NICOLAI S18 SWIFT on Test – Bombproof Backbone?

When downhill capability takes center stage, the NICOLAI S18 SWIFT stakes its claim as the weapon of choice. This beastly, fully-customisable eMTB generates 180 mm of travel front and rear, and is built to thrive on rough trails and long, punishing descents. And with its powerful Bosch motor, it promises to put a grin on your face even on the way to the trailhead. We put it through the wringer to find out whether it lives up to its claims.

A guy called Kalle, a garage, and two welders… that’s how founder Kalle Nicolai’s dream of running his own MTB brand started taking shape back in 1995. NICOLAI quickly made a name for themselves as a premium bike builder for individualists, turning aluminium into mountain bike dreams. Kalle has kept his reputation as a welding wizard to this day, even though the former three-man workshop has grown into a mid-sized company with around 30 employees. The brand still stands for German engineering, aluminium craftsmanship and gearbox technology.

However, the latest creation of the German manufacturer is powered by Bosch’s full-fat Performance Line CX Gen5 motor. The complete NICOLAI S18 SWIFT build, featuring a top-tier FOX Factory suspension and SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, sets you back a whopping € 10,999. For an additional € 700, you can upgrade to the more direct, slightly lighter Bosch CX-R drive. Despite generating a generous 180 mm of travel front and rear, this enduro-ready aluminium e-rig tips the scales at just 24.2 kg – impressive!

The 2025 NICOLAI S18 SWIFT in detail – German-engineered E-enduro

For their latest eMTB, the German alloy specialists has taken a different approach. Instead of the usual motor system with an integrated gearbox, they’ve gone for a more conventional mid-drive setup, which transfers the power to the rear wheel via a standard chain and cassette. At its heart is the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor, delivering up to 100 Nm of torque and 750 W peak power. However, you’ll need to fine-tune it via the app to get the most out of it. The system draws its power from a fully-integrated 600 Wh battery.

If you need more juice for bigger days out, the system is compatible with the 250 Wh Bosch PowerMore range extender, which mounts neatly in the bottle cage on the downtube. There’s also a second mount under the top tube for a dedicated tool kit (€ 69.90), which is available exclusively from NICOLAI.

The S18 SWIFT doesn’t try to hide its roots. With its angular design, distinctive machined parts, visible weld seams and reinforcement braces on the seat tube and main frame, you’d recognise it as a NICOLAI even without the branding on the downtube. Subtlety isn’t part of the package here. If you’re after a low-key bike, this isn’t it. The beefy frame, the rocker link, the aluminium motor cover and the chainstay protector all feel like they’ve been built tougher than on most other eMTBs. Despite its brute presence, the overall look is well balanced: the proportions are spot on and the vertically-mounted shock integrates cleanly into the frame. The motor area does look a little tacked on, though. The charging port cover is CNC-machined from a single block of aluminium and will probably outlast the bike itself.

The Bosch Kiox 400C display is neatly integrated into the top tube, adding a welcome touch of elegance. According to NICOLAI, it’s a unique feature for alloy frames. Set up as a mullet – though there’s also the option to run it as a full 29er – the bike looks fast even when stationary. A big plus: the cable routing through frame-mounted cable ports not only makes maintenance easier but also fits perfectly with the bike’s aggressive, no-nonsense design.

The spec of the new 2025 NICOLAI S18 SWIFT

Our test bike is the S18 SWIFT complete build offered directly by NICOLAI, featuring a few subtle purple highlights on the rocker link, shock and pivot bolts for a splash of colour. It got delivered at our office in a mullet setup, with a 29-inch front wheel and 27.5-inch rear.

The suspension is from FOX’s top-tier Factory series. Both the X2 Factory shock absorber and the FOX 38 Factory suspension fork with GRIP X2 cartridge deliver 180 mm of travel and score highly with their high adjustability and trail performance. NICOLAI also approves the E-MTB for a fork with 190 mm of travel.

A SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain ensures smooth gear shifts even under load. The aluminium DT Swiss supply the HX 1501 wheelset, which is their top-tier alloy model. Wrapped around them are 2.4-inch Continental Kryptotal tires, both in the soft rubber compound and Enduro casing – a solid choice for the bike’s intended use.

For the brakes, NICOLAI rely on MAGURA MT7 stoppers. On request (and for an additional charge), they can also be paired with the Bosch eBike ABS Pro system. The SWIFT comes fitted with 203 mm rotors front and rear, but if you want more braking power up front, a 220 mm rotor is available in the configurator for an additional € 49.

Needless to say, the cockpit is made from aluminium, and consists of BikeYoke and Acros parts. The 800 mm Barmate handlebars are clamped to a 35 mm Gothic stem. The dropper post is from BikeYoke, too – the DIVINE, a proven and widely used model. However, the 185 mm of travel feels a bit outdated, especially considering NICOLAI claim the frame can accommodate posts with up to 250 mm of drop. In the standard configuration, it is only 160 mm.

What we do like is the rare but welcome sight of proper platform pedals on a performance E-MTB. The NICOLAI comes stock with Acros A-Flat MD pedals – sweet!

Tuning tip: Fit a dropper with more travel.

NICOLAI S18 SWIFT 2025 – Options in the online configurator

While NICOLAI offer the S18 SWIFT as a complete bike in a standard base configuration — just like our test bike — that doesn’t mean you can’t go wild with customisation. If you’re after something more individual, the NICOLAI configurator lets you tweak almost every detail or even have a full custom build made to your own desires. A frame kit (€ 10,999 w/o shock absorber) is available too, alongside a huge selection of anodised colour options for the main frame, rear end, machined parts and decals — most of them at no extra cost. Only a custom paint job will cost you extra.

No matter how you spec it, you’ll get a frame that’s built entirely in Germany. And you’ve got the chance to own something truly one of a kind. After all, if you choose to ride a NICOLAI, you aren’t exactly chasing the mainstream.

People who find it difficult to make decisions may find the range of colours and options in the NICOLAI configurator challenging. For everyone else, it opens up a veritable playground of customisation: brakes, ABS, tyres and almost all add-on parts such as the stem, handlebars and seat post can be adapted to suit your preferences – many of them in literally every colour of the rainbow. Love it!

The Geometry of the new 2025 NICOLAI S18 SWIFT

The NICOLAI S18 SWIFT is available in five sizes, S to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders between 160 and 210 cm tall. The geometry is best described as progressive and downhill-focused. Our test bike in size M with the mullet setup — with a smaller 27.5″ rear wheel — has a very balanced 475 mm reach. Switch to a full 29er setup, and the reach values grow to 484 mm. The head angle is a slack 63.75°, paired with a steep 77.8° seat angle. Together with the 440 mm chainstays, this should result in solid climbing performance. Plus, the chainstay length grows with the frame size, ensuring consistent handling across the board.

NICOLAI also give you the option to tailor the geometry to your personal preferences. To do this, there are four different rocker links – NICOLAI refers to these as mutators, costing € 129 –, each of which affects key geometry figures. In size M, the stack height varies between 473 and 476 mm depending on the rocker used. Chainstay length ranges from 440 to 461 mm, while bottom bracket drop sits between -3 and +1 mm.

Size	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat Tube Length	375 mm	420 mm	445 mm	470 mm	495 mm
Top Tube Length	588 mm	614 mm	639 mm	665 mm	685 mm
Head Tube Length	120 mm	130 mm	140 mm	150 mm	160 mm
Head Angle	63.5°	63.75°	64°	64.25°	64.5°
Seat Angle	77.8°	77.8°	77.8°	77.8°	77.8°
Chainstay Length	440 mm	440 mm	448 mm	454 mm	462 mm
Wheelbase	1,252 mm	1,276 mm	1,308 mm	1,337 mm	1,365 mm
Reach	452.5 mm	475 mm	497.5 mm	520 mm	537.5 mm
Stack	635 mm	645 mm	656 mm	667 mm	677 mm

The new 2025 NICOLAI S18 SWIFT on the trail

Swinging a leg over the S18 SWIFT for the first time, you’re met with an unfamiliar, almost quirky feeling. Don’t get us wrong — this isn’t a bad thing. It just doesn’t feel like most other bikes right off the bat. The S18 SWIFT has a strong character of its own, and that extends far beyond just the way it looks. Thanks to the steep 77.8° seat angle in size M, your riding position is fairly upright. Add to that the bottom bracket, which in the standard setting sits level with the wheel axles, and it feels as though you’re sitting on top of the bike rather than integrated between the wheels. But with 180 mm of travel front and rear, this isn’t a bike designed for all-day cruising anyway — and that becomes clear the moment you point its nose downhill. When the trail starts off smooth and flowy, the bike tips willingly into corners, and the handling feels intuitive. It tracks the ground with confidence, while the suspension still offers enough support to generate speed through pumping rollers and pushing through berms.

But when things get rough and steep, the NICOLAI reveals its true nature — built more for composure than agility. It eats up big hits, harsh compressions and chunky rock gardens with ease, making full use of its generous travel. The suspension is on the plush side, ironing out the trail and delivering a buttery-smooth ride on the descents. That’s where the fun really starts — the S18 SWIFT comes alive, serving up serious riding pleasure. However, despite the relatively low overall weight, getting the front end up takes some proper rider input. It’s clear that this bike thrives at high speeds and on rough, open terrain rather than on tight, techy trails that demand quick direction changes and a playful touch.

When it’s time to climb back up to the next trailhead, the S18 SWIFT proves to be surprisingly eager. The Bosch CX motor delivers powerful, consistent support with plenty of torque on tap. The rear suspension offers solid traction on the way up, and the bike handles well through technical uphill sections. What really stands out is the finely-tuned overrun of the motor, which keeps pushing you forward just enough when you can’t pedal anymore — often making the difference between clearing a technical feature or stalling out. On fire road climbs, the plush suspension delivers plenty of comfort, effortlessly absorbing potholes and bumps.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2025 NICOLAI S18 SWIFT?

If you’re an individualist, a fan of aluminium frames or someone who appreciates top-tier engineering, the NICOLAI S18 SWIFT should definitely be on your shortlist for your next eMTB — especially if you’re into fast and demanding trail descents. With the optional Bosch CX-R Race motor and customisable geometry, this head-turning machine is also well equipped for E-enduro racing. Beginners, however, might find the progressive and adjustable geometry a bit overwhelming. But for everyone else, the S18 SWIFT offers a seriously capable ride with smart spec choices, outstanding build quality and a level of customisation that’s hard to match.

Conclusions about the new 2025 NICOLAI S18 SWIFT

With the S18 SWIFT, NICOLAI deliver an eMTB that radiates the brand’s core values even when stationary: uncompromising engineering, a deep-rooted passion for aluminium and top-tier build quality. Out on the trail, it impresses with excellent downhill capability, which it confidently unleashes thanks to its tough build and relatively low overall weight. This bike is clearly aimed at ambitious enduro riders, provided you upgrade to a dropper post with significantly more travel. A big plus: the NICOLAI configurator lets you fine-tune the spec and look of the S18 SWIFT down to the smallest detail, tailoring it perfectly to your riding style and terrain.

More info at nicolai-bicycles.com

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Words: Patrick Gruber, Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Lars Engmann