From the site:
“The frames are not coated after production, but move directly to assembly. You get your frame without coating (also no clear lacquer). Over time, an oxide layer/patina forms on the frame, causing the shine of the raw aluminium to fade slightly. With the help of a polishing fleece, however, the old shine can be restored in a few easy steps. In addition to the unmistakable look, the “factory raw” look best reveals the manufacturing quality and technical charm of the frame.”
In my mind oxidised alu looks dull but that is only my personal taste.
The text that I copied from the website, hints that a bit of elbow grease is needed from time to time. If you see this as part of the cycling hobby it’s a plus.
Other two things that jumped to my mind:
The bike washing liquid might play a part in the ageing (ph and shine agents)
Bike bags might leave marks. On my bike I use a protective film, but on your case, that might cause different ageing.
I like that orange/copper, but I’m not the one riding the bike. I’m all in favour that if you have an itch, scratch it yourself!
For a Ti bike, raw is the only option! I think with aluminum, you’ve gatta do some kinda clear coat or it’s gonna oxidize. Other thing I’d be concerned with it’s stainless bearings in an aluminum frame as well as brake mounts. Having dissimilar metals touching ain’t gonna be pretty when the time comes for servicing. Obviously you’d grease the bearings, but if you’re not religious about cleaning and regreasing, it just sounds like a bad idea. Would love to hear from anyone that’s had an unfinished aluminum frame to see if I’m right. I’d bet a matte clear would look really great on it as an option to protect it but still have the raw look
Yup agree. My point is, if you’re like me and grease the bearings when you install them and don’t think about it again until it feels like there’s sandpaper in your headset and go to replace them, it may be too late. Again, never had a raw frame so I could be completely wrong and this is a non-issue
I haven’t read a German cycling magazine in years, but I thought they test what is commonly available. Cube, for example, has a very strong retail presence in Germany whereas it seems to be perceived as a cheap brand that used to be sold on chainreactioncycles for a discount in other places. They make solid, but rather vanilla bikes that are good value in my experience.
Nicolai goes the opposite route, it embraces the niche (as the pinbike review I linked to stated): it is very good at what it is designed to do, but that comes with drawbacks.
I haven’t looked for “best drop bar gravel bike”, for then I’d end up with something like the Spesh Diverge. I wanted unusual, weird and fun.
Yikes. I assume that engine cover (?) was left out in the elements. A bike probably won’t get that bad, my ocd would kick in. But I wouldn’t want to clean and care for it.
Thanks for all the advice. I’ll talk to them about clear coating the frame — or go for a painted frame.
I talked to someone at Nicolai on the phone, and color me impressed by their customer service. I got someone at sales, and this guy really knew his stuff. I went through a lot with him, sizing (I have long limbs), extra bits for racks, forks, standards, whether the integrated stem/headset combo needs a rebleed if I insert spaces.
We also talked about raw finishes and he says that they have offered raw versions of the frame since the inception of the company. None of their bikes suffered from rot, and their aluminum alloy (7000 series) is less susceptible. He even offered a left-over frame for a sizable discount.
Few people in bike shops had this level of expertise.
