Hattie Harnden’s Nicolai G1 GPI: Enduro Performance, Manitou Smooth

Hattie Harnden’s Nicolai G1 GPI: Enduro Performance Powered by Manitou

Few riders in modern mountain biking possess the range and dominance of Hattie Harnden. The 2024 Enduro World Cup overall champion has built a reputation as arguably the strongest all around athlete in women’s mountain biking, collecting victories across multiple disciplines and proving her speed wherever she lines up. Now racing with AON Racing, Harnden is shifting much of her focus toward downhill competition. Yet enduro remains close to her roots and when she does return to the start line she does so with the same intent to win. That requires a race machine capable of handling the relentless demands of modern enduro racing. Enter the Nicolai G1 GPI. A gearbox equipped, belt driven platform that reflects the same forward thinking philosophy that defines AON Racing itself. And at the heart of its performance lies Manitou suspension.

Suspension Built for World Cup Enduro

Harnden’s Nicolai delivers 170 mm of travel front and rear through a pairing of Manitou’s Mezzer Pro fork and Mara Pro rear shock. Together they provide the adjustability, support, and composure required to maintain speed over the brutal terrain that defines Enduro World Cup courses. Up front, the Mezzer Pro stands out as one of the most sophisticated forks in modern enduro racing. It combines a remarkably lightweight chassis with exceptional torsional stiffness, delivering the kind of precise steering control demanded by the fastest riders in the world. For athletes with the most refined performance expectations, that combination of stiffness, strength, and low weight is exactly what defines a world class suspension platform. The Mezzer Pro’s dual chamber air spring system also offers a level of tuning precision rarely seen in the category. Manitou’s Infinite Rate Tune system allows riders to independently control mid stroke support and bottom out progression without affecting the initial spring feel. Small bump sensitivity and big hit composure can be dialed separately, giving riders the freedom to fine tune suspension behavior exactly to their terrain and riding style.

Another defining feature of the Mezzer is its travel adjustability. Like all Manitou forks, the Mezzer can easily be adjusted internally in 10 mm increments across its travel range. While Harnden runs her fork at 170 mm for enduro racing, the Mezzer platform can be configured anywhere from 140 mm to 180 mm. This adaptability allows the same fork platform to support everything from aggressive trail riding to full enduro race applications. Harnden’s own setup reflects her riding style. She typically runs approximately 60 psi in the main chamber and around 90 psi in the IRT chamber, creating strong mid stroke support while maintaining the sensitivity needed to track rough terrain. Compression is set light on low speed to preserve traction while rebound is kept relatively quick so the fork recovers rapidly between impacts.

Control and Consistency from the Mara Pro

At the rear, the Manitou Mara Pro delivers the balance of sensitivity and support needed to keep Harnden’s Nicolai composed across long stages. Enduro racing demands suspension that can maintain performance deep into a descent while managing repeated impacts and constantly changing terrain. Harnden typically runs between 200 and 240 psi depending on the steepness and intensity of the course. Her preference is to keep the bike riding higher in its travel, which helps maintain an aggressive riding position and prevents the sensation of being pushed too far toward the rear of the bike on steep terrain. With light low speed compression and fast rebound settings, the Mara Pro complements the Mezzer’s lively front end feel while maintaining the support and predictability required for aggressive racing.

A Platform Built to Push Boundaries

The Nicolai G1 GPI itself represents a radical approach to enduro bike design. The frame incorporates a Pinion C1.12i gearbox paired with a Gates belt drive system, creating a drivetrain that is quiet, durable, and exceptionally resistant to the punishment of racing. The rest of the build reflects the integrated ecosystem behind AON Racing. Reynolds Blacklabel 309 carbon wheels deliver strength and precision handling. Hayes Dominion A4 brakes provide powerful and consistent stopping performance. Together with Nicolai’s precision machined frame design, the result is a race platform engineered for speed and reliability.

Harnden has opted to run the bike in a full 29 inch configuration for enduro competition, prioritizing stability and momentum across the varied terrain typical of Enduro World Cup courses. Built for One of the Best