We got a sneak peek at NS Bikes’ reworking of their popular all-mountain trail-to-enduro bike last summer, but the new Define AL 170 takes it to the next level with an even longer-travel version. Because sometimes not even enduro is enough.
Now pairing a 27.5″ rear wheel & 170mm frame travel to a long 180mm 29er fork with a bigger front wheel, the updated mullet Define AL 170 drops straight into the freeride category, ready to shred even the steepest, most technical trails and bike parks.
NS Bikes Define AL 170 mountain bike details
Now even more than ever, the Define AL platform fits the name all-mountain, or maybe every-mountain with frame travel options from 130mm-170mm, all with affordable aluminum frames
The new NS Define AL 170 at the long end is the big-hit, shred sled. NS Bikes calls it a “send-proof aluminum frame” for riders seeking a bike for the toughest, steepest descents, while still pedaling OK, too.
Tested by NS Bikes’ big-name shredders, new team member Joe Breeden & the Godziek Brothers have been the added versatility over the brand’s more gravity-focused bikes.
Breeden says he’s “fallen in love with it. Riding it through the fast & rough is so confidence-inspiring – it feels extremely stable, planted, and well balanced. I find myself being able to change direction really quickly and it puts a huge smile on my face while doing so. I feel like if I were only allowed one bike, it would be this one, it just does it all unbelievably well.”
Tech details
At its core, the NS Define AL 170 shares the same overall hydroformed 6061/6066 -T6 aluminum frame as its shorter travel siblings, all developed based on the original carbon bike with the same Horst-link four-bar suspension design. But the longer AL 170 does get beefed up to handle more abuse. And more air time.
The Define AL 170 gets more relaxed geometry than the rest of the Define range, to go with its new 170/180mm travel mullet setup. A slack 64° headtube makes going down fun, but the effective 76° seat angle & plenty of anti-squat will help you pedal back up.
Or as NS says, back up at least until you can find another chairlift – this bike really wants to go downhill!
Balanced modern aggressive trail fit and short-enough 438mm chainstays keep the bike maneuverable in any terrain. Three frame sizes (S/M/L), and all still give customizable geometry care of the bike’s lower shock mount flip-chip – adjust bottom bracket height +/-5mm, headtube angle +/- 5°, and Reach +/-4mm.
It keeps the Define range’s easy-access semi-integrated cable routing, replaceable chainstay & downtube protection, and the one-piece forged rocker arm.
All that on top of trusted standards like the BSA threaded bottom bracket, ISCG tabs, Boost 148 spacing, integrated 1.5″ tapered headset, stealth dropper routing for a 31.6mm post, sealed MAX bearing pivots, and room for up to a 3″ wide tire.
Define AL 170 pricing & options
Two build kits are available for the long-travel mullet NS Bikes Define AL 170 freeride bike. The 4500€ top-spec Define AL 170 1 with the bronze front end gets Fox Performance suspension – a 180mm 38 fork & 170mm rear via the X2 air shock. A SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain rounds it out with alloy Truvativ Descendant cranks and Guide RE 200mm brakes – with a claimed 15.5kg (34.2lb) complete bike weight once set up tubeless.
The more affordable 3400€ Define AL 170 2 gets a grey paint job on the same alloy frame, paired with a RockShox Zeb fork, X-Fusion Vector R coil shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain & MT420 200mm disc brakes – for a weight of 15.8kg (34.8lb) complete.
A new, more affordable NS Define AL 160, too!
On top of the new longer travel bike, NS also has a more affordable build of what had been the longest-travel version of the original alloy trail-to-enduro bike. Now with 27.5 wheels and 160mm travel front & rear, the 3300€ is nine-hundred euros cheaper than the more premium original mullet bike.
Tweaked geometry to suit the balanced suspension & wheel sizes, it’s really the Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, RockShox 35 Gold RL fork & X-Fusion H3C coil rear shock that drop the price of this enduro-ready build vs. the previous GX Eagle & Fox Factory setup.
Both bikes should be available now through your local NS dealer.
