanks for helping bring the mgu bikes to the mainstream. I don't see any of the big players going this route, as it would destroy their drivetrain business lines. I hope consumers vote with their wallets and buy more bikes like this! 🙏

[@Magoo71]

Exactly Iron! This is the future for sure....no more dirty drive trains, no chains to replace.....Makes bike maintenance a snap

[@knott4me561]

The lack of mgu from the big brands isn't down to not wanting to efect5there drive train sales .they will inevitable come but right now the design is still not durable enough for the 2 mainstream brands to go full production. As we are about to find out kver the next few months with Robs bike they just don't last.

[@robhaskins3068]

@knott4me561 Stunning looking bike and design. But the big negative at this point in time for me is the coffee grinder sound under load. The silence is golden of my updated 2018 levo 1.3 aluminium waterproofed brose : silent, smooth powerful and combined with my totally proven Rohloff hub . 170 mm Fox38's, steering head slacker kit, 150mm cranks, two 500wh batteries and a brand new spare motor will do me until they get them silenced and the reliability proven. E=mtb²

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

Aye 11Kg is just pocket money for most folks

[@bmartinot]

​@@knott4me561calling total bs. Plus do you really think the other company's care about longevity? They only care about getting it through the warranty period which they rarely manage and then they won't supply spares.

[@ultraphotographer]

For me, this jewel, it's the ultimate ebike.

[@artsteale3443]

I can't wait for these bikes to come to North America.

[@MTB-Swiss]

you can order it. Usually N will ship it, where you want. :D

[@johnrhymer4704]

Man I have never been so green with envy! Perfect build!

[@peterspencer5771]

One of the best build videos I have seen on YT. Whilst I await the delivery of my Saturn, sometime in October, Rob’s superb footage will keep my excitement levels high 😄

[@TAZMON20]

AstonMTB has a four part review on the Saturn, very informative and entertaining.

[@peteglynn5725]

Absolute beauty! The evolution of the e bike has never looked so good! Great vid Rob 👍🏻

[@georgemourgos9416]

Another amazing bike build video Rob! Can't wait to see the first test ride video! Super relaxing vids. Keep up the great content!

[@Paul_Crosbie]

Just brilliant to see the build process. I currently ride a single speed Gates Carbon Belt Drive bike and one of your earlier videos convinced me of the direction you have taken with this build. My next bike in 2025 will be the next iteration of this amazing platform. I cannot wait to see your many rides and adventures on the new bike 🚲 😀

[@coreyb4679]

WOW…..that’s super nice. I think this is the next evolution in EMTB’s.

[@vert_n_dirt]

There's "fox factory" then with the finish on those intend forks, shock and brakes along with the renthal stuff is like factory+++ This whole bike is an engineering masterpiece. I cant imagine how many meetings tgey had to design the belt tensioner mount, let alone everything else on this bike. Have fun

[@j.c4life]

How exciting...You finally got it ....WHAT A STUNNER!!!🤩After months of researching & watching hundreds of videos. The Saturn 16 will also be my new & first emtb! Bulls vuca evo am 2 & Rotwild RX1000 were also of high interest. Pinion mgu & gates belt drive were must haves for me! Enjoy that beauty😌

[@eaze7324]

I have the Bulls Vuca Evo AM 2, very nice bike for its price, but the Pinion MGU has some issues, mostly software that can be fixed, but one mechanical I hope they can fix which is hella annoying, the cranks are sliding/breaking forward at random times when not shifting, as if a worn out chainring or chain makes the the chain slide over the chainring / cassette. I would wait for Gen 2 or others to follow up (imo). And i asked more people if they have it, 2/3 of the people I asked have this problem and it occurs every 5 km roughly

[@j.c4life]

@@eaze7324 Hi & thankyou so much for your comment on the woes of the mgu! Interesting as I have been in contact with Nicolai asking many questions recently! I asked them when or if pinion would be releasing the next gen mgu...As I know first gen stuff has to be battle tested, bugs exterminated & improvements made. Nicolai did not reply at all to this question which is strange. Your crank slipping issue sounds very serious & annoying! Did they offer you a new mgu replacement? For the amount of money these bikes cost, those mechanical issues are unnaceptable!

[@headslash55]

​@@j.c4life it's the palls in the ratchet system that selects the gear not completely seating. It happens but an oil change solved it for me. To much torque during a gearahift sometimes doesn't allow a pall to properly disengage until it has enough room or to much torque on the cranks to slip. Then it locks into the correct gear. I also had the problem on mine flyer tr:X with 3k km

[@j.c4life]

@@headslash55 I am confused by an oil change solving this issue? Was there too much oil previously added? Should the pall size be increased in size in the next version? I was under the impression this system was able to shift under load. So what does too much applied torque have to do with it failing to engage & slipping? Seems to be a design flaw that an oil change will not fix or unless now you have become more cautious & started to soft pedal more? Thank you:)

[@headslash55]

@@j.c4life in my case the oil change was after 1500km to just flush it for a personal ease of mind. As someone who works with vehicles flushing it after a shorter period the first time possibly shows underlying invisible problems but that wasn't the case. The next is in 8500km because I'm currently at 3k km. It's able to shift under load without a problem. What I found in with my riding style is that I personally tend to accelerate inconsistent and the current smart shift changes gears exactly on the millisecond that I put power on the pedals creating a possible problem.

[@beardedraleigh1649]

the craftsmanship on that frame is insane!! just like your videos!

[@robertbransby]

Man this thing is stunning! would be top of my list if I was buying a new bike right now

[@Constructian]

Great video, great bike. I have a Simplon Rapcon with Pinion MGU plus 960Wh battery and 170/165. I did my research this time last year when you were first riding one and it seemed the only way to go for me. Finally made my mind up mid November 2023 and ordered one. Took until early August 2024 to arrive, then a bit more delay while I got it wrapped to keep the carbon frame protected. But it is here now and I am very pleased with it and getting used to it and enjoying the MGU. Looking forward to the software update when that comes - the overrun especially. As for the bike weight, as I weigh 100kg I don't find it an issue. If I was only 75 Kg maybe it would be. Looking forward to seeing some of your videos where you ride this new bike and hearing your thoughts on it.

[@tomcagle5324]

What's your total build-weight (wet) with pedals, sealant, heavier tires etc.?

[@Constructian]

@@tomcagle5324 It is a Large frame and has 29x2.6 Magic Mary super gravity Adix soft tyres with tubes and including the front and rear mud hugger mudguards, the Lupine SL-X 1800 light, the Comfort display, the 185mm Bike Yoke Revive dropper, Crank Stamp 7 flat pedals, the Invis wrap for frame and forks, Fox 38 fork, Fox factory float X2 rear shock, the quad lock mount it comes to 28kg. That is less than I thought it would be as the battery alone weighs 4.7 kg.

[@tomcagle5324]

@@Constructian nice! Yeah, to make the full-powered a durable enduro build, with decent range, it adds a little more weight on.👊

[@Davet998]

I'm based in the UK and having difficulty getting them to engage. Where are you based?

[@Constructian]

@@Davet998 I am in Uk. I bought the bike from the UK’s only Simplon dealer, Love-E-bikes in Glasgow. Simplon have been very slow in delivering despite the good lads at Love-E-bikes doing their best to get Simplon to respond. There are other brands that have the pinion MGU. It is a new to market item with the emotor so you may have to wait a while. I had a 9 month wait.

[@jenshansenswiss]

Thanks Rob, for this beautiful and passionate video - Full of love and held back excitement for this amazing precision handcrafted, high quality, high yield bicycle engineering 💙😎 - I have a week ago configured and ordered MY hand build Nicolai Saturn 16 MGU with planned delivery in early November. Just in time for a few great rides here in Switzerland 🇨🇭 before the skiing season starts.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Awesome! Enjoy that bike!

[@artificialgrassspain30]

Great video and build Rob. It's a beauty and a beast. I didn't even know intend did brakes.

[@dd776]

Stunning video Rob. Hope you managed a summer break!

[@thejohnson9204]

You Sir, have one of the best jobs in the world. Nice work brother. What bike huh.

[@ktmkirby]

Very pleasing to watch. Almost like watching one of those HD video screen savers. I would love to have a shop like yours to do this.

[@danielbirchett6439]

Absolutely my dream EMTB. I’ve been crying out for the aio motor/gbox and belt drive combo. Sick build. Where’s that Euromillions win? 😂

[@Lenswide]

Nice build. We are waiting for ride impressions!

[@JorenMathews]

Awesome build. Can't wait to see your review video once you've done some riding!

[@DavidSmith-wy5js]

Rob it looks fantastic im lookig forward to the shakedown video & the long term test. Its seriuos

[@scottbagley7513]

Can’t wait for the first ride review in the real world!!

[@BiecherBender]

The bleed process of the trinity brakes is the dream

[@RobRidesEMTB]

The easiest brakes to bleed. Ever.

[@Megabear90]

@@RobRidesEMTB unless you don't stick the cable in all the way and make a huge mess. Ask me how I know 😅

[@JackPineSavagest]

Bike of the future! Can not wait to get one of these!!!!!

[@mneonew87]

Got my MGU and couldn’t be happier! Still waiting for the 2024 update though…

[@yali1408]

What a stunning video mate. Music lighting camera all spot on ❤

[@aggropa]

This bike looks absolutely incredible; a true piece of art and engineering. Still a bit heavy, but looks like it should truly hold up to many years of abuse unlike my "other brand" very expensive bike, though fingers crossed everything has been good so far.

[@McNulty030]

Nice, never heard of Intend before!

[@waynebolitho2877]

That is stunning rob. Well done.

[@TheLastMoccasin]

WOW 😱😱😱 Can't wait for all the content to come!

[@simonjones2246]

I would seriously like to try a Nicolai bike they look amazing

[@Saleem54er]

Absolutely my new Dream bike 🔥

[@jimmyharris3238]

Great video rob 👏 Think I need to place my order 👌

[@kengutierrez3574]

Very nice looking bike. Great video too. I hope that the bike will become available here in the US too.

[@kengutierrez3574]

...and can't wait for your ride review :)

[@RodneyTomblin]

Hey Rob nice bike build. I thought I noticed you missed the bolt that holds the wiring plug on the motor before you fitted the bottom engine cover,looking forward to the review

[@boofex1]

It’s only free to dream. I love it. Cheers

[@jbonexc1725]

Looking forward to along term review of this badboy!

[@nigelrandtoul8646]

Bloody gorgeous build 🔥

[@Tom-ru2kv]

Congrats Rob, epic!

[@thetrailnomad]

The build we've all been waiting for. I know Cornelius and he's probably super happy about this too. I can only underline the Intend quality as I don't know that much about E-bikes.

[@pablojmcglynn2863]

This has got to be the sickest build yet , thise forks and brakes ...this beats the pole vioma build ....and I have a gold vioma. Beautiful rig and love the setup 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@skinheadjc]

Now that's a dream ebike right there 😍

[@vman7765]

Saving up for one of these 👍🏻

[@pollitt11]

Mega! What a machine.

[@2daysB4]

Mega cool 👍 (2much pasta everywhere 😊)

[@sloanranger5]

Hope it’s everything we all imagine it to be!

[@niczoom]

Perfect! ... Apart from i would have th 960 battery :) Well done ! Looking fwd to the ride video.

[@nickclarkuk]

That is my ultimate dream bike too. Surely this is the future !! I hope the big brands will adopt the MGU but until then I hope others have deep enough wallets to buy this masterpiece !

[@AlfaZuluAlfaTango]

Amazing bike, good job! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🔥🔥🔥

[@RockyMountainPowerPlayTi-ne9mf]

spectacular pharaonic assembly 🤑 but honestly I would have expected a bright next 3rc😎

[@lukenukem1164]

I really think this unit is the way forward, seems quite obvious. It will be interesting to see if any big manufacturers use it or are they tied in to traditional motors/drive trains. Nive video.

[@p.k.7111]

Impressive build!

[@philseton5796]

Hopefully there is an updated display/controller in the future. The current offering is a little agricultural. Lots of other nice touches on this bike and also a pretty epic build. Great video Rob as always.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Hi Phil. Agreed on the controller. Looks a bit dated. I hope for a more minimalist Bluetooth version at some point in the future.

[@CaptainCoolpants101]

Agricultural? It looks like farming?

[@philseton5796]

@@RobRidesEMTB I’m sure it’s coming. DJI caught everyone off guard. The new benchmark has been set.

[@philseton5796]

@@CaptainCoolpants101 it’s an easy update

[@andrewjohnson9896]

Just WOW!

[@yannickpage2333]

Nice one, congrats !

[@frankpalomino7417]

Literally drooling over here 🤤🤤🤤

[@burgieee123]

Very nice 👌🏻 .... Not fussed on the front brake mounts being bolted directly to the fork stantion though that's a recipe for problems......

[@RobRidesEMTB]

I don’t think anyone experienced issues with this so far! They are not bolted on, they are hollow allowing the cable to freely move 👍

[@markyboyclark]

That's the way to do it. The future is here.

[@hobblyjig]

I really love the gearbox/motor + belt drive concept. I bought an eMtb this summer and I feel like the drivetrain just isn't built to handle the torque of the motor+me. I actually considered buying the Nicolai but I live in the USA and I also wanted a bigger travel bike. I wound up with an Ari Timp peak. I expect that in a number of years I'll be doing a frame swap for something with the Pinion drivetrain.

[@carljohnson161]

Can’t wait to see what you think of the intend suspension

[@Paulmac2011]

Pretty much perfect in every way 👌

[@robhaskins3068]

Yes it is stunning but hopefully it comes with ear plugs .The coffee grinder sound under load would annoy the joy out of me. Silence is golden on my old 2018 levo 1.3 brose with a totally proven Rohloff hub. E=mtb²

[@philseton5796]

We learned a lot about the Gates drive system today at Loudenville. I will tell you about it when I see you Paul.

[@MTBGeordieDownSouth]

It's a thing of beauty alright

[@mixalis6168]

You have one stunning bike, i wish i could own one and now !! Unfortunately carer duties

[@simonxii3566]

Dream bike right there!! Only small detail I don’t like is the pinion display, everything else 👌🏻

[@Luckymosquito]

This is as close to e-bike perfection as you can get. Enjoy this engineering masterpiece. However, what’s up with the brake adapters? The rear definitely needs an Intend adapter, as well. Also the front valve nut is a bit dark compared to the rear. This is both very nitpicky, but on such a bike every detail counts. It‘s still a solid 9.5/10.

[@hassebir]

Everything here is a dream! Cant wait for the review. That bike is so sick! Wish i was a dentist :D

[@scozzie1]

Wow 😮Thank you

[@GC16199]

Beautiful build, and that aluminium looks really strong, especially those motor brackets. However an UPSD fork always puzzles me a bit... Like let's put our delicate forktubes closer to flying rocks, dirt and roots...

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Maybe it will be an issue, I’ll let you know in a future video! It’s possible to purchase fork guards for this too. Although in worst case they (Intend) also replace stanchion damage for a really good price - €75 approximately (cheaper than fork guards!)

[@GC16199]

@@RobRidesEMTB MX bikes still have UPSD forks as well so should not be an issue I think, but generally they all have fork guards yes. But incredible bike, all the best technologies that are out there are in this bike. Gearbox and motor in one unit and a belt drive, definitely the future! 🤩

[@CarkeekW]

Unpopular ? Opinion time: So much to like on this bike with all my dream 2023 boxes ticked, amazing suspension. But I'm not blinded by how epic it is , the cross machining on the frame is going to hold dirt , the belt tensioner looks incredibly complex for a simple job and it doesn't have the DJI motor, battery and brains integrated into the pinion system. The mgu electrical cable cover needs a seal around the top 90 percent so water can't easily get into the cavity but would rush out if it does. This should be my dream bike but DJI has spoiled that by being next level , hoping Pinion and DJI sit around a table resl soon. The DJI bike only lacks belt drive and a gearbox to appeal. When I got my Fulcrum wheels the hub was totally silent for about 500km , that was amazing and I think belt drives should all run silent hubs.

[@Megabear90]

Having ridden the DJI at Eurobike and owning a Simplon Rapcon MGU I can say this: Apples and Oranges mate. On the pure motor and electronics front the DJI has blown me away. Yet I still wouldn't change it. The comfort of shifting under load, basically no maintenance and a fully sealed system is superb. It's e mountain biking without ever worrying about a thing. However the DJI is a close second in my mind. It's reliability is yet to be proven and we're waiting for bikes to come out with it. A fusion of both would obviously be the bomb. But I'm not holding my breath, I waited for something like the MGU for close to 10 years, I hope it won't be that long for the ultra DJIPinion 3000 to hit the market, but it will be a while yet. As for the Nicolai frame and tensioner: I wouldn't worry about any dirt. Nothing a garden hose can't deal with. The tensioner looks complex, but its function is simple and its out of the way when bashing something.

[@CarkeekW]

Dji Pinion 3000 has a wonderful ring to it , till then it's a humble Levo thankfully.

[@nigelrandtoul8646]

A dji pinion combo would be the unbelievably good 👍

[@RogerHaefele]

WONDERFUL Bike - just a bit on the heavy side ......

[@TheAngryHusky]

A work of art.

[@sjaan7370]

What a beauty! 😎

[@shawlee7071]

Good job!

[@FloppyWaffle]

I pray that someday I'll be able to buy one of those here in Canada, I feel like it could be the last bike I'd ever buy.

[@nicolapellegrino1072]

This is a mean machine... really a concentration of German engineering ready to roll. ❤

[@stfn7839]

omg. haven’t even fully watched it yet, but JUST the video I needed now. Thanks my dude. Only six more weeks and then…. edit; now I have watched it. what a build. and so light. enjoy! mine will be totally different, but that’s so cool about Nicolai offering frame sets. One question; did the frame really arrive in pieces with the motor and tensioner separately, or did you take it apart to show us everything? My Saturn 14 Swift frameset came fully assembled with the motor in place and even with all the housings drewn in and I’m wondering what to expect. Thanks!

[@RobRidesEMTB]

They arrive fully assembled, everything pre installed. Mine was just for the video

[@stfn7839]

Thanks man! Have watched it three more times. Oh the vorfreude! 🥹

[@쪼꼬-t8b]

우와 예술이다!!갖고싶어요

[@ProjectHellfire1]

I wonder if we'll ever see this in Australia

[@dallasdrew2390]

Awesome build Rob but wow it weighs a ton.

[@weaponofchoice8942]

Unbelievable build. Can’t wait for the review . I give the front brake caliper bracket less than a month. Looks great but way too fragile for the forces you will put through the front end. IMHO

[@dadowns100]

Rob, what happens to a beautiful machine like this? Sold, donated, auctioned off? You've built so many perfect looking creations over the years, where do they end up?

[@ark530abe]

In his garage. His wifes pissed jk idk

[@Helld00d]

He mentioned before that he bought it for himself

[@victorkan7288]

Mesmerizing. Is that stand bolted to the floor?

[@Greyarcher1]

Looking Nice! But that Belt tensioner? I would brake that in one week😕

[@chrish8871]

The man with a hand full of little fingers builds a bike, go Rob 😅👍

[@ladamyre1]

Question: Is the bolt pattern for the MGU the same as the standard C1.12 unit? I own a Priority 600 that has the C1.12 and wonder if I could upgrade the bike to the new E1.12 system. I'm sure I could use the various frame bosses to fabricate a battery tray. The only obstacle is the bolt pattern for the E1.12 unit. I asked Pinion but they just answered that the unit is bigger. Of course it is, but on my 600 there is ample room for the motor since the frame is very Spartan and just grabs the gearbox at its mounts. There's nothing in front or under it to get in the way if the bolt pattern is the same.

[@tmstriveon]

Why use grease on headset housing before instalation? It's an interferance adjustment, and if you're too worry, just place the headset on the freezer and that's it! Just pack the bearings with grease, and assemble everything without grease

[@mariov5181]

Can you order this bike for US delivery? I don't seem to find in the website if this is possible. Excellent video!

[@Luis-ig7xw]

Beautiful build and bike! How much would it cost in the USA? I need you to build it for me with all the love you gave this one ;)

[@PaulMacpherson-zv2sh]

Its a worthy title & for you to experoence a living dream brother...brawsome & im only realusing jow much i miss not having a bicycle...this is .ikd a stsrship away from my last little carreta & spent 600 on hope parts & fiting,4way inclosed barrings ...i need to roop at something magnifcant as this...from undsr 10...20k How much ?

[@wayneskiv4r987]

When do we get the ride video? So I can order one 👍🏼👍🏼

[@eddieschouten6861]

I dunno. Wicked bike but I like the idea of top tube mounted display not bar mounted & the option off let’s say 180mm front, rear suspension 😎🇦🇺

[@Davet998]

The belt tensioner looks a bit exposed out there behind the motor / gearbox with it's metal covers.

[@eightlivesdownmtb]

A very cool bike, but you’ll be wanting some MX-style guards on your fork legs soon enough or those stanchions’ll look like pebble dashing.

[@georgiyonevski3894]

Hey Rob, what a build! Just a quick question, isn’t the single crown intend fork not recommended for E bikes, due it’s more flex upside down structure ?

[@radoslavdimitrov425]

Great video Rob! I still cannot figure out if the battery can be charged when detached. Actually is it easily removable? Will be great to explain for people like me who consider this ebike.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Yes, battery easily removable, with a key, and can definitely be charged off the bike too

[@dae3xt]

how are you liking the bike Rob? is it your favorite ebike?

[@Klinsfuss]

How did you make sure that the Belt is perfectly aligned? Did you use the UT Laser Belt Liner V3? And a notice - you can use the blue button on the belt tensioner to lock / unlock the tensioner. Awesome bike! ❤

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Good tip about the lock button! I didn’t know that 😂. No alignment tool used. I used the spacers provided by pinion and the spacer guide instruction sheet pinion provided with the motor to position it correctly on the rear Shimano HG hub. Hopefully that’s correct!

[@googlepixel9pro]

If for some reason you don't want that beautiful bike, can I have it 😁