Nordest Announces Britango MK3 'Downcountry' Hardtail
Rugged, steel hardtails may not be the first type of bike that come to mind when you hear the term downcountry, but that’s exactly what Nordest is calling their Britango MK3 frame.
In fact, it’s a genre of riding that the brand takes credit for, and I quote, "Well, it's something we invented in Nordest and it looks like a cross country bike when you go up a mountain track and an enduro bike when you go down fast on the trails."
While the truth in that statement may be skewed slightly, the Canary Island-based brand certainly does have a worldwide cult following for its rugged steel and titanium bikes. The Britango is built from 4130 chromoly and designed around a 140 mm fork, making it less aggressive than the Bardino, Nordest’s enduro model.
In fact, it’s a genre of riding that the brand takes credit for, and I quote, "Well, it's something we invented in Nordest and it looks like a cross country bike when you go up a mountain track and an enduro bike when you go down fast on the trails."
While the truth in that statement may be skewed slightly, the Canary Island-based brand certainly does have a worldwide cult following for its rugged steel and titanium bikes. The Britango is built from 4130 chromoly and designed around a 140 mm fork, making it less aggressive than the Bardino, Nordest’s enduro model.
Britango MK3 Details
• 4130 Chromoly frame
• 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 2.8" wheels
• 120-140mm fork
• 65° head angle, 75° seat angle (140mm fork)
• Reach: 446, 466 or 486mm
• 435mm chainstays
• Frameset price: €649 EUR
• nordestcycles.com
• 4130 Chromoly frame
• 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 2.8" wheels
• 120-140mm fork
• 65° head angle, 75° seat angle (140mm fork)
• Reach: 446, 466 or 486mm
• 435mm chainstays
• Frameset price: €649 EUR
• nordestcycles.com
Frame Details
The main updates on the Britango MK3 are the geometry and inclusion of UDH. The dropouts are spaced for 148 mm Boost hubs and the frame can accept cushy 29“ x 2.6 tires, or for even more traction, 27.5“ x 2.8“ tires.
A straight TR 44 headset and 31.6mm seat post diameter specification are used in the chromoly frame. Playing to their hardwearing, bikepacking ethos, all of the cable routing is external except the dropper post, which runs along the down tube and feeds up through the bottom of the seat tube.
The Britango MK3 is available in three sizes and two simple colors: black or white, both with a splash of yellow at the head tube. Nordest claims the steel hardtail weighs 2.69kg for the M/L size frame, which is 160g lighter than the Bardino.
Geometry
Those three sizes (M, M/L, L) are designed to fit riders 168 cm all the way up to 198 cm, which does leave out those shorter end of the height ruler.
The reach on those three bikes equates to 446, 466, 486 mm each equipped with an agile, 425 mm chain length.
As for the angles, the 140 mm fork produces a 65° head tube angle and 75° for the seat tube. This length of fork is designed to be run at 20% sag. In this configuration, Nordest suggests a 40 mm long stem for all three sizes.
For those looking for a snappier handling bike and potentially better climber, the Britango can accept fork travel as low as 120 mm, which should steepen up the head tube and seat tube angles by a degree, putting the rider's weight further forward.
Pricing and availability
Nordest is taking pre-orders for the Britango MK3 frame which start at €649 (VAT inc.). The delivery is slated for May 2024 and the price includes free shipping throughout the EU.
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I am 5'7" (170cm) on a medium Honzo ESD and I really like the 380mm ST. I would't be able to fit a 180mm on a 410mm ST bike and this is a big negative for me. Not necessarily a show-stopper, but close.
That said, I am all for more XL sized options with low slung toptubes. They seem so rare. I wanna know who's 198cm tall and comfy on this rather short Large frame.
anyone ride em?
Bardino is an awesome bike. Planted, stable, liked it in slow technical jank, the pedal response was awesome. Then I bought a new full sus enduro and did not make sense to have 2 bikes for similar terrain. I was also looking for something more playful and poppy (it was difficult for me to jump on the Bardino) and with growing kids also something for cycling trips, hauling a trailer and mellower terrain.
So I decided to get a Britango. I was lucky enough to find a guy that had a Britango and wanted a Bardino, so we swapped frames, I have lowered the fork travel and put Ikons instead of Butchers.
It was exactly what I wanted. I was immediately able to get more air and I was not being slowed down by chunky tires and on an mellower terrain.
This is my most used bike these days. I take it everywhere except a bike park. From day cycles with kids (seat or trailer) to local trails (both rocky jank and undulating singletrack), pump track (I actually take wife's bike there as it's smaller), learning jumping... It's fun and both Britango and Bardino dampen the chatter a lot.
I don't think I'll be selling the frames ever.
Bought the frames way back for a significantly less though.
The Britango's rear triangle is very compact (I loved the short chainstays),which amplifies the rigidity.
m.pinkbike.com/photo/26156499
Here's my Britango,back in June 2020.
I've got a BC Podsol now,despite being aluminum it's way more confortable than the steel framed Britango.
“Downhill? In my day we just road mountain bikes!”
140 mm= down downcountry
I’d also add that (although there are some very good solutions out there) adding a chunky post mount in steel generally adds a chunk of weight too. Using an alu post mount adapter is lighter and most folks will end up using an adapter anyway, may as well keep the steel element small (IS).
IS suits steel frame construction really well imo.
Me too, because I like Nordest bikes