Nukeproof and Smith - Bike Connection Winter 2018

Nukeproof Launches Their First Apparel Line, New Wheelset, and Sam Hill Replica Bike


Though Nukeproof support many racers and teams including the mighty Sam Hill/CRC setup, they are still a small operation with a handful of staff working on all of their products. This clothing line has been in the works for three years and totals 17 different shorts and shirts for men and women.

The range isn't simply an open product with their logos printed on - the cut and shape of every panel have been designed from scratch. The clothes are mostly understated, incorporate lightweight and flexible materials, and have plenty of attention to detail.





Not wanting to go for a 'shrink it and pink it' approach to the female clothing like some brands, the line has also been created from the ground up for women that ride.







The brand from Belfast also has a few more tricks up their sleeves, including the new Horizon wheelset which looks to have a massive amount of tech packed in for its €439 price tag: DH-strength rims developed in conjunction with WTB that come taped and with valves, straight pull Sandvik spokes with 8x spares included, 84 points of engagement with double-toothed pawls, and all options of widths and drivers. Plus the copper color hubs are one of a kind, look rad and has a full complement of matching Horizon components to roll with them. NP's final news is that they are launching a limited (50x bikes) Sam Hill replica of the Mega that won the EWS in 2017, the exact spec Sam used and the gold and green colorway he also raced to 7th place at the DH World Champs in Cairns.





Smith's New Session Helmet and Attack Glasses



Smith was the first mountain bike brand to use Koroyd's material instead of a standard EPS foam as a base for their helmet construction. Koroyd is basically a bunch of plastic tubes bonded together that crumple upon impact, it is said to absorb more energy than regular foams and was inspired by alloy tubes that support airplane seats that reduce impacts during emergency landings. The original Forefront helmet appeared in 2013 and was a break from traditional helmet styling; for 2018 Smith has redesigned a whole new range of helmets and the first to launch is the Session.










Smith have also released two new riding glasses called the Attack and Attack Max that features clip-on 'MAG' technology arms. The clips and magnets are a quick and easy way to switch lenses or disassemble for storage. The glasses retail at $250 USD supplied with two shades of ChromaPop lenses and a hard case.