New short-travel trail weapon from the Nukeproof crew.
Crosscountry/backcountry/upcountry/downcountry/trail riding. However, you define it, essentially, it’s all about maximum bike time and getting out to explore natures elements. The new Reactor 290c ST is one of the most versatile bikes we’ve ever made and designed to do it all and everything in between.
Using our awesome award winning Nukeproof Reactor 290 UD woven carbon fibre frame, the new “ST” is a limited-edition model designed as the ultimate lightweight, short travel trail weapon. Its svelte build (Just 28lbs in size medium) is still seriously capable on technical terrain, thanks to the awesome suspension kinematics of the Reactor and the carefully specified components blending the balance between lightweight and robust. All to allow you to cover serious mileage faster, more efficiently and in more comfort, for all day fun in the saddle.
Suspension duties are taken care of with a 130mm Fox 34 Factory fork (Factory Reactor 290; 140mm of travel) paired with a 125mm Fox Float DPS rear shock (Factory Reactor 290; 130mm travel). Blending the best of trail/ enduro geometry (long, low and slack) with the characteristics of an XC Race bike (lightweight spec and efficient suspension) to create a sprightly yet seriously capable machine.
To help with efficiency and ensure that the ST out climbs even the fittest mountain goat, it’s spec’ed with Shimano’s XT 12-speed drivetrain offering a huge range from the 30t chainring combined with a 10-51t cassette. Finished with our own premium Horizon components and some fast rolling DT Swiss 1501 wheels wrapped in Maxxis Rekon rubber. Plus, it has all the “mod cons” for the aspiring XC/ trail/ Down country mountain bike riders; room for a large 750ml Water bottle, threaded bottom bracket, steep seat angle (a steep effective seat angle is nice but a steep actual seat angle is more important!) and pretty easy on the eye with its stunning matte raw carbon finish, no paint saves a few grams too.
To ensure the Reactor 290c ST climb’s as well as it descends, we designed the 4 bar horst linkage to have higher levels of anti-squat for climbing gears but crucially lower levels when you drop down the cassette. This means that the bike can behave itself on the climbs but when you get it up to speed and drop the gears it turns into a trail hooligan.
The combination of low anti-squat and progressive rate give ultimate small bump compliance (removes rough trail and root chatter) with good mid stroke support for cornering/pumping and end stroke progression for aggressive riding. Balanced anti-rise figures allow the Reactor ST some squat when braking hard, maintaining rider position and providing a good amount of pressure through the tyre to ensure traction. The Reactor ST is designed to reward the rider and ensure you get that stoke factor in on any ride.
The Reactor ST has a 66.8° (66.3° Low) head angle atop a 76.3° (75.8° Low) seat angle. Available in sizes Medium, Large and X-Large. The Reactor ST frames feature the same “flip chip” design as the regular Reactor frame to adjust the geometry from “Trail” to “Rail mode”.
The Reactor 290c ST will be available in limited numbers from your local Nukeproof dealer or online from the 30th April 2020, MSRP: £4900 (UK GBP).
More information at nukeproof.com.
Primoz
4/28/2020 8:34 AM
" steep seat angle (a steep effective seat angle is nice but a steep actual seat angle is more important!)"
FUCKING FINALLY!!
Tristan_Mayor
4/27/2020 2:12 AM
Yet another brand new high end bike that requires an angle set straight out of the box. Why are we still obsessed with near-vertical head angles?
It's 2020, I thought we'd been through this?
To be clear: 66.8° is not, has never been, and will never be what should be considered "slack" or even close to.
Nukeproofbikes
4/27/2020 5:17 AM
shreda
4/27/2020 5:37 AM
Tristan_Mayor
4/27/2020 9:34 AM
65° should be seen as 'about average' for any mtb in 2020. You wait, in 2022 the Reactor Mk2 will have this 'revolutionary' new geometry.
Face, palm...
I've actually got a Vitus Mythique and it's great now I fitted a Superstar -2° angle set.
At least you used a 44/56mm head tube, so it's a simple fit
bman33
4/27/2020 10:06 AM
Tristan_Mayor
4/27/2020 11:32 AM
It isn't average, that's my point - it should be though, for all mtbs.
So when bikes are under 65 they can be described as 'slack', and equally when bikes are over 65 they can be described as 'steep'.
I'm not entirely saying steep bikes are inherrantly wrong (ok, I kinda am), but they are that - steep
TEAMROBOT
4/27/2020 6:21 PM
Primoz
4/28/2020 8:36 AM
Nukeproofbikes
4/28/2020 3:39 AM
Honestly, we don't disregard your comment, but remember the head angle is designed as part of the whole geometry package. It's not as simple as "slacken it out x degrees". Dependant on spec for some riders this will make it feel terrible on trails (Even if it looks "great" on the geo charts to some). Note the Reactor is a versatile frame- we're offer travel from a 150mm to 130mm fork depending on intended use and spec, this changes the HA by upto a degree- The ST being the Shortest Travel version so inherently steepest head angle.
It's not impossible that future trail bike may come with "slacker angles", however that would be as a result of numerous changes to the whole packaging and kinematics and technology available. (the stated figures are also in the "trail setting so can be slackened .5 degree just on the rail setting).
We're super fortunate to have some pretty handy development riders (Including Sam Hill) who have used there experience and input into these bikes and pushing frames to limits and making sure the balance of the frame package is correct for our (customer) riders.
Not saying we are making the perfect bike, but its a bike that we and our riders love.
Inclag
4/28/2020 6:45 AM
bman33
4/27/2020 8:58 AM
WeaselSqueezer
4/27/2020 12:11 PM