Nukeproof Mega 275 and 290 - First Ride
Nukeproof seemed to be a few steps ahead of the game when they launched the original Mega back in 2011. The bike was born out of frustration, the result of what happened after Michael Cowan and Dale McMullan took to their trail bikes and were disappointed that they didn't offer the performance of their downhill bikes they regularly raced. They started fettling with anglesets, linkages and shock tunes and quickly realized the only way to get what they wanted was to create their own framesets. With zero pressure from product managers or accountants, they built their dream and took it to the infamous Megavalanche race in France. The Mega as we know it was born.
The original Mega was well received when it hit the market in 2012, and for a number of good reasons. First, it was to the point, and it also lacked the marketing spiel that can all too often annoy those who know what they want, not to mention all the fancy tubes or acronyms. Sporting solid geometry and suspension, which shamed many of its more expensive competitors, the Mega's arrival on the scene turned more than just heads. The revamped Mega landed in 2013 and never seemed to generate the same buzz as the original, even with the addition of 27.5" wheels that made an appearance in 2014. It somewhat lacked the sex appeal of its forward thinking predecessors, especially when the competition had started to catch up geometry wise. The Mega was left looking chunky and 'too heavy' in a world where hydroforming and carbon had quickly become the norm.
Since then the Belfast based brand has been hard at work. The updated Pulse downhill bike was released earlier this year, creating some much needed buzz on the scene as spy shots of Sam Hill and the CRC/ PayPal gang on board blacked out bikes with radical looking tubing filtered out across the internet. The Pulse, another Nukeproof classic, was instantly on many a weekend warrior's wish lists, but rumours of a new Mega platform that would follow its downhill brother's svelte new silhouette gurgled away until now. The new Mega is back, and with it an unexpected 29" version as well. Devoid of carbon, lacking any Boost and with no 'plus size' tires in sight, Nukeproof have seemingly repeated the processes that created this classic machine in the first place, ignoring industry buzz and focusing on the needs of the rider. With a good diet and a significant facelift, have Nukeproof delivered the best Mega to date?
275 Details:
• 27.5" wheels
• 4 spec options or frameset
• 160mm travel
• 65° head angle with a 160mm fork
• 435mm chainstay length
• ISCG 05 tabs and S-Type front derailleur mount.
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: Mega PRO 28.6lbs (claimed)
• MSRP: £1999 / $3199 USD to £3799 / $5999 USD
• Frameset: £1349 / $2099 USD
290 Details:
• 29" wheels
• 3 spec options or frameset
• 150mm travel
• 66° head angle with a 150mm fork
• 450mm chainstay length
• ISCG 05 tabs and S-Type front derailleur mount.
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: Mega PRO 28.8lbs (claimed)
• MSRP: £2599 / $4149 USD to £3799 / $5999 USD
• Frameset: £1349 / $2099 USD
Mega 275 - The Evolution
Changes to the new Mega have followed current trends for bikes with longer front centers, wheelbases, lower BB's, slacker head angles and shorter chainstays. The suspension travel stays the same at 160mm but becomes slightly more linear, and a 'Horst style' pivot is now used in order to help improve suspension under braking compared to the single pivot and link driven shock of the previous bikes. All the frames get a chunk of extra length in the top tube, combined with a one degree slacker head angle, while the wheelbase has also grown.
Changes to the new Mega have followed current trends for bikes with longer front centers, wheelbases, lower BB's, slacker head angles and shorter chainstays. The suspension travel stays the same at 160mm but becomes slightly more linear, and a 'Horst style' pivot is now used in order to help improve suspension under braking compared to the single pivot and link driven shock of the previous bikes. All the frames get a chunk of extra length in the top tube, combined with a one degree slacker head angle, while the wheelbase has also grown.
• Entirely new tube-set and hardware
• Reach numbers grow: S +12mm, M +17mm, L +22mm, XL +17mm
• Head angle reduced one degree down to 65°
• Effective seat tube angle steepens from 73.5° to 75.75°
• Chainstays are shortened by 10mm to 435mm
• Slightly more linear suspension
• 'Horst style' link replaces the single pivot
Nukeproof components finish off all the bikes in the range
50mm stems are specced on all sizes.
The Mega Pro bikes I tested use a trusty RockShox DebonAir shock...
Another staple; the 150mm RockShox Reverb dropper seatpost...
...matched to another classic up front; the RockShox Pike.
...and a SRAM X01 drivetrain rounds things off nicely.
Like the new Pulse, weight has been shaved across the entire chassis - from every tube and morsel of hardware. During the re-design, the engineers aimed to drop at least 10% off the weight from each frame component, losing a total of 1lb in the process, with changing the hardware from steel to alloy creating one of the biggest savings. The triple butted and beautifully formed top tube was taken from the Pulse and the shock mount was changed from the top tube to the down tube. Why? The tube is designed to absorb impacts at the front of the bike to give a more forgiving ride.
A nice touch to the new Mega is that all the frame's standards are the same as the Scout 275 and 290 hardtail frames. Nukeproof were keen to point this out; as a brand they want to encourage new riders in to the sport. By doing this, a rider could start off with a Scout hardtail, and if they then decide to upgrade to a Mega frame they can swap all of the parts straight across.
Mega 290 - The New Kid
 | The 29er evolved from our desire to make the Mega even better; to make it faster, make it corner better and grip better. It's not a traditional 29er with steep angles, it needs to be ridden to be believed. I would encourage people with their existing views to try it. It needs to be ridden to be understood. - Ali Beckett, Nukeproof Brand Manager. |
Nukeproof introduced their first 29" wheeled bike at Eurobike this year in the form of the Scout 290 hardtail, making the Mega 290 Nukepooof's first big-wheeled full suspension bike. The Mega 290's geometry is very similar to that of the smaller 27.5" bike with a 66° head angle, 150mm of travel and a 450mm chainstay that's said to provide massive stability.
Riding the Mega
I spent a day riding a Mega PRO in each wheel size, with each bike having identical specifications: RockShox Solo Air Pike fork, Debonair shock, a 150mm Reverb dropper post, SRAM Guide R brakes, SRAM X01 drivetrain and a SRAM Roam 40 wheelset. Nukeproof components take care of the finishing kit and Schwalbe organise the contact patches. All of the components are spot on for the price point and just get the job done, with proven reliability. Unfortunately the SRAM Roam 40 wheelset was a bit of a letdown, notably on the 29" version. The narrow rims, low spoke count and light weight are more suited to cross country riding and on the fast rocks of the Riviera, they were too springy and noisy, lacking the great capability offered by the chassis. That said, there are different wheels depending on the model and the Roam 40 wheels would make for useful spares, especially for some narrow winter mud tires when the ground is that much softer.
Both bikes are well balanced with no quirky qualities. Good acceleration for the respective amounts of travel and enough beef in the suspension for the big hits. The frame has a good feeling, being neither too stiff or too flexy, but a nice aluminum damped ride which is also very quiet.
I ran the RockShox DebonAir shock with 30% sag and three Bottomless Rings, but it still seemed a little spongy and lacking support. Changing to the middle compression setting helped the bike ride higher in the travel and gave a more responsive ride when pushing through dips, corners and trying to force traction. I think the 'Low/Low' shock tune and the high volume DebonAir air sleeve were to blame, but could be improved with a standard volume Monarch air can, perhaps more Bottomless Rings or a more aggressive tune (actually the first time I have seen a L/L tune on any production bike), all of which are easy fixes for the consumer. It wasn't a bad feeling by any means, but those tweaks are something that could easily be done to give this bike some extra oomph.
The 29" Mega is a beast. Boasting even more stability, it was also much easier going up thanks to the longer chain stay, which helped to keep my weight more centered and allowed the front wheel to effortlessly roll over obstacles. On the way down the big wheeler was an absolute monster, which I had no trouble cornering at speed or placing it where I wanted it on technical sections of the trail. In fact, I was so much more confident on the 29er that it seemed more maneuverable than the smaller wheeled option, removing any inbuilt hesitation to change line on awkward sections of the trail.
Pinkbike's Take:
| Nukeproof have sent the ball flying out of the stadium with this one. Modern geometry and sizing, plenty of specification options, competitive pricing and a pair of wheel sizes. For people who want to get some more extreme numbers the aluminum frame and standard shock mounts mean that you can play around with anglesets or offsets, and there's plenty of space to fit any shape shock. The YT Capra and Canyon Strive now have some tough competition in the 'quality, budget' enduro bike battle. - Paul Aston |
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"Devoid of carbon, lacking any Boost and with no 'plus size' tires in sight,"
It's sort of like the Klingon Navy, to gain promotion you must first slay your predecessor in single combat (or ride better at Demo Days, whichever).
I've owned 26 and 27.5" Enduro's, Slashes, and a 27.5" Remedy and Nomad, and insofar as 'true' Enduro-type trails are concerned(long DH runs), I've found NOTHING to be as fast as the 29" Enduro.
The 29" wheels glide over rocks where 26 and 27.5" wheels find the holes, and Specialized was able to design a frame with all the right angles, heights, and lengths, and did something nobody else thought was possible: Hit all the right numbers WITH 29" WHEELS.
I first bought one in '14 to replace a 26" Enduro, and a 26" Slash before that, and kept taking 2 second chunks off my previous best strava times. Despite this I still was able to convince myself that 29ers were for XCers, and the 'new' 27.5" bikes would be faster.
So I sold it and bought a 27.5" Enduro, then Slash, then Nomad, and NONE of them were as fast and stable,as the 29" Enduro.
Maybe there's other bikes that do other things better, but as far as doing what it's designed for-Enduro riding- I'm now convinced there is NO better bike made.
So I bought another, and this time I'm keeping it.
It's 'funny' that you ask that.
This time of year when it gets dark early I'm unable to ride the trail system with all the descents during the week, as it 'closes' at sunset(and they've been ticketing believe it or not. Good 'ole Kalifornistan).
I therefore ride a roughly 8 or 9 mile loop on some relatively flat hiking/horse trails(still only about 10mins from my house-Ive got it rough)after work. I mention this because riding a 160mm 27.5" bike feels like MAJOR over-kill there, and you can totally feel how much harder you have to work to push 'em through the sand, silt etc.
I've ridden this loop for the past 15+ years, thus I've ridden all the bikes I mentioned in my previous post there.
Anyway, riding one night recently I started thinking about how much easier it was to pedal the E29 around there, which got me thinking about how much faster it was on my favorite runs across the street from my house as well, which in turn got me looking on the web for Specialized stores blowing out their leftover '15 E29s, end of story.
So to answer your question, in my experience they do just fine on XC trails.
Would I buy one if that's all I rode? No I wouldn't. Apples to apples, obviously shorter travel bikes tend to weigh less, and their geometry is better for climbing hills and getting through switch-backs/tighter turns.
That doesn't mean the E29 sucks at climbing or dealing with tighter turns etc. On the contrary, IMO it does just fine.
IMO you buy an E29 because the trails you enjoy the most are harder-core.
As I said, this time of year during the week I usually ride what you and I would call an 'XC' loop. I ride the Enduro/DH runs on the weekend, so out of the 5-6 days/week I ride, I only 'use' the capability of the E29 twice.
It's TOTALLY worth it for me to pedal the thing around an XC loop 3-4 times/week so I have it for the GOOD stuff, but again, it does perfectly fine on the XC stuff anyway, so it's not like I'm huffing and puffing during the week just so I have it for the gnarly shit on the weekend.
FWIW, my '15 came with a 1x with a 30t up front. I like Shimano, so I'm running the 30t chain-ring with the same XTR d-train + a One-Up 42t I've used on my last 3 bikes.
ALL the '16 Enduro 29's come with 11-spds(the Comp comes with GX), and ironically, even though they equipped 'em with an 11-spd, the dropped the chain-ring down to a 28t.
I'm personally counting the days 'til that new E13 9-42/44 cassette comes out, as it'll give you the option of stepping up your chain-ring 'cuz you'll have a FREAKING 44T(if you choose the 11spd variant), -OR- stepping DOWN your chain-ring, as you'll have a FREAKING 9T on the other end!
If you're the type that likes to buy a bike and leave it alone, I'd get the '16. I forgot to mention that it(the Comp) also has better brakes(SRAM Guides) and a dropper post.
AND they dropped the freaking price $200 to $3400 on the Comp, and a WHOPPING $1,000 to $4k on the 'Elite'.
I had a Following on order, but have to wait until the spring as they did not get any more XL frames.
This looks intriguing as I am a fan of the Horst Link and geo looks spot on for what I like, but for +/- $250 more, the carbon Following seems like the way to go.
Thanks for the tips, I will be filling my account for the Black Friday then... seems like Enduro 29 comp + Reverb + charger damper for Pike RC + all sort of old X9/XT gearing I already own is a good choice. Arerims on Fattie wheelset any light? I mean, any chance for them to be under 600g? My carbon days are over.
That being said, the 67.5 degree HT angle is the achilles heel for the bike. Way to steep. On all my local DH trails I can't shred with near the confidence of my old freeride bike with a 65 degree HT angle, despite the similar travel. I've gone OTB more this past spring than the last several seasons combined. Since the big S uses proprietary headsets, you can't drop an angleset, and also with the proprietary rear shock yoke you can only use one offset bushing, giving you less than half a degree of adjustment.
This bike looks like the perfect match for what I want- slack HT, longer chainstays, and it looks ALMOST as good as the enduro 29. The E29 is a great bike, but it rides more like a 5" trail shredder than a mini-dh bike.
On a completely unrelated note, does anyone want to buy my Enduro 29er?
I'm very surprised you found the E29 to be twitchy.
You gotta understand that comparing head angles between 29" bikes and their smaller-wheeled cousins is comparing apples to oranges.
29" wheels do a REALLY good job of stabilizing the front end all by themselves, which is THE reason why Specialized(and I would imagine the other manufacturers as well) didn't kick the front end out any more.
29ers in general have always been more stable than smaller wheeled variants. If you read any comparos between 27.5" and 29" wheels, one of the biggest differences is stability. That's why the general rule of thumb is, if you want a bike that's stable and confidence inspiring, go 29"(and keep in mind that most 29ers have 70deg+ head tubes). If you want a bike that'll change directions easy, is more playful, and is easier to throw around, go 27.5"(or 26").
Specialized engineered a way to adapt 29" wheels to shorter stays, which gave the bike the ability to change directions easier, but that didn't negate its 29" wheels and their gyroscopic effect creating a more stable(and a bit slower turning) platform than even 27.5" bikes with 2-degree slacker front ends
"The 29er equals the 27.5" version in terms of playfulness and willingness to get airborne, but it adds speed and a safety blanket that you can get used to in a hurry."
For me I prefer the E29 but I agree it could be a bit slacker. I'm currently running it as a "mullet" with a 27.5 rear with a high volume tire.
I also tried the offset bushing ( not super noticeable) and the 650 yoke ( with a my large Expert E29 it contacts the frame).
I'm loving the 27.5 rear for gravity riding. Best of both worlds and it's nice and slack. I think I may run the offset bushing in reverse with the 27.5 to steepen the HA a tad.
After blowing up my CC Inline a bunch of times they allowed me to replace with a CC DB Air CS and it's been killer. I never bottom out hard ( drops up to about 8' and DH and doubles etc)
I run the Pike with about 90 PSI and two tokens which works for my style and weight ( 185-190 lbs).
It's a big ass, fast bike and I threw on some Saints which was perhaps the best upgrade I did.
Anyway. That's my .02 and experience with the E29. There are many other tempting options but for me it's a great "one and done" bike.
I want that bike and I can't buy cos brazilian politics are wasting all our money with taxes and corruption.... fking a*sholes!!! Damn them to hell!!!
2100$ for an aluminum frame?
Can we please stop complaining about price? Nobody says you have to buy a new bike, but if you want the latest and greatest you have to pay for it.
Plenty of killer deals on killer bikes in the PB BuySell section.
Keep a note, bike industry, time to raise the price tag!
This is like being offered a raise at work, and refuse it because you live comfortable with your current salary.
Wake up.
'nuff said
Ride what you have, buy what you can afford, and stfu.
Not everybody was born with a silver spoon like you kid...
You are not a cyclist and at the best a beginner... You know that I know from just looking at the pic of your bike set up... So be sure to put an X sign on the Trump name when you are at it.
Go post pics of your bikes on instagram now.
'nuff said
I would go the opposite way, more volume and slightly more air pressure for more mid-stroke support, then use the low speed compression as necessary. That's what fixed the wallow in my bronson. Just look at all the guys, cedric included, running coil springs on VPP bikes.
But yeah, a L compression tune seems pretty weird for 2.8 leverage ratio at sag.
(Thanks
That being said, going to 450mm on this bike might be too much? But I'd have to try it to really know. The Yeti SB6 has 442mm chainstays and that's not stopping anyone getting around corners.
I still don't understand why the head tube is so short. Find me an XL person who wants a short head tube I dare you.
That being said I really like the look of this bike.
Bike designers please listen to us!!!
@mbl77 at 5'8" a long travel 29er with 450mm chainstays would be a lot of work.
@paulaston - there's lots of bullcrap told around about 29ers and playfullness, is there much difference with picking the bike into the air between 275 and 29 versions of that bike? Could you compare that Mega 29 to Stumpjumper 29 Evo if you ever rode one? I mean is it a bulldozer like Enduro 29 or just a good regular bike with big wheels like Stumpy?
Here is a review of the new STJ btw.
www.mtb-news.de/news/2015/05/19/specialized-stumpjumper-29-2016-test
Unfortunately it's in german...
Enduro SX alu frame, 150 bucks less, 135 travel 419mm chainstays.
Transition Smuggler alu frame, 300 bucks cheaper 130 rear travel but only 436 CS.
The TR 27.5 frame isn't as bad. But still you can get a Transition patrol for a hundred bucks less...?
And again, complete bike costs are crazy. UNLESS these prices end up being higher MSRP or something? Still can't get past the long chainstay's on the 29er frame. They should have just waited on the big bike till they could produce something better.
I still think if you were looking at the top mega that you should just spend the extra 500.00 on the enduro expert and get the lighter stiffer carbon frame and wider, stiffer wheels. (wider rims and apparently stiffer wheels is one thing the enduro's have over the mega at every price point. Maybe not lighter though? so pick your poison?)
But for sure the base model mega is 500 bucks less than the base model comp enduro. AND the Mega's sizing is better for bigger/taller riders for sure. there is no XL 27.5 enduro listed for the US? Though the fit and finish of the enduro's seems nicer, took time to work on the welds and the hardware is nicer. But the mega you don't have the proprietary shock.
(the other thing is I haven't been in a shop lately, so not sure how 2016 actual prices compare with specialized website prices? So if you can get an enduro cheaper than what's listed on the website that may chop away at the Mega's advantages. AND you have to add 100 bucks to ship to the US.
anyway...
one question, though...what @paulaston means with low/low tune? low rebound and compression damping?
i am wondering if sam hill and the whole team was testing the bike, could it be to lack?
the tune depeding on the leverage ratio of the frame. low/low means low compression tune and low rebound. the frame has less force to compress so there is not much compression needed. also the rebound needs less force to bring the power back. in contract would u use a Low Comp and a high rebound the frame couldnt get back with the averagy riders weight, because of to much rebound. sorry for mad english
because science.
Race, Comp, Pro, & Team
nukeproof.com/latest-news/the-all-new-mega
That's the biggest improvement.
Did a carbon bike take your candy when you were a kid?
imo boost is an ambiguous term which allows the manufacturers to move to any size hub they like without re branding and causing controversy.
Lets hope we dont see boost 151mm and everyone has to change their frame cos the new wheel wont fit.. but its still called boost??!
Great money maker SRAM.. but hardly moral
Sure, there will be holdouts. (It did Nukerpoof a lot of good ignoring boost on their 29er and then having the tester comment about the FLEXY wheels on their high end build HUH?)
And "maybe" somebody will come up with some reason why it makes even more sense to go 2mm wider? (I doubt it, but for the sake of argument it's possible) But few companies are in the position SRAM is that can build both the drivetrains and forks. At this point the other companies are going to continue jumping on the bandwagon so they don't get left behind.
The boost standard can support everybody from DH to 29erplus riders. I say make the switch and be done with it. We'll still have a few other set ups for actual FAT bikes. But 99% of mountain bikers will be covered from this one standard. DONE!
there you go bro