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Nicolai Helius AM - Setup Database

178K views 816 replies 73 participants last post by  mudfish801 
#1 ·
Nicolai Helius AM owners please post your setups.

Potential owners view, compare, drool & gain insight etc!

Nicolai Linky

Also "no flames please" you can do that on other posts or create a new one if you need to vent, let this be an information data base to assist not to attack or hinder. We can hopefully build a great source of valuable information.

Post pictures of your build also......

Riding terrain conditions:

* Rider height, weight, ride style e.g XC, endurance,trail, hucker etc

* Frame, Size, & Color:
* Fork:
* Shock, i2i, stroke
* Brakes:
* Cranks:
* Shifters:
* Front Derailleur:
* Rear Derailleur:
* Pedals:
* Stem:
* Handlebar:
* Seatpost:
* Saddle:
* Bottom Bracket:
* Cassette:
* Chain:
* Headset:
* Grips:
* Front Tire:
* Front Rim/ Spokes:
* Front Hub/Skewer:
* Rear Tire:
* Rear Rim:
* Rear Hub/Skewer:
* Cables:
* Misc:
* Overall Weight:
 
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#2 ·
* Rider height, weight, ride style e.g XC, endurance,trail, hucker etc
6 foot, 14.5 stone, mainly trail

* Frame: Size, & Color: medium, ano bronze and black
* Fork: 2005 Talas 36RC2
* Shock, i2i, stroke: 200X57 DHX-C 650lb spring
* Brakes: Hope Moto V2's
* Cranks: RF Atlas
* Shifters:Sram XO
* Front Derailleur: XTR
* Rear Derailleur: XO
* Pedals: Easton flatboys
* Stem: 70mm Gravity
* Handlebar: easton CNT DH
* Seatpost: SDG I-Beam
* Saddle: SDG formula FX
* Bottom Bracket: Hope stainless
* Cassette: XT
* Chain: XTR
* Headset: CK rasta
* Grips: RF lock ons
* Front Tire: shwalbe 2.4 Nobby Nic
* Front Rim/ Spokes: DT 6.1
* Front Hub/Skewer: DT 440
* Rear Tire: Schwalbe 2.25 NN
* Rear Rim: mavic 819 ust
* Rear Hub/Skewer: Hope Pro 2
* Cables: shimano
* Misc:
* Overall Weight:33.5lb

Still waitig on some stuff hence odd mix of wheels etc. Will probably run 2.4 NN's on Hope 5.1 Hoops. CCDB to be fitted. May or may not change fork. It's working so well after being fitted with 09 internals that there's really no justification to change it.
 
#3 ·
Mostly hilly / mountainous XC / FR including 4-6’ drops + Shore.
Also includes the 7 Stanes, Fochabers Monster + Golspie Highland Wildtrax.

* 6 Foot, 82kg. Social rider – Not racing.

* 2009 Helius AM Anodized Black, White Graphics, Large.
* Custom options limited to Crud bosses on DT.
* 2009 Fox 36 Float RC2
* 2009 Fox DHX-5.0 Air, 200mm i2i, 57mm stroke.
* Hope Moto V2 F&R : 203mm Rotor.Braided Hoses.
* Race Face Atlas AM 170mm.
* Sram X0 Triggers:
* Shimano XTR.
* Sram X0:
* Easton Flatboy:
* Thomson 70mm X4:
* Easton Monkeylite DH High Rise 711mm 31.8mm Oversize.
* SDG I-Beam 31.6mm (Black):
* SDG I-Beam Wingflex (White):
* Hope QR Seat release:
* Hope Ceramic:
* SRAM PC990:
* Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed:
* Chris King Steel (Red):
* Oury / ODI Ruffian:
* Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.4”:
* DT 5.1D / DT DB Stainless (Black):
* Chris King Iso 20mm Bolt Through:
* Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.4”:
* DT 5.1D / DT DB Stainless (Black):
* Chris King Iso 9mm QR / Hope (Silver):
* Avid Flak Jackets:
* USE Carbon Headset spacers
* Lizard skin chainstay protection
* Helicopter taped in specific zones.

* Estimated 30.5 lbs:
 
#5 ·
Whafe said:
Nicolai Helius AM owners please post your setups ...
cheers whafe for setting up these 'setup' threads :thumbsup:

* Rider height 5'10", weight 158lbs, ride style XC/endurance/trail/AM?

* Frame, Size, & Color: 2008 M Black
* Fork: RS 2007 Lyrik
* Shock, Fox RP2 or SPV 4 coil (200mm i2i, stroke 2.25")
* Brakes: Shimano 2008 XT
* Hose: Goodridge Steel Braided
* Rotors: Hope F/R 203mm/183mm
* Cranks: Shimano 2008 XT
* Shifters: Shimano 2008 XT
* Front Derailleur: Shimano 2008 XT M770
* Rear Derailleur: Shimano 2008 XT M771
* Pedals: Shimano M647
* Stem: Thomson 70mm
* Handlebar: Raceface Deus Low Riser
* Seatpost: Thomson 31.6mm
* Saddle: Fizik Gobi
* Bottom Bracket: Shimano 2008 XT
* Cassette: SRAM PG990
* Chain: SRAM PG991
* Headset: Chris King
* Grips: Raceface
* Front Tire: Michelin Mountain Dry 2 2.30"
* Front Rim/ Spokes: DT Swiss EX5.1D/DT Swiss
* Front Hub/Skewer: Hope Pro II/20mm
* Rear Tire: Michelin Mountain Dry 2 2.30"
* Rear Rim: DT Swiss EX5.1D/DT Swiss
* Rear Hub/Skewer: Hope Pro II/12mm bolt through
* Cables: Transfil
* Misc:
* Overall Weight: ~ unsure yet will update in due course

Tire Bicycle tire Bicycle wheel Wheel Bicycle frame
 
#727 ·
Riding terrain conditions:

* Rider height: 175cm - 5'9"
* Rider Style: Trail, XC, easy DH trails

* Frame, Size, & Color: 2009 Helius AM (200x57 levers). Size M. Black Anodized, red Linkages, bolts and caps. 1/1.8" headset.
* Fork: 2009 Fox 36 Float RC2 - Painted in black
* Shock, i2i, stroke: Fox Float R 190x50 (while i'm waiting for a 200x57 Monarch RT3 HV)
* Brakes: Hope Mono Mini
* Cranks: DIY half polished Shimano Hone
* Shifters: Shimano XT
* Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
* Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
* Pedals: common Wellg (4 now)
* Stem: Thomson X4 50mm
* Handlebar: Race Face Atlas AM Red
* Seatpost: Thomson Elite
* Saddle:Selle Italia Prolink
* Bottom Bracket: Shimano SLX/XT
* Cassette: Shimano XT
* Chain: Dura-ace /XTR
* Headset: Acros AH07
* Grips: Superstar excel
* Front Tire: Continental X-King 2.4 Racesport
* Front Rim/ Spokes: Dt Swiss EX5.1d / Sapim
* Front Hub/Skewer: Hope Pro 2
* Rear Tire:Continental X-King 2.4 Racesport
* Rear Rim:Dt Swiss EX5.1d
* Rear Hub/Skewer:Hope Pro 2 12mm
* Cables: Shimano SIS
* Misc: Red Mowa crank & rotor bolts, c-clips
* Overall Weight: 14.1kg ~ 31.09 lb


 
#728 · (Edited)

Rider: 120 kg; 175 cm, Male

Style: Alp Tours, Trails, freeride

* Frame, Size, & Color: 2011 Helius AM; Size M. Clossy white, black Linkages, bolts and caps. 1/1.8" headset.
* Fork: 2009 Fox 36 Float RC2 or RS Lyrik Solo Air (170) or RS Lyrik Coil (still not clear ;))
* Shock: RS Vivid Coil or RS Vivid Air (216x63.5).
* Brakes: Hope M4 tech, spezial Edition (Black, green)
* Cranks: Shimano XTR 3x9
* Shifters: Shimano XT
* Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR
* Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
* Pedals: CB Mallet
* Stem: RS Reverb
* Saddle:SQLab 611 (150mm)
* Bottom Bracket: Shimano XTR
* Cassette: Shimano XTR (11-34)
* Chain: Dura-ace /XTR
* Headset: Reset
* Stem: Thomson X4 80mm / 0°
* Handlebar: Renthal Fatbar 780mm/10° Rise
* Grips: ODI
* Front Tire: Onza Ibex DH 2.4
* Front Wheel: Dt Swiss EX1750
* Rear Tire: Maxxis Arden 2.6
* Rear Whell St Swiss EX1750
* Overall Weight: 15.8 kg
 
#771 ·
I just fell in love with the Nicolai AM. It is now officially my dream bike.
:yesnod:
frankly, it was the same for me some weeks ago, as I believed in full customization, top communication etc.

Unfortunately, I've got to special wishes..My experience from a customizable pinion AM / AC and trailer adapter says something else. The results: may be it's better to go in some cases for a China-Frame...

I'll see what the future brings...

Cheers, Georges
 
#754 ·
Finally....



* 5'10" 185lbs rider

* Frame, Size, & Color: Helius AM, Medium, Bronze Ano
* Fork: Pace RC 41 Fighter
* Shock: Rockshox Vivid Air
* Brakes: Shimano XT ice tec
* Cranks: XT
* Shifters: X9
* Front Derailleur: X9
* Rear Derailleur: X9 (2 x 9 setup)
* Pedals: XT clips
* Stem: Thomson X4 50mm
* Handlebar: Sunline V1
* Seatpost: Thomson in the pic, now a Reverb
* Saddle: SDG Formula MT Ti
* Bottom Bracket: XT
* Cassette: SRAM something
* Headset: Hope with reducer
* Front Wheel: Pro 2 hub/DT swiss 5.1 rim
* Rear Wheel: Pro 2 hub/DT swiss 5.1 rim
* Overall Weight: 31 lbs

Plans: Fox 36 Float fork soon and probable swap of wheels for a lighter set - 4.2DT Swiss rims on Aireal Hubs.

Hope you like it - I LOVE it!!
 
#758 ·
Looking great, be interested to hear how you find the Vivid Air.

Built for a thrashing, enjoy

Finally....

* 5'10" 185lbs rider

* Frame, Size, & Color: Helius AM, Medium, Bronze Ano
* Fork: Pace RC 41 Fighter
* Shock: Rockshox Vivid Air
* Brakes: Shimano XT ice tec
* Cranks: XT
* Shifters: X9
* Front Derailleur: X9
* Rear Derailleur: X9 (2 x 9 setup)
* Pedals: XT clips
* Stem: Thomson X4 50mm
* Handlebar: Sunline V1
* Seatpost: Thomson in the pic, now a Reverb
* Saddle: SDG Formula MT Ti
* Bottom Bracket: XT
* Cassette: SRAM something
* Headset: Hope with reducer
* Front Wheel: Pro 2 hub/DT swiss 5.1 rim
* Rear Wheel: Pro 2 hub/DT swiss 5.1 rim
* Overall Weight: 31 lbs

Plans: Fox 36 Float fork soon and probable swap of wheels for a lighter set - 4.2DT Swiss rims on Aireal Hubs.

Hope you like it - I LOVE it!!
 
#772 ·
Hi,
there's my build:
* Rider height: ~6 foot (183 cm) ride style AM/Enduro

* Frame Size: medium
* Color: Black ano. white stickers
* Fork: Fox Talas 36 RC2 2009
* Shock: DHX Air 5.0
* Brakes: Elixir 5 203/185
* Cranks: Shimano SLX (currently 21/35/bashring setup)
* Shifters: Shimano SLX
* Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
* Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT '06
* Pedals: HT ANO 06
* Stem: Syntace F149 75mm
* Handlebar: Giant Contact Rizer 690 mm (on way out)
* Seatpost: Pro Koryak 400 mm / Kind Shock i950 R 150 mm (always in service)
* Saddle: Selle Italia XR Pro
* Cassette: Shimano SLX 11-34
* Chain: Wipperman 908
* Headset: Cloud Perform
* Grips: Dartmoor
* Tires: Fat Albert 2,4 SS EVO TC
* Wheels D:T 475 / DT Swiss Super Comp / Scott EC pro 20 mm Front
DT 475 / DT Swiss Super Comp / Sun Ringle Jumping Flea 135x12 mm Rear
* Overall Weight: ~14,9 kg




(with twin;-)
 
#787 ·
I used -7 plates and according to my iPhone I've about 65,5º HA and about 1cm lower BB. The difference between standard and -7 is enormous. The AM feel more stable and pedals better, especially downhill.

With -11 or -13 you probably can't use the 171m travel since the rear wheel might reach the seat tube depending on the tire!
 
#790 ·
Hi hm,

great feedback thanks

great to know that the -7 plates = about 10mm drop at the BB
initial measurements suggested that I might need -5 plates for a 7mm drop, and that seems to work out just right. (7/10)*7 = 4.9mm

Did you feel a change to the suspension rate - i.e. rising / falling? Plainly a -7 = about 20mm at the wheel is taking the linkage into a different part of it's "rate"?

[Q=hmpoliveira]I used -7 plates and according to my iPhone I've about 65,5º HA and about 1cm lower BB. The difference between standard and -7 is enormous. The AM feel more stable and pedals better, especially downhill.

With -11 or -13 you probably can't use the 171m travel since the rear wheel might reach the seat tube depending on the tire![/Q]

I agree
With a coil shock, because of the bumper full specified travel is only reached by riders like Josh Bender I reckon. When I tested it looked like - 5 was acceptable in the top hole (spring off, big tyre on). To be honest, though, I feel the stability of a lower BB in Alpine terrain would be worth losing a bit of travel for, so if only the 2nd hole is usable I'd not be too unhappy.

thanks again
neil
 
#7 · (Edited)
AM Spec

Trail/FR including drops and jumps

* Rider height 5'11", weight 13+ Stone :yikes:, ride style anything fast + fun

* Frame, Size, & Color: Medium Anodized bronze front/Anodized black rear (Crud Catcher Mounts, 12mm Rear)
* Fork: Fox 36 Float RC2
* Shock, Fox Float RP23
* Brakes: Hope Moto V2 Disc Brakes Front/Rear
* Hose: Goodridge Steel Braided
* Rotors: Hope Moto V2 F/R 203mm
* Cranks: Shimano XTR
* Shifters: Sram X0 Shifter pods
* Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR Front Mech
* Rear Derailleur: Sram X0 Rear Mech Medium Cage
* Pedals: DMR V12 Magnesium (White)
* Stem: Thomson 50mm
* Handlebar: Easton EC70 MonkeyLite CNT DH Riser 31.8 (Black/Gold)
* Seatpost: Thomson Elite InLine Seatpost Black 440mm
* Saddle: SDG Ti FlyC White
* Bottom Bracket: Shimano XTR Ceramic
* Cassette: SRAM PG990
* Chain: SRAM PG991
* Headset: Chris King Steelset 1/1/8th
* Grips: Raceface Peaty Lock-on Grips
* Front Tire: Shwalbe Big Betty Snake Skin 2.4
* Front Rim/ Spokes: DT Swiss EX5.1D/DT Swiss
* Front Hub/Skewer: DT Swiss 240s (EX1750 Wheelset) 20mm bolt thru
* Rear Tire: Shwalbe NN 2.4
* Rear Rim: DT Swiss EX5.1D/DT Swiss
* Rear Hub/Skewer: DT Swiss 240s (EX1750 Wheelset) 12mm bolt thru
* Cables: Black :D
* Misc: Hope Seat Clamp QR 34.9 (Black), RaceFace Atlas FR Bash Guard, Stinger Chain Device BB mount, Strailine White bar ends,
* Overall Weight: 31lb
 

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#9 ·
Thanks dude, i was out today and jesus altho it was pretty bad weather the AM just ooozeeesssssss speed! Loving it big time, and as for that CCDB one word AMAZING!...
It took everything in its stride, i dont know if its the AM/CCDB combo or one or the other but my god it just flies never loosing traction. Great day!!!

I took it pretty easy last Sunday when i demo'd the AM but now its all mine i can rip it big time! Hopefully in time i'll be able to keep up with Dipper & The_Lecht :D

Derek
 
#12 ·
Derekr - Souds like you've been having fun mate - good on ya! I've spoken to a few people who run the CCDB and by all accounts, it is a paradigm shift in terms of shock performance - there's nothing, save perhaps the new BOS Stoy, that even comes close in terms of performance. I'm sure the AM is adding big time to the deal but the CCDB has been custom built basically, for that bike.

You're coming to this from a VP Free aren't you - how does it compare and is it easier to pedal around?
 
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