What's bigger than a Mega? A Giga, obviously. No word yet as to when the Tera bike is coming out, but for now let's take a look at Nukeproof's latest long travel machine.
This new carbon-framed addition to Nukeproof's fleet is available with either 27.5” or 29” wheels, with 180 or 170mm of rear travel respectively. Add in a 180mm fork and a slack, 63.5-degree head angle and it's clear where the Giga's intentions lie.
The Giga started as a side project during the development of Nukeproof's Dissent downhill bike. At the time, what would become version 4.0 of the Mega enduro race bike was already in the works, but the potential for an even longer travel option, one that preserved as many of the desirable traits of a DH bike as possible, was intriguing enough that an aluminum mule was created.
Nukeproof Giga Details • Wheelsize: 27.5" or 29"
• Travel: 170mm (29") or 180mm (27.5") / 180mm fork
• Carbon frame
• 63.5° head angle
• Chainstay length: 435mm (27.5") / 444mm (29")
• Weight: 33.9 lb / 15.4kg (Factory 290, L)
• Sizes: S-XXL
• Price range: $3,700 - $5,500 USD. Frame only: $2,600 USD.
•
nukeproof.com Dubbed the 'Mulse', a play on the Pulse model name, after a few rides it was clear that the concept was worth pursuing even further. Nukeproof's design engineers got to work, and went through numerous iterations before settling on a look that would set the tone for this model, along with others in the future.
Frame DetailsAt the moment, all three models of the Giga use a full carbon frame that's constructed from T700/800 fiber, with an aluminum linkage joining the swingarm to the front triangle. There's internal, tube-in-tube cable routing to keep rattling to a minimum and to simplify installation.
Being based in the UK, Nukeproof's designers are no strangers to wet, muddy riding conditions. That's one of the reason's there's room for up to a 2.6” rear tire, along with an integrated mud guard. There's also room for a water bottle inside the front triangle, where it sits in a depression on top of the downtube. There are also two bolts for mounting a tube or tool on the underside of the top tube.
The bottom bracket is threaded, the rear spacing is 12 x 148mm, and there's a SRAM Universal Derailleur hanger, three welcome features on any new bike.
Giga 27.5"Giga 29"GeometryThere are a total of 5 frame sizes for the Giga, from S all the way to XXL. According to Nukeproof's sizing chart, that should accommodate rides from 5'2” all the way to 6'7” in height. Reach numbers range from 435mm up to 515mm on the 29” version. The size large I'm on has a reach of 475mm, and a seat tube angle of 78-degrees.
Although the Dissent DH bike has adjustable chainstays, they're fixed on the Giga, and measure 435mm on the 27.5” model and 445mm on the 29” version. The head angle is 63.5-degrees with a 180mm fork.
The main pivot can be raised or lowered by loosening the 8mm hex bolt and changing the orientation of the black switch. This allows the level of progression to be set at 25.5% or 29%.
Suspension DesignThe geometry concepts used on the Mega are all in place on the Giga – a steep seat tube angle, longer reach, and shorter seat tubes with enough insertion depth for longer travel dropper posts – but it's the suspension layout that really sets the two models apart. The Giga's shock sits low in the carbon frame, driven by a rocker link that's connected to the seat tube and swingarm. This design is intended to reduce the weight of the rear triangle, and create a balanced ride, with the center of gravity closer to the bottom bracket.
There aren't any geometry adjustments to be seen, but there are two main pivot positions that are used to alter the leverage rate. In the first position there is 25.5% progression, and in the second position there is 29% progression. That second position is said to work especially well with a coil shock, or in wet conditions where a more supple beginning stroke is desired.
Depending on the main pivot position, anti-squat sits at either 96% or 100% at sag in the 32 / 50 tooth gear ration, and then drops as the shock goes deeper into its travel. The Giga is focused on the descents, but it's also meant to be pedaled back up the hill with as little fuss as possible.
ModelsGiga Comp 275 & 290 - $3700 USD / 4700 Euro / 3700 GBP Giga Elite 270 & 290 - $4600 USD / 5800 Euro / 4600 GBP Giga Factory 270 & 290 - $5500 USD / 7000 Euro / 5500 GBP
First RideThe Giga just showed up, so I've only been able to squeeze in a couple wet and muddy rides in on it. My initial impression is that it stays impressively composed while climbing considering how much travel it has. The seat tube is nice and steep, and while there's no getting around that this is a bike designed for the descents, it carries its weight and slack geometry well.
Part of the reason for the Giga's balanced nature is the fact that Nukeproof didn't go too crazy with the its reach numbers. Giving the bike a more moderate rather than monstrous front center helps to temper the longer wheelbase created by that 63.5-degree head tube angle. On the descents, that makes it easier to avoid feeling like you're on an out of control semi-truck - instead, the Giga can plow when it needs to, and still maneuver through tighter sections without feeling too cumbersome.
I'm excited to start getting the Giga dialed in even more, and to try out the different main pivot positions to see how much of a difference that actually makes. I'm going to be hanging onto this one for a bit – stay tuned for the long term review later this year.
Looks like SC and Big S got a baby :-)
Or a manky greggs baguette if you can call it that lol
today on xeconverter:
3700USD = 3.051,49 Euros
3700 GBP = 4.190,80 Euros
you do realize its almost cheaper to go to the UK from Portugal to buy the bike?
or send from the US?
Bikes actually manufactured in the UK (e.g. BTR, Curtis) do not attract the same import tariffs.
ridiculous pricing.
Hope I won't have to go with Commencal..
You can better buy a vitus crx and a Nukeproof frame, at least you have a spear frame.
what I/we don't know is why Nuke didn't pay tax on bikes before as, from what I know, the 55% in EU still applied before Brexit to every factory/manufacturer in EU - and I know, as I work with a couple small ones -
on the other hand, in August-Sept, a shipping container of 40ft was around 2500 USD, while in December and also now in Jan is anywhere around between 8000 USD and 12000, depending on the origin sea-port and destination.
also, the currency badly dropped, making around 8% cost increase.
also(2), the raw materials are anywhere between 4% to 8% higher cost.
all these increases got to add somewhere and, while every retailer, distributer, brand, for the sake of its clients would like to cover for some of these changes, the truth is, now they are too big to be covered and, by default get transfered to the final beneficiary of the ptoduct, the client.
They will sell less bikes in the EU because it's quite expensive.
Same shit as trump genius idea to put higher taxes on metal imports. Yes producing steel in the US got cheaper. Oh every company that needs metal got shafted because their product got more expensive and can't compete on the international market anymore.
And one of the main reasons Trump put the tariffs on metal imports is because we were a main producer or steel and other metals and now we've moved to importing it from countries. So while in the short run it sucks for smaller companies that were buying overseas, in the long run its better for the domestic metal industry and employment. Not really the same as the brexit-bike discussion at all tbh. My point was that if it's cheaper in the UK, and more expensive in the EU, then the simplest rationale would be that the UK is benefiting from Brexit while the EU is losing. Again I'm somewhat inebriated and making simple arguments just for fun, but you're missing my point mon frere
Leaves you about £1k for a holiday whilst you're there.
its nice for the local market but quite bad for the company or any guy who wants an eu bike. im still surprised how much the price ramped up and im completly confused by the us price. even with taxes this could be even cheaper that the uk bike. probably directly shipping them to the us, im a bit envious
i get the idea for the steel tax increase, but it was WAY to late, most of the steel industry is already dead. same for the "ruhrpott" in germany. with a change like that you try to revive a dead industry by sacrificing the next industry in line. but i guess thats another topic for another day.
It's not a brexit benefit as it's likely the same price it would have been here, but there's now costs in selling to the EU. If we were still in the EU the cost should be the UK price all across Europe, so the argument should be more countries should join the EU for cheaper bikes, not leave the EU to get cheaper bikes since the price has not dropped anywhere.
Nah
Montana sucks.
Tell your friends
Just look at the base model. Entry level suspension, entry level drivetrain and brakes, a cheap wheelset, a cheap dropper post and an in-house branded cockpit. For 4700€? No, thanks.
Thats brexit for you unfortunately.
Its going to ruin a lot of businesses sadly
Sounds more like supply and demand in the current environment where demand is vastly outstripping supply.
Bikes are getting very expensive everywhere.
It's all in your head...
Weird move, this Brexit thing is getting out of hand
If only there was some mechanism for only Brexit voters to be charged extra.
Wonder if that downtube shape might be an issue though?
pick any or all. cheers!
Plus factor in we have a very small (but very talented) R&D department. To add an alloy frame, we would need the development of another 10 frames (two wheel sizes and 5 sizes) - so a cost/ resources, balanced Vs sales volume has to be considered.
As much as people may think we look like certain other companies bikes (GRR), we're no wear near their sales volumes!...It's a new bike, so who know what volume of bikes we can sell!
Hope that helps a little- It's not cus we want to just sell "high ticket price" items, we just want to make the best bikes possible and this bike is rad!
Nukeproof: "Sorry EU, you can't afford any of our awesome bikes"
Not in the UK. With wiggle 12% platinum discount its £2.2k for a full carbon frame with fox factory (£700 shock) and extras such as invisiframe and mudguard. A new specialized s works or yeti frame is approaching £4k
I don't get the USD prices though as GBP 5500 = USD 7555 incl. 20% VAT (= USD 6293 without VAT). What am I missing?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googol
Thank you Nukeproof!
you should visit Ireland this time of the year :-)
170mm Giga
160mm Mega
135mm Reactor
That doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. Will they move the Mega 29 down to 150mm or so? Make it more their all-mountain bike.
Then you'd have:
29
170mm Giga (Freeride-super enduro)
150mm Mega (enduro-all mountain)
130mm Reactor (trail)
27.5
180mm Giga (Freeride-super enduro)
160mm Mega (enduro-all mountain)
140mm Reactor (trail)
The Mega apparently has very lively pedalling manners, which are likely to make it "more different" to the Giga than the 10mm travel discrepancy might suggest.
To me it makes sense to have a freeride/super enduro bike in your line up: steep, big jumps and drops, lot's of park use, rough terrain at (near) race speed, going uphill purely a means to an end (often shuttled or lift). Hardly seas any mellower trails.
Below it all-mountain/easier enduro terrain). You could race it on slightly mellower terrain, but the bike is more playfull, poppy and manoeuvrable. Gives more feedback from the trail and quite some anti-squat to make it peppy uphill and when stomping hard. Occasional park, lift, shuttle, alpine use, but very often used on more mellower home trails and still a lot of fun there.
Below that a trail bike. Hardly sees any lift, shuttle or park use. Fun on the climbs and flowy home trails, but not ideal for continuos hard charging downhill.
To me such a set up makes sense. I reckon the Mega and the Giga both belong in the first category: enduro-mtb.com/en/nukeproof-mega-290-ally-pro-2021-review It's not about the travel number, it's about the character en the intended use of the bike.
Free bearings for life and the enjoyment of having a “relationship” with the people at your local shop I guess?
I would totally roll the dice and buy the top end one. The 6200$ Megatower has their low grade carbon frame too.
I was ready for a 36" / 32" GIGA MULLET
#superenduro
How about that?
3700$ and 4700 EU this is a huge difference
--- generic PB member
This bike is heavier and more expansive than a Megatower!
Chapeau!
Sick of companies getting away with this rubbish, and Pinkbike reviews lapping up the 'effective seat tube angle' marketing rubbish.
Also I think correct STA needs to take the rear wheel travel and sag into account. A 76 degree angle might be great on a 140mm bike, but on a 180mm travel bike, proper sag will knock this around and realistically, the angle needs to be much steeper.
- Napoleon Dynamite
Wait, the Gonad......
I’d take this anyday