Well in the end it turned out that I ended up with an Ion 16! It was all custom geometry as follows:
HA 66 degrees
BB +10mm
TT 595mm
Reach 419mm
SA 73.5 degrees
ST 430mm
CS no change
WB 1163mm
Then I specified the ZS44/56 head tube, stealth drilling for a Reverb, full dark green ano, white extra love, black graphics, 30.9mm seat tube (means it was compatible with the Reverb I had at the time although in the end I just swapped that out for a stealth one. The thicker ST does mean that you can lose the bracing struts between the ST and TT though, which I think looks neater).
One other thing I asked for was a bit 'tarty' but I like it and that was to have 'GeeTee' stamped into the right hand seat stay.:thumbsup:
Here it is:
I also ended up swapping the wheels out. I had so many problems with the rear Haven (twice I ended up breaking spokes and had the usual endless trouble with the freehub) that in the end I demanded a refund and got one. I've replaced them with Enve AMs on Chris King hubs with Sapim CX Ray spokes, regular 32/32 and built by an Enve specialist local to me called Strada.
I've only managed to ride it three times before I crashed and shattered my humerus. I'm almost done healing but I broke the bone beginning of October and am not allowed to ride again until February!
This is almost unbearable...
I've got all the kit waiting here and the frames are probably gonna be delayed 1-2 weeks because the gussets have to be welded on now....
got mine from german distributor, they don't do special tunes but the clicker range is large enough to get it dialed well (at least on my ion20). i hear x-fusion usa does individual tune for I believe it was 50usd...
Looking at the Ion16 leverage ratio it seems it has a falling rate (progressive) all the way through its travel. From what little i understand, this means that the standard DB air will suffer with compression damping issue and riders may not be able to use full travel, therefore a larger air volume remedies this.
If you are correct and the Rune has regressive nature towards the end of its stroke then the standard can should work a treat.
So im a bit confused now, if cane creek have advised jj that a standard can is the one, then there is a bit of conflict going on as Nicolai have advised not to go down this route, I'm sticking with the advise of these guys as they design the frame and tested it, and I'm advised that Nicolai staff will be installing the DB air XV as its the best setup available.
They actually offer the DB Air at a reasonable price too so cant complain.
High volume can is $40 and easy to swap. I will try both on Helius once it comes out.
Upgraded inner can to the current high flow. It does make a difference.
What still bugs me a lot - can touches the swing link on Helius (just barely), but that means in 171mm mode I can not fit water bottle below it. I am about to take a file to the link and notch it for clearance. Grr.
Whafe,
Thanks for the comments and the new ION 16 build thread. I found out my rear Hope Hub's bearingss are toast causing the issues with the XX1 set up. So these pictures are of my temporary build until I get the new hub installed. I will wait until complete before posting to the new thread.
Initial test ride set for tomorrow morning, very excited!
I have the CCDB air XV, set up per the Nicolai website. X-Fusion Slant up front which only comes with 203mm rotor mounts I find that a little frustrating, I would like the option to have the choice on what rotor size I want to run.
Thanks george and raschaa for all the info and comments....yeah the tech sheet is were I got the 160mm from.
Thanks rachaa for pointing out the a2c information. I sent an email out to Vincent at Nicolai, but as you know they are pretty busy and typically has taken a while to get a response.
The BOS is more of a "pipe dream" than anything else, I have a X-Fusion Vengeance HLR Coil I was planning to re-set the travel at 170mm and use a park fork, guess thats what I'll do for the time-being.
Thanks again for all the responses...the ION 16 is wicked fun to ride!
george, sorry, I have no experience with the 650b format.
Hey George, been thinking about the 650 as well... you wanna give it a go and be the guinea pig? I guess the only real problem might be the rear wheel hits the seat tube...
Not sure I'd be willing to be the guinea pig on my new pride & joy. But if one of my friends succumbs and buys a set of 650 wheels, I'll certainly try one out - at least on the workstand
Imagine an Ion16 except with 10-15mm longer top tube, a slightly steeper seat tube angle, similar to the Ion15, a slightly longer CS and more BB drop...you wont be far out.
is there something you're worried about or is it sizing?
my perfect "one" bike is my helius am with 170mm lyrik...i hope they wont drop the helius am from the range when the ion 16 surfaces ... the ion looks crap imo.
How can you be sure this is the Ion 16 rather than an 18? It looks like the headset may be zerostack and i know that the top cup on this new head tube is definitely ZS44 rather than ZS56 (as that is what is coming on my frame) so that might be the give away.
Other than that, it looks pretty much like an Ion 18.
Aha, well spotted. What would be the point in an Ion 16? I'm not sure but they're definitely working on it and I suspect there will be other changes to other models coming down the line that might explain the Ion 16.
The Ion 16 will have a zero stack head tube witch the blue one hasn´t got.
Eurobike is just a few days away, so we will know soon.
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