Gravel bike Nicolai Argon GX GPI: Made in Germany with Pinion and automatic shifting
Jan Timmermann
· 28.03.2025
With the Argon GX GPI, Nicolai presents a new gravel bike that aims to cover a wide range of applications thanks to its modular design concept and Pinion gearbox. The bike is intended to function as a sporty gravel bike as well as a touring and everyday bike. The new Nicolai Argon GP GPI should therefore be equally suitable for sporty gravel, touring, trekking and bikepacking.
Special attention is paid to the innovative drive concept with electronically controlled Pinion gearbox and Gates belt drive. At the heart of the gravel bike are an aluminium frame manufactured in Germany and the Pinion C1.12i drive. The gearbox and belt promise not only precise gear changes even when stationary, but also high reliability and low maintenance.
Nicolai Argon GX GPI - the most important information
- Field of application: Gravel (incl. bikepacking & commuting)
- Price: from 6499 Euro
- Weight: from 12.9 kg (size M)
- Wheel size: 28" / 27,5"
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Guarantee: 5 years
- Special features: Frame and gearbox made in Germany, electronic Pinion drive with Smart Shift function, Gates belt
Nicolai Argon GX GPI: versatile gravel bike
The modular design concept of the Argon GX GPI is intended to allow bikers to customise the character of the bike to suit their own needs with a range of equipment options. This means that the bike can be configured as a sporty gravel bike for gravel roads and easy trails as well as a robust touring bike or reliable everyday companion.
Despite the gearbox and belt drive, Nicolai speaks of an additional weight of only around half a kilogram compared to the basic Argon GX model with derailleur gears. This means that the sporty potential of the bike is largely retained. Anyone who wants to use the Nicolai Argon GX GPI for fast commuting and as an everyday bike should benefit from the low-maintenance drive system just as much as real frequent riders.
The new gravel bike from Nicolai also has two bottle cages and mounts for mudguards and pannier racks. The Nicolai Argon GX GPI is also compatible with a gravel suspension fork.
Gear shifting on a gravel bike
Nicolai designed the Argon GX GPI model specifically around a Pinion gear system. The bandwidth of the Pinion C1.12i is 600 per cent and therefore exceeds the gear range of conventional 12-speed derailleur gears. The spur gear realises twelve evenly stepped gear steps of 17.7 percent. This means that climbs can be mastered with ease, even with loaded panniers or when towing a trailer.
The central, low centre of gravity of the gearbox should also have a positive effect on the riding characteristics of the gravel bike. The Pinion unit is controlled electronically. The C1.12i transmission also comes with a Smart Shift function. If desired, this enables semi-automatic shifting without pedalling and starting off in a defined starting gear. The electric gearstick in the gravel bike can be configured in a variety of ways via a Bluetooth interface and app connection.
The Smart.Shift Box on the Pinion gearbox controls the shifting processes by converting the shift command from the TRP Hywire shift/brake lever into a mechanical impulse and transmitting it to the gearbox.
The energy supply is provided by a rechargeable battery, the charge of which should be sufficient for 20,000 switching operations, or around 100 hours of operating time. The energy source can be recharged in less than three hours.
The electronically controlled Pinion gearbox in combination with the Gates Carbon Drive belt really comes into its own. Nicolai uses sliding dropouts on the Argon GX GPI to tension the drivetrain.
Five-year manufacturer's warranty
The aluminium frame of the Nicolai GX GPI includes various hollow-milled CNC components and can be configured in various colours - typical of Nicolai. In addition to the five-year manufacturer's warranty, Nicolai promises a ten-year guaranteed supply of spare parts.
With 28-inch wheels, the frame offers 45 millimetres of tyre clearance, with 27.5-inch wheels it is 50 millimetres. Nicolai is known for progressive geometry concepts and designs each frame size in proportion to the rider's size.
As the length and height of the main frame increases, the seat angle becomes slacker on larger frames, while the steering angle becomes steeper. In this way, the developers want to ensure that the characteristics of the gravel bike remain the same in every size.
The Nicolai Argon GX is available in 6 frame sizes, from XS to XXL, suitable for body heights from 155 cm to 208 cm. Different sizes come in load-dependent configurations.
Nicolai Argon GX GPI - the equipment
- Fork: Moquai Carbon with 12 x 100 mm thru axle
- Gearbox: Pinion C1.12i 12-speed, electronic
- Belt drive: Gates Carbon Drive CDX
- Brake lever: TRP Hywire brake shift lever
- Brake callipers: TRP Hywire Flatmount
- Brake discs: 160 mm / 160 mm
- Handlebars: Ritchey Comp Venturemax Gravel
- Handlebar width: 400 - 440 mm (depending on size)
- Stem: Ritchey Comp 4AXIS, 70/80/90 mm
- Wheelset: DT Swiss G 1800 Spline
- Rim width: 25 mm
- Tyres: Continental Terra Trail ProTection, 700 x 40c
- Seat post: Ritchey Comp
- Saddle: SQLab 614 Ergowave Active
Jan Timmermann
Editor
