Prototype Ragley and Nukeproof - Eurobike 2011

Dropping in at the Hotlines stand today gave us a look at two new Ragley full suspension frames as well as some neat options from Nukeproof. Both Ragleys fit in with their philosophy of big travel at the front matched with relatively short travel at the rear. Given that both of these are prototypes the final geometry isn’t yet set in stone, but the general bias is towards a longer top tube, steep seat tube to benefit climbing and a slack head angle for ripping the descents. The parallel link design is utilized across both bikes and features a floating shock, the rear end has plenty of bracing for stiffness and both front ends have a taper headtube and ISCG mounts. In short they appear to have all the expected features of the modern trail bike as well as a few neat Ragley touches. If that translates into bikes that ride as good as they look then they could well be onto a winner.


Let’s start with the 10-4, the shorter travel of their two new bikes. With 100mm out back balanced with 140mm up front their idea behind this is to keep the bikes riding with the sharpness and response associated with short travel, but matched with the confidence and attacking nature of the bigger bikes. By building around a longer travel, burlier fork, but less travel at the back they feel they have achieved this successfully.


Ragley 10-4 details:

• 67deg head angle
• ISCG chain guide mounts
• 100mm rear travel / 140mm front travel
• Dropper post cable guides as standard
• Taper headtube

The other bike on display was the G6. With exactly the same design philosophy this has been extended out to 130mm at the back and 160mm at the front. Being that the full bike comes equipped with 1x10, X0 drive train and a RockShox Lyric fork points to its descending, but with the theory that it sacrifices less than the longer rear travel bikes on the climbs. We can’t wait to put this to the test.


Ragley G6 details:

• 66 deg head angle
• ISCG chain guide mounts
• 130mm rear travel / 160mm front travel
• Dropper post cable guides as standard
• Taper headtube

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Wander round to the opposite side of the stand and you were at the home of Nukeproof. These frames were first featured in their production specs here twelve months ago and have been available to purchase for some time. What’s now on offer though are full build packages in two levels across their three bikes; the Snap (4x), the Mega (big hit, all mountain) and the Scalp (World Cup level downhill).


The two we looked at were the two top spec ‘Pro’ Mega and Scalp. Featuring X0, top level RockShox forks and a Cane Creek Double Barrel shock in the case of the Scalp, these provide no holds barred componentry, all finished off of course with Nukeproof’s ever expanding range of components for the cockpit and wheels. The lower level Comp package will be a mixture of X9 gearing, the same Nukeproof finishing package and a Vivid in the case of the Scalp, a lower spec Monarch in the case of the Mega.


The best thing about these new full build bikes are the prices. Although the final prices are yet to be confirmed, the target prices are quite frankly superb given the price of current top end bikes. The Pro Scalp, spec’d with World Cup Boxxers and all that mentioned above is aiming to be on target at £3500, the Comp model at £2500. Now given that these are all proven parts, attached to a proven World Cup raced frame piloted for the 2011 season by Team ChainReactionCycles, the price certainly makes you sit up and take notice. Although these are yet to be finalized to the last degree it certainly displays the intention to undercut the big competition and hopefully allow more people to get into the sport on a new bike, at a lower price.


The Mega is no less competitive. Again, the Pro model comes with top spec RockShox suspension, X0 and Nukeproof parts, while the Comp model still produces huge bang for buck with the slightly cheaper although still equally functional X9 and slightly downgraded suspension. The prices (again, not quite confirmed) are £3200 for the Pro and £2000 for the Comp. These UK prices are certainly providing some very sharp competition to some very established names in the industry and there should be some applause for the attempt as it makes the sport a bit less expensive if you like to have high quality componentry on your ride.


What do you think of these latest frames from Ragley and full build options from Nukeproof? We’d love to hear your views below.

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Reviews and Tech First Looks Nukeproof Ragley Bikes