[ChrisRobin]

I would like to try a Romic on someday for comparisons sake but it seems like every Romic I see is blown. I actually own a Romic which came with the bike but it was blown when I got it (I don't think Donnie would have shipped it that way, I'm thinking it happened in shipping maybe). It's back at Romic being rebuilt now so whenever it comes back I'll have to bolt it on and see how it feels.

I'm already on my second Romic shock. No time to have it rebuilt, just bought another one...a 9.5" one. What a pain to fit in there. I'm still not sure as too what all the holes do.

 

[Curb Hucker]

In all honesty, I've been riding the Mpire for some time now and I think it's one of the most inefficient pedaller out there, say compared to my Lambda

ViolentVolante, just keep the scratches on that Lambda to a minimum, aight!!

you mean my lambda :devil:, and dont worry, ive only put 2 scratches in it, one when a taxi hit me, and a decient sized scrape on the welds at the TT right at the mid brace infront of the seatmast thing, you know that vertical weld. Anyways dont worry, when i put that scratch in it was pretty funny, i had a really really bad wreck at Mt.Snow durring my race run in the steep speed section, and when i crashed i cracked my bodyarmor, broke my seat in 4 pieces, and bent my carbon bars and i severly separated my shoulder which is still messed up, and once i crashed and was laying on the ground after the 5 sec blackout all i was thinking was, i hope i didnt scratch the frame


since this pic was taken i have gotten an Evil guide with a 38t ring and a black Evil bashguard, routed the brake cable inside the tube, the old grips on the forks have been replaced by fancy 3m bumpers, I have a new team sticker kit, and i have no seat this current moment

 

[Orvan]

you mean my lambda that I will eventually sell to you soon for like cheap

my offer still stands for that uber bratswurt ugly frame.... get rid of it before it becomes too outdated.

check our team website for more pics.

Again, my impressions are that the Hutchinson tires are hooking up well. the new romic is a nice compliment for the suspension and glad to be back on the Dorado DH...the black E13 bash looks sick! Guess?Who makes such a kick-ass team sticker kit and Maria Sharapova is hot.

 

[Guess?Who]

Thanks Orven, I guess you like the new ones I made up.

 

[Orvan]

Thanks Orven, I guess you like the new ones I made up.

Quality!!
I'll take apicture of it bec it's a show-off material and then when I applied it on something, I'll clear coat the thing.

Thanks gee!

 

[BMXman]

since this pic was taken i have gotten an Evil guide with a 38t ring and a black Evil bashguard, routed the brake cable inside the tube, the old grips on the forks have been replaced by fancy 3m bumpers, I have a new team sticker kit, and i have no seat this current moment

hmm....why does it look so much bigger than when Orven had it??.....D

 

[Orvan]

hmm....why does it look so much bigger than when Orven had it??.....D

cuz I don't have to compensate for anything (Vv )

My offer still stands Vv.... word!

 

[Curb Hucker]

cuz I don't have to compensate for anything (Vv )

youre the asian one

 

[Orvan]

youre the asian one

I'm from the orient.. like the fareast

 

[Curb Hucker]

I'm from the orient.. like the fareast

geez orven learn how to understand jokes:

you said my bike was making up for something else,

i said well youre the asian one (implying you got the tiny pecker because of the small dicked asian stereotype)

 

[Orvan]

geez orven learn how to understand jokes:

you said my bike was making up for something else,

i said well youre the asian one (implying you got the tiny pecker because of the small dicked asian stereotype)

oh, I'm sorry.. if forgot to apply the smilies..
wait, I'm actually from the islands.

 

[Curb Hucker]

My offer still stands Vv.... word!

the $500 or the plan to steal Donnie's bikes and trade em for your old frame back

 

[Guess?Who]

geez orven learn how to understand jokes:

you said my bike was making up for something else,

i said well youre the asian one (implying you got the tiny pecker because of the small dicked asian stereotype)

Boy, This thread has gone out of control. I'll start a new Nicolai impression after this weekend at Plattekill. Let's not rip up any distributers either. See ya on the podium.

 

[Ridemonkey]

geez orven learn how to understand jokes:

you said my bike was making up for something else,

i said well youre the asian one (implying you got the tiny pecker because of the small dicked asian stereotype)

He understands just fine. You are letting him manipulate you. You've been Orvinated.

 

[adrenalinerush]

Yea this thread has hit the sh!tter for any good info on the bike. Well I hope to get a review on my frame after i get back from Whistler.

Lata
Randy aka FreakShow

 

[Curb Hucker]

Yea this thread has hit the sh!tter for any good info on the bike.

ya, nice job Orven :evil:

 

[Orvan]

Yea this thread has hit the sh!tter for any good info on the bike.

As I said earlier before VioletVolante trashed this thread, I like the frame. But if you have any specific concerns or something, drop me a PM.. god knows I need some non-Dorado related PMs for a change.

 

[Rabie]

god knows I need some non-Dorado related PMs for a change.

Is this frame best with clips or flats? I'll PM you.

 

[Orvan]

How do the Mpire owners out there feel about them? Any mid-season reviews?

Since I am not able to make the trip and race to Mammoth , just bored and that our football team sucks , I thought I'd post my observation (not a review) on my current Nicolai MPire that I have been riding since April. If this post smells like fish to some, it's a trout! I'm just killing time before heading to the beach.

Setup as of Saturday, September 25, 2004

PROS: ("my personal rating system, A being good or acceptable")
Low center of gravity, well balanced frame. (A+)
Solid solid stiff rear triangle and frame. (A+)
Corner worker and predictable. (AA+)

Jumps well (A)..Me as a jumper (C-)

Drops well (B)..Me preferring to drop (F)
Agility and throw-a-bility. (A-)
Maintenance-or lack thereof. (A)
Adjustability. (B)
Details details details. (A+)..unlike any or most cookie cutter frames.

Cons:
Could lose a wee bit more weight. (B+)
Pedalling. (B-)
No ISCG tabs. (C)
30.0 size seatpost (a Nicolai signature)(B)
Hard to manual. (This is just bec I suck B-)
Wide seatstays- non issue if you ride clipless (A)

Chain torque (A)
Brake jack (A)
Main pivot bearing disassembly, when you have to, be patient. (C)

Disc hose routing, still requires to open the line if you want to achieve a "clean" routing. (C)
Need to have more holes (F)

I still get asked if it is "Nicolas" Voulloiz's frame (FF-)

For the techies:The Specs and numbers.
2004 Nicolai MPire 1.5ht, 100mm bb shell, 165mm rear spacing

Size: Med -17"
Travel: 9"
Headangle: as setup 66 degs
Effective top tube length: 21"
Wheelbase: 45" (optional shorter dropouts available)

Chainstay: adjusted to 17"
BB Height: adjusted to 13" (static)

BIKE SETUP:
Fork: Manitou Dorado -bone stock. Setting: Firm/soft springs, open comp, mid-range reb.
Rear Shock: Romic!! No non-sense shock and does not require a telemetry. Solid and lively performer so far. Setting: 450# stock spring, no comp, variable reb.

Handlebar: FSA K-Force Carbon DH 1.5" rise 28" wide
Headset: FSA Orbit Xtreme Pro 1.5=1 1/8 cups
Brakes: 2003 Hope M4 f/r 205mm
Shifter: XT 9spd RF
Cranks: FSA V-Drive Xtreme ISIS 165mm
Guide: E13/Evil SRS Guide

Chainring: FSA 42t
BB: FSA Platinum DH Pro 100mm
Pedals: Shimano 636 (or 424s)
Seatpost: FSA SL 27.0mm
Saddle: FSA K Force
Rims: Mavic 321 CD 32H
Hubs: Front; 20mm Hadley 32h Rear;Ringel 165mm 12mmaxle
Tires: Front/Rear; Hutchinson 2.5 Octopus Tubeless @30psi-F 35psi-R (optional 2.3 Octopus Tubeless as rear)

Cassette: XT 11-32 9spd
Chain: Sachs PC 59
Rear Derailleur: XTR Short Cage

Current setup weight: 45 pounds

with more boredom comes more tech info:
PICKING APART THE PARTS: (based purely on personal preference)
Fork: The TPC+ is by far the best system out there.
Handlebar: I didn't even know I was running a carbon bar.
Headlock: Bost solution to the head creaks..
FSA V Drive.. more girth for less $$$
E13 SRS Guide, will fight Tyson tooth for tooth. Bombproof.
Hope M4s -still waiting to fail..1.5 yrs and counting.
Romic Shock -no gimmick and no fuss and no calculator needed, it works.
Ringle rear hub.. ugh!
Hadley Hub: this is the 5th bike is been on dating back to my 2nd to the last Intense M1 (circa 2000)
Shimano platform: Best pedals for me but hates Shimano for not making them tougher. Are they partners with Chrysler or Pontiac?
Tires: Hutchinsons are definitely the sleepers in the big array of DH tire selection.
Pink socks: Freeriders hate me right away soon as the pinkies get spotted!

Although we had have an uneventful season as a team, we still had a lot of development done. We hope to get more focused next year with new recruits coming in. Thanks to the following who have given all their support and commitment;

Kalle Nicolai (www.nicolai.net)
Romic
Hutchinson Tires
E13 Components- John P.
Ridemonkey -for letting me get away with being a jackass
Guess?Who for the kickass custom decals/stickers
all others and my teammates!

Orven -www.teamnicolai.com

Tidbits:
Mpire with Breakout Plus -awesome fork (just question travel adjuster)!

What do you do when you can't find a 1.5 headset spacer? Find a local Cannondale dealer! The C'Dale headset bearing fits over the 1.5 steerer and makes for a trick 1.5 spacer.

 

[Rabie]

blah blah blah blah blah

That is without question the tech whoriest post I've ever read.

 

[Guess?Who]

Impressive, Impression Reveiw. That's what Springfish and myself was waiting to hear. Great Pics! Are those CD rims made for tubeless tires? I'm running Mavic 321d rims with Stan's but I like those tires.
I wished I lived in Cali, it looks beautiful there.
Thanks for the props on the stix.

 

[Pegboy]

Hmm, must be time for contract renewals. This goes along with my theory that people on ridemonkey believe they can obtain sponsoships due to their postings.

 

[Orvan]

That is without question the tech whoriest post I've ever read.

you're quick.... I was hoping "someone" else would pick up on it.
next time, you and pegboy shld let it stew first. let me have some fun.

I wish bad luck on your frankenfull-boinger.

 

[Edvard]

Cons:
Could lose a wee bit more weight. (B+)
Pedalling. (B-)
No ISCG tabs. (C)
30.0 size seatpost (a Nicolai signature)(B)
Hard to manual. (This is just bec I suck B-)
Wide seatstays- non issue if you ride clipless (A)

About pedalling the M-Pire on the road w/ manitou swinger; I noticed when accelerating that the first few seconds you've really got the feeling you're pumping lots of energy into the ground but once you've got speed, the shock stops moving and gives you the impression of riding a 22kg heavy hardtail.

btw: ISCG tabs are an option!

And the 165mm-wide seatstays are beautiful, but a PITA when you've got size 14 and want to ride clipless.

 

[Rabie]

I wish bad luck on your frankenfull-boinger.

You mean like showing up, again, with no shock bushings? Yeah, already there. I'm sticking with the prediction that I'll be lucky to ride it by Christmas.

 

[Zark]

Shimano platform: Best pedals for me but hates Shimano for not making them tougher. Are they partners with Chrysler or Pontiac?

No doubt, I've killed two pair this year on minor hits. I like 'em, but damn disposable!

 

[atrokz]

GO pick up the latest copy of DIRT to see another riding impression,

cheers,
a

 

[xy9ine]

here's a random observation / question: whats with the really large cobby welds that seem to be unique to nicolai frames? welders personal style? are they better, worse or no different structurally compared to a typical smaller, tighter beads?