Van Nicholas has made a name for itself on the market with a large selection of affordable titanium bikes. The Dutch brand of the Accell Group has no less than 20 different models in its programme. The Chinook is by far the most affordable set in our test. The frame is classic with slim tubes and, apart from the illustrious dropouts, has no frills. The range is considerable for titanium with seven sizes, a customised frame is possible, but costs a comparatively high surcharge of 900 euros. The technical values are okay, but the stiffness could be a little too low for powerful athletes. In addition to the favourable price, one of its strengths is the extensive component kit - with the good online configurator, the bike can be individually assembled and calculated before purchase.
Price 3,548 / 3,870 Euro
Weight 7.7 kilos
Available in specialised shops / modular system / made-to-measure option
Reference/Info www.vannicholas.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1,575/403/95 grammes
Frame sizes*** 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62
Seat/steering angle 74°/74°
Seat/top tube/head tube 560/560/175 mm plus 5 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 990/49 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 563/396 mm/1.42
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing FSA, 11/8 inch
Brake/gearbox/bottom bracket Campagnolo Chorus (BSA, 53/39 t.)
Wheels/tyres Mavic Ksyrium Elite/Vredestein Fortezza
Handlebar/stem VNT Alloy 6061
Saddle/post VNT/VNT Alloy (27.2 mm)
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights
***Manufacturer's test size bold
****Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
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