Nukeproof are set to add a fourth bike to their range this year – the Rook, a slopestyle rig designed in collaboration with new team rider Jack Fogelquist.
The new bike will be launched on Thursday at the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, and Nukeproof's UK distributors Hotlines have decided to whet our appetites by releasing some snaps of its integrated hydraulic gyro system.
Integration of the brake hose detangler into the head tube allows for a much lower stack height than the normal setup, where the gyro is inserted between the headset and stem – just 10mm including headset cup, according to Nukeproof. This means bar height can be kept low.
But just because this bike should be easy to do bar spins and tailwhips on, don't be fooled into thinking the Rook is a one-trick wonder – Hotlines reckon that with a few tweaks you can turn it from a slopestyle star into a trail tamer.
"The Rook has a low, mildly progressive leverage rate designed to give a stiff platform for dirt jumping or slopestyle when used with 150 psi," they say. "Additionally, due to the low leverage rate, the feel of the ride is highly tunable by altering the compression damping of the shock. Switching the shock to its minimum compression position and running below 150psi provides a supple, active suspension feel for freeride or trail use.
"The geometry of the Rook is optimised for a 110mm-travel fork, giving a 13in BB height and 69-degree head angle. Running the frame with a 160mm fork will raise the BB to 13.75in and slacken the head angle to a trail taming 66 degrees. Chainstays are kept short for pumping tight bowls and manualling."
Look out for full coverage of this year's Sea Otter Classic on BikeRadar later this week. The event runs from 19-22 April. There'll be a Super Bike feature on the Nukeproof Rook in an upcoming issue of Mountain Biking UK magazine.
