Urban Ebikes from Noko: speeding instead of cruising

The league of purist urban ebikes is growing. From now on, a manufacturer from Italy will also be in the mix. The name Noko, short for “no compromise”, probably means something to very few of you at the moment. At the recent EICMA motorbike show in Milan, the company presented three new creations.

Noko defines its bikes as elegant and practical at the same time. They are primarily intended for people who are on the road every day and are looking for a bike that looks modern, does its job reliably and conveys a certain sporty understatement. Essentially, the approach is based on three main pillars: a bike that is as light as possible, an electric assist that requires you to pedal a little harder, and components that come from racing. Well, let’s just go through it step by step.

Range with different light weights

Let’s start with the weight aspect. For all three ebikes, Noko unanimously states a total weight of 14.8 kilograms. This refers to the medium frame size M of the respective model. The material used for the frame is 6000-series aluminium. For comparison: Urwahn specifies its Platzhirsch with steel frame in size M at 14 kilograms. Why does this serve as a relatively good reference? Well, for both bikes the value is without mudguards and without a side stand. In the case of Noko also without lights, while on the Platzhirsch the lightweights from Lightskin are integrated into the handlebars and seatpost.

Incidentally, both manufacturers have their frames made in their respective home countries. Noko uses a factory in Catania, Sicily. Two different frames come off the production line there. In the end, three different bikes are made from them. All are approved for a maximum weight of 120 kilograms. The Nokoforza is the image of a typical urban ebike with a classic diamond frame, singlespeed and belt instead of chain. The same applies to the Nokotempo. Only here everything is based on a trapezoidal frame with a lower step-through. The Nokovulcano, in contrast, wants to take you out for trip into nature. It features the same frame as the Nokoforza. However, it has racing handlebars, a derailleur with 1×11 drive and slightly lugged tyres.

Slim rear-wheel drive

The second important conceptual component for Noko is the ebike system. Similar to the recently introduced e-Gravel Frontier from Vent, the HM 1.0 from FSA is used again. Technically, it is on a very similar level to the X35+ from Mahle, which Urwahn also uses with its Platzhirsch. With a system weight of just under four kilograms and a torque of 42 Newton metres, it underlines its sporty character. Don’t be fooled by the torque, which may seem a little low. Since the motor is integrated in the rear wheel hub, the forces here act directly on the drive axle. So, it takes less high numbers to keep up with the power capacity of a mid-engine.

In terms of capacity, almost the same can be said. At first glance, the 250 watt hours don’t sound like much. However, with a weight advantage of five kilograms or more over ebikes with more powerful units from Yamaha, Brose or Bosch, FSA doesn’t necessarily have to catch up to get very close to 100 kilometres on one battery charge. Especially since you can get an additional 250 watt hours with the range extender. Equipped in this way, Noko suggests a range of up to 200 kilometres. To achieve this, however, you almost need laboratory conditions.

Ride like a pro

So, with cornerstone number three, let’s dive into the world of racing, optionally with or without “cycle” in front. First we encounter FSA again. Only this time it says “Vision”. Both brands belong to the Tien Hsin Industries group. We are talking about the wheels. There is a choice of two Vision sets, one made of aluminium and one of carbon. If you want the latter, you will see the purchase price rise by 1,000 euros in one fell swoop. But more on that later.

Common parts such as seatpost, handlebars, stem and others bear the FSA logo. Noko likes to emphasise that the company deliberately decided on a close partnership with the Taiwanese manufacturer. They want to bring a racing feeling into everyday life. Such phrases often come from marketing departments. You shouldn’t read too much into it. FSA’s product range also includes components that are as commonplace as those of its competitors.

Suppliers from the automotive industry

With Raicam, Noko has gained another well-known partner who is supposed to exude the flair of speed. Perhaps you have already heard of them. For us, they are a blank page as a manufacturer of bicycle brakes. What we can say for sure is that Raicam provides hydraulic disc brakes for Noko bikes. With two brake pistons and 160-millimetre brake discs, on paper they certainly seem suitable for the purpose.

Things get a little exotic when you work your way through the data sheet to the carbon belt. For once, it does not come from Gates. The producer of the Carbon Split Belt is the Californian company Veer. The special feature of this belt is that it can be opened during installation and is later closed with 20 rivets. That’s why you won’t find a frame lock or similar on Noko frames that has to be opened to mount the belt.

If any of you want to change from a chain to a belt for your own bike project, the Veer conversion kit is an option. After all, you don’t have to dismantle the bike frame in two parts to make the change.

(Almost) entirely to your own taste

The undisputed advantage of Noko is its custom-made philosophy. There are no prefabricated models. Instead, you can specify the equipment for your bike yourself online in the configurator. We already mentioned this in the section on the wheels. Apart from that, after choosing between three frame colours and the frame size, that’s it. If you wish, you can add mudguards, a rear carrier and a side stand to the bike. However, this comes at a surcharge.

The Nokoforza and Nokotempo start at 3,990 euros. The gravel offshoot Nokovulcano starts at 4,350 euros. You can pre-order the bikes now on the manufacturer’s website. The first bikes will probably be delivered from February 2022.

Pictures: Trafime SPA