Nukeproof Reactor 290 Review - New Bike Day!

I bought a Nukeproof Reactor 290 custom build trail bike, and I absolutely love it. 2023 Nukeproof Reactor 290 Comp: https://tidd.ly/3NhN6N8 2023 Nukeproof Reactor 290 Pro: https://tidd.ly/3Neu5em I went with a custom build because the two aluminum Reactor builds leave much to be desired in regards to the components. I actually considered the carbon Factory version for $4,400, but couldn't wrap my head around spending that much. Luckily a quick Google search led me to a bike shop in Austin Texas called Velorangutan which just so happens to sell Nukeproof. While they didn't have the complete reactors in stock, Wes told me they had the frames and he could do a custom build for me and the lightbulb went off in my head. I CAN get an aluminum frame with parts I choose to keep it somewhat budget friendly. So here is a rundown of the parts I chose: I went with a rockshox pike ultimate 140mm travel fork to match up with the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT 130mm shock out back. Decided to go with Shimano SLX 12 speed drivetrain and 4 piston brakes since most my bikes have SRAM. I went with a PNW Dropper cause I have these on all my bikes and they are fantastic. Bars, stem, saddle and all that I just took whatever he had in stock which ended up being Race Face Aeffect parts. An extra nice touch is the frame already comes with frame protection all over, but I managed to chip the frame already in the one spot that isn't protected. Going big and crashing hard over here. What ended up saving me a good amount of money was the fact that I already had a 29" wheelset from my hardtail sitting in my garage, but these are Hunt Enduro wide wheels with Maxxis Minion and Aggressor 2.5" combo. The grand total for this build fully assembled by Velorangutan came out to $3,100 which is a whole lot cheaper than the $4,400 price tag of the carbon factory build. I bought this bike sight unseen and expected a few compromises in comparisson to the Jeffsy, but I was mostly wrong. If anything this bike has shown me that geometry is everything. In a quick comparisson with the Jeffsy, the reactors headtube angle is a half degree slacker in it's high setting, or a full degree slacker in it's low setting. The reach is 20mm longer which feels way more comfortable to me, and the seat tube angle is a half degree steeper which helps with climbing. I rode the Jeffsy in it's lowest geometry setting, and I currently have the REactor in it's highest geometry setting. The fitment of this bike just feels so much better to me. I'll probably flip the geometry to the lower "rail" setting when I get to go ride some park, but in the meantime the trail setting feels perfect. I expected this bike wouldn't feel as playful with the larger wheels, but it proved me wrong again. The wheelbase is only 35mm longer than the Jeffsy, so it doesn't feel as huge as I anticipated. I'm still able to do my usual features with ease, and find it enjoyable to jump, bunnyhop, and do my rudimentary trials moves. When I first got this bike home, before even riding it I weighed it, and it was a full 3 pounds heavier than the Jeffsy. I was actually quite disappointed by this discovry and started thinking about how hard climbs will be now. Much to my amazement, I've actually been getting up climbs that I could never do on the Jeffsy. This one at McAllister for example. Let's say it again....geometry is everything. I suppose this extra weight will make me strong like bull. It's bigger but somehow just as playful, heavier but climbs better, so it must struggle downhill right? In my testing I can say no. I feel very confident going down some janky terrain on this bike. I'm actually going to Trestle bike park in a couple weeks with this bike, so we'll see how it handles that, but for where I ride; so far it's been an absoulte blast downhill as well. I'll be filming at Trestle, so we'll see if this bike is overwhelmed there. Lastly this bike feels planted in corners. Cornering is something I personally struggle with, but feel far better on this bike. My body position feels more proper on this bike allowing me to distribute my weight better. The larger wheels obviously are a bit harder to navigate through really tight sections, but with a little practice shouldn't be noticeable. When replacing the Jeffsy I didn't expect this bike to outperform it in nearly every aspect, but I'm glad it does. Not saying the Jeffsy is bad by any means, but it just goes to show how good bikes are getting. The only thing negative I can say about this bike would be the nearly 35 pound weight which doesn't make this the quickest bike off the line. I said in my last video about the Jeffsy that it was a do it all party bike, but the Reactor can easily go toe to toe with the Jeffsy, but adds in more XC capabilities. Nukeproof has crafted a truly wonderful trail bike and I think it's a perfect representation of the segment.