Nukeproof and its parent brand, Belgian Cycling Factory (BCF), just launched the affordable new Tracker FS enduro bike a few days ago. Today, they’re back with more new bikes, but this time, it’s the all-new Avinox-powered Kilowatt eMTB platform. With 150/160mm travel and available in alloy and carbon frames, the Kilowatt is positioned as a do-it-all e-bike, with prices starting at £3,999/€4,999.
Nukeproof says it is “designed for riders who want one bike capable of doing everything, from after-work laps on local trials to bucket list riding destinations, the Kilowatt strikes the perfect balance for those seeking a single eMTB that excels everywhere.” That certainly sounds appealing. Let’s check it out.
Nukeproof Kilowatt Details
The Kilowatt is a brand-new platform for Nukeproof, combining 150/160mm of travel, alloy or carbon frames, and the incredibly popular Avinox drive systems. The brand says these new eMTBs “deliver low weight, high power, and the progressive geometry and ride characteristics that are unmistakably Nukeproof.
Frames
Nukeproof is making the Kilowatt frames in both alloy and carbon fiber, which have been designed, not surprisingly, “to look strikingly similar.” The brand tells us that it is working with a new manufacturing partner on the alloy model, and together, they have been able to develop tube shapes that closely resemble the carbon frame. The alloy frames are made with 6061 T6 aluminum, and the carbon frames are crafted with UD Carbon Fiber.
Regardless of material, the Kilowatt frame has 150mm of rear wheel travel and comes with a 160mm travel fork. This travel bracket is one of the most popular on the market and aligns well with Nukeproof’s do-it-all intentions for the platform. Both frames employ what looks like a Horst Link suspension layout, but with a “signature single-piece suspension linkage,” which Nukeproof says differentiates it from traditional four-bar designs and increases stiffness between the front and rear triangles.
The Kilowatt comes with a mixed-wheel/mullet setup, and Nukeproof says it is compatible with a 29” rear wheel via a flip-chip. Cable routing is all internal with a user- and maintenance-friendly tube-in-tube system. The frame has 12 x 148mm Boost axle spacing, one bottle mount in the front triangle, and molded rubber protection on the chainstay, seat stay, and downtube. The claimed weight for the Carbon Factory (size M) build is 22.2 kg (48.9 lbs.).
Geometry
The new Kilowatt has a modern, trail-oriented geometry that looks well-suited to Nukeproof’s all-’rounder intentions for the platform. That includes a 64° head tube angle, 77-77.5° seat tube angle, and 450mm chainstays across all sizes. Stack heights are fairly generous, and reach measurements appear to be pretty standard, starting at 435mm on the small and growing to 500mm on the XL frame. On that note, the Kilowatt comes in four frame sizes, S to XL.
The geometry chart provided by Nukeproof isn’t the easiest to decipher, but all of the details are included if you want to give it a shot. The geometries of the alloy and carbon frames have some very minor differences — mostly the seat tube angle is 77.5° on all sizes of Alloy frames — the geometry chart for the Carbon frames is shown below.
Avinox Drive Systems
I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but the Kilowatt eMTBs are coming with the latest Avinox M2S and M2 drive units. Nukeproof says “Avinox was the logical choice due to its outstanding blend of power, weight, range, and compact packaging,” allowing them to make the Kilowatt look and ride more like their analog bikes. Three of the four models come with the more powerful M2S, while the base model Alloy Comp is equipped with the M2.
For a quick refresher, these are the most powerful e-bike motors on the market. The M2S is capable of continuously putting out up to 1,300W of power and 130Nm of torque. That bumps up to 1,500W and 150Nm of torque in shorter bursts using Boost Mode. The M2 is slightly less powerful, with 1,100W of peak power and 110Nm of torque, with Boost mode topping out at 125Nm.
All of the models come with fixed, non-removable batteries, with 800Wh on the M, L, and XL frames, and downtube length constraints limiting the Small to 600Wh. Nukeproof says it chose non-removable batteries “to achieve the cleanest possible frame design.” The less expensive alloy-framed models come with the standard 4A charger, while the carbon versions come with the 12A fast charger.
Nukeproof Kilowatt: Builds and Pricing
The Kilowatt is available in four complete builds, two alloy and two carbon, with prices starting at £3,999/€4,499 for the entry-level Alloy Comp and topping out at £7,999/€8,999 for the top-spec Carbon Factory build.
Kilowatt Alloy Comp: £3,999/€4,499
- Motor: Avinox M2
- Fork: RockShox Psylo Gold RC, 160mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select
- Drivetrain: SRAM S100 Half Mount, 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM DB4 4-piston w/ 200mm Centerline rotors
- Wheels: WTB ST i30 rims w/ Shimano TC500 hubs
- Tires: Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity, Soft, 29 x 2.4 front, 27.5 x 2.4 rear
- Dropper: X-Fusion Manic, S: 150mm, M/L/XL: 170mm
Kilowatt Alloy Pro: £4,999/€5,499
- Motor: Avinox M2S
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik, 160mm
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type, 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Base w/ 200mm Centerline rotors
- Wheels: Nukeproof Neutron
- Tires: Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity, Soft, 29 x 2.4 front, 27.5 x 2.4 rear
- Dropper: Tranz-X YS108, adjustable, S: 150mm, M: 170mm, L/XL: 200mm
Kilowatt Carbon Expert: £6,499/€7,499
- Motor: Avinox M2S
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Performance, 160mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 90 T-Type, 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Base w/ 200mm Centerline rotors
- Wheels: DT Swiss HX1900
- Tires: Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity Pro Radial, Ultra Soft, 29 x 2.5, Rear: Schwalbe Albert Evo Gravity Pro Radial, Soft, 27.5 x 2.5
- Dropper: Tranz-X YS108, adjustable, S: 150mm, M: 170mm, L/XL: 200mm
Kilowatt Carbon Factory: £7,999/€8,999
- Motor: Avinox M2S
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory, 160mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO AXS T-Type, 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver w/ 200mm HS2 rotors
- Wheels: DT Swiss HX1700
- Tires: Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity Pro Radial, Ultra Soft, 29 x 2.5, Rear: Schwalbe Albert Evo Gravity Pro Radial, Soft, 27.5 x 2.5
- Dropper: OneUp V3, adjustable, S: 150mm, M: 180mm, L: 210mm, XL: 240mm
Availability
Nukeproof is launching the Kilowatt today at Eurobike, and says to expect bikes in stores later in the year. Head to the Nukeproof website to learn more.
