Nukeproof are still relatively new on the scene, especially as far as bicycle manufacturers go, but in a short space of time have managed to electrify the MTB market where the hunger for quality bikes and parts at sensible prices has grown rapidly. 2013 sees the introduction of 4 new frames and selection of complete bikes to appease any rider whose idea of fun involves shredding epic singletrack, descending punishing DH courses and sending jumps in the woods. Lets not forget that Nukeproof started out as a component manufacturer and not to settle on the merits of their now extremely popular bike line, have also introduced several new products that I’m sure will get you pretty excited and could very well be what your looking for. With such a huge range, we did our best to show you exactly that…

Words: Olly Forster | Photos: Nathan Carvell

Pulse DH.

With 3 other completely new frames in the ’13 line, it is Nukeproof’s flagship DH frame that is getting all the attention right now and for good reason. Available as both a complete bike and a frame only, the choice is there for the privateer DH racer or week-end practice track warrior. The frame only route offers you the choice of three different colours, Yellow, Black and Silver, with either a Cane Creek Double Barrel for £1999.99 or the Rock Shox Vivid RC2 for £1800.

Nukeproof’s complete bikes offers the consumer race ready packages at great prices and the new Pulse is no different. With two options on the table, you have either the Pulse DH Pro at £3999.99 with full Sram X0, Boxxer R2C2’s and CCDB rear shock and only available in the gloss black number you see below. The other option is the Pulse DH Comp, which comes in a rather sweet silver finish and with a Sram X7 transmission, Boxxer RC’s and the awesome Vivid RC2 rear shock, which coincidentally I’ve heard from a few reliable sources, is awesome in this platform.

The Pulse frame is pretty far removed from the Scalp when you get up close and personal. With custom hydroformed tubes throughout and combined with several subtle yet decisive changes to an already proven design, the Pulse really is Nukeproof’s game changer.

Onto the swingarm, and the designers have incorporated the ‘Teardrop’ design at the top of the swingarm, which houses a double row of angular contact bearings that when coupled with the two piece forged junction piece below, offers the Pulse a lateral stiffness that is ready for the harshest of terrain.

One of the biggest refinements over the Scalp is the Pulse’s adjustable wheelbase. Known as the ‘Stylefit’ – it involves two removable inserts in the chainstay, which add or subtract 10mm offering the rider a choice between 435 and 445mm.

This is the kind of attention to detail you’d expect from a manufacturer offering a premium product based off the feedback from one of the sports top factory race teams. The hydroformed main frame is stunning and the graphics package subtle, yet very racer friendly and even the downtube protector looks the business.

Scalp DH.

There you go folks, the Scalp’s is back for another year and why not? This frame has proved to be one hell of a racers best friend and for pros and amateurs alike, and thankfully Nukeproof have brought it back for another year and this time it’s all about getting new riders on the mountain and having fun on a big bike.

Available as a frame only option with the Rock Shox Kage shock at £1299.99 and a complete bike with Domain forks and a mixture of X5 and X7 components for £2199.99. Both options are available in either black or silver – notice the new gusset by the headtube? Not ones to rest on the merits of a popular product, Nukeproof have added a little meat to keep things strong and stiff where it counts.

Mega AM and TR.

Possibly one of the most unpretentious, two wheeled fun machines on the market, the Nukeproof Mega, is back and back with a bang. Now available in two guises to suit your exact needs exactly and with some of the best specced bikes of their kind on the market, these will once again be a popular choice with the rider who knows how to let it hang out on the trail.

The Mega AM is the Mega’s more aggressive sibling, with 160mm of rear travel and a 67 degree head angle, this bike will have one thing on its agenda, and that’s getting you to the top of the trail to then let you rip back back down it like a nut case! Available as a frame only option with the CCDB Air (not coil as pictured) for £1299.99 and £1099.99 for the superb Rock Shox Monarch Plus shock.

The Mega TR will undoubtedly be a popular bike next year. Incorporating all of the fun and snappy ride characteristics of the original Mega, but honed into an all-day singletrack shredder that in the right hands, will be ridiculous fun. Equipped with a shock we love here at FJ, the Rock Shox Monarch RT3 and coming in with a 67 degree head angle and 130mm of travel, the new TR could well be the perfect trail centre and UK enduro bike? With an RRP of £1099.99, the TR is still right on the money too!

The Mega AM is available in two complete builds, the Pro at £3599.99 and coming packed with the CCDB shock, Lyrik RC2 DH’s, Reverb Stealth and a full X0 package which includes the new alpine ready X0 Trail brakes, and in coming in a black only finish. The AM Comp comes in at £2599.99 with a full X7 package, Lyrik RC Solo Air forks and the Monarch Plus Shock and comes in the Silver option. The TR is only available in one build option, which at £2999.99 will get you Rock Shox Revelation RC Solo Air’s up front and an RT3 out back, coupled with a full x9 group and the must have Reverb Stealth post. The TR complete is also available in three colours, Yellow, Black and Silver.

The designers have really done their homework on this one with full Reverb Stealth cable routing, hydroformed tubing, 135mm/142mm x 12mm Maxle rears and geometry across the board which is bang on the money. The Mega was always the “riders’ bike and 2013 looks like an evolution of an already popular platform. Tall riders will also be pleased to hear an XL size in included and extending the range to 4 sizes. Another neat thing I almost forgot; check out the two cable guides on the downtube – these also double up as a water bottle mount so that’s another box ticked if your one of the growing number of riders ditching their hydration packs.

Rook.

The Rook was probably the first Slopestyle bike to pop up that was actually destined for the production line and not just another custom one-off bike for the pros and a product to infuriate the growing number of riders who want a bike just like this. Although designed around the needs of pro level slopestyle riders, the Rook’s 69 degree head angle and playful geometry will make this equally at home on 4X/ slalom courses, Dirt Jumps and Pump Tracks alike.

With a hydroformed main frame and the sturdy swingarm from the Mega with it’s 135mm Maxle axle and featuring 110mm of travel, the Rook is certainly a frame who in the right hands, is capable of far more than flips and whips. Available in two sizes, ‘Regular’ and ‘Long’ and in two colours, Yellow and Black and with the Rock Shox RT3 shock, the Rook comes in at £1049.99.

Although not available as a complete bike, there was a replica of Jack Fogelquist’s bike on display and oh boy, did this look like a fun bike!

Although the hydraulic Gyro doesn’t come included, the Rook’s headtube has an integrated Gyro ready system and offers the rider with a view to run a Gyro, the ability to run a low front end with a minimal stack height of 10mm inclcuding cups. This isn’t the only slopestyle ready element as the designers have also incorporated a removable shifter mount on the downtube too.

Components.

Nukeproof’s component selection is massive – everything from brake pads to titanium bolts and all the way to stickers and socks, they’ve got you covered! While a lot of what was on display has been see before, here’s a snippet of some of what stood out.

Big bars! Nukeproof are now offering their Warhead bars in the new 35mm option as well as the now standard 31.8mm. I can remember when 31.8 replaced 25.4mm – people were hesitant at first, but will 35 become the next standard in MTB? Available in the usual three colours and in two sizes, 760mm and a whopping 800mm and in two rises, 20mm and 38mm. Prices are £44.99 for 760 and £49.99 for the 800’s. Attached to these monsters is the 45mm Direct mount stem, which comes in at very reasonable £59.99

Carbon DH bars I hear you say? These are brand spanking new for 2013, the Warhead Carbon DH bar weighs in at a crazy 235 grams and is available in a 760mm width at £99.99 and looks right on the money.

Off-set headsets? Nukeproof have those too and this number offers the rider one degree of adjustability, either +/- and with no complicated gimbles or over complicated small parts, just two cups and two bearings. Details are thin on the ground, but expect a good price and high quality bearings. The Nukeproof Warhead range of headsets covers every option you could possibly want and prices start at £39.99 and go up to £119.99 for the Ceramic options.

Nukeproof now have a range of BB’s featuring CNC cups and available in both standard and ceramic bearings and include all sizes including press fit.

Nukeproof Generator hubs have proved pretty popular since their inception and also include a hub for every end user including this 135mm x 12mm single speed option. With 5 sealed bearings and six pawls engaging a 30 tooth steel ratchet, the Generator’s are both well sealed against the elements and offering great pick-up for the rider looking to get their snap on!

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