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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
 
#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?
 
#14 ·
I've updated my spec to reflect the changes i'm making to the AM.

Going for a lighter build using Fox Float 36 RC2's on the front and Fox Float RP23 on the rear. Also swapping to new XTR cranks, Lighter seat and gona go with Nicolai's recomendation of a CK steelset to cover the deep cup insertion deal.

Should be sweet :D :D :D
 
#16 · (Edited)
New Red white and Blue

Pictures of the finished article at 29lb 12oz

Bicycle tire Wheel Tire Bicycle wheel rim Bicycle part


Bicycle part Bicycle accessory Bicycle Bicycle frame Rim


Wheel Tire Bicycle tire Bicycle frame Bicycle wheel rim


Blue Bicycle frame Bicycle part Bicycle accessory Bicycle


Spec:

Large Helius AM with ISCG mount
Chris King Ti Aheadset
Fox 2009 36RC2
Fox DHX Air 2008
Hope Ceramic BB
Wheels Hope pro2's DT Swiss Aerolite spokes :thumbsup: and 819's
Mountain King UST tyres
All drive train: XTR with Dura Ace 12-27 Cassette
Pedals: Time Attack Titanium / Carbon
Cables Gore Ride-On sealed
Brakes: Hope Mono Pro Special (180 front rotor) with blue Goodridge hose
Stem EC90
Bars Monkeylite CNT XC
Grips ODI Rogue
Seatpost Thompson Elite
Saddle Specialized Toupe
Seat clamp Salsa
 
#23 ·
Garry AM said:
Thanks guys, Geetee the brakes are v light and have not boiled yet if I go to bigger hills I'll just put the M4's on I've got in the garage :D but for general messing and winter the mono pro's are great :thumbsup:
Mate you could have v-brakes on that thing and it would still be sweeter than a Victoria's Secret catalogue!

My brother, who has only just got into mountain biking, has the same brakes on his Cotic Soul (a hardtail). We were out on the weekend and he managed to boil them on a 3 minute decent. Admittedly he was using them a lot given that he's a novice and on a hardtail, but it was his first experience of what happens when you boil a hydraulic brake. When you don't know what to expect, pulling the lever and having a big fat f*** all happen when you're already going too fast is pretty scary. :eek:
 
#25 ·
Hi Derek, headset is a calculated risk Nicolai have said they will warranty the frame bar the headtube, although I may change to a reset Ti.

With regard to brakes I have a set of M4's on the Missus bike but am waiting to see what becomes available over the winter in the mean time the brakes have far more power than my tires have grip in the mud!
 
#26 ·
Hi Garry,

Maybe you should try the tyre setup i'm running as i honestly cant beleive the grip i had on sunday in the mud! Its all a preference thing some people dont like hugely powerful brakes. I love the moto V2's, the only change i see happening brake wise is a set of tech lever's if they are as good as everyone says. As for the weight i've hit the sweetspot for me so i see no need to save any more. As i said i'd be happy to add a 1lb if required!
I'm also running a std. CK headset still waiting for the steelset to arrive, do you know the CK Ti is heavier than a std. one?

I've attached a couple of pics i took down at Fetteresso on Sunday, It was bloody cold so just snapped a couple. I meant to take a couple at the end of the ride as my nice white wheels ended up nearer the colour of the frame after and encounter with a mud bog! :D

Derek
 

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