Power delivery is second to none with the two-piece hollow-forged SLX cranks, and we can’t tell you how relieved we are that Shimano didn’t switch to the spline system that it introduced on XTR. SLX drivetrain offers pinpoint accuracy and instant power transfer. Nukeproof is a brand built on racing. Nukeproof Neutron 45mm allows full control of the helm. Except, of course, that it’s a 130-millimeter travel 29er that feels like it wants to be ridden foot-out flat-out by Sam Hill. Lights. Flip the chip though and you’re in rail mode. Once the trail starts to flow a bit more the Reactor comes alive. How does this compare to the Canyon Strive? From the first rocky rides at the launch in the Dolomites to slamming loamy turns in the leafy hills of Surrey, our reaction to the Nukeproof Reactor has been overwhelmingly positive. Travel is divided too, the 27.5in frames getting 140mm travel, the 29ers pumping out 10mm less. The slacker and lower feeling also help on steeper rougher tracks and just give an extra element of confidence to let the bike run. The frame features molded rubber protectors on the downtube, chainstays and seat stays to protect the frame from chain slap and from rock strikes while keeping it quiet too. The Nukeproof Reactor 290C RS is a terrific do-it-all bike. 2021 Nukeproof Reactor comes in a host of different builds, a choice of 2 wheel sizes and options for carbon or alloy framesets! The firm pedaling platform and stiff carbon cranks help to get power down when needed, with just shifts in body weight to keep the back end gripping and the front end planted. With the new Giga, Nukeproof rely solely on carbon as the frame material for all three builds. From concept through to design, the Kinematics, the geometry and specification; the Reactor is designed from the ground up to be the ultimate aggressive trail bike. The 2020 Nukeproof Reactor is an aggressive trail bike. Nukeproof describe the Reactor as an ‘aggressive trail bike’ and it’s quite a fitting description. Swap the flip-chip to rail mode and the Reactor becomes even more of trail hooligan. Standard fork travel is 10mm more than the rear; the exceptions being the RS models that gets 20mm more firepower up front. Geometry for the Reactor is pretty much on trend for what you’d expect from a modern, fun trail bike. While the Nukeproof Reactor has been designed as a one-bike-to-do-it-all trail bike, when you look at the angles and build there’s definitely an underlying intention there. With the Reactor though, contouring singletrack feels fun and engaging, aided by the responsiveness of the steering and poppy suspension. Nukeproof describe the Reactor as an ‘aggressive trail bike’ and it’s quite a fitting description. Available from mid-October, there will be two alloy full build options along with four carbon models to choose from, plus frame only options in both carbon and alloy. And when you do get yourself into a situation, the Code brakes offer next-level stopping to bring things back under control. Frame only price is going to be £1,899.99 and £2,499.99 for the alloy and carbon respectively. Test report 2021 Nukeproof Reactor 290 Carbon ST review £4,300.00 X Editor here at off-road.cc, Rachael is happiest on two wheels. Jumping on the Reactor and getting riding, the reasonably steep seat angle and roomy top tube give a comfortable position for sitting and spinning along. After a few years’ hiatus for Nukeproof from the trail bike market, the Nukeproof Reactor launched to accolades from media, athletes and more importantly our riders. Over the past few months, my bike has morphed from a fun-time trail thrasher to an XC mile muncher. We were also really lucky with the SLX disc brakes on the Reactor, as they didn’t present with the bite-point migration issue that has plagued so many of Shimano’s new brakes. It is primarily designed for riding at trail centres, but without limiting you to this type of riding. In fact the rear suspension is so good it makes the DPX2 feel more like a coil shock. Trail mode, as the name suggests, is for day to day trail riding, where you’ll be climbing as much as descending. Reviews. The distinct lack of a dedicated full-suspension trail bike. Nukeproof are also offering an aluminum frame option, again available with 27.5 or 29in wheels, and featuring carbon seat stays to help reduce unsprung weight. Gentler, more flowing trails are fun and engaging, a feeling that can become lost on some of the new breed of ‘long, low, slack’ bikes. But even the best specced bikes come up short, and it was actually the superbly balanced suspension and accurate handling that gave the Reactor 290c Elite its winning advantage. It’s a lot of fun on simple trails and doesn’t have to shy away from enduro races either. The Reactor takes its name from the 1996 hardtail trail frame – but that’s where the similarities end. If you crave ultimate performance, and personal service from a local shop, the Nukeproof Reactor 290c Elite is the bike to get. By comparison, the 130-millimeter travel, 29-inch wheeled Nukeproof Reactor might seem a bit … boring. The 27.5in wheeled version will be available in sizes small through to X-large, while the 29in model will be available in medium through to X-large. a little sluggish, but it is still comfortable and efficient. Nukeproof’s Horizon 800mm handlebar and 45mm Neutron stem offer a noticeably precise, direct steering response. The Reactor rolls on a set of tough Mavic Deemax DH wheels, shod with aggressive rubber from Maxxis – an Assegai 27.5 x 2.5 WT upfront and a Minion DHR II WT outback, further showing the bike’s intentions a burly little trail bruiser. Available with 27.5″ and 29″ wheels the 2021 Nukeproof Reactor comes in … Features: Frame: Nukeproof Reactor 275 Carbon, 140mm Travel, UD woven Carbon Fibre frame, internal cable routing, ISCG 05 mounts, Enduro bearings, Threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear axle spacing, 3D contoured rubber frame protection With updated geometry and new suspension kinematics, the Reactor targets riders looking for a well-rounded rig that can handle any trail at any time. ... Nukeproof has gone pretty steep for the effective seat angle at 76.7 degrees in a bid to create a comfortable, efficient climbing position for … Yes, it’s still a pretty slack and long bike, but it doesn’t feel like a big bruiser on the trail, it feels more agile than that and is an engaging ride. The long front centre helps you keep weight over the front to stop it wandering or lifting and the Eagle groupset, combined with the grippy Maxxis tyres, let you winch your way up steep nasty climbs. Save Share. The chips can be flipped without having to remove any hardware, where dropping it into the low setting shaves 5mm off the BB height, reducing it to a ground-hugging 327mm. It comes in three sizes where the size L sports a generous 480mm reach, which makes it the longest bike on test. As a result, you need to run the spring pressure in the fork a little higher to gain support and this really seems to balance the progression rate for the rear suspension. It comes in three sizes where the size L sports a generous 480mm reach, which makes it … Today sees the launch of the brand spanking new Nukeproof Reactor, a mid-travel, do-it-all, trail bike that fills the gap in the Nukeproof range that has been there since the demise of the Mega TR. Launching 12 models, the Reactor range is evenly split between 27.5in and 29in wheels, with dedicated frames for each platform. Nukeproof Reactor 290 Expert, 130mm travel, medium size, £3,100. Nukeproof's parts spec for the Reactor make its 'get rowdy' intentions clear. With a review score of 9.2 out of 10 it’s likely that there will be lots of great detailed reviews to help you. Nukeproof Reactor Light 2009; At A Glance. One person’s trail is another riders’ downhill track, … While the benefits of Rail mode are clear for descending, it does knock half a degree off the seat angle, which while not too detrimental to climbing is worth noting, but that’s not really what that setting is about. The category “trail bike” is all things to all folks. Trail Bike of the Year in association with Alpinestars. The end result is 130mm of supple suspension for maximum traction, but it doesn’t wallow under power or bottom too easily. The Reactor really shines on natural, rutty, woodland fun trails – think Joe Barnes muddy ruts, and off-piste goodness. It’s the unique approach to the rear suspension that really sets the Reactor apart, where even the alloy models get the carbon seatstay assembly to minimise the weight of the swingarm and the make the rear suspension more reactive. The Maxxis Assegai/Minion DHR II tyre combo running rings around everything else, while the 12-speed Shimano drivetrain offers light fast shifting every time. This bike being the 27.5 wheeled version, rear travel is 140mm delivered via a swinglink driven four-bar Horst suspension system. And with Sam Hill leading its rider roster, the Mega has had unprecedented success at the highest level of enduro racing. The 2021 Nukeproof Giga in detail. The Reactor is Nukeproof’s first full carbon frame, i.e both the front and rear of the bike are made of the black wonder material and is available in both 27.5, and 29inwheel options. The Reactor has handled everything I’ve thrown at it and is an amazingly fun bike to ride. Available with 27.5in or 29in wheels, with bespoke frame designs for each, there’s a Reactor of every style of trail rider. Drop down the block, get a couple of cranks in and the Reactor quickly gets up to speed. Nukeproof has spent a lot of R&D time on the suspension of the Reactor, its  aim to create a trail bike that can be easily – and happily – pedalled all day, while still being more than capable enough to point it down any trail you like, or chuck it on a trailer for a day of uplift and bike park ripping. Nukeproof Reactor 275 Carbon Mountain Bike Frame Ready to rip up the trails, the Nukeproof Reactor 275 Carbon frame combines a tough, light and responsive UD carbon fibre frame with a Fox Float DPX2 Factory Series Kashima rear shock. The rear end delivers the 140mm of travel in a measured way and gives plenty of support on fast rough hits, with no harsh bottom outs. It feels really well balanced, with the long reach allowing you to stay centered on the bike when slapping into greasy turns, yet the short chainstays keep the bike nimble allowing you hit corners and shift your weight to snap the bike around. Nukeproof Reactor 290 Elite Carbon Bike (SLX) Taking its name from the original Nukeproof Reactor trail bike back in 1996, this full carbon framed 29er has rocketed up to date with only the greatest technological advancements included within its build. Like all of the bikes in the Reactor range, the geometry is adjustable via the flip- chips that connect the one-piece carbon seatstay assembly to the alloy swinglink. Contact points are all taken care of by Nukeproofs own brand components. If you're not sure which is the bike for you, we take a look at both. The choice between 27.5″ … Sounds like the Holy Grail, right? If, however, you want a capable trail bike that you can chuck around more readily, then the 27.5in Reactor should be your first choice. There also a choice of carbon or aluminium frame constructions so Nukeproof has all budgets covered too. It’s got all the best people in its corner too. We know you can’t judge a book by its cover, but it undoubtedly had us ‘oooh-ing’ over it! Balance is the key, and Nukeproof has delivered on all fronts. The Reactor name wasn’t new though it used to be an old school hardtail from 20 years ago. All bikes have a piggyback shock from either Fox or RockShox, and … Once gravity takes over and things start pointing down there’s a set of powerful 4 piston Code RSC brakes to reign things in when they start to get a bit lairy. The Reactor is designed to reward the rider and ensure you get that stoke factor on any ride. Reactor carbon, 130mm travel (128mm measured), DT Swiss 110/148mm hubs, DT Swiss M1900 Spline 30 rims, Maxxis Assegai 3C/ Minion DHR II 3C 29x2.5/2.4in tyres, Shimano SLX M7100 30t chainset, Shimano SLX r-mech and shifter, Nukeproof Horizon 800mm bar, Nukeproof Neutron 45mm stem, Brand X Ascend 150mm post, Nukeproof Horizon SL saddle, Fidlock Twist Bottle and Bike Base review, Sweet Protection Hunter Merino jersey review, Best hardtail mountain bikes: entry-level and mid-range classics. The fork and shock aren’t overly complicated either, with just rebound to set on the shock, and rebound and low-speed compression on fork. But yeah, pretty boring. Since its launch last year the Nukeproof Reactor made an impact in the mountain bike market. Using the RockShox Trailhead app, you just enter the serial number off your fork / shock and it gives you suggested settings to work from, and then just adjust as required. Shifting with the 12-speed SLX drivetrain is equally accurate, but like on the Radon, once the chain gets dirty it starts to sound graunchy when grinding up climbs in the 51t cog. The Nukeproof Reactor 290c Elite tested here is the entry-level full carbon 29er, so it’s got 130mm married to a 140mm Fox 36 suspension fork. Full bike pricing will range from £2,749.99 up to £5,399.99 for the top end RS model that we’ve had on test. Ross throws a leg over the 2020 Nukeproor Reactor then throws it down the nearest rut infested trail to see how it rides. The 2021 Nukeproof Reactor has had a bit of a refresh since its predecessor. Nukeproof Reactor 275 Comp Alloy Bike (Deore) At home on all trails, whether you're smashing down a descent or attacking a tough climb, the Reactor Comp 29er uses its light and strong aluminium/carbon frame to deliver an agile and efficient ride. Look under the top tube, you’ll even find Nukeproof has included routing for a remote shock too. When things start to get steeper and techier, the Reactor does a good job of clawing its way up climbs. On fast rough trails the combination of big chunky fork and sorted rear suspension, coupled with the stiff wheels and aggressive tyres let you pick a line and stick with it. So far, the frames kinematics and geometry has won rave reviews from riders, media and our athletes and combined with this dream list of components it the definitive trail bike from Nukeproof. No shareholders to pay, just the people who create the content you love to read and watch. 91,890 . Other key points on the frame include a threaded bottom bracket and downtube bottle mounts with enough room for a full-size 750mm bottle. Nukeproof’s goal with the Reactor was to design a bike that was happy to be ridden anywhere and everywhere – up and down – a real UK aggro trail bike. And if you find that actually the reviews are suggesting Nukeproof Reactor 275 Factory Carbon Bike (XT) 2020 isn’t right for you then there will be tons and tons of other reviews for other products in the Mountain Bikes category. Nukeproof has also tweaked the leverage curve, making it less regressive than the Mega in the beginning stroke, and more progressive once your get past the sag point. And as the winner of our prestigious Trail Bike of the Year award (shop-bought category), the Reactor has walked the trail-bike-walk every step of the way. I just ordered a 2021 Nukeproof reactor 290 comp alloy. As does the price. It is at home on technical climbs, but happiest when thrashing the most technical trails you can point it at. TRAIL HOOLIGAN NUKEPROOF REACTOR 2021 The category “trail bike” can be all things to all folks. While this has only been a short term review I’ve ridden the bike on a pretty mixed bag of trails. Category: Trail Suspension front/rear: 150mm / 140mm Tire Size: 27.5™ T he Reactor might not be a new name to Nukeproof’s lineup, dating back to 1996, but for 2020, it’s an all-new model looking to dominate the aggressive trail market. It gives an added an element of feeling more ‘in’ the bike and allows you let the bike move around and drift into corners. Every penny of your membership goes back into Singletrack to pay the bills and the wages of the people who work here. The RS comes built up with a Horizon saddle, Horizon 50mm stem and a set of Horizon 780mm carbon bars. Nukeproof run with the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ theme with their 2021 Reactor frame, while the specs get run over with a fine-tooth comb. The Reactor is Nukeproof’s trail bike that sits between the Nukeproof Scout hardtail and the Mega enduro mountain bike. Our size large test bike features a roomy 482.5mm reach coupled with short 430mm chainstays keeping things nice and nimble. Nukeproof Reactor Light 2009. Although the Reactor 29er begs to be pushed hard, it’s also shown its versatility during these crazy times. Well, we were sceptical too, then we rode it and quickly discovered that it does exactly what it says on the tin. Nukeproof Reactor 275c RS All Mountain Bike. Contact points are rounded out with a set of Sam Hill signature grips. This additional 10mm pushes the head angle out to 65.5°, while the seat angle is at a decently steep 75.1° degrees. Combined with the stunning spec, the Reactor 290c WORX frame is treated to a raw carbon with a clear coat finish, allowing you to see the UD woven carbon build and finished with chrome finishing decals. And charging hard is what this bike actively encourages. This exceptional 29er features a trail-focussed suspension platform, advanced kinematics and a superb components spec, so you attack even the most daring trails with confidence and style. With the best tyres, best wheels, best sizing and geometry, it would be easy to assume that the Nukeproof Reactor was always going to excel in this test. SRAM is in charge of stop and go with a full X01 Eagle drivetrain giving a massive 500% gear range for big days out, paired with an X1 Carbon DUB crankset for putting the power down. The top end build, designed as Nukeproof’s race team would spec it, is slightly over-forked with 160mm of travel offered by the Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this bike to see what is the good and the bad, thanks! The suspension does not sap too much energy, and is active enough to soak up the small bumps and tracking well making it good on technical climbs. As we move swiftly into Model Year 2021, Nukeproof have seen fit to update the Reactor with new spec options and a fresh lick of paint. It even has a bike named after the iconic Megavalanche mass-start event on Alpe d’Huez. I started the test off with the bike in trail mode which is designed for all-round, day to day riding. Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the 2021 Nukeproof Reactor 275c Elite Bike Contact UsPrivacyForum RulesPremier ClubClassifieds RulesLink RemovalLogin/cookie issues?Newsletter Settings, Premier Partners for Singletrack issues & exclusive subscriber perks, Metcheck MTB Weather Forecasts At A Glance, Singletrack Cycle Of Good Inner Tube Belt, Singletrack Lockdown 2020 426ml Coffee Mug, YT Capra Pro and Base alloy models refreshed for 2021, Save more on Shimano and Chrome at Sports Pursuit with Singletrack. If I was currently in the market for a fast, fun, 27.5 do it all trail bike, then the Reactor would be right at the top of the list. Nukeproof’s do-it-all machine, the Reactor, returns for 2021 with colours and specs updated, but the beating heart left alone after stellar reviews for the 2020 models. The additional half-degree off the head angle combined with the lower bottom bracket really allows you to push the bike into fast and rutted turns. Nukeproof Reactor 290 Comp Alloy Bike (SX Eagle) The all-new Nukeproof Reactor is named after their 1996 original, but that's where the similarity ends. Want the thrill of raw speed? Getting the Reactor set up and ready to ride and was nice and simple. The suspension is great and enables the bike to climb well, while still being supple yet supportive for descending. And while it’s certainly no big travel plough machine, the Reactor is more than competent on fast and rough tracks while still feeling engaging and playful. Designed for additional descending capabilities, trail mode gets you an extra 0.5° off the head angle and drops the BB an additional 6mm, making it ideal for those days where playing in the woods and smashing turns and ruts is more important than big days out, or bike park uplifting where pedal clearance isn’t top of the list of priorities. So Nukeproof has come out swinging, with the kind of swagger Conor McGregor is famous for. Accessories. The bike’s highlights are its excellent rear suspension and balanced handling which make it easy to master even the most demanding trails, despite having only 130 mm travel. It’s definitely a trail bike and can easily be pedaled all day, but it’s an absolute blast on fun descents. The Nukeproof Reactor’s suspension has been designed to give a high amount of anti-squat in lower gears to give good pedaling characteristics, yet lower anti-squat in lower gears to increase suspension performance when descending and increase small bump sensitivity. Nukeproof Reactor 275 Alloy, 140mm Travel, custom triple butted hydro-formed tube set for front triangle and chain stays, UD woven carbon fibre Seat stays, internal cable routing, internal cable routing, ISCG 05 mount, Enduro bearings, threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear axle spacing, 3D contoured rubber frame protection. Both are market-leading bikes from Nukeproof! The Reactor climbs as expected for a budget trail bike with tyres that are more focussed on the descending side of things, i.e. We tested the 140mm all-mountain bike on Aberdeenshire’s finest – check out our first ride review here. In trail setting, the bike pedals and climbs well, with the high anti-squat in lower gears being quite noticeable and keeping the suspension nice and firm for winching up climbs. Easy-to-use flip-chip lowers the bottom bracket by 5mm. Reply. It has a buttery smooth suspension response, where its reactive 130mm travel never feels too soft or lacks the support needed for hard charging. Factor in the svelt chassis and supple suspension that never chokes or feels like it’s grappling with the terrain, and it’s easy to see why the Reactor is such a dominant force in the trail bike arena. In the Reactor 290c Elite, Nukeproof has delivered a 29er trail bike that easily meets the demands of modern trail riding. Doing so also knocks the head angle back from 66.4° to 65.9°. Upfront is a stout chassis RockShox Lyrik Ultimate delivering 160mm of controlled travel while keeping things in check outback is a matching metric sized 210 x 55mm custom-tuned RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. Bar the switch from a Maxxis Minion DHR II rear tyre to a Dissector the specification of the Reactor 29c Elite remains unchanged. It talks the talk too. And if you find that actually the reviews are suggesting Nukeproof Reactor 275 Comp Alloy Bike (SX Eagle) 2020 isn’t right for you then there will be tons and tons of other reviews for other products in the Mountain Bikes category. As you’d expect from the ‘top end’ model, the components have all worked faultlessly for the test period and are well up to the job at hand. That’s not to say the Reactor wouldn’t be even better with higher-spec suspension components, but it certainly isn’t dependent on them. The first thing that struck us about this light was the packaging! Launching 12 models, the Reactor range is evenly split between 27.5in and 29in wheels, with dedicated frames for each platform. With our bike being the RS model, it comes fitted with a 160mm fork which is 10mm more than lower equipped models in the range. Nukeproof’s glaring blind spot? Then it’s the 29er every time. In fact, it’s a really good pairing with the basic Grip damper on the 140mm Fox 36 fork. The fork tracks superbly over rough ground with no flex and holds a line through chunky rough tracks. Last year, the flagship RS models got 10mm longer travel forks, this year there’s more continuity across the entire range so regardless of price all models have the same travel. The suspension has a supple feel to it and does a great job of smoothing out smaller frequency trail chatter, while still feeling supportive in the mid-stroke for pumping the trail. Singletrack Podcast: What’s the point of bike tests. Therefore, you can take your new Reactor on steep technical trails too, where it will also excel. But having such a clearly defined focus can often lead to blinkered vision. Travel is divided too, the 27.5in frames getting 140mm travel, the 29ers pumping out 10mm less. As you’d imagine from a top-end model, the RS features a full carbon UD frame. As you’d expect from the flagship model, the RS comes dripping with top drawer components that leave little to be desired. While speccing own brand parts might be seen as a cost-cutting exercise on some bikes, Nukeproof have steadily grown their component range and they’re now a common sight out on trails as aftermarket upgrades. The design of the 2021 Giga is in line with Nukeproof’s new image, as you’ll be familiar with from the latest Reactor and Mega, but the beautiful carbon frame promises to be more than just an eye-catcher.