N8tive Bars Stem and Pedals – First Look
German based N8tive have just hit the UK market and they have sent over a fresh cockpit and flat pedals for a shred.
N8tive are part of motorbike brand Racing Planet, and are relative newcomers to the mountain bike scene. They are currently offering bars, stems, grips and pedals as well as a full range of suspension seals. On test we have the DH Pedals, 50mm Enduro Stem and 780mm bars.
The pedals are a classic shape with a slight concave to them, and ten replaceable pins on each side. They offer both sharp and flat pins to mutilate your shins, removable with a tiny spanner. The bearings are sealed in the body of the pedal and are described as “industry standard” whatever that might be. Like many flat pedal manufacturers they are availabe in two sizes, the smaller XC and the larger DH so you can get some to suit your feet, and colour match to your bike in green, grey or black. DH weight – 360g a pair.
The Enduro stem is a sturdy looking stem, with a wide 4 bolt bar clamp. Forged from aluminium it’s kept light by some neat design that should keep it stiff as well. 50mm length, no rise, is pretty much on the money, and again they come in green, grey or black to match your bike. Pleasingly the green matches my wheels perfectly, and it’s little things like this that make me happy! Weight – 170g.
The N8tive bars range has something for everyone, 800, 780 or 740mms widths, 10,20 or 30mm rise and the option to go for a 35mm clamp on the widest bars. I’ve got a set of the 780x20mm bars. The 7075-T6 aluminium have been crafted with “MX Know-how” which I guess must be an application of moto-thinking to bike products. The sweep feels pretty standard, I’ll have to get a protractor out to measure them, not that it matters particularly. Weight 325g.
The first couple of rides have been good, nice and stiff and a good ride position on the cockpit and oodles of grip from the pedals. Rest assured I’ll crash these things into trees, drag them through the mud and let you know how they get on!
