Made for long days in the saddle, it’s your go-anywhere trail weapon—ready for epic adventures where a 1,000m climb leads to a 1,000m descent. Whatever the trail throws at you, the Reactor 290 Carbon is built to take it on.
The Reactor Carbon is designed around geometry that balances agility, stability and all day efficiency. A long, low and slack stance builds confidence on descents, while a steep seat tube angle centers the rider for precise handling and efficient power delivery on climbs. The four bar Horst Link platform provides 140 mm of rear travel and is tuned to be supple off the top for traction and comfort, with strong mid stroke support that keeps the bike lively and responsive in technical terrain. As speed increases and you move further down the cassette, anti squat reduces so the Reactor stays composed through rough sections and under braking, maintaining control and grip when it matters most. Combined with adaptable geometry via the Trail or Rail flip chip, the Reactor can shift from a nimble trail climber to a planted and confidence inspiring descender, a true all rounder ready to thrive wherever the trail leads.
Design Features
Every detail of the Nukeproof Reactor is engineered to make life on and off the trail seamless. With rider focused practicality at its core, it combines performance with easy maintenance. The front triangle accepts a full size 750 ml water bottle and an accessory mount beneath the top tube carries tools or spares, ideal for long self supported rides. Generous mud clearance for tyres up to 2.6 inches ensures reliability in harsh conditions, while MAX bearings throughout the frame provide lasting smoothness and durability. Servicing is straightforward thanks to accessible hardware, sensible Allen key sizes and laser etched torque markings, complemented by tube in tube internal cable routing for a clean and rattle free setup. To finish, 3D contoured rubber frame guards protect key areas from impacts and chain noise. Thoughtfully engineered and trail proven, the Reactor is built to perform ride after ride.
Advanced Carbon Frame Construction and Adaptability
The Reactor Carbon uses a meticulously engineered UD carbon fibre chassis that balances stiffness, compliance and strength across every section. Both front and rear triangles, including chainstays and seatstays, are full carbon to keep weight low and response high, transferring power efficiently while filtering trail chatter for all day comfort. Adaptability is central to the design. A two position Trail or Rail flip chip lets riders fine tune geometry and handling. Trail mode delivers an efficient, balanced feel for big mile days, while Rail mode lowers the bottom bracket and relaxes the head angle for more aggressive descending and corner support. Versatility extends to wheel setups. The 290 Trail or Rail chip on the rear triangle can be swapped for a 297 mixed wheel Rail chip. Geometry and suspension kinematics match the 29 inch Rail setting, ensuring consistent performance across configurations. Built to be as dynamic as the terrain, the Reactor Carbon combines precise engineering with real world versatility for everything from long alpine rides to technical singletrack.