DH Bike Review: Nukeproof's Dissent 297 is a Versatile Park Shredder

The 297 model squeezes out 200mm of rear wheel travel from a coil shock and is dedicated to the specified wheel size, but there are plenty of geometry and suspension tweaks to be made.

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Contents

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Frame Details

The tube shapes in the Dissent front triangle sets it apart from other downhill bikes on the market. A slender top tube bends upwards, still providing ample standover clearance, yet avoiding the “gas tank” bulge. The down tube takes the opposite approach, curving upwards from the bottom bracket to the head tube. Thick rubber pads protect the underside of the shock basement and the inner faces of the rear triangle.

Both the brake hose and derailleur housing run internally, entering the downtube just below the welds and exiting underneath the shock before flowing into the seatstays. Threaded ports at the headtube junction allow for a clean option to run the rear brake on either side of the handlebars.

On the lower shock mount, a bearing eyelet is used to overcome friction and reduce wear from the high articulation at this point. Changing the spring isn’t daunting and can be done in a flash by removing the two shock bolts. There’s no need to remove extra hardware or use special tools.

We’ve seen a carbon prototype floating around the World Cup races over the last year. Although there’s no word on its details just yet, the suspension design remains the same and the rear triangle still uses a chip system for variable chainstay lengths.

Suspension

Typically, a single pivot swing arm, like Orange’s 279, achieves minimal progression. The Dissent series runs on a single pivot near the chainring as well, but a push rod moves the inverted swing-link through the 75mm stroke shock. This rotating link begins with a slightly regressive curve and flattens through the middle, before ramping up at the end.

Two offset main pivot inserts can be flipped to yield 4 different progression settings; 17, 21, 26, and 30%. All of the Dissent models come with coil shocks and most of Nukeproof’s factory riders seem to prefer those as well.

Geometry

The brushed alloy frame, modified single-pivot suspension, and a SRAM/RockShox parts kit all seem normal, and for the most part, the geometry is standard issue too, except for the reach numbers. The Dissent 297 is undersized in terms of length, even by yesterday’s standards. This size large bike has a reach of 460mm, whereas most other brands are at least 15 mm longer than that. Even the largest of the four sizes tops out at 480mm on the XL frame.

The chainstays also aren’t the longest out there at 440mm, plus or minus 5 mm with that flip chip dropout. In total, the front and rear centers add up to a wheelbase of 1274 mm under the 63-degree head tube angle.

Specifications

Nukeproof’s resurgence as a brand in the early 2000’s began with componentry and that’s prevalent on the Dissent 297. The $6,499 USD RS build kit features the Horizon series of wheels and cockpit controls. Sam Hill’s signature is stamped on the oddly sweeping alloy handlebars and cushy grips.

As for the bread and butter of the build, SRAM and RockShox’s finest takes care of the drivetrain, brakes, and suspension, excluding the one exception; Code R brakes. Although a 220mm rotor is spec’d up front, I’d prefer to spend my dough on the power and modulation of the RSC models instead of carbon cranks.

Lastly, MRP takes care of the chain device, and Michelin DH 22 Racing Line tires are fitted to give the best in the biz a run for their money. With the control tires installed, the large Dissent 297 RS landed near the middle of the spectrum at a respectable weight of 16.57 kg / 37.31 lb for an alloy frame.

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Descending

From the first lap on the Dissent 297, I felt comfortable and in control, gaining more confidence as the lap counter ticked over. Everything about the Dissent is active; the shorter wheelbase, cushy suspension, and 27.5” rear wheel.

The suspension sags quickly into the stroke to give a slack feeling with a sizable chunk of front wheel ahead of you for tackling obstacles head on. In the 21% progression setting, I was surprised to learn how plush the Dissent remained off the top, yet still progressive at the bottom end. The amount of movement at the beginning of the travel seemed a little imbalanced and too reactive for my liking, primarily due to the slight regression leading into the sag zone. Bumping up the low-speed compression slowed this down, although it can’t totally overcome that leverage curve.

I liked how well that slight regression kept the rear wheel hugging the ground at low speeds, however, I would trade that forgiveness if I could settle down the balance of the bike. For that reason, I switched to the 17% progression setting and preferred the added composure, never needing more ramp on heavy landings. This switch calmed down its eagerness to dive into the first part of the travel and worked more efficiently for trucking through the upper reaches of the Garbanzo trails.

When it came time to slow down the Dissent, I was impressed with how active the single pivot remained and the lack of suspension rise. Of all the bikes in the test, the Nukeproof weaved in and out of corners on command, needing less encouragement to whip it sideways. For riders who focus on splitting their time between honing all-out speed and goofing around on machine-made trails, the Dissent caters well to either. I wouldn’t peg it as a freeride bike, nor does it require as much muscle to ride as the Orange 279 or Antidote Darkmatter. The shorter wheelbase is compensated in terms of stability by that initial squish the Dissent relaxes into, yet doesn’t feel laborious to pump your way through flow trails.

If you’re looking to add some stability and racer influence to the Dissent, there is the chainstay length adjustment. Primarily, I stuck with the 440mm rear center, although I experimented by stretching that 5mm to 445. No doubt the extra wheelbase brought in more traction and straight line capabilities, but lengthening the chainstay increased the leverage ratio and brought back that very independent, eager rear shock movement I found at the 23% progression setting.

Despite the dusty conditions and constant punishment, those two modular hardware chips never creaked or wiggled loose once. They’re easy to swap in the parking lot and a single brake adaptor takes care of all three chainstay lengths. Changing the progression can be accomplished without removing the rear wheel or crankset too.

Besides the nature of the leverage curve that didn’t quite align with my tastes - although it’s simple to react to - there were only two minor quibbles with the Dissent. First was the chainstay protector that lost its adhesion near the chainring, and the second was a strange pedal kickback sensation felt in deeper bowl berms. The best I can do to explain that predicament is by describing the sound that the drivetrain made. You could hear the cassette spin across the pawls as the chain and derailleur recoiled back into position. This only happened a handful of times in particular corners, and thankfully never caused any ride disruptions.

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Technical Report

Nukeproof Horizon Handlebars: Controls can be a combination of personal setup and fit. If you prefer a straighter handlebar, you'll want to swap these out. These Horizon bars use a 5-degree upsweep and 9-degree backsweep, but felt more drastic to me. I originally thought they were bent in shipping when I built the bike, except they were bent on both sides, evenly. To each their own.

Nukeproof Horizon Rims: Having never seen these rims in person before, I knew they’d either sink or swim, given the torture that awaited them. I like to think I ride lightly, although I’ve cased a jump or dinged a rock over the years. The alloy Horizon rims performed exceptionally well, remaining dent free and barely needing any attention.

SRAM Code R Brakes:I’d give these a pass if they were spec’d on the less expensive Dissent Comp, but when you pair Code Rs with a full XO1 DH drivetrain, you start to question what should be prioritized. After the handlebar, and yes, it’s a substantial change, they’d be the second part to find a new home. At least there is a powerful 220mm rotor up front.

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How Does It Compare?

Overall, the Dissent held its own on our test track and was the “easiest bike to ride”. What does that mean? Well, it’s a combination of comfort, predictability, and response to rider inputs. It’s not the lightest, longest, or slackest bike, but hands down was the most enjoyable to ride. Riding a healthy mix of tech, jump, and fast single track in the bike park wasn’t as demanding, both physically and mentally, as the rest of the test fleet.

Across stutter bumps, the Dissent soaked those up with ease compared to the Orange 279 and more so than the Antidote, at least at lower speeds. Somewhere in between the highly active initial suspension rate of the Dissent and the taught top end of the Orange is what I’d settle for. Still, nothing came close to the Canfield Jedi, which seemingly erased anything in its path.

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Pinkbike's Take

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Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Reviews DH Bikes Nukeproof Nukeproof Dissent