Perusing the specs of the NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1, many might become weak at the knees: 180 mm travel, Brose Drive S Mag motor and a spec list that makes up a part of every rider’s wet dream. Can that dream become (trail) reality and can the bike fulfil the high expectations?
Click here for an overview of the best eMTB 2020 group test.
“Is this the right bike?” The NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 was introduced only a few months ago, the square down tube, which houses the 625 Wh battery, is reminiscent of Shimano’s first-generation integrated batteries. But the internals of the € 7,199 NOX Hybrid aren’t Japanese. Instead, it’s equipped with the compact and lightweight Brose Drive S Mag motor.
Components, weight and technical details of the NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1
The details of the stocky, baby-blue aluminium frame are also somewhat outdated: the exposed speed sensor, the short chainstay protector and the quality of the welds are not quite up to par. However, apart from the much too puncture-prone tires, the componentry is top-notch: FOX Factory suspension consisting of a 36 GRIP2 fork and a DHX2 coil shock, a super clean Renthal cockpit and powerful MAGURA MT7 brakes.
The Renthal cockpit of the NOX is nice and tidy. The Bloks remote is very compact and combines the display and remote into a single unit, but we’re not convinced of its durability and crash protection.
Brose give manufacturers a lot of options with the integration of their system. Nevertheless, NOX opted for a speed sensor with a spoke magnet. Rotwild and Fantic show how it’s done.
The bulky battery of the NOX isn’t positioned in front but on top of the Brose motor. As a result, the centre of gravity on the Hybrid Enduro 7.1 is noticeably high.
NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1
€ 7,199
Specifications
Motor Brose Drive S Mag 90Nm
Battery BMZ Inside UR-V8 625Wh
Display Bloks 14D
Fork FOX 36 GRIP2 Factory 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX DHX2 Factory 180 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 150 mm
Brakes Magura MT7 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XO1 Eagle 1x12
Stem Renthal Apex 35 50 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar 35 800 mm
Wheelset STAN´S Notubes Flow Team 27.5"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 23.74 kg
Perm. total weight 130 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 106 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes
Specific Features
The chainstay protector has been extended with soft tape, but it’s not long enough. We chipped the paint on the chainstay with the first bunnyhop.
In future, NOX will be speccing Continental’s Der Baron as on the front, instead of the Trail King with its shallow tread pattern. However, the casing is still too thin for a 180 mm travel bike.
In relation to the capacity, the square battery of the NOX is huge. It’s so big that you can’t get to the adjustment dials of the FOX DHX2 shock with a multitool: you have to use Allen keys with a ball head.
Geometry and size of the NOX
In contrast to the other 180 mm travel bikes on test, the NOX’s geometry is conservative. The reach of 450 mm is decidedly compact. The Norco, Whyte and Kenevo are all at least 30 mm longer.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 405 mm | 432 mm | 478 mm | 529 mm |
| Top tube | 586 mm | 599 mm | 628 mm | 658 mm |
| Head tube | 125 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm | 135 mm |
| Head angle | 64.0° | 64.6° | 64.6° | 64.6° |
| Seat angle | 73.0° | 73.6° | 73.6° | 73.6° |
| Chainstays | 453 mm | 453 mm | 453 mm | 453 mm |
| BB Drop | 15 mm | 12 mm | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,216 mm | 1,212 mm | 1,256 mm | 1,286 mm |
| Reach | 403 mm | 430 mm | 448 mm | 478 mm |
| Stack | 617 mm | 614 mm | 624 mm | 624 mm |
The NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 on the trail
The NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 doesn’t only look like a freeride bike, it feels that way when you sit on it. The slack seat tube angle and the compact front triangle in combination with the very responsive suspension feel like a sofa and provide a comfortable pedalling position on flat terrain. But Brose doesn’t always equal Brose. Other than on the FANTIC, the support modes of the NOX can be customised to suit your preference. It is also very necessary to do so immediately, since the stock settings are either too weak in the lower support modes or too powerful and uncontrollable in the higher support modes where it suddenly lurches forward. The shallow tread pattern of the Continental Trail King on our test bike offered too little grip and doesn’t stand a chance against the motor’s 90 Nm torque. To keep the front wheel on the ground, you often have to pedal while standing up or leaning forward, but this gives the rear wheel even less of a chance of finding any grip. However, NOX have already taken this critique to heart and will in future spec the Hybrid Enduro 7.1 with the more aggressive Continental Der Baron.
Out of date: The NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 is brand new but in terms of looks, geometry and suspension, it unfortunately feels dated
You can’t polish a turd: The NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 couldn’t deliver on the trail despite its promising and high-end spec list.
On the descents, the NOX is just as reminiscent of an freeride bike. The 23.7 kg heavy bike has to be ridden very actively, requiring you to heave it around. However, the long seat tube, compact front triangle and high top tube give you very little freedom of movement. With its plush suspension and minimal popp, the NOX is neither agile nor playful in spite of its compact geometry and it needs a lot of rider input. You might think that with its 180 mm travel and top-end FOX Factory Grip 2 fork, that the bike would excel on technical terrain or when going big but unfortunately, the Hybrid Enduro 7.1 lacks the composure and feedback to feel comfortable at high speeds. There is an air-shock available on request which might increase both popp and end-stroke progression of the suspension.
Tuning tip: turn the shock around to make setup easier | tires with a thicker casing
Riding Characteristics
7Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
Conclusion
A bike is more than the sum of its parts: the NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 is a rolling testament to this fact. Despite its “Best in Test” motor and high-end spec, it doesn’t perform on rough trails or leisurely rides on easy terrain.
Tops
- tidy cockpit
- sensible cable routing
Flops
- suspension tuning
- oversized, square down tube
- there's nothing it's particularly good at
- puncture prone tires
You can find out more about the NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 at noxcycles.com.
The test field
You can find everything you need to know about our test for the best eMTB of 2020 right here!
All bikes in test: BULLS SONIC EVO AM 6 | Cannondale Moterra 1 | Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 | COMMENCAL META POWER 29 TEAM 2020 | CONWAY XYRON 927 Carbon | CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC | FANTIC XF1 180 Race | FOCUS JAM² 9.9 DRIFTER | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Liteville 301 CE MK1 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Moustache Samedi 27 Trail | Norco Range VLT C1 | NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orbea WILD FS M-LTD | Pivot Shuttle 29 | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition | ROTWILD R.X750 ULTRA | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo | Trek Rail 9.9 | Whyte E-180 RS V1 | YT DECOY CF Pro Race
Relaxed and comfortable riding on surfaced roads, both uphill and downhill.↩
Easy climbs up trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate incline.↩
Active and playful descents on easy trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate slope.↩
Single-track climbs on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and occasionally extreme inclines.↩
Singletrack descents on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and small jumps as well as some very steep descents.↩
High speed descents on sometimes very rough trails with large jumps and obstacles that you can’t roll over.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
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Words: Felix Stix, Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig Photos: Finlay Anderson, Robin Schmitt, Felix Stix, Markus Frühmann
