Scott Introduces The Gambler Tuned

The all NEW Gambler Tuned was designed for one thing and one thing only, pure, unadulterated speed. We made it to get you to take lines you’d never thought imaginable, to make you want to go to the bathroom before your race run - twice. We made it so that when you drop out of the start gate, the only aspect holding you back will be, well, you. Taking years of racing development and mixing it with our carbon expertise, this bike is our answer to the needs of white-knuckle downhill racing.

Adjustability

Our downhill bikes have always pushed the boundaries of adjustability. Both a rider and a bike need to be able to adapt to tracks, weather conditions and choice of shock (air or coil.) The new Gambler allows you to switch between wheelsizes without changing any other components on the bike.

Chain stay length can also be adjusted, independent of wheelsize choice. Short with 29”, sure thing. Long with 27.5? Yep, that too. The Gambler also comes with spare angled headset cups, so that you can adjust head angle relative to wheelsize, fork choice etc.

We also have a 4-way chip to allow not only bottom bracket height adjustment relative to wheelsize, but more importantly for geometry/kinematic tweaks depending on tracks, shocks or rider preference. We want the bike to be optimizable for each shock and rider given the track.

All this adjustment allows us to focus on balance. And by balance, we mean on the perfect combinations to find traction. Geometry and shock curve options help get a rider’s center of mass in the perfect spot between the wheels for optimum levels of balance and traction. However, as race tracks change, this balance point changes, and not all bikes can change with it – we wanted to be able to do so.

For instance, a bike with geometry for a steep track will roll slowly and push wide in turns on a flatter track, whereas a bike set up for flatter tracks will make it difficult for a rider to keep their center of gravity far enough back for steep tracks.

Geometry

Compared to previous Gambler platforms, we now offer 4 sizes – S, M, L and XL. All sizes have been upsized and modernized with regards to geometry, providing an option for riders of all sizes. We don’t need to tell you any more about how the bike’s geometry is dialed for the job it has, but we do have some interesting points to mention. Saddle position is often very critical for racers, especially shorter ones. If a saddle that CAN give enough extra tire clearance to lower, or slide back the saddle by 10mm, it can make a huge difference. With the Gambler, we steepened the seat tube angle on the small and medium sized frames, which allows smaller riders to keep their saddle low and to avoid the dreaded tire buzz. For larger riders, we made sure to keep the saddle out of the leg area leaving riders free to move around in the air, in corners etc.

SCOTT GAMBLER TUNED

Nicolai Brings You The G1 Not Sure If You Want 650b or 29" It Doesn't Matter Anymore

Finally finished! After one year of work and many tests and optimization we are very proud to present our new Enduro Bike named G1. The completely new designed frame is modular and can be mounted with 27,5 or 29 inch wheels. The adjustment is done by the headset and different screw-in elements, which we call mutators. The round tubes made of high-strength 7020 aluminium underline the puristic appearance. The thicker down tube paired with a lower top tube provides an aggressive look and more legroom. Today we achieve more safety, traction and speed in all situations thanks to the GEOMETRON geometry. With the new EXT damper the suspension reaches a new dimension. All in all, the bike has an unrivalled and incomparably good riding performance. The reason lies in the sum of all the big small details, which we would now like to explain further:

EXT Shock

The new Nicolai G1 and its suspension is the result of co-operation between the manufacturer NICOLAI and two other European specialists, EXTREME Racing Shox and GeoMetron bikes. Italian company EXT are known worldwide in professional racing and motorsports for their high performance suspension and our friend and partner Chris Porter from GeoMetron Bikes is recognised for creating and being at the forefront of the current trends in geometry and kinematics.

Geolution

GEOMETRON is the geometry concept on which all current Nicolai models are based. In the last 4 years GEOLUTION was developed by Chris Porter and NICOLAI  The concept is based on the realization that a longer wheelbase, a flatter steering angle and a steeper seat angle make the bike faster, smoother, more climbing and safer.

The geometric relationship between wheels, steering angle, and weight distribution between wheels are the decisive factors for good handling. The relationship between saddle, crank and rear wheel axle are the decisive factors for a good climbing behaviour of a bike. The GEOMETRON concept combines perfect handling with optimum climbing behaviour. The rider is integrated into the bike through the long reach, the steep seat angle and the long wheelbase, so that the centre of gravity lies optimally between front and rear wheel axle.

All GEOMETRON models are driven with short stems, so that the driver has a relaxed, sporty sitting position despite the long top tube.

The very complex topic can be simplified down to 4 advantages which offers both professionals and beginners a clear added value:

• Best climbing ability (front does not rise)
• No feeling of rollover downhill
• The rider sits and stands integrated in the wheel (more control)
• Higher cornering speed (more grip on the front wheel)

These advantages are clearly noticeable not only for the professional, but also for the beginner. We build our bikes because we want to ride them the same way.

Pressure Strut Modulator

We can fine-tune the bottom bracket height and the steering head angle with the help of the so-called compression-strut-mutator. The mutators are available in lengths of 3.5, 6.5, 10, 12 and 15mm.  This new technology enables us to realize different strut lengths. The added value for the customer is explained as follows: Different wheel sizes can be mounted on a single G1 frame.

Swing Arm Modulator

The MUTATOR is a newly developed component on the rear swing arm, which combines many functions in a single component:

The mutators are available in different lengths (33, 41 und 47mm). In this way, only by replacing a mutator can the length of the swingarm “grow with” the frame height according to the GEOMETRON concept.

GI Shock Level

Another completely new development is the G1 suspension lever, which allows two different travel by moving the damper. Built into the upper hole, the bike offers 162 mm travel at the rear. 175 mm travel occurs when the damper is placed in the lower hole. As in aircraft engineering, all Nicolai components are CNC machined from a high-strength aluminum block to achieve maximum strength and minimum weight.

2019 Nicolai Geometry Chart

Find Out More On The Nicolai G1

Santa Cruz Announces The New V-10!

At the 2017 World Cup season opener in Lourdes, Loris Vergier, Luca Shaw, and Greg Minnaar qualified 1, 3, and 6 aboard the ‘controversy machine’—a V10 with a new swingarm rolling on 29-inch wheels.

The clouds broke open before the top qualifiers, soaking the track, and the question of technological supremacy would have to wait…for five weeks, when Greg Minnaar climbed to the top step at Ft. William for the seventh time.

The arms race was on.

Over the next winter, using what we learned during the 2017 race season, we set about designing an entirely new V10—longer reach, better shock rate, and better frame and cable protection. All three frame sizes (and Reserve carbon DH wheels) were designed and manufactured in time for a week of testing before the Ft. William World Cup in 2018. Greg crashed in those sessions, breaking his arm, and effectively ending his season. A few days later, Luca qualified first and Loris third on the new bike. Loris put down a scorcher in the finals that only fellow Frenchman Amaury Pierron could top, but Luca flatted high on course and had to cruise down.

The new school had arrived, and they had new wheels.  

Testing continued throughout the 2018 season, usually in the form of link sets designed to tweak the shock rate or make minor alterations in geometry. We had the big variables figured out, but fine-tuning the suspension under the Syndicate during World Cup season guaranteed regular, high-level feedback and lots of high-stakes puzzling. The result is perhaps the most refined suspension performance available outside of a World Cup pit.

That brings us to now—kind of.

Pairing 29-inch wheels with 215mm of travel makes a juggernaut of a race bike, but racing isn’t everything. Depending on the type of trails or riding style you’re into, breaking out the biggest artillery might not be ideal. Rider height also looms large when deciding which wheel size is optimal and a lot of people may opt for smaller wheels.

So we decided to make a 27.5 V10, too.

No compromises, no gimmicks, no shortcuts—it was designed in parallel to the 29er V10 as an original suspension platform and chassis. The 27.5 bike comes in Small, Medium, and Large, while the 29 comes in Medium, Large, and XL. Make your choice according to your size or riding style, and you’ll be the recipient of every bit of work and puzzling that’s gone into the Syndicate’s race bikes.

The most successful bike in downhill history shows no signs of slowing down.

More details for the realest puzzlers:

• Adjustable chainstay length to optimize front/rear balance
• Lower leverage rate for optimal shock performance
• Internal derailleur cable routing on swingarm to protect housing from chain damage
• Looking for some aftermarket DH wheels? Check out the new Reserve Carbon DH 29 Wheels
• Want an email when V10s are available at retailers? Sign up here.

Santa Cruz V-10 650B Geometry

Santa Cruz V-10 29r Geometry

Santa Cruz V-10 Builds

Learn more on new The Santa Cruz V-10 here.

UNNO Bikes Website Goes Live

Unno Bikes has made their website live. Head over there to lust over some drool worthy frames!

UNNO BIKES

2016 Sea Otter Classic DH Final Photos

Dylan Crane

Alex Marin

Quentin Derbier

Seamus PowellQuinton SpaldingMatti Lehikoinen

Essence Barton

Marcelo GutiérrezRachel ThroopAnneke BeertenCory SullivanEliot JacksonMarcelo Gutiérrez Cody Kelley

Matti Lehikoinen