FIRST LOOK: NUKEPROOF DISSENT CARBON – A DOWNHILL BIKE DEVELOPED ON THE RACECOURSE

Over the last year, Nukeproof has been hard at work developing a new downhill frame that has already seen a World Cup and Crankworx podium and competed at Red Bull Hardline. With testing and development being done by their top downhill athletes, the new Dissent Carbon is built for world-class downhill racing.

By constructing the new Dissent from carbon, Nukeproof’s engineers were given the freedom to make significant improvements, obtain quicker prototypes, and use more complex shapes in the development process. They claim that the added stiffness, strength and compliance of carbon will enhance the overall feel of the bike. While the change in material was not initially designed to reduce weight, it still resulted in a weight reduction of 430g (size NP1 frame). With three frame sizes, an adjustable headset and an adjustable chainstay, the Dissent Carbon provides riders with a wide range of adjustability to dial in their reach and feel to suit a wide array of riding styles and terrain.

 

Originally conceived to test different leverage curves and progressivity with their factory athletes, Nukeproof incorporated three different flip-chip positions into the new Dissent that can be easily adjusted on the fly. All three settings have a high leverage curve at the beginning of the stroke, providing a supple feeling, consistent mid-stroke support, and a regressive end-stroke to prevent bottoming out. Sensitivity was also added to the beginning of the stroke, which enables riders to increase their spring rate without harshness and works better with newer air shocks.

The Dissent Carbon will be available in both 29” and MX (29/27.5”) wheel configurations, with the option to switch between the two with the help of a simple flip-switch in the rear triangle and swapping out the rear wheel. This adjustment compensates for the different wheel size while maintaining the bike’s kinematics and geometry without compromising performance.

 

Nukeproof has enhanced the finish of the new frame with tube-in-tube cable routing, which they claim simplifies internal cable routing and reduces cable noise while maintaining a clean-looking frame. Bump stops are integrated to securely channel cables as well as protect the headtube, and all frames come standard with a pre-fitted clear protection kit for added durability. Custom 3D-contoured frame protection was developed to reduce chain slap in the chain and seat stay areas, which they claim leads to a more quiet ride. The downtube is also protected with a large kit that extends over the ISCG tabs to shield against rock strikes.

 

The Dissent Carbon is offered in two different build kits as well as a frame-only option (Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate Shock, headset, rear axle, and clear frame protection included), with both complete bikes having the option of 29” or mullet configurations. The frame can be built around full 29” wheels or mullet as well. The Dissent RS is specced with Rockshox Ultimate suspension and a SRAM X01 drivetrain, while the Dissent Comp comes with Rockshox Select suspension and SRAM GX drivetrain. The RS model also gets Nukeproof’s in-house Horizon v2 wheelset. Frame only is priced at $3,199 and is available now, while the Comp spec is priced at $5,199 and the RS is priced at $6,999 and are expected to be in stock this summer.