The 10 Fastest Downhill Bikes in the World, According to Race Results

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We crunched five years of World Cup downhill results to crown the fastest DH bike, revealing surprising winners as teams switched to 27.5" wheels.
By Aaron Chamberlain
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9. Nukeproof Scalp & Pulse – 20 Top Ten Finishes

nukeproof pulse

Nukeproof has an interesting history. The brand began as Nuke Proof Industries in 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were perhaps best known for their hubs, which used a carbon fiber shell mated to aluminum flanges. In the early 2000s Nuke Proof Industries was struggling, and the trademarks were sold to an Irish DH racer, Michael Cowan. He began reviving the brand at first with components, eventually working up to frames. In 2011, the brand partnered with Chain Reaction Cycles to form a World Cup-level race team. Nukeproof now offers a full range of mountain bikes in addition to numerous components.

Brief History

  •  2012
    • Nukeproof’s DH bike is known as the “Scalp”
    • 26″ wheels
    • Aluminum frame
  • 2013
    • Nukeproof updates their DH rig and changes the name to “Pulse”
    • 26″ wheels
    • Aluminum frame
  • 2014
    • The Nukeproof/Chain Reaction Cycles race team begins testing a 27.5″ version of the Pulse
  • 2015
    • The team gets an updated, sleeker-looking frame
    • Nukeproof releases it in the summer as a 2016 model

Standout result: Sam Hill’s return to top form, winning at Mont Sainte Anne in 2014.

Best season: 2014, with 9 top ten finishes.

 
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