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Nukeproof

Mountain bike brand known for gravity-oriented bikes and components, originally founded in 1990 and relaunched in Belfast in 2007.

Last updated September 11, 2026

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Overview

Nukeproof is a mountain bike brand. Nuke Proof Industries was founded in 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan by John Muenzenmeyer, producing components using materials such as titanium and carbon fibre and best known for high-end carbon/aluminium hubs. After the 1990s market decline, Northern Irish downhill racer Michael Cowan acquired the trademarks in 2004, and Nukeproof relaunched in 2007 with a new home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The brand's first bike launched to the public was the "Mega". Its current range includes the Kilowatt e-bike platform built around the Avinox e-bike system.

History

Nuke Proof Industries was founded in 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan by John Muenzenmeyer, a passionate rider aiming to create desirable, innovative and reliable solutions for the emerging 1990s mountain bike market. The company was pioneering in its use of materials that were exotic at the time, such as titanium and carbon fibre, and was best known for high-end carbon/aluminium hubs. It went on to produce titanium frames, carbon fibre handlebars and other innovative components, and was represented at races by athletes such as James Bethea. After the American bicycle boom of the 1990s came a dramatic decline in the market, and Nuke Proof Industries struggled to continue trading. In 2004, Northern Irish downhill racer and long-term admirer of the brand Michael Cowan saw the chance to save the brand and set about acquiring the trademarks with the aim to re-invigorate it. In 2007, Nukeproof relaunched with a new home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. These were shortly followed by more gravity-led products including titanium springs and 760mm and 800mm handlebars. The development of Nukeproof frames was conceived with racing in mind, and the first bike to launch to the public was the "Mega".

Products and positioning

Quiet confidence: earned, not claimed; products built to push riders' limits.

  • Mega

  • Kilowatt e-bike range

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