Nukeproof add Dissent 297 mullet DH bike for Sam Hill, Ad Brayton and you

A mullet downhill bike joins the Nukeproof ranks for 2021; the Dissent 297. A literal merger of the 290 and 275 platforms, the 297 puts a 29″ wheel up front with the 290’s front triangle, and a smaller 27.5″ wheel out back on the 275’s rear triangle. It’s been sat on a Nukeproof workshop floor for some time, but they decided to park the idea until the UCI changed the rules to allow mixed wheel size bikes to be raced at World Cups. Here’s an overview.

2021 Nukeproof Dissent 297 Mullet DH Bike

The Dissent 297 runs a custom triple-butted hydro-formed aluminium tube set. A marriage between the 290 front triangle and 275 rear supports 200mm of rear wheel travel serviced by a coil shock across the range. That’s paired with a 46mm offset 200mm fork.

Geometry customization is becoming more popular than ever – almost every full suspension mountain bike we see these days has some sort of geometry adjust option either at the linkage, chainstays, or headset cups (check out the new Stumpjumper EVO for an example of that). The 2021 Nukeproof Dissent 297 is no different, offering three chainstay lengths, and four main pivot positions… read on.

Customizable Suspension Tuning

This new mullet DH bike from Nukeproof features a suspension layout almost identical to what we see on the 290 and 275 versions – no surprise given that it is a hybrid of the two. This means its mixed wheel-size platform gets the same adjustability. The 2021 Nukeproof Dissent 297 offers riders the choice of four main pivot positions.

It is not uncommon for different world cup riders to want a slightly different characteristic to one another depending on factors such as their riding style and whether they run flat pedals or not. The Dissent takes this into account with an adjustable main pivot flip chip, designed to essentially work like a bottomless token for a coil shock.

The different positions determine how progressive the suspension is. Cleverly, the geometry and travel do not change between positions. Note: The sag difference between each setting is around 1% so you should not need a different spring rate.

Chainstay Adjust

As on the Dissent 290 and 275, the mullet 297 offers chainstay length adjustment via the use of a three-position flip chip. This is located at the dropouts which are themselves interchangeable inserts.

The flip chip allows the rider to alter the bike’s wheelbase by 5mm-10mm, tailoring it to their riding style or the track they’re slaying that day.

Dissent 297 Geometry

Nukeproof are offering the Dissent 297 in three frame sizes; medium, large and extra large. If you want a small frame, you’ll have to settle for the 275.

Reach starts at 440mm in medium, increasing in 20mm increments to 480mm in XL. Your 200mm fork is set at a slack 63° head angle paired with a 76° (effective) seat tube angle. The chainstay length is 440mm, consistent across the frame sizes. But, remember you can alter that to change the bike’s ride feel. Drop it by 5mm to 435mm if you’re wanting a more nimble bike, or lengthen it by 5mm to 445mm for more stability at speed.

Adjustment of the main pivot position does not affect the bike’s geometry.

Nukeproof Dissent 290 & 275

Sam Hill recently dusted off his Nukeproof Dissent 290 DH Bike for a Team CRC shreddit – a teaser for his potential return to downhill racing? Wouldn’t that be exciting.

The Dissent 290 and 275 downhill bikes’ geometries remain unchanged for 2021. The only difference we’ve identified is that the 29er is now spec’d with a 56mm offset fork as opposed to the original 46mm offset.

Pricing & Availability

The 2021 Nukeproof Dissent 297, 290 and 275 are available in the RS and Comp level build models available from October 8th with Nukeproof dealers. The medium frames come with a 350lbs spring as standard, the L a 400lbs spring and the XL a 450lbs spring.

The top-end Dissent 297 RS model features a RockShox Boxxer Ultimate fork with Charger 2 damper, and a RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate DH coil shock with a custom ML Tune.

• Front Wheel: Nukeproof Horizon V2 DH 29″
• Rear Wheel: Nukeproof Horizon V2 DH 27.5″
• Tires: Front: Michelin DH22 29”x 2.4, Rear: Michelin DH22 27.5”x 2.4
• Crankset: SRAM XO1 DH Carbon X-Sync, 165mm, 34T, DUB83mm
• Chain Device: MRP Mini G4 32-36T
• Drive: SRAM XO1 7-Speed
• Brakes: SRAM Code R
• Rotors: SRAM Centreline, 220mm (Front), 200mm (Rear)
• Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon 38mm Rise
• Stem: Nukeproof Horizon Direct Mount, 45mm
• Saddle: Nukeproof Vector DH
• Seat post: Nukeproof Neutron, 30.9mm
• Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
• Weight: 16.64kg / 36.6lbs (Tubeless)

Your more affordable option is the Comp build. It gets a RockShox Boxxer Select Charger fork paired with a RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Select R shock with custom ML tune.

• Front Wheel: Sun-Ringle Duroc SD37 Comp 29″
• Rear Wheel: Sun-Ringle Duroc SD37 Comp 27.5″
• Tires: Front: Michelin DH22 27.5”x 2.4, Rear: Michelin DH22 29”x 2.4
• Crankset: SRAM Descendant DH, 165mm, 34T, DUB83mm
• Chain Device: MRP G4 CS 34-38T
• Driver: SRAM GX 7-Speed
• Brakes: SRAM Guide RE
• Rotor: SRAM Centreline, 220mm
• Handlebars: Nukeproof Neutron 38mm Rise
• Stem: Nukeproof Horizon Direct Mount, 45mm
• Saddle: Nukeproof Vector DH
• Seat post: Nukeproof Neutron, 30.9mm
• Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
• Weight: 17.4Kg / 38.35lbs (tubeless)

Nukeproof.com