Just announced, the new Nordest Sardinha 3 features several updates, including UDH dropouts, increased tire clearance, and slightly revised geometry. Pre-orders are open now, with delivery expected this spring. Check it out here…

Logan reviewed the Sardinha a few years ago and praised its affordable steel frame, selection of mounts, and versatile geometry, “that’s super fun on the trail and holds its own bikepacking and on mixed terrain.” The newly updated Nordest Sardinha 3 features many of the same specs, including a 4130 Chromoly steel frame and fork, plenty of mounts, clearance for big tires, and external cable routing. The frame is now compatible with SRAM UDH and boasts a tweaked geometry to provide a more comfy clearance for 29 x 2.6″ tires. Plus, the dropper post routing has been adjusted to leave room for a front derailleur.

nordest sardinha 3
  • nordest sardinha 3
  • nordest sardinha 3
  • nordest sardinha 3

The Nordest Sardinha 3’s geometry has remained mostly unchanged, with a 67° head tube angle, a 74.5° or 74° seat tube angle, a 60mm bottom bracket drop, and the same 483mm (or 100/120mm travel) fork length. Nordest lengthened the chainstays by 5mm, up from 430mm, to provide additional tire clearance, but the geo is otherwise identical.

The small Portuguese brand also returned to the seatstay design used on the original Sardinha, ditching the threaded cargo cage mounts, so there’s a slight aesthetic change for those keeping a close eye on its evolution. Once again, the Sardinha is offered in just three frame sizes (M, M/L, and L), but it should be suitable for folks from 5’6″ right up to 6’4″, according to Nordest. Other specs include Boost hub spacing, a 73mm threaded bottom bracket, and clearance for 27.5 x 3.0″ and 29 x 2.6″ tires. The M/L frame weighs 2,750 grams (6 pounds).

nordest sardinha 3
  • nordest sardinha 3
  • nordest sardinha 3

The Sardinha 3 is available as a frame with a pre-order price of €629 (regularly €729), and the steel frameset with a fork costs €849 (regularly €949). You can also get the frame with a carbon fork for €1,079 (€1,229 regularly). There are three gloss color options to choose from: Yellow, Blue Sky, and Black. Bikes are expected to be delivered in April 2026.

Head over to NordestCycles.com for all the details.

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