ralf-hauser

@2d-cutout: I responded to the first comment in this article, and I think much of it applies here as well. I'm not sure I agree with having had many criticisms about sizing and spec choices. On the contrary, YT did everything right with this model in terms of seat tube length and insertion depth, offering riders of different sizes the ability to find the right bike for them. This wasn’t the case in the past. As for the stem length, I could write an entire article about it — involving the physics and why I believe a shorter stem is superior to a longer one on a mountain bike. It has nothing to do with my size at all. So, I would probably mention that in any test of an enduro bike, regardless of the frame size. You shouldn’t think of stem length as something to adjust for the rider’s size; that’s an outdated approach. Stem length has an impact on a bike's handling. Regarding the chainstay length, I stand by what I wrote. I believe calling a 442mm chainstay on a size L frame "relatively short" in the climbing section is accurate — or as you say, acceptable. It’s not like I claimed it was really short, and I know that a bike with similar geometry and 10mm longer chainstays would make an even more capable climber — and that's a fact. I also stand by the entire paragraph in the descending section, where I mention a "nice front-to-rear center balance" overall for the size L and acknowledge that this balance might shift somewhat for larger frame sizes. This doesn’t contradict (or even support?) your interpretation of chainstay length across different frame sizes. I suppose I should have added an extra sentence to indicate that the shorter frame sizes should also perform well. By the way, even the size S or M frame would likely be a better climber with a longer chainstay, regardless of how long the front-center is — going back to my comments in the climbing section. I wonder if you would have interpreted the text differently if you didn’t know my size, which is something I'll keep in mind for the future — to remove from the equation. Because really, it doesn’t (or shouldn’t) matter how tall I am. In the end, it’s only about how the size L felt on the trail in this review.

@trontondeel It's all about choice. I used to ride really short bikes. When I got to try a Nicolai at one point, I had to rethink everything I thought I knew about geometry and never looked back. Every size of bike rides inherently differently, and much of it centers around the wheelbase. A bike with a longer wheelbase is much more stable at speed and handles differently in corners. And when standing on a bike, reach is not a real issue — it's not like I'm stretched out over the bike, whether I ride a 30mm or 50mm stem. I'd choose a short stem on any size bike over a long one, but that's a whole other topic. More importantly, though: I'm not telling anyone they should ride bigger bikes than what they feel comfortable with (and I don't think I suggested that anywhere in the review; I just feel more confident on a longer bike). I'm simply saying that bike companies should give riders the option to choose between different frame sizes. I'm asking for short seat tubes with long seatpost insertion because it's a win-win for both tall and short riders. Tall riders can run the longest dropper seatpost on the market, and shorter riders can still ride a decently long dropper post and size up if they want to. But "tall and short" doesn't describe it correctly, because the same applies to someone choosing between size L and XL or XL and XXL. I'm fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to try out a lot of different setups over the years, so I've reached some different conclusions than what the majority of the industry, forums, or other reviewers are preaching at any given time. So maybe I'm also saying that you should try different things if you get the opportunity at a bike festival or something similar, because you might not know what you're missing out on — or not missing out on.

@Timenator: Yeah, you can remove the battery from the frame. Pops out of the lower side of the down tube. If I'm not mistaken I think you can charge all Bosch InTube batteries directly on the battery.

@ShortJeffsyOwner: Swapping that post should work. The M felt nicely balanced. I like chainstays between 445 and 455mm with reach between 450 and 470mm. Within that window a bike with modern geometry seems to work really well. Can't speak for bigger sizes than that. Shorter bikes usually don't feel as capable to me anymore and a bit sketchy.

@xela6078: I would most definitely go for a size L at your size. Seat angles have become steeper, so you'd probably feel cramped on the smaller bike and I know from experience that a bike with a reach around 470mm with 445mm chainstays feels super balanced.

Size M. Sorry I forgot to mention that.