You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I found an excellent deal on the Nukeproof Reactor Pro (29er in raw Aluminium with Pike 140mm fork). Just reading a few reviews and the Bike Radar review is quite critical of the bike. The review essentially says it’s heavy (burley), slow climbing and inefficient on long rides, is this a fair assessment ? Would look to drop the tyres to something lighter like 29:2.25 Nobby Nic’s. Is this a heavy and tiring bike to ride;
This model:
Not ridden one although I did consider one last time I was picking a bike. Only the carbon frame (which was out of budget) was in stock at the time so I didn’t get one.
I’m imagining it to be a bit like a Bird Aether 9 - but with a slightly slacker seat tube angle. That could make it bob a little more under pedalling (per reviews) but the model you’ve got does appear to have a decent shock which I’d hope had lsc adjustment on it so you could dial it out a bit with that.
For an all round trail bike with a focus more on the downs than ups it’s a bike I’d be more than happy with.
If you want to change out the tyres I don’t think Nobby Nics would be what I’d be chomping at the bit to put on. What sort of trails / riding do you do?
The dissector on the back is reasonably quick for a tyre that has decent cornering knobs. The Assegai is a bit of a draggy thing if you aren’t pushing the limits on corners all the time - but I love mine that I recently put on my Sentinel.
I looked at this, then bought a bird aether 9 instead.
No real preference on tyre choice, just something to lighten the bike a bit. Sounds like it’s on the heavy side as set up from new.
I've got a reactor and it's fair to say the alu frame is a bit weighty in a standard spec. Mine came with sunringle wheels, full deore shifting and brakes etc. It didn't feel super fast round trail centres but it's a tonne of fun. My riding focus has now moved to bigger off piste stuff and bikeparks/enduro racing which the spec reflects with dt swiss ex511's and a fox 36 up front.
I got it in 2021 and I still love it, ride it regularly 2-3 times a week on a mix of everything from trail centres to Dyfi. I'd include a photo but I've never bothered figuring out how to do that on here!
Anyone else rode/own one? Would appreciate feedback.
I test rode one before I got my Bird AM9.
It was definitely draggy on the climbs compared to the bird. Descending it was very stable & planted. IMO it rides like a bigger (longer travel) bike than it actually is.
Also, it's a CRC brand, so backup/warranty doesn't have a great reputation, especially compared to smaller brands like Bird.
I have the carbon version, got it in September and I'm still really enjoying it. Mine has a 150mm fox 36 and a -2 degree angleset. It plods uphill as well as anything else I've owned, but don't expect an XC bike.
Few questions for the Nukeproof Reactor 290 Pro riders:
- I'm 6:2ft (189cm), inside leg of 32inch and 88kgs, Nukeproof general size chart puts me on an "XL frame", but the Nukeproof Rector Pro size chart puts me on a "Large" frame size. How does the bike generally size up? What size would you go for?
- What could be changed to make the bike more efficient climbing? I assume a tyre swap would lose a decent amount of weight, everything else looks pretty light on the bike, I'm a bit puzzled how a size Medium is 14.4kgs, that's going to put an XL near the 15kgs mark.
Mine is a 2022, in carbon but - I'm 6ft 2in and I have an XL (bought as a frame only with a Fox Float X Factory). It's build up with a 170mm dropper and a 50mm (I think) stem and it fits me perfectly.
Can't say I've found it draggy when climbing. I've used it with Hunt XC wides and Ikon/Mezcal tyres in the dry and it was lovely and quick - it really skipped along and climbed wonderfully. Also rode it with Hunt Trail Wides and DHRs front & rear - which are obviously heavier, and I can really feel the difference (as I can on my other 2 bikes - short travel FS & a hardtail) but it climbs well IMO.
Not sure of the the weight of wheels and the tyres on the stock build - but I found the Assegai sucked the fun out of anything that wasn't sloping downwards.
Here's mine:
Not sure of the the weight of wheels and the tyres on the stock build – but I found the Assegai sucked the fun out of anything that wasn’t sloping downwards.
Thanks for the confirmation, this is what I suspected too.
Maybe we ride different stuff but I like my Assegai a lot. Can’t say I’ve noticed it’s draggy - just it grips everywhere better than anything else I’ve ever used in most conditions. Vs the DHF I had on for last summer it’s more confidence inspiring tipping into corners and better on off camber stuff due to the intermediate knobs.
Mine’s an Exo / 3c Maxterra - maybe the heavy casings / stickier compounds drag more…
If I were you I’d try it on the standard tyres first - the dissector rolls along alright and it’s the back where you notice tyre drag the most.
I've got a carbon 290 with Pike 140's. Great bike. Will be selling frame and forks in June if you're interested (new e-bike coming).
6ft exactly here
Got a L 2020 reactor 290 Pro.
Switched tyres to Minion DHR front and Dissector rear and it made a huge positive difference.
I built up a 2021 alloy 290 with the Super Deluxe ultimate and love it. Climbs as well as any other trail bike i have had. Have run Hunt trail wide and also Nukeproof Horizon V2's with all different tyres. Loving the Assegai up front currently, no more draggy than DHF or DHR2 but more grip.
At 5'10 i'm right on the M/L but went for a large and it fits well. I have seat forward on the rails and 35mm stem to make the seated position more comfortable, but the reach is spot on.
Have also ridden the Aether 9 but didn't like it too much. I found it more Enduro like where as the Reactor is more playful and fun.