First Look: NS Snabb Carbon - Eurobike 2015
It was a bit of a mixed bag when I reviewed the NS Snabb back in June this year, with some great angles and sizing but less than stellar component choices and finishing touches. For 2016, NS are adding a Snabb Carbon to their line-up, but also continuing to produce the aluminium versions. NS say that they took on board everything I moaned about in my review, updating the current aluminum bike and also incorporating those changes into the new carbon machine.
What have they changed? The beautifully crafted but annoying Magneto stem has been replaced by their new Quantum Lite unit that weighs in at 130 grams, a new wheelset is included, and also an improved shock tune and space for piggyback shocks. A bearing has also been added at the upper shock mount to improve sensitivity where there is a lot of rotation at the link. The bottom bracket drops another 6mm to -12mm below the axles, and changes to a press-fit version from the previous 73mm threaded shell. The 160mm IS brake mount has also been changed to a 160mm post mount.
What stays the same? Aside from the bottom bracket drop, all the numbers remain the same for the 163mm travel bike - a medium frame has a lengthy 445mm reach, 430mm chainstay, 66 degree head angle and 1185mm wheelbase. Rear hub spacing stays at 12 x 142mm, ISCG 05 chain guide mounts are still there, as well as the tapered head tube.
The Snabb Carbon will only come in medium and large sizes, with the frame weighing in at 2,550 grams - around 500 grams less than the alloy version. One high-end complete bike priced at €5599 for the 12.5kg package and a frame kit will also be an option. It will be suspended by a 160mm Rock Shox Pike RC up front and a matching Monarch Debonair Plus RC3 to control the 163mm of rear travel. Drivetrain duties are handled by SRAM's X01 eleven-speed group. SRAM also help to slow down the Snabb, with 180mm Guide RS brakes. The cockpit will feature the new NS Monogram Plus carbon bar held in place by a Quantum Lite stem. SDG logo'd ODI Grips to grab onto and SDG also take care of your next contact point with a titanium railed saddle that sits on a 150mm RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post. The Snabb Carbon should be in the shops in January 2016.
SDG take care of the contact points
The carbon Monogram handlebar and Quantum Lite stem are also available as aftermarket pieces.
The separate tubes at the seat tube junction of the aluminium version are lost to smoother carbon lines.
Now there is plenty of space for any piggy-back shock, plus the rocker link has been modified to house FOX Float shocks that struggled with clearance on the old version. Unfortunately the carbon chain stays didn't make it off the boat in time for Eurobike, but should be smoothly finished and have an integrated mud guard at the seat stay bridge.
All pivots have been upgraded to use high quality Max bearings - NS say they were more than happy with their warranty record, having no broken or bent Snabb's yet, but were disappointed with the longevity of the older bearings and were unhappy that customers were having to change them within a shorter time frame than expected.
SRAM X01 gearing will help you to the top of the hill. The Snabb is designed to work best around 1X setup and a 32t chainring up front. The new Enigma Lite Dynamal rims have an internal width of 25mm, an improved profile and presta valve drilling. These Tubeless Easy rims weigh 480 grams.
MENTIONS: @ns-bikes
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I've been told it was to be able to quickly find your valve stem for in-race flats. Not an issue for me, so I strive to help the hall monitors break freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
...and I also make sure that my front and rear tire logo/stem orientations differ.
weirdos.
And I don't mean that literally as I am sure there are a couple of size L frames out there with outrageous reaches and I really don't care.
They could have even said they are only offered in L and XL but then there's be more complaints,
you buy based on the #'s not the stated size. And really, if you're under about 5'9" they don't have a size for you.
@paulaston did NS say anything about when the Quantum Lite stem would be released on the market?
I bought some NS handlebars last year, went to install my grips/brake levers on it, and couldn't get them on. Turns out the paint layer was so thick that it significantly increased the diameter of the bar, so much so that my lock-on grips and my brake levers wouldn't slide on.
This left me with two options - either pound the grips/lever on with a hammer, or sand down the excess paint. Not wanting to destroy my brand new bars by doing either of those, I contacted NS through their website. And nothing. No response...
I ended up pounding the grips/levers on with a hammer, but it was such a pain in ass to remove/adjust them that I ended up buying a different bar, and chucking the NS bar. $70 down the drain.
I get that manufacturing defects occur, and that there was probably just some problem with the paint applicator, but what really pissed me off was that NS didn't respond to me at all. So anyone interested in this bike - beware!
Anyway, you should contact CRC, not NS bikes. Always contact place that sold product.
Who cares what it looks like - low standover, good angles, its pure sex and price is prolly good too