The NS Synonym is available in two styles. The TR (trail) version has 120mm of travel in the rear. The RC (race) version has 100mm of rear travel.
The bike has a high-quality, lightweight carbon frame.
The shock's remote lockout for the shock greatly impressed many test riders.
SRAM Level brakes provide Synonym riders with ample stopping power.
The bike is available in sizes S through XL, fitting a wide range of riders.
Experts were pleased to find that there is room for a water bottle on the NS Synonym.
Internally routed cables give this mountain bike a smooth and polished appearance.
On the Synonym, the Maxxis Rekon and Ikon tire pairing is fast-rolling.
The steep seat tube angle and slack head tube angle place riders in a stable position for descending at speed.
The Synonym is a capable climber and experts found that they could easily achieve personal records on ascents.
The 12-speed SRAM drivetrain shifts smoothly on the NS Synonym.
Testers agree that the price of the bike is fair for the components included in each build.
Users found that the bike’s long wheelbase added stability on descents.

3 reasons not to buy

The NS Synonym has a press fit bottom bracket. Experts would have preferred a threaded bottom bracket on the bike.
Some testers found the Ikon tire in the rear provided insufficient traction.
The bike is specced with 180mm brake rotors to keep the bike’s weight low. Larger rotors would benefit the stopping power of the NS Synonym.

Bottom line

The NS Synonym is designed for riders tackling cross-country and enduro terrain. It is available with 100mm or 120mm of travel. The fast-rolling Maxxis tires combine with the Synonym's long wheelbase, slack head tube angle and steep seat tube angle to make it a confident and quick descender on most terrain. The bike climbs extremely well, too. The brake rotors and Ikon rear tire are not adequate for all. Overall, most will find the price and quality is right for all four builds of the NS Synonym.

Expert Reviews

73/100 based on 3 rated expert reviews

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Bike Perfect

Level 5 expert

NS Synonym TR 1 Review

Level 5 expert

NS has literally stretched the envelope of XC bike handling right to the edge of where you can expect a long, lightweight frame, fat low-tread tires on skinny rims and a cutaway fork to hold it together.

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Mountain Bike Rider

Level 5 expert

NS Synonym TR 2 Review

Level 5 expert

There’s a lot to like about the NS Synonym TR2. It’s light, has generous sizing and at times it exhibits the raw speed of an XC bike without any of the associated nerve racking twitchiness.

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BikeRadar

Level 5 expert

NS Synonym RC 1 Review

Level 5 expert

Boasting a reach longer than many enduro bikes, combined with a lengthy stem and steep seat angle, the stretched-out Synonym feels like no other bike, and it took me a few rides to really work out how to get the best out of the bike.

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Guy Kesteven

Level 1 expert

NS Synonym TR1: Radical XC/DC MTB Live Ride Review

Level 1 expert

This will be a proper party bike if that’s the mood you’re in.

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David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Level 5 expert

The Most Radical XC Bike I’ve Ever Ridden. NS Bikes Synonym TR1 Ride Review and Bike Check

Level 5 expert

It’s the most radical and interesting bike in the XC race bike category at the moment.

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Michal Topor

Level 1 expert

First Impression of My NS Bikes Synonym RC 1

Level 1 expert

Today I’m going to show you my new racing weapon, the most exciting, the most aggressive cross-country bike available on the market, the NS Synonym RC 1.

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Pinkbike

Level 5 expert

Review: NS Bikes Synonym TR1 – Not Your Typical XC Bike

Level 5 expert

The Synonym is an XC rig that comes in two flavours: the RC, short for race, packs 100mm of travel, while the TR on test here, short for trail, boosts travel to 120mm for a bit more shredding capability if you’re not into pulling on spandex and pinning on a number.

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