This must be a real nightmare for the marketing department at Specialized: They send Sam Hill into retirement after less successful years and buy the downhill series winner Aaron Gwin for a lot of money and with a lot of fanfare, and then this: Gwin is suddenly riding behind and Hill is back in front with a new bike. What could it be, if not the bike? Unfortunately, we weren't sent the Australian's personal coach for the test, but the well-equipped "Pulse Pro" is also quite nice.
The geometry data of the "Pulse" is unremarkable. No super-short chainstays, mega-low bottom bracket or ultra-slack steering angle. The reach of 410 millimetres is also normal for a size M frame. So it fitted all the testers (1.70 to 1.80 metres tall) well. We have become accustomed to the tuning fuss that is part and parcel of such high-quality suspension elements these days. Both Cane Creek and RockShox offer online set-up tips, which experience has shown to suit our riding style. We chose the Czech bike park Spicak as the testing ground for the Nukeproof. The IXS Downhill Cup course there offers open, fast and very rocky sections as well as some tricky, tight bends. This is where downhillers can show whether they can reconcile smoothness and manoeuvrability. There are also various descents in the park with fast berms and drops - ideal for checking your characteristics.
The "Pulse Pro" is definitely a bike on which you can immediately feel comfortable. The suspension is extremely plush and virtually soaks up rocky ground and the bike takes the momentum well on longer rocky sections. The rear and front work very harmoniously in the mid-stroke range. The response behaviour and compression damping of the air "Boxxer" are a good match for the rear. The handy Geo helps in tight bends, but the weight of almost 19 kilos is clearly noticeable. In combination with the comfortable suspension, you can ride very fast without fear, but the bike does not encourage an active style. Jumping from gap to gap and utilising all the lines on the trail requires a lot of energy. Accelerating out of corners also lacks liveliness if you haven't inherited Greg Minnaar's fitness. With a stiffer spring and correspondingly more pressure in the fork, you can easily make the suspension sportier, but the weight handicap remains. The consistent downhill character of the "Pulse Pro" is also noticeable on built, more flowing trails. Although the good suspension balance also helps here to pick up speed in berms with a lot of pressure, the bike is still a drag on small kickers and pedalling sections.
The Trek "Session", for example, is an alternative to this riding experience. A completely different bike, not only in terms of weight, but also in terms of the active riding experience, but one that requires significantly more courage from the rider for high speeds in exposed terrain. Nevertheless, the Nukeproof is a real projectile in our eyes, which is a lot of fun precisely because it conveys so much safety. Ultimately, the question is what kind of terrain you ride most often. Rather ach with pedalling sections and little bumping - there are livelier bikes out there. But when the going gets really tough, steep, blocked and rough, the "Pulse Pro" is in its element and helps the rider to be fast wherever it can.
PLUS Chassis, appearance, workmanship
MINUS Weight
MANUFACTURER INFORMATION
Distribution Nukeproof Bikes, www.nukeproof.com
Material/sizes Aluminium/S,ML (test size M)
Price/weight without pedals approx. 4 709 Euro/18.6 kg
MEASURED DATA
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/210 mm
Rear suspension system Supported single-joint
EQUIPMENT
Fork/vapoursr RockShox Boxxer R2C2 Cane Creek DB Coil
Cranks/gears Truvativ Descendant 1.1/SRAM XO
Brake system Avid Code
Impellers Nukeproof Generator DH system wheelset, Maxxis High Roller 2 2.4 tyres
