Bike Check: DJ Brandt's Nukeproof Giga Freeride Bike

Dj Brandt's custom-built Nukeproof Giga freeride bike.
DJ Brandt poses with his Nukeproof Giga in Virgin, Utah.

When DJ Brandt first announced that he’ll be riding with us, there was quite a stir in the comments section.

A number of eagle-eyed readers saw dual crown forks on DJ’s bike and asked the question: can you install a dual crown fork on the Giga and still be covered by warranty? The answer is yes*.

When he built up his Nukeproof Giga for Freeride Fiesta, DJ decided to run a 200mm fork to prepare his super enduro race bike for the biggest hits at the bike park or freeride session. Let’s take a closer look at his unique setup.


DJ Brandt’s Giga carbon 297 

Frame: Giga Carbon 297 

  • Size Large 

  • Flip chip in progressive setting 

Fork: Marzocchi Bomber 58, 203mm travel 

  • 90 psi, 7 volume reducers, middle rebound and 3 clicks compression 

Shock: Marzocchi Bomber Air 

  • 270 psi, compression and rebound set to match fork 

Drivetrain: Shimano Saint 

Brakes: Shimano Saint 

Front wheel: RaceFace Atlas 275 

Rear wheel: RaceFace Turbine 275 

Front tire: Kenda Pinner 2.4x27.5 

Rear tire: Kenda Prototype 2.4x27.5 

Crankset: Shimano Saint, 170mm arms 

Bars: RaceFace Atlas, 780mm 

Stem: RaceFace Atlas Direct Mount 

Saddle: SDG Errant Howla 

Grips: Sensus Lite 

Pedals: Sensus Crue 

The man, the myth, the legend: DJ Brandt.

good vibes only.

DJ's Giga, but from a new angle.

that white frame hits different in the desert.

A closeup of the Giga's pearl white frame.

Marzocchi bomber 58 up front, marzocchi bomber air out back.

DJ is running a dual crown fork on his Giga.

with a headset reducer and frame bumpers, running a Dual-crown marzocchi fork is no problem.

27.5 wheels make the bike more nimble and flickable.

27.5 raceface wheels front and rear for maximum fun.

DJ has set the Giga's flip chip to the progressive setting.

DJ appreciates the progressivity of the frame with the flip chip in its progressive setting.  

A Shimano Saint rear derailleur handles shifting.

CAN't go wrong with SAINT.

A SDG Errant saddle.

SDG ERRANT saddle for a personalized touch.

The Giga flies well, as demonstrated by DJ.

*If you'd like to install a dual-crown fork on your Giga, take a look at our How To Guides.

 

We can’t wait to see more of this rig being put through its paces as DJ pushes the progress of mountain bike stunts to the next level. The sky’s the limit.