Team CRC/ Nukeproof Scalp Downhill Bike.

There’s no two ways of looking at it; it’s just a really nice looking bike! The CRC team get custom anodised blue frames coupled with a few extra measures of factory goodness.

It’s no suprise that the team issue Scalps are dripping in Nukeproof products as well as some carefully selected brands and products that all compliment one another into a bike capable of winning world cups with top parts from e*thirteen, Formula, Marzocchi, Shimano, Mavic, Schwalbe and Cane Creek. Definitely a dream bike by anyones standard!

The best tool for the job? Maybe – the short cage Shimano Saint derailleur is one smooth and tough little mech. Check out the custom chainstay and seatstay protectors, yes they are inner tubes, but wrapped and then sealed on the join resulting in an effective, light and clean looking solution to chain-slap. Dave Garland (the team mechanic) has been on the World Cup circuit longer than most and knows what to do when it comes to factory tweaks to make bikes work that little better.

This is one solid set up, I know because we’ve got this set up on review at the moment, but I can tell you were not running the 38 tooth ring that Matt runs! The e*thirteen DH cranks are amazing to say the least and coupled with the SRS+ guide result in a fool proof, fit and forget package, which is exactly what you want from your cranks and guide.

Probably the most talked about shock available today and for good reason too. The Cane Creek double barrel has revolutionised many existing platforms and turned around performance to a whole new level. Coupled with the Scalps ‘Fall Out’ link helping to keep the rear wheel tracking the ground with the adjustability to alter the bike regardless of changing terrain and conditions and with the Shockwave Titanium spring from Nukeproof, all help to shave those vital grams off a race bike.

One of Matt’s little personal mods is to gut his Crankbrothers Mallet pedals down to their bare minimum, saving further weight and enhancing the pedals ability to shed mud.

Up front in the cockpit, Matt runs a full Nukeproof set up with a Warhead 888 Stem, Bar and Odi Ruffian Grips. Matt, being a tall guy also runs a few spacers under the crown to get things nice and high up front.

For 2011 the CRC team are running the pretty special Formula The One brakes – regarded as the lightest DH brakes currently available and probably the most expensive too, but performance at the top doesn’t come cheaply.

The one thing Matt was waiting for prior to this shoot, were his new 2011 Marzocchi 888 RC3 Ti forks, his 2010 ones are still running smooth, but when your a factory rider, only the latest kit will do. The week after this shoot Matt headed off to Italy for some further suspension testing with Marzocchi – not bad work if you can get it! The team are also running the Mavic Deemax Ultimates and the full Schwalbe package, but I think the Muddy Mary’s have seen there fair share of action over the winter.

Custom graphics, special paint and finish are what separate team bikes from off the shelf bikes and what makes pro bikes so interesting!

So there you have it, Matt Simmonds’ team CRC/ Nukeproof Scalp and weighing in at a more than respectable 39.4lbs, which isn’t a heavy bike by any stretch of the imagination (wasn’t Gee’s 2010 World Cup wining bike nearly 45lbs?) and I’m sure will only be getting lighter as Matt and Dave work through the season to enhance this bike even further.

Nukeproof Mega.

This bike, like many well designed ‘trail bikes’, screams versatility and fun; a bike that really will take you where ever you want to go and not let the terrain dictate your path. The Mega is a going to be a popular bike when it finally hits the dealers and a bike Matt is spending a lot of time on at the moment, helping with his rehabilitation and getting his knee stronger before getting back on the big bike.

With a 13.69″ BB height and 66 degree head angle, this bike was intended to put a smile on your face! Matt’s got his built up in a fairly standard AM build with a strong and dependable parts package and sporting the 1 x 10 drivetrain. Weighing in at just over 30lb’s, it isn’t too shabby in the weight department either!

Matts running the full Warhead cockpit with the new Nukeproof Element Skinny grips and Formula The One brakes. Check out the tapered headtube and badge – very neat.

Just like the DH bike, Matt’s running Mavic’s top end wheels and Marzocchi suspension; on the Mega Matt runs the Crossmax SX wheels with Schwalbe rubber and the Marzocchi  55 RC3 Ti coil forks sporting 160mm of titanium coil sprung travel, which all help to keep everything dialled in.

In the cranks and guide department, Matt’s Mega is equipped with the new e*thirteen XC Single Speed cranks. Running a 34 tooth Guidering and LG1+ guide, all adding up to a simple, effective and light (not to mention looking pretty sick too) set up that shouldn’t hold you back on the climbs and not let you down on the descents. Check out the new Nukeproof Neutron Ti pedals too!

The ten speed block and that all important 12-36 ratio are what makes the whole 1 x 10 system work so well. We did a ten speed review a few months back – check it out here! Notice the rear Maxle drop outs as well.

It’s not factory if your name’s not on the top tube! Matt’s running the Rock Shox Monarch shock that comes standard on the production frames, but I’m sure the team will be getting the Cane Creek air shock very soon – watch this space! The Mega has 150mm of rear travel through the ‘Erosion’ linkage, designed to give a smooth progressive action with a well controlled mid-stroke to avoid wallowing under pedal loads – pretty important when your going up and down.

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