New NukeProof DH Bike - First Peek

Feb 17, 2010
by Jordan Holmes  
Recently on my daily internet hunt I was turned onto a frame in the Santa Cruz Riders thread. JBDirtJumper linked to a couple photos of a new Nukeproof Downhill bike! That's right, a component based company is stepping into the realm of DH bikes.

Here's some info on the new rig...
photo

photo

photo

Here is what the crew in the UK had to say when I asked them about the new frame:

"It's super early in it's development at the moment, with no production date scheduled yet.

Basics are a linkage actuated singlepivot, with contemporary long, low, slack geometry, though we're specifically working on rear triangle and pivot/linkage details, so the system could be applied to any geometry we fancy. 8in travel from a 3in stroke shock.

Our first build came in at 37lb 11oz with pedals."

Also, on NukeProof's Facebook this info has been spread:

- 1.5in head tube for geometry tuning
- based around a 63deg head angle right now.
- Ride height adjustable via magic things.
- Singlepivot with triple rate change swing link

Source: Hotlines

photo

photo

photo

photo

photo

photo

Stay tuned for more information!

Author Info:
spoiledgoods avatar

Member since Mar 20, 2000
624 articles

186 Comments
  • 72 2
 Le porn
  • 22 5
 "squirting" scene tup
  • 12 6
 wow how come every time im right my comment gets removed?
  • 7 1
 COD junkie!
  • 11 2
 looks kind of like a flatline to me... super nice
  • 6 2
 it looks like the 951 and tr 450 combined
  • 3 1
 yes i agree when i saw it the TR 450 is what i thought it looked like the most
  • 3 1
 i know the linkage is completely different but it reminds me of the old flatlines
  • 31 3
 it looks like a bike
  • 11 0
 love the raw with the yellow link!
  • 3 1
 want.
  • 1 1
 a lot like a rocky mountain flat line, but new design for sure, nice!
  • 1 1
 looks like a cross breed of an EVIL and an INTENSE very nice, cant wait to see the production model, this was the last thing i expected to see when i logged on this morning Smile
  • 3 8
flag crzyirishman (Feb 18, 2010 at 10:25) (Below Threshold)
 I'd f*ck it.
  • 1 0
 The suspension system on the Evil is a lot different, but this is just like the 951. Looks pretty nice anyways!
  • 1 0
 far more like the rm flatlines. pretty much the same
  • 1 2
 It couldn't be "far more" like the Flatline considering it's suspension is almost identical to the 951 too, in other words, we have triplets!
  • 1 0
 yeah antron they are completely different linkage designs
  • 1 1
 It has the linkage thing on the top. I didn't literally mean identical, I just spoke because I thought. No biggy.
  • 17 3
 Looks a bit like the Rocky Mountain DH-Bike to me...
But I like it anyways ;-)
  • 4 1
 the linkage seems identical to the flatline as well as the old giant DH teams (02-05)
  • 14 0
 Damn thats a nice bike!
  • 1 5
flag nouser (Feb 17, 2010 at 14:35) (Below Threshold)
 looks a bit like a sunn
  • 10 0
 looks a bit... nuke-proof. oh i'm so very sorry.
  • 2 0
 ya it does look very tasty but I wonder if your gonna hit your legs on the wide part next to the the link ? looks like it sticks out a pretty long way
  • 2 0
 I dont think so. if you look at the third photo down you can see where the bb goes is out further, plus you add in the thickness of the crank and you should have plenty of room. Sick bike though.
  • 9 1
 Same suspension design as the Rocky Mountain Flatline. Nice bike
  • 1 2
 lol exactly the same
  • 5 1
 Lovely! Perfection in its purest form! NukeProof have always made high class, reliable, sick looking parts, and they have proven it yet again with this frame! No unneccessary crap on it, as simple as it needs be! Love it!
  • 8 0
 i bet its bombproof
  • 31 0
 its Nukeproof Wink
  • 4 0
 bmanbikerpro would of been waiting for that to follow, and that frame looks so nice bet its pricey though.
  • 3 0
 Looks quite heavy to me. A light build´s not gonna be cheap then, even if the frame itself is cheap. And on a different note, I´d rather buy a bike from people who actually have experience in designing and getting such a thing welded properly. Get a few good reviews, make it light enough and I´m sold. Oh and please just clear-coat it, thanks.
  • 2 1
 is it me or does that look a lot like a manipulated thrust link Rocky Mountain knock off???? Wait Wait Transition and Rocky got into bed and out popped the Nukeproof.

Anyone remember the junk hubs they made years ago with the carbon fiber shells??? Hahahahaha
  • 1 1
 Nuke Proof has been under new Management for about 2 or 3 years now. They make the best stuff for your hard earned money, from Ti springs that the average Joe can actually buy to some bad-ass downhill hubs. Pretty much every company on the market today has a past with crappy products in their range.. Intense, Sta Cruz, Trek, you name it! Cheers!
  • 2 1
 No thanks, I'll stick to some Hadley's and Kings... My Hadleys are going on 6 years.... and I had a set of Kings for almost 8. Not to mention My 10+ year old King Headset. I wil give them another 4 years before I start caring. BTW I won't ride an Intense (great designs, had to many of them fail on me), and haven't had any issues with any of my Santa Cruz bikes.

Also I won't touch a Titus either Chris Cocalis is a lying cheating bastard and I witnessed him in person bashing a box in only to make a claim with UPS, worthless company it's so great he tainted the water with a new company Pivot... Right? That new management mentality sucks. The problem is that some of the companies need to start completely from scratch, and change their names.

And look at the terrible welds too>>>...
  • 1 0
 it look like a lot of suspension designs but who cares there are only a few principles for suspension in the bike industry to work from so there are a lot of similar bikes but all have there own twist to them. its like the dw/ vpp they are the same and they have actually been around since the 90"s when balfa introduced the 2step hell i might even be wrong it could have come out before them
  • 4 0
 First time I see some "walking cup" TIG welding on a Bike... this is some serious sh..t !!!

(Im a welder)
  • 1 0
 yeah, really, really nice. i'm a welder too, and i noticed it right away. its really well done. too bad everyone goes crazy for any welds next to an intense sticker, which is IMO ugly
  • 1 0
 I could not agree more. This is precisely the first thing which came to my mind when I first saw it.
  • 1 0
 I know nothing about welding but I can see that there are far more beads per inch than any welding I've seen an aluminum frame I'm guessing this takes a lot longer/more skill? If so, I wonder if the production version will be the same.
  • 1 0
 Those weldings are spot on. Very good and inteligent design for the rear piece. And I like how curvatious it is. This model should be cut in carbon instead. This is not so more because I think I can break it (I honestly don't think I could even if I did try), but because it deserves it.
  • 1 0
 This does look very nice.

Where the swingarm is above the BB sorta looks like a Foes.

Are they 4mm heads on the pivot top caps? I know they are only covers, but on something that gets serviced a lot I'd want to see 6mm, or at least 5mm. I hope that changes in production.
  • 1 0
 Anyone else notice the nukeproof logo shaped pivot covers? not that it'll make this bike any better to ride but.. its a nice touch Big Grin

and @jbizzle whats wrong with those welds?? its a prototype, its not meant to be perfect...
  • 1 0
 Yeah I saw that too! V cool!
  • 4 0
 loving it if it comes out this may be my next rig Big Grin
  • 3 0
 if its anything like their parts that bikes going to live up to its name !!!
  • 1 0
 Very nice solid looking bike from a company that i know first hand make extremely light and strong products,best of luck Nukeproof.
Gringo. Beer tup
  • 1 0
 I can't wait for this bike to come out! It looks super clean and pretty stiff, match it with the rite grafics and paint and that would probably be one of my new favorite bikes!! Great work so far!!
  • 4 2
 Looks like they stole some tubing from giant for the top tube then connected it to half a rocky mountain, beefed it up put some yellow on it and made a damn awesome bike
  • 1 1
 or they just got tubing from the same manufacturer,you may be surprised but all over the world bikes look alike.there are only so many tubing manufacturers so their bound to sell different companies the same tubes.so quit saying it looks like a tr450 or a flatline.it looks like a bike frame.
  • 1 1
 i like it! linkage looks based off the old rocky mountain flatline. except cleaner and lighter. BB area looks very stiff and the hydro forming throughout looks good. rear end looks very strong too. and the majority of the weight is down low. i think i'll sell my 951 now (just kidding). curious to see what the price is.
  • 1 0
 i also like how the BB, main pivot, and link pivot are one piece of machined metal.
  • 4 1
 Oh boy! another link actuated single pivot...
  • 2 8
flag vernondan (Feb 17, 2010 at 13:21) (Below Threshold)
 I KNOW...ISN'T IT GREAT!!!!!!! (can you sense the sarcasm?)
  • 4 0
 You really hate single pivots don't you? Makes me wonder why you're named after one Wink
  • 3 2
 I am named after one but I cant change the name. I dont hate them I just like riding a bike that performs the way I need. I spend 20 days a year riding at Silverstar and when I rode my single pivot (Bullit and Xprezo) they both beat the crap out of me...then I got on a true 4 bar and saw the light. Do as many rides as I have on a SP then make the switch...you will have the same 'respect' for SP as I do.

Final word, yes, they work 'fine' but just not that great.
  • 1 0
 you can change ur name. just ask a mod and next tine u sign in it will ask u to change your name
  • 3 0
 uh, neither of those are linkage driven single pivots. what magical 4 bar did you ride?
  • 2 2
 notice the one piece rear triangle? = single pivot = energy sapping and inefficient.
  • 1 0
 @game...

"uh, neither of those are linkage driven single pivots. what magical 4 bar did you ride?"


Pick one....
  • 4 0
 those welds look gnarly!
  • 2 0
 Clever idea with the suspension pivots points, i'm wondering how it works Big Grin
  • 2 13
flag vernondan (Feb 17, 2010 at 13:22) (Below Threshold)
 Just like all the other link actuated single pivots.....poorly
  • 1 0
 They're comparing it to a Ventana El Cuervo, which is one of the most plush, "plower" bikes you can get. Sweeeet
  • 2 2
 yeah. see the model year of the Ventana...2004...why dont they compare it to a bike that is less than 6 years old? Because its old technology thats it.
  • 1 0
 bullit dan its most likely because they cant use a more modern bike due to copyright infingements etc.
  • 1 2
 There would be no copyright infringement in making a comparison between an existing bike and theirs. They can test and graph their results on any bike and post it all over. If they were copying their system, then that would be at issue, but in this case this is not a problem.
  • 1 0
 My DHR is a single pivot with a link... got more to say..... because im positive its better then any 4 bar bike i have ever owned or ridden. you may have ridden poorly designed single pivots, but a properly designed one will ride as well or better then other designs
  • 2 1
 Hey bullit-dan, I guess you hate your Bullit, after all it's a single pivot so it got to be awful cough, cough... dumb... cough
  • 2 0
 VPP linklages have been around since 2002, or before (to be honest i'm, not going to research for the exact year), the 4 bar/horst link has been around even longer than that... its not about the age of technology, its about the refinement of spring and rise rates within any given style... at the end of the day there are only so many solutions for the problem of mounting a swingarm. actual axle path only counts for a small part of the suspension performance and handeling. the benefit of the single pivot swingarm, to a rocker link setup to drive the shock is that you can have the stiffness in frame build a single pivot offers, yet retain the tunability of spring rate by having the rocker setup. What i dont get is why companys who use that configuration dont often provide different link plates to enable a choise of progression.
  • 1 0
 Bullit-dan, if they published their axle path, then you would see that a SP is just a rearward as a lot of linkage bikes, and then you would have to eat your words. PS - what trail is it you ride that has square edge hits that are slowing you down?
  • 3 1
 Why doing such a complicated top tube? It have to be straight, no use to have a curve like this...
CHeers
  • 1 0
 So it looks even better than just a straight top tubeWink
  • 1 0
 Ohh yeah, I forgot... Now it's soo important to having a bike that look's good... A straight tube would be lighter, stronger etc.etc.etc... And of course an IronHorse with straight tubes don't look good...
  • 1 0
 You have a very good point i will agree with you there
  • 1 1
 yeh raw steel is nice, so is raw aluminium like this one Wink
ive got some nukeproof wheels and bars and they have been amazing, im really looking forward to this hitting production, its definately replacing my current ride
  • 1 0
 OMG THIS IS GOING TO BE ANA AMAZING BRAND BIKE. I already love their products, but this bike is off the chain. I love the raw metal color.
  • 1 0
 Do you mean off the chain as in "off the line"? I like the raw metal colour as well, but you will never get it like that. They always have to come up with some stupid logo or colour scheme to put the whole thing a notch down or two. I like clean cuts for my bikes, and fully customized. A bike can be either black, blue, pink or whatever, but too many colours or names (like TRC 187 or BHY 2000) is just such a put off.
  • 1 0
 despoiler79 - i noticed it too. such nice, nice welding. really nice. everyone goes crazy over fat lumps of shit welds next to an Intense sticker. barf. this is quality
  • 2 0
 Anyone knows if the nuke proof wheelset are any good? I'm buying new wheelset soon...
  • 1 0
 They seem like really nice wheels was planning on getting a pair in yellow but i aint 100% sure
  • 1 0
 Very impressive bike engineering. The massive frame transmits lightness ride with low gravity center. Congratulations about the excellent work!
  • 2 0
 Who could not like this bike/frame?!?
  • 11 3
 its linkage driven single pivot for one thing. so by your opinion the Commencal's, Evil Revolt, Morewood's, Foes, Orange, transition TR450, Yeti, GT Fury, Honda RN01, etc. Are all bad bikes? Single Pivot isn't a bad design at all, its effective and works well.
  • 12 9
 yes linkage driven single pivot but the key is rear wheel path. No matter what happens, the wheel follows a single arced wheel path that results in a few things...brake jack and poor square edged bump performance are the two worst offenders. The linkage changes the leverage ratio trough the travel arc but those two points are not remedied by it. Sure all those bikes are nice and in the proper application they are good, but over all, single pivots are poor performers in comparison to other suspension designs. Like lipstick on a pig...a very beautifully made and wicked looking pig...but pig none the less. Just my opinion
  • 2 3
 (PB is making me post after I wanted to delete a comment as I read your response incorrectly.)
  • 2 3
 looks like the tr450 and the revolt had a son.
  • 1 2
 not sure what you are sayin
  • 5 0
 The axle path created by single pivot isn't really a problem. By moving the pivot up & down, you can create axle paths for a wide variety of uses - a high pivot will mean a rearward axle path and good square edge performance, but a few other problems. A low pivot will mean a very vertical axle path, without the problems of a high pivot. The limiting factor on axle path is chain growth - a massively rearward axlepath means massive chaingrowth and a whole load of problems. This is probably easier fixed on single pivot bikes by an idler/jackshaft like the katipo or superco, but anyways...

I think it looks sick, but pretty much like everything else at the moment, hopefully the price'll be nice and low though ;D
  • 2 3
 I agree with Dan's comments. Using I higher pivot point would allow for more rearward wheel travel earlier in the wheelpath, to better handle square edges, but that leads pedal efficiency/feedback problems. You can use a floating brake to compensate for brake jack, but now you're adding weight, plus it's more difficult to remove the rear wheel. Sure, the bike looks real nice, but for me, I'll be sticking with mult-link suspensions like Maestro for now on.
  • 3 0
 Academics, axle path might affect you on a few occasions, but there is nothing wrong with a well engineered single pivot for most people. Geometry makes a much bigger difference to how a bike feels than the axle path imo, if Nukeproof get it right, this could be an awesome bike to ride!
  • 4 1
 There are problems with 4 bar suspension designs though - a massively moving instant centre can screw around with anti squat, and suchlike. I'm not saying single pivot is necessarily better, I'm just saying don't write off a bike before you've ridden it just because it's single pivot.
  • 1 0
 yes I think that everithing its on the way that the system works just that theres really good single pivot systems like the evil revolt delta system that the movement of the tail of the bike moves like a multilinkage bike I saw a video of steve smith with his evil and he show the way of his suspension work and it was awesome there was no problems with pedaling or nothing similar like sure theres other single pivot that haves this problems and also with braking but I think its just the way of the system work. but yes if I dont ride it definetly I cant say if its a good bike or not.
  • 2 1
 bullit dan, you may have some good points, but you make some moronic statements too. Lipstick on a pig? its worked for mx bikes for the last 20 years and it doesn't look like things are gonna change soon. Its a trade off, ideal axle path, or ideal actuation of the shock?
  • 3 2
 Yeah...it work on MX because they all have floating brakes and the pivot is just slightly forward of the pivot. Not to mention they dont have to worry about pedal bob as the ENGINE turning the chain provides constant power. Ever see a deraillieur on a MX bike...no because those issues of chain length that cause a lot of the problems are a NON issue. If we can replicate what mx uses...then yes, the single pivot is great. But that option is not widely available. Lipstick on a pig is an expression, it means it looks nice but is still not that great...sorry to have to explain that for you.
  • 1 2
 If you're talking about pedal bob, that's all to do with anti squat.

Anti squat works best when at 100% - 100% anti squat will mean minimum pedal bob. Anti squat is at 100 when the main pivot, or in the case of a 4 bar suspension design, the instant centre, is inline with the chainline.

This means that it is very easy to get good anti squat properties from a single pivot suspension design - if the main pivot is placed on the chainline, just infront of the BB, you get a very stable anti squat around 100%... wait, where have nukeproof put their main pivot??? Wink


Oh, and about the derailleurs... It's because motocross bikes have this magical thing called a gearbox Wink
  • 2 2
 "Oh, and about the derailleurs... It's because motocross bikes have this magical thing called a gearbox Wink"

I was referring to chain length variations which require a derailleur to let out or take up slack, not to the ability to shift gears. Wink
  • 1 0
 Single pivot bikes only need a derailleur to shift gears.

On a single pivot bike, you can put an idler on the pivot for 0 chain growth. This means, if you could have a gearbox on a single pivot bike, you wouldn't need a derailleur. However, current gearbox designs are too heavy/expensive/power inefficient to be viable for use on a mountain bike.

On a 4 bar design, the instant centre moves, meaning you can't use an idler to stop chain growth. So they'd still need a derailleur.
  • 2 2
 You just proved my point. To make the single pivot work as well as or without its drawbacks you need either a gearbox or an idler pulley, and as you say both re too heavy/expensive/power inefficient for viable use on a MTB.

My basic argument is not that single pivot is wholly bad, but that it is not that great, unless you add said items above. and as you say its not feasible. That said, this nuke proof bike is very nice, fancy looking, and well made, but I cant get excited about a bike that will likely cost a lot of money and yet be out performed by a bike that is 1/2 the price but a better design. People get way to caught up in nice new stuff but fail to see the limitations of that item just because it has a fancy name or is shiny and new.

Bottom line, there are better bikes out there for less $$ with a better performing suspension system than this - therefore, I cannot get excited or praise it aside from what it is - nice looking.
  • 1 1
 I never said that a single pivot design would need a gearbox or idler pully, and I never said that an idler pully would be too heavy. What I said was that you can get around the problems with chain growth with single pivot.

An idler is certainly not to heavy for a DH bike - it's just a cog, and used in the K9 industries bike, aswell as the katipo.

A 4 bar suspension design will have all the same problems with chain growth as a single pivot, if it has the same axle path end point.

The main advantage to 4 bar designs is extra tuneability in design, and no brake jack. However, an extra pivot between the main frame and the wheel will mean extra flex in the rear end. So, it will have to be overbuilt to reduce flex, meaning the weight won't be much/any less than a single pivot with a floating brake.
  • 3 0
 Yeah, im familiar with the expression wise guy. Mx bikes do not have floating brakes. Guess what, brake squat isn't all that bad either, it settles the suspension going into corners you just gotta learn how to control your rear brake. And what the hell are you going on about chain growth? rearword 4 bar axle path you're promoting=chain growth. Idlers are a very simple solution too. I ride a bb7 and despite having a 300lb spring on it a van rc and 9 inches of travel, it loves to sprint. Mind sharing what amazing 4 bar bike you're riding that turned you completely against single pivot designs?
  • 3 0
 YELLOW Smile
  • 4 2
 Looks like a Fatline mixed with a TR450 hah
  • 2 0
 love it
  • 2 0
 That is a thing of beauty, just clear coat it lol that would be sweet
  • 3 1
 It'd look good with Deemaxes
  • 1 0
 I love their components (Ti Springs, Generator Hubs), and now a bike!? AMAZING!
  • 2 0
 i'd love a video of this in action
  • 1 0
 that looks wicked. i love it unpainted. lots of sweet frames coming out. keep up the good work
  • 2 0
 the question is.. Is it nuke proof? haha looks sikk!
  • 2 0
 That is actually beautiful.
  • 1 0
 nice!!! looks slightly similar frame shape to the rocky mountain flatline pro
  • 1 0
 first time im liking this type of model frame.. or maybe its just the name "nukeproof" Razz
  • 1 0
 That is one sick Frame, YAGA
  • 1 0
 awesome looking frame imo
  • 1 0
 leverage ratio looks super good on paper (screen) Smile
  • 1 0
 want one so much they look awesome!!!
  • 1 0
 at least the paint like this can`t be detroyed
  • 1 0
 How much will cost me Confused
  • 1 0
 That actually looks like NUKEPROOF BIKE!!!! It's so cool!
  • 1 0
 Idk if I'm reading that graph right. It has almost eight inches of travel?
  • 1 0
 looks like a commencal supreme dh revolt flatline cross
  • 1 0
 is that a pivotal seatpost?
  • 1 0
 is it going to be that colour cause that would look sick with dee-max rims
  • 1 0
 that is a very very cool DH bike...is it nukeproof?
  • 1 0
 the welding is so nice. great frame.
  • 2 1
 JBDirtJumper.... doin' werk
  • 1 0
 well..it looks pretty nukeproof..
  • 1 0
 what does it weigh looks super heavy
  • 1 0
 37lb 11oz WITH pedals
  • 2 0
 solid
  • 1 0
 looks really nice. and seems to have a good geometry.
  • 1 0
 I must say, that is one nice looking rig!
  • 1 0
 i think i will have to save some pennies for this one, i like
  • 1 0
 this bike looks soo epic! wouldnt mind owning one!
  • 1 0
 beautiful!!! though it looks similar to some other 2010 dh bkes...
  • 2 0
 sexy welds
  • 1 0
 That looks sick.
  • 1 1
 Looks soo sick and bombproof.
  • 1 2
 Not just any bomb proof its nuke proofWink
  • 1 1
 Oh my god, that might be even more sexy than the Transition TR450...
  • 1 1
 ya goona look very sick onece its painted man
  • 1 0
 Beautiful!
  • 1 1
 sweet. nice work. totally looks similiar to the TR450
  • 1 1
 it is the same pivot than a 2010 flatline
  • 1 0
 very promising
  • 1 1
 tr450 and revolt for sure
  • 1 0
 Very beautifull bike!
  • 1 0
 looks so wicked
  • 1 0
 hmmm i dunno
  • 1 0
 that looks so awesome Smile
  • 1 0
 looks sick aye
  • 1 1
 sx trail/trek session? nice tho.... very
  • 1 0
 Good job!!
  • 1 0
 looks realy good
  • 1 1
 Rocky Mountain ??????copy
  • 1 1
 kinda the same linkage as the judge...
  • 1 0
 so sick
  • 1 0
 One fucking sexy frame
  • 1 0
 looks mint as
  • 1 0
 Looks very nice!
  • 7 7
 Reminds me more of a Transition TR 450
  • 2 3
 what if they made a race version out of titanium it would be pricy as hell but impossible to break
  • 1 0
 This bike looks awesome!
  • 1 0
 I need this machine
  • 1 0
 looks mint
  • 1 0
 i like it.
  • 1 0
 when are these for sale.
  • 1 0
 From the article!! It's super early in it's development at the moment, with no production date scheduled yet.
  • 1 2
 reminds me of a legend mk1
  • 1 3
 i REALLY like this one. looks like a cross between a flatline, team dh and 88
  • 1 2
 it reminds me of a commencal supreme. I like it!
  • 1 4
 wow its exactly the same as the flat line. Way to be original nukeproof
  • 1 1
 It's true so why neg props? I own a flatline (awesome bike BTW) and frame shape is very, very similar! Not very original I must say.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.069158
Mobile Version of Website