NS METROPOLIS 1
£1,150 Top-shelf, competitionready jump bike
The top-specced steel jump bike from NS has a classic silhouette and almost identical geometry to their original Suburban (which borrowed heavily from the iconic Black Market Mob), making this o -the-peg dirt jumper an instant favourite with us.
The frame
To keep the price down, the Metropolis 1 is made from NS’s own custom-butted 4130 chromoly, not the Tange tubeset of the frameonly Suburban, and uses a straight 1-1/8in head tube. (To get a steel NS that’s compatible with a tapered fork, you’d have to look at the pricey Majesty Dirt frame). Despite this lack of future proofing, the frame is brilliant. The skinny tubing makes it easier on the eye than any aluminium alternative, and its good looks are matched by its ride quality. We like the way the decals are placed on top of the clear coat, making them easier to remove if you favour a clean look.
The kit
The Metropolis is dripping in ownbrand finishing kit. NS’s Lick bar has a high rise (77mm), which is bang on trend at the moment. It took us a good few rides to get used to, but works well once you’re settled in. The Octane One (NS’s sister brand) hubs run on sealed bearings and are laced to NS Fundamental rims. These stayed true despite our best (worst!) e orts over the jumps and at the street spots near MBUK Towers. The engagement of the rear hub is nice and quick too.
While the big gearing (10x28t) works well on the flat, it can make it tough to get to your jumps if you have to ride uphill. The Race Face crankset and bottom bracket are solid, though BMX-style three-piece cranks (as you get on the Metropolis 2 and 3) would be more in-keeping with the classic dirt jump look. Manitou are one of the few brands still producing straightsteerer forks, so its no surprise to see the very competent Circus Expert specced here.
The SRAM Level rear brake provides all the stopping power you’ll need and is fitted with a long enough hose that you can get away with a couple of barspins or tailwhips if that’s your thing. NS supply a front brake too, but have sensibly specced a more basic, mechanical (rather than hydraulic) model, in the expectation that most dirt jumpers will ditch it (although it’s a legal requirement to keep it on, should you plan to ride on the road at all).
SPEC
Frame Custom-butted 4130 chromoly
Fork Manitou Circus Expert, 100mm (3.9in) travel
Shock N/A Drivetrain Race Face AE ect cranks with 28t chainring and 10t rear sprocket (1x1) Wheelset Octane One sealed-bearing hubs on NS Fundamental rims, Kenda Small Block 8 26x2.1in tyres Brakes Tektro Novela front, SRAM Level rear Bar/stem NS Lick, 740mm/NS Chemical, 40mm Seatpost/saddle Octane One combo Weight 12.1kg, without pedals The ride
If you’re after an agile, fun and easy-to-throw-around 26in-wheeled jump bike, then you won’t find much better than the Metropolis 1. The only downside to having such jump-specific geometry is that you’re not going to have a great time on anything bumpy or on general o -road trails on the NS, so if you’re thinking about buying one of the lower-priced versions as a do-it-all bike, then stop. But if it’s jumps you love, then, just like its aluminium stablemate the Movement, the Metropolis is one of the best frames on the market.
It excels on super-tight pump tracks, steep dirt jumps and big street banks, wedges and ledges. With its low-slung top tube and high BB, the frame is really compact, letting you lay tweaked-out tables or suck the bike up to boost that highjump comp among your mates. You’ll want to hit things faster and aim to go higher or more sideways than ever before. JONNY ASHELFORD www.hotlines-uk.com
An absolute classic, although it’d be good to be able to it a tapered fork