The G1 EBOXX E14 is the latest eMTB from the German cult brand NICOLAI. It features the 2020 Bosch Performance CX motor, a 625 Wh battery and lots of exciting new features. We’ve got the inside scoop!

NICOLAI have carried over many familiar features of the previous G1 EBOXX E14 to the new model, but it now comes with the new Bosch Performance CX motor, a larger battery and other new features

The NICOLAI EBOXX is one of the most radical eMTBs on the market. Not only is its geometry extreme, but it also looks a bit like an alien spaceship. Everything about this bike from Kalle Nicolai and his team is a statement of German engineering. NICOLAI present the latest version of the EBOXX series just in time for the release of the 2020 Bosch Performance CX motor: the NICOLAI G1 EBOXX E14.

The NICOLAI G1 EBOXX E14 is powered by the new Bosch Performance CX motor and a 625 Wh battery

NICOLAI’s latest bike features the latest Bosch motor and a larger 625 Wh battery, and it now comes with mixed wheel sizes: a 29er up front and 27.5″ wheel at the rear. If you want, you can ride the G1 EBOXX E14 with a 29″ rear wheel by replacing the so-called mutators in the seat stays to adjust the geometry. The team at NICOLAI have gone back to their roots with the design, giving the bike a straight top tube. In general, the geometry has been tweaked, though it still resembles NICOLAI’s proven GEOLUTION concept.

Geometry of the NICOLAI G1 EBOXX

Size S M L XL XXL
Seat tube 415 mm 438 mm 455 mm 475 mm 500 mm
Top tube 623 mm 636 mm 651 mm 665 mm 687 mm
Head tube 120 mm 120 mm 130 mm 140 mm 150 mm
Head angle 63.5° 63.5° 63.5° 63.5° 63.5°
Seat angle 78° 78.5° 78.75° 79° 79°
Chainstay 473 mm 470 mm 470 mm 467 mm 466 mm
BB Drop 7 mm 7 mm 7 mm 7 mm 7 mm
Wheelbase 1318 mm 1338 mm 1353 mm 1371 mm 1397 mm
Reach 485 mm 502 mm 520 mm 535 mm 555 mm
Stack 609 mm 609 mm 618 mm 627 mm 636 mm

The new NICOLAI G1 EBOXX E14 in detail

With its straight top tube and machined bits, the G1 EBOXX has that unique look NICOLAI are known for
Up front, NICOLAI now spec a large 29″ wheel for improved rollover characteristics

Like its predecessor, the E14 version of the new G1 EBOXX is available with an electronic Rohloff geared hub and belt drive. Now that the new motor comes with a larger chainring, NICOLAI had to develop a new belt tensioner and they also used the space to position the chainstays higher up to increase heel clearance. Thanks to the smaller size of the new motor the resonating body of the frame is smaller too, supposedly making the bike quieter overall.

The E14 version with the Rohloff hub comes with a low-maintenance belt drive
Due to the large chainring, the tensioner for the belt had to be redesigned
14 gears and hardly any maintenance – the Rohloff hub suits the NICOLAI to a T!
There is a guide keeping the belt on the rear cog as well

The new, large 625 Wh battery is integrated into a hollow chamber of the extruded profile down tube and the cables are routed through the hollow chamber. The battery can be removed through an opening in the bottom of the down tube which is sealed by a bolted on rubber flap, well protected from the elements.

The new 625 Wh battery gets inserted into the bottom of the down tube and has a rubber flap to keep out the elements

A real highlight is that NICOLAI have increased the weight limit of the bike to a whopping 150 kg. This is not the gross weight limit, but the weight limit for the rider. They’ve achieved this, in part, by a putting a plastic bridge between the seat stays, which significantly increases the stiffness of the rear end.

Seen at the bottom of this picture: the bridge between the seat stays, which makes the rear linkage a lot stiffer.
Due to popular demand, the new G1 EBOXX now also has a bracket to mount a stand
Unfortunately, anyone hoping for a Purion display will be disappointed, at least with the Rohloff version. The electronic hub needs a Kiox or a Nyon display to work.
The stock NICOLAI G1 EBOXX E14 comes with a Bosch Kiox display
The remote protrudes from the handlebars – we would have liked a slimmer version from Bosch

The build specs of the new NICOLAI G1 EBOXX

NICOLAI offer the new G1 EBOXX in two trim levels: the E14 version with an electronic 14-speed Rohloff hub and the QLFINE version with a derailleur. Both models feature a FOX 36 Factory fork, a new FOX VAN RC coil shock, Hope Fortus 35 wheels and a MAGURA Vyron dropper post. The derailleur model will cost € 7,299, and the model with the geared hub is priced at € 9,199. Both versions are available in five frame sizes from S to XXL.

The new G1 EBOXX comes with a FOX VAN RC coil shock
The MAGURA MT7 brakes…
…and the Hope hubs match very nicely
The saddle gets dropped with the help a MAGURA Vyron dropper post, here NICOLAI rely on the ergonomic contact points from SQlab

The build specs in detail

QLFLINE

Rahmen Nicolai EBOXX 4
Fork FOX 36 Float Factory 160 mm
Schock FOX Van RC 160 mm
Motor/battery Bosch CX Performance Line 625 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM GX 11-fach
Brakes Magura MT7 203/203 mm
Seatpost Magura VYRON
Stem Hope Am 35 mm
Handlebar Acros Gothic 780 mm
Wheelset Hope Fortus 35 W Pro 4 29″ 29″
Tires Continental Der Baron Projekt 2.4″ / 2.6″
Price € 7,299

E14

Rahmen Nicolai EBOXX 4 Gates E14
Fork FOX 36 Float Factory 160 mm
Schock FOX Van RC 160 mm
Motor/battery Bosch CX Performance Line 625 Wh
Drivetrain Rohlhoff Speedhub 14-fach
Brakes Magura MT7 203/203 mm
Seatpost Magura VYRON
Stem Hope Am 35 mm
Handlebar Acros Gothic 780 mm
Wheelset Hope Fortus 35 W Pro 4 Rohlhoff Speedhub 27.5″/29″
Tires Continental Der Baron Projekt 2.4″/2.6″
Price € 9,199

For more information on the new G1 EBOXX E14, feel free to visit NICOLAI’s homepage.


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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl