Debuted at Fort William for Round 2 of the 2023 World Cup Downhill Series, the Nukeproof Dissent Carbon has finally made it to production, now available as a frameset and in two complete builds starting at £4,499.99 ($5,199 USD). There are two configurations to choose from: 290 or 297 and, unlike the Alloy Dissent this one replaces, one can switch between the two wheel setups without the need for a new swingarm.
In addition to flip-chip facilitated wheel size changes, this new Dissent Carbon frame comes with a reach-adjust headset with three possible lengths, and benefits from tool-free adjustment of leverage curve progression with three positions to choose from. Oh, and rear-center length is adjustable over a 15mm range, too. There are only three frame sizes on offer, but thanks to the adjustability of each, there is a Dissent Carbon for anyone between 163cm (5ft 4″) and 195cm (6ft 5″) tall.
Nukeproof Dissent Carbon
- Intention: Downhill Racing
- Fork Travel: 200mm
- Rear Wheel Travel: 200mm
- Frame Material: Carbon with Aluminum Links
- Wheel Size: 29″ or Mixed
- Adjustments: Progression, Chainstay Length, Reach, Rear Wheel Size
- Sizing: NP1 (M), NP2 (L), NP3 (L)
- Starting Price: £2,999.99 Frameset with RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Air Shock
It’s been a long time coming, but since we first got eyes on the Nukeproof Dissent Carbon at Fort William last year, it has racked up a number of accolades underneath Rónán Dunne and Louise Ferguson. Indeed, the bike helped Rónán take his first Elite Podium at the World Cup DH in Snowshoe last season, while Louise sent it to P1 at Crankworx, Rotorua, winning by a monstrous margin of 21 seconds.
Its rigorous pre-production testing regime also saw it subjected to the world infamous Red Bull Hardline, where Rónán came away with 4th Place. Accolades aside, let’s dig into the details of the Nukeproof Dissent Carbon.
It runs a full carbon frame, with 6061 T6 Aluminum links tying together its linkage-driven single-pivot suspension platform. That delivers 200mm of rear wheel travel, no matter the rear wheel size, and is paired with a 200mm travel fork sat at a head angle of 63°.
Thanks to a flip-chip on the swingarm, geometry remains largely unaffected when switching out the 29″ rear wheel for a 27.5″, or vice-versa. The outgoing Alloy Dissent lacks this feature, requiring a dedicated swingarm for each wheel size. The good news for any Alloy Dissent owners looking to upgrade is that all parts of that bike can be switched over onto the Dissent Carbon frame without drama.
The Dissent Carbon also boasts a +/- 6mm reach-adjustable headset. There are thus three possible lengths for each size; on the NP2 (L), the reach options are 459mm, 465mm and 471mm. The frame/bike arrives with the neutral headset cup installed, with the eccentric cups necessary for reach adjustment included as spares. Nukeproof do warn that the -6mm position could result in fork brace-headtube contact with some forks, so riders must check this before riding. Assurance is provided that Fox 40 forks have sufficient clearance, but MY23 and earlier RockShox Boxxer forks (and all other forks) need to be checked for clearance in the -6mm cup position.
Strictly speaking, chainstay lengths are not proportional to frame reach, but a flip-chip at the dropouts allows the rider to choose between rear-center lengths of 440mm, 445mm and 450mm. The BB comes in at a height of 360mm.
Dissent Carbon Kinematic
The final adjustment possible on the Dissent Carbon is leverage curve progression. No flip-chips this time; just as we see on the Nukeproof Giga, adjustment of the Dissent Carbon’s main pivot position is tool-free. As we understand it, an integrated lever on an eccentric axle switches between two possible positions; overall progression of 21% or 28%, while a central axle that comes spare can be used in place of that eccentric axle to run an overall progression of 25%.
All three main pivot positions deliver a curve with a relatively high starting ratio between 3.16 and 3.28 – much higher compared to that of the Dissent V1 (Alloy). Nukeproof tell us the aim here was to increase sensitivity in the early stroke, which will also allow riders to go up a spring rate without adding harshness. They also say this change makes the bike work better with air shocks, which is rather important given that both build options of the Dissent Carbon come with an air shock.
We are told that a steep mid-stroke gives good stability and support, while a regressive middle-to-end stroke prevents end-stroke spiking while helping riders to access every last millimeter of travel.
Switching between progression settings also impacts upon the bike’s anti-squat character. The more progressive main pivot position delivers a higher percentage anti-squat, helping to counter the very high leverage ratio of the early stroke – see the grey lines in the kinematic plots provided by Nukeproof. Anti-rise sits at around 105% at 30% sag (60mm into the stroke), decreasing thereafter.
Dissent Carbon Frame Details
- ISCG 05 Tabs
- Coil and Air Shock Compatible
- SuperBoost Spacing
- Integrated Bump Stops
- Tube-in-tube cable routing
- Clearance for 2.5″ tires (and mud)
- Maximum rear rotor size is 220mm
- Enduro Max Bearings
- Threaded 83mm BB
- 3D Contoured Rubber Frame Protection
Pricing & Availability
The Nukeproof Dissent Carbon is available now in the UK, EU and the USA as a frame only. April 24th will see UK and EU availability of the Dissent Comp and Dissent RS Complete Bikes. Meanwhile, US Customers will have to wait until July to see availability of the Dissent RS, with the Dissent Comp not available until August. All ship with Invisiframe protection pre-installed.
Dissent Carbon Frameset – £2,999.99 / €3,599.99 / $3,199 USD
The Dissent Carbon Frameset comes with a RockShox Super Deluxe Air Shock, Headset, and Rear Axle.
Dissent Carbon 290 / 297 Comp – £4,499.99 / €5,699.99 / $5,199 USD
Highlight specs include a RockShox Boxxer Select Fork, Super Deluxe Select Shock, SRAM Guide G2 RE Brakes (220mm/200mm rotors), a SRAM GX DH 7-Speed Drivetrain, Sunringle Duroc SD37 Wheels and a 2.4″ Michelin DH22 pairing.
Dissent Carbon 290 / 297 RS – £5,999.99 / €7,499.99 / $6,999 (USD)
Highlight specs include a RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, Super Deluxe Ultimate Shock, SRAM Code R Brakes, SRAM X01 DH 7-Speed Drivetrain with Carbon Cranks, Nukeproof Horizon V2 Wheels and a 2.4″ Michelin DH22 pairing.
Frames and complete bikes are sold with a two-year warranty.
We can’t not leave you with this Caldwell Visuals production of Irishman, Rónán Dunne “Doing Dangerous Stuff Safely” aboard his Nukeproof Dissent Carbon. Enjoy.
