Stemtee-Nukeproof's Custom DH Shock
For many companies, the World Cup DH race circuit serves as an outdoor test lab, the perfect opportunity to try out products that may or may not make it into production. The Stemtee-Nukeproof team recently sent in the details of a new shock they've been developing, one that includes a remote lockout, a feature not normally seen in the downhill world. The oversized reservoir is also notable, a design feature intended to counteract the excessive heat buildup that can occur during long runs. More details are included in the press release below, and we'll be keeping an eye on the shock's development as the season progresses. - Mike Kazimer
Press Release
![Stemtee-Nukeproof s custom rear shock with remote lockout on Dylan Levesque s Pulse race bike. By the way it s not the only custom part Stemtee are working on...]()
Following a solid top-40 result for Stemtee-Nukeproof’s Dylan Levesque at the Fort William World Cup, and heading into this weekend’s Leogang race, we take a quick look at the custom rear shock Dylan has been running on his Pulse.
A point of much interest around the pits last weekend at Fort William was the fully custom rear shock engineered at Stemtee-Nukeproof’s base near Annecy, France. Dylan has been using this and other prototype versions of the shock for test sessions through winter and recently at several race outings. The shock certainly looks the part, and now its functionality has been confirmed with his great placing in the race.
Designed and built at a facility that also manufactures custom MotoGP parts and chassis, Précision Aravis – team sponsor and HQ – have worked relentlessly in their spare time to machine a shock body with greater oil flow than any other DH shock available, and one with a unique feature in its lock-out.
![That remote lockout.]()
Why build your own?
For a rider of Dylan’s calibre, being put to the test on punishing World Cup tracks, team owner and mechanic Hugues decided that without direct factory support from a major suspension manufacturer, the best way to stay true to this mentality was to manufacture his own damper in-house. The added bonus being that he could then experiment with one or two ideas that no one else is currently working on.
Following many long nights and lost weekends of hard graft, plus several stages of prototyping and testing, the latest version of Stemtee-Nukeproof’s damper is at a level both Hugues and Dylan are confident can better any offering currently available for purchase.
Why so big?
Hugues firmly believes that where oil flow and heat dissipation count, size does matter. Having gone through the prototyping stages during winter, a satisfactory balance between weight and temperature management has been met. With test sessions on some of the most punishing tracks in Europe, and now three successful race outings (including a win in Metabief), it’s clear the shock is performing.
![Bushing.]()
What does it do others don’t?
You have probably noticed the cable entering the shock body. This is a remote shock lock-out activated by a bar-mounted lever, much like a gear shifter. For tracks with sprinting sections this can be a huge advantage. The system is intuitive and easy to use; Dylan was comfortable locking-out between each jump on the lower Motorway section of Fort William.
Can I buy one?
We should note that this product is not aiming for a commercial future. Stemtee-Nukeproof’s ethos is to provide the utmost support for its riders and to cut no corners in the search for the fastest bike, so this is a custom product that will be manufactured only in small numbers for team riders.
The Stemtee-Nukeproof team is now preparing for this weekend’s race in Leogang, Austria, Round 4 of the 2016 DH World Cup. Dylan is looking to build on his solid results at Lourdes and Fort William, and the team will continue to perfect its setup during this, its test season.
![Dylan bringing it home to a solid top-40 in his first outing at the Fort William World Cup.]()
About Stemtee-Nukeproof
With an upbringing on two wheels and deep experience riding and racing motocross, the factory-style setup of Stemtee-Nukeproof appealed to Levesque from the very start. Mechanic and team owner Hugues’ vast knowledge of the mechanical elements of a bike, his experience working with top racers such as Fabien Barel and his desire to ensure the fastest bike possible are the basis of a modest, yet cutting-edge team.
MENTIONS: @stemtee / @BWinder
Press Release
Following a solid top-40 result for Stemtee-Nukeproof’s Dylan Levesque at the Fort William World Cup, and heading into this weekend’s Leogang race, we take a quick look at the custom rear shock Dylan has been running on his Pulse.
A point of much interest around the pits last weekend at Fort William was the fully custom rear shock engineered at Stemtee-Nukeproof’s base near Annecy, France. Dylan has been using this and other prototype versions of the shock for test sessions through winter and recently at several race outings. The shock certainly looks the part, and now its functionality has been confirmed with his great placing in the race.
Designed and built at a facility that also manufactures custom MotoGP parts and chassis, Précision Aravis – team sponsor and HQ – have worked relentlessly in their spare time to machine a shock body with greater oil flow than any other DH shock available, and one with a unique feature in its lock-out.
Why build your own?
For a rider of Dylan’s calibre, being put to the test on punishing World Cup tracks, team owner and mechanic Hugues decided that without direct factory support from a major suspension manufacturer, the best way to stay true to this mentality was to manufacture his own damper in-house. The added bonus being that he could then experiment with one or two ideas that no one else is currently working on.
Following many long nights and lost weekends of hard graft, plus several stages of prototyping and testing, the latest version of Stemtee-Nukeproof’s damper is at a level both Hugues and Dylan are confident can better any offering currently available for purchase.
Why so big?
Hugues firmly believes that where oil flow and heat dissipation count, size does matter. Having gone through the prototyping stages during winter, a satisfactory balance between weight and temperature management has been met. With test sessions on some of the most punishing tracks in Europe, and now three successful race outings (including a win in Metabief), it’s clear the shock is performing.
What does it do others don’t?
You have probably noticed the cable entering the shock body. This is a remote shock lock-out activated by a bar-mounted lever, much like a gear shifter. For tracks with sprinting sections this can be a huge advantage. The system is intuitive and easy to use; Dylan was comfortable locking-out between each jump on the lower Motorway section of Fort William.
Can I buy one?
We should note that this product is not aiming for a commercial future. Stemtee-Nukeproof’s ethos is to provide the utmost support for its riders and to cut no corners in the search for the fastest bike, so this is a custom product that will be manufactured only in small numbers for team riders.
The Stemtee-Nukeproof team is now preparing for this weekend’s race in Leogang, Austria, Round 4 of the 2016 DH World Cup. Dylan is looking to build on his solid results at Lourdes and Fort William, and the team will continue to perfect its setup during this, its test season.
About Stemtee-Nukeproof
With an upbringing on two wheels and deep experience riding and racing motocross, the factory-style setup of Stemtee-Nukeproof appealed to Levesque from the very start. Mechanic and team owner Hugues’ vast knowledge of the mechanical elements of a bike, his experience working with top racers such as Fabien Barel and his desire to ensure the fastest bike possible are the basis of a modest, yet cutting-edge team.
MENTIONS: @stemtee / @BWinder
Author Info:
Member since Apr 5, 2016
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its interesting comparing the suspension needs of Motorsports and Bicycles, especially the rider/vehicle weight ratio and power fluctuation of pedalling
The optimum shock for XC to Enduro pedal cycles may be twin-tube, whilst for motor vehicles a single tube (de carbon type)?
You could class DH bikes as benefiting from the single tube due to very high speed loads
youtu.be/yjWzoJdmPeM
it would be cool to know what they put into it, yet dumb for them to post if its going to be a strictly dh team shock that they aren't selling for production. sure as hell somebody will put it into production one day once they figure it out. but still
www.pinkbike.com/news/exclusive-ride-report-fox-live-valve-active-suspension-system.html
extremeshox.com/en/bikes-mtb
As for lock outs? I bought a dual suspension bike not a hard tail. I like mine to stay a full sus even on climbs.
Love the prototype eye candy.
(I have a slope bike with a Monarch who has this pedal lock. Sometimes I forget to unlock it, and even with 100mm of travel I don't really feel the difference on my local smooth tracks ^^)