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2000km with the new Nordest Bardino 2.0

Dec 18, 2019 at 17:02
by Yaroslav Alpizar  


Well, actually, according to Trailforks stats have done 2160km on 155 rides on this bike this year. Most of them in Ireland and one week on the beautiful Madeira island. Not bad considering I got the frame 14 of June. It was a prototype frame, but the last iteration before the one released into production, so there are no changes at all. The frame has been released into the wild just one week ago, you can check the presentation here: Nordest Cycles introduce new Bardino 2 steel enduro hardtail. Without going into much details, the Bardino is a 29er long-travel 4130 chromoly frame with modern geometry, 64.5˚ head angle, 1244 wheelbase on size L and 75˚ seat tube angle that can take up to 170mm fork, yes 170! The 29 size wheel helps to roll over obstacles and increases the ability to smooth out the trails.

With those numbers is not unusual to find yourself tackling the steepest and gnarliest trails without much hassle. The limit is on the rider and been myself an average one, I felt always more than confident with this bike on any condition. Riding all trails possible in Ireland and on all weather conditions, never hesitated to hit any feature. Add to that one week on the Madeira Mountainbike Meeting, following fast full suspension bikes, no question asked. I mean, far from riding at their same pace, but not as slow as to making it to the bottom with beers still cold.

The Nordest Bardino 2 puts the word fun on your rides
The Nordest Bardino 2 puts the word fun on your rides

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Nordes Bardino 2 details
Frame: Nordest Bardino 2
Fork: Lyrik RC Debon Air 150mm
Wheels: 29" R/ RideAlpha rims on Hope Pro4 hub F/ Ride Alpha
Droppost: KS 150mm
Tires: F/ Maxxis Miniond DHF Exo 2.5 R: Maxxis Assegai 2.4
Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle NX 12v 11-50 front ring 32t
Brakes: Shimano Zee 200/180
Cockpit: Ride Alpha 800mm stem 40mm
Size: L (pretty big)
Weight: 13.8kg with pedals
More info: Nordest Cycles

The general idea of a hardtail is to have a do-it all bike and the Nordest Bardino 2 meets the goal without problem. Coming from riding for 3 months (aprox 1000km) an alloy Commencal Meta HT AM 29er first day on the Bardino felt like having an extra inch of suspension. That's what steel does for you.

Living in Dublin, Ticknock and Ballinastoe trail centers are right on my backyard and flying on the flowy and loamy turns feels like heaven. Each pedal stroke transmits its full force to the rear wheel, sometimes feels like cheating, compared to a full suspension that soaks part of the energy. Of course once you hit the natural trails you realize that there is no suspension on the back so line choice becomes critical and mistakes should be managed with your own skills rather than with suspension. In general riding the Bardino made me more aware of the trail and the different features, trying to take advantage of any possible jump or smoother line instead of just smashing through everything.

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The world known Boca do Risco trail in Madeira, nothing can stop the Nordest Bardino 2

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Like a kid with a new toy
Building the beast

Mint setup to handle any terrain 800mm handlebar and Lyrik 150
With a head angle of 64.5 it can handle everything. That thing on the handlebar is the support for the Hope R4 lights for night riding. Stem 40mm
Mint setup to handle any terrain, a head angle of 64.5 it can tackle anything you throw at it. On the handlebar is the support for the Hope R4+ lights for night riding

Nordest Bardino 2 on its prefered habitat
Nordest Bardino 2 on its prefered habitat


Following that slacker, longer mantra, riding the Bardino feels familiar as riding any modern enduro bike. The body position is centered on the bike and the bike feels stable and planted regardless of the speed. As with many 29ers the bike really feels on its terrain on less twisty trails, straight sections is just a matter of letting it go and enjoy the hardtail sensations. The short 425mm chainstay help to have a lively feeling every moment and a playful bike under all circumstances. Climbing is not a problem, the 75 degree seat angle helps to keep the front wheel on the ground and even on technical ascents and tight switchbacks felt nimble and easy to manage.

And goes without saying that no bearings were damaged during this 2000km on the harsh, wet and muddy Irish weather.

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Snow ice cold perfect conditions for a hardtail
Snow, ice, cold, perfect conditions for a hardtail

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Zee brakes work flawlessly and ESI extra chunky grips for better handling and cushion
Zee brakes work flawlessly and ESI extra chunky grips for better handling and cushion

If you live in Ireland or UK a mudguard is mandatory this one from RapidRace Products is a live saver
If you live in Ireland or UK a mudguard is mandatory, ProGuard model from RapidRacer Products is a lifesaver

Typical irish summer 10 degrees trails turned into a river
Typical irish summer, 10 degrees, trails turned into a river

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Seat up and let s go pedal up is not an issue on this bike
Seat up and let's go, pedal up is not an issue on this bike

Conclusion
The Nordest Bardino 2 feels like a hardcore hardtail should be: fun and easy to handle. A bike that you will take to a trail center, hit some jumps, session some DH tracks and still leave you with a big smile on your face. Balanced and stable makes you sometimes forget you are riding a hardtail and ride some lines as if you were with your full-sus. It is indeed a do-it all bike.

Same test, with lot more details, in Spanish on my personal blog.

Pros
+ Steel, that feeling of having an extra inch of suspension
+ 64.5 head angle and up to 170mm fork, bikeparks you said?
+ Good balance climbing with plenty of traction
+ Doesn't feel like a 29er on twisty sections
Cons
- You will spend less time with wife and kids

Trailforks regions mentioned:
Ticknock / Ballinastoe / Madeira


MENTIONS: @Dirtlej / @Nordest



Author Info:
elyari avatar

Member since Apr 5, 2011
124 articles

4 Comments
  • 1 0
 Did you ever run it with a rear tire bigger than the 29x2.4”assegai? I ask because Nordest advertises that it will fit a 29x2.6” tire and in one of the pink bike articles says it will run a 29x2.8” tire.
  • 1 0
 Hi, no, I have not tried to run a bigger tire. There is plenty of room in between the tire and the frame so I would say there should not be any issue in there. Ask them, use Instagram if you want, they are pretty quick answering all questions.
  • 2 0
 same test, with lot more details, in Spanish: bit.ly/2EQ7K2h
  • 1 0
 1 comment? nice rig, considering the TI Bardino3 atm







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