Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon - First Ride

Sep 20, 2017
by Mike Kazimer  



After a successful season of racing and testing underneath Sam Hill, Nukeproof's new Mega 275 Carbon is now available for the masses. The bike was originally conceived four years ago, but Nukeproof took their time during the development process, experimenting with different layups in order to achieve the blend of stiffness and light weight that's expected from a carbon frame aimed at taking on the Enduro World Series. The result is a frame that's 320 grams lighter than the aluminum version, a very respectable weight savings, especially considering that that swingarm is still aluminum.
Nukeproof Mega 275 RS Details

• Intended use: all-mountain / enduro
• Carbon front triangle
• Wheelsize: 27.5"
• 65° head angle
• 165mm travel, 170mm fork
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Price: RS: $5200 USD, Factory: $4,800, frame only: $2,450
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
www.nukeproof.com

The Mega 275 Carbon has 165mm of rear travel that's delivered via a Horst Link suspension design, and it now uses metric shock spacing, with wider mounting hardware at the front of the shock compared to the previous alloy version in order to add stiffness and increase its resistance to side loading. The frame is also 1x specific – ditching the front derailleur allowed Nukeproof to stiffen up the bottom bracket area by increasing the space between the main pivot bearings.


Nukeproof Mega 2018
There was a time when Nukeproof had a reputation for plastering their name and logo on every available surface, but the new bikes are nicely understated.
Nukeproof Mega 2018
Wide bars and short stems are in place on all models.


The Mega is designed to work well with either an air or coil shock, although all of the stock models come with an air shock. In addition to the switch to Boost spacing, the bike's geometry has been tweaked slightly, with longer head tubes and an increased reach on the large and extra-large sizes.

Fans of aluminum don't need to worry - there are still two aluminum Mega 275 models in the lineup, with the same geometry, Boost spacing, and metric shock as the new carbon version.


Nukeproof Mega 2018
The Mega now uses a metric spacing for the shock.
Nukeproof Mega 2018
If you ever forget what the front triangle is made of just look at the top tube.


Geometry

Nukeproof Mega 2018




First Ride

I was able to get in one long lap aboard the Mega 275 Carbon, beginning on Whistler's Top of the World trail and continuing the descent on the rooty, dusty, and always entertaining trails located just outside of the Whistler Bike Park. What struck me most about the bike was how energetic it felt, especially for a 160mm enduro bike. There's a snappiness to its handling that makes it easy to pump through rollers and double up sections of trail when necessary, with plenty of cushion for plowing through the rough stuff. There wasn't much sustained climbing on that initial ride, but on short, punchy ascents the Mega responded well, with crisp acelleration even during hard, out of the saddle efforts.

It's easy to see how the Mega 275 Carbon would do well as a race bike, even if your last name isn't Hill – it manages to feel burly and lively, a combination of traits that should help it shine on a wide variety of terrain. Of course, I would have liked to see room to mount a water bottle inside the front triangle, but at first glance there's not much else to gripe about – the bike is well appointed, with a 170mm RockShox Lyrik RCT3, SRAM Code brakes, and a 12-speed Eagle drivetrain. We'll work on getting one in for a long term review in order to see how it handles a Pacific Northwest fall / winter.




There's no carbon version of the Mega 290 – at least not yet – but the 150mm big wheeler also received slightly updated geometry, along with a 160mm fork up front, Boost spacing, and a metric shock for 2018. There are three complete models, the Mega 290 Comp ($2750 USD), the Pro ($3800), and the top-of-the line Factory model for $4,300.


Nukeproof Mega 2018
The Mega 290 Factory...
Nukeproof Mega 2018
...And the Mega 290 Comp.


Geometry
Nukeproof Mega 2018






Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

218 Comments
  • 259 3
 6th fastest DH bike in the world, can't be to bad!
  • 41 0
 will it make me fast when i buy it?
  • 19 0
 @ekho: take the brakes off..dah...
  • 166 5
 Sam Hill could get 6th in a DH race riding a dead horse with roller blades attached to its hooves.
  • 62 1
 6th best DH bike, 7th best 4X bike, best Enduro bike, what can't it do?
  • 68 0
 @scottay2hottay: Is that an Iron Horse joke?
  • 11 0
 @sancho-ramerez: hey! I still ride one of those.
  • 12 2
 The reality is that bikes today are far more bike than 90% of the riders. They are way more capable than we are and at the end of the day when we look in the mirror, we know that we just aren't nearly as good a rider as our bike could handle. However, now that the truth has been spoken who doesn't love this article because it's about Sam, a great rider, and BIKES. I always want a new one.
  • 3 0
 @scottay2hottay: I'd watch that
  • 4 0
 @trek81615: Not exactly a GT Zaskar, 1st worlds XC, Downhill and Trials
  • 1 0
 @ekho: Obviously. New bike always means more speed Big Grin
  • 72 4
 Very nice for an "ocean fill" Smile
  • 39 3
 I think it's great that people are becoming aware of the footprint of their products.
  • 10 1
 @properp: Agreed. The ginormous Pacific Ocean garbage gyros are sickening.
  • 26 4
 @NotAnotherClimb: all for 320 gram difference. Im done with carbon.
  • 51 9
 @NotAnotherClimb: yes, they are. Carbon is horrific! Now how many (thousands of tons) of plastic bags and packaging did Wallmart use last week? How many millions of tons of edible food they throw away, clothing fabric and pigments.

If carbon frames are an environmental issue, not "feel good about yourself for not owning/ producing one" then I vote for hyper massive mass suicide or at least sterilization.

Hey, in last few months, how many times have you heard someone whining about prices of bikes? Have you maybe bought a bike part with best price to performance ratio? What hubs do you run? CK, Hope or Shimano, Sram? Are your rims made by a company subject to strict environmental regulations? That California and their environmental regulations! Drives entrepreneurs to Texas!

want to fix the world? Fix your own life first.
  • 13 1
 @WAKIdesigns: agreed 100%! How many disposable coffee cups were discarded during the time it took to read this article?
  • 12 1
 @WAKIdesigns: true. But for dh/am how much sense does carbon make? Maybe for racing but otherwise? Just a toy for males which like to have theorethically best possibile toys.
  • 1 0
 double post
  • 5 0
 Is Fukushima still leaky?
  • 4 2
 @AlexS1: yes, and it used to generate electricity, that stuff powering Ebikes. No worries, uranium is biodegradable. And less harmful to humans than self replicating agi equipped machines. Aka post biological life. Sht that doesn't need life
  • 7 13
flag passwordpinkbike (Sep 20, 2017 at 10:15) (Below Threshold)
 Let's be honest. The world is not going to make a real change before it's too late (well, already is). You may not be throwing toxic shit to the ocean, but others one are doing and are going to keep doing it. If it's not carbon, then it's something else. So, I say: Let's just party and buy carbon bikes until we realize the mess we did with the planet that keep us alive! (which is never going to happen).
  • 6 0
 @inverted180: Im done with carbon too, until its time to buy my next bike . Until then ill keep riding my nomad c.

Also if someone can find what to do with the batteries from my earth saving hybrid that be great too.

Thanks
  • 3 1
 @AmericaOnline: You bought an ebike...yeesh. Personally not sure what to do with my broken carbon frame, cranks and bars though.... landfill I guess.
  • 2 0
 @inverted180: wall of shame in the garage
  • 1 0
 @onemind123: I have the frame hung up... just to scare the others straight.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Mass suicide, now with superboost.
  • 4 1
 @inverted180: In this case it doesn't seem like a big enough weight jump especially since a lot of companies can cut up to nearly 800 grams between their alloy offering and carbon offering.

But in saying that I just hopped aboard my first ever Carbon frame and well.... I f*cking get it now, it's different for all the right reasons. In saying that if you aren't in the financial position to own a carbon frame Alloy is fine and I am glad to see companies still offer both.

No one should feel pressured to buy and own a carbon frame bike... But to say it's not worth it I will now say isn't true.
  • 4 0
 @inverted180: Trek has a Carbon recycling program. I am sure there are others out there.
  • 3 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Sep 20, 2017 at 10:55) (Below Threshold)
 @2bigwheels: yes and they run their trucks on eco-diesel, and their restaurant serves low fat bacon. I mean Come on!
  • 2 0
 @properp: not sure people are becoming aware, something really f*cked up still needs to happen
  • 9 3
 @WAKIdesigns: As a Californian, STFU and stick to commenting about bicycles
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: So this is completely fake news? I ask because you seem to know everything or at least have an opinion on everything so I assume you have done all the research about this already?

bicycletimesmag.com/trek-recycles-70000-lbs-carbon-fiber-first-year
  • 2 0
 @ccolagio: aaaahahaha
  • 2 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Sep 20, 2017 at 11:34) (Below Threshold)
 @2bigwheels: I am ashamed of myself. I assumed that Trek said that they produce bikes from recycled CF.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: That would be some Wizard status shit right there.

I personally would love to see technology get to a point where recycled carbon is being used to make components like stems and what not... I know this probabaly won't happen but hey I can dream.
  • 1 0
 @Benito-Camelas: Fukushima...mass sterilization--how close to autocorrecting is the problem? If you're serious about trying to save the planet, you're in brick and mortar buying a commuter, as the primary accessory of an mtb is an automobile, preferably 4wd. At least the uplifts are already there and Trek is recycling the fantastic plastic, if it's not b.s. Time for an update on the article to which @2bigwheels links? Send Levy.
  • 2 1
 @2bigwheels: I believe magura levers are just that
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: yeah you might be right, I wonder if it's the same for the Carbon cage and shift lever on the XTR products.
  • 3 0
 @ceecee: Trek has this pretty cool site page that goes over it all. You can for ask Trek through their facebook page, if you message them they get back to you pretty dang quick so many they have some more up to date articles.

At the end of the article they do say "Have an old carbon bike or parts? Don't throw them away. Send us a note at carbonrecycling@trekbikes.com to learn more about how you can give your bike a second life."


www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/story/second_life
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: The aluminum mega's were pretty well lighter than average from the get go, even by comparison to some similar carbon frames. I imagine with the carbon frames most builds would be typically under 30 pounds, even with appropriate tires. by comparison, my 290 is sitting just over 30, even running 2.5" DHF's.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns "Now how many (thousands of tons) of plastic bags and packaging did Wallmart use last week?":

Completely different. I know garbage over here goes to a landfill or recycling center. Sure, it may never degrade, but at least it's cemented in the land, not floating in the ocean for fish and birds to choke on like the waste from your carbon bike.
  • 1 0
 @euroford: Bike Radar has the the Mega 290 Pro medium frame weighing in at 31.58 pounds without pedals. This is pretty par for the course for a 29er alloy frame with that build spec and in that size so nothing out of the ordinary.

Have you changed any parts to keep the weight down as you are running bigger tires and I assume much heavier tires than what comes stock on the bike.
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: I have ridden a bunch of both carbon and alloy frames and its totally not worth it.... f*ck all difference between them tbh.
  • 1 0
 @NotAnotherClimb: check out this documentary if you want to learn about what really floats in our oceans: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D41rO7mL6zM&t=1s (tl;didn't watch - a F-ton of plastic)
  • 2 0
 @GMAN1: the beauty of opinion hey!?

Can I ask which bikes you rode the alloy and then the carbon?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: thanks WAKI! i've made my mind i am buying carbon frame! i need you in my life.
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: 1st rule of PB: you never EVER take Waki seriously!
  • 2 1
 @NotAnotherClimb: What happens with materials at facility producing those bags for Walmart? What I meant was that byproducts of our daily life that we could skip (like lots of clothing) create far more garbage than a hobby like MTB. Have you got any idea how many forests were cut for Shimano and SRAM to produce those tons and fkng tons of instructions for every dumb product they sell in aftermarket? Just to satisfy US legal system?! I bought a brake rotor, it came with 100g piece of paper for fks sake!

The only value I see in that article from Pole is: hey, care for the planet, some folks just toss sht into the ocean. I can only hope that people connect the dots and don't buy the cheapest sht they can on each occasion. Because cheap price means terrible crap, always.
  • 1 0
 Its great a big company like Trek worries about the shit they sell, just hope their asian suppliers do the same
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: not really, if anything parts I've added are heavier, 200mm front rotor, Diety pedals, Diety bars, chain guide. okay, I added a bunch of ti hardware, but that doesn't add up to squat. Not sure what differences are between the bike they weighed and mine, potentially that my version has the Sram Roam 40 wheels, which are very light, and to my surprise more durable than I expected. Personally... i'm no weight weeny and don't want to get wrapped up too much in it, but i'd put the alum mega in the category of "light weight for such a hard hitting bike" and the carbon version as "even lighter", so consider it a win-win.
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: looked at bike radar... different wheelset (sram roam vs rail) and component group (shimano vs. sram) than the one i have.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: sprung, unsprung or rotational mass suicide?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: look into the carbon footprint of aluminium smelting... Its pretty bad. I like where your head is at though!
  • 2 0
 @inverted180: it's not only about weight. many carbon bikes will have a different feel to their alloy versions also a well kept carbon frame will last way longer than the alloy version and stronger in any way.
  • 3 0
 @gabbatron: Carbon frame will last longer only if you do not crash. I know a guy who cracked two Capras in one year, simply because he was riding very technical and rocky trails. The scenario is really simple - you bike flies few seconds in the air an then hits a sharp rock, your pricey carbon frame is done. If you can afford it - yeah, why not, we have democracy and capitalism Wink
And different feel - people love to believe in such things, like magical steel, titanium or carbon. I am sure you can tell the difference, but it has a marginal influence on your ride. Most of the time this is just a way to justify purchase of a pricey toy. Is it bad? Not really, most of us work/steal really hard and just need to relax, make yourself an award. But this does not change the fact that this is a pricey toy (and of course this is not really constrained to carbon).
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns:
"...want to fix the world? Fix your own life first..."

totale agree with what you said but not using a carbon bike could be a start. I doubt that anyone, except professionals, can justify using a carbon bike, rims, bar . . . but it´s with bikes like with life in general. We buy what we want and not what we really need. And thats the real reason of "ocean fill" the greed for the new, shiny stuff....
  • 1 0
 Not using carbon bike a start... that's like saying that not stealing from old people is a good start for a thief to become a better person. Well, it's a nice little fix. I'd say that buying sht made locally, from legitimate sources, is a good start. But then you often have to swallow the fact that sht made next to you is not only double as expensive but also of worse quality, perhaps with worse customer support. I tried to like Hope for instance, I bought their stuff from holistic reasons, but I just hate their hubs and cranks, pedals are meh. I could buy Chris King hubs but they're expensive as fk, they are a pain to service and industry changes standards all the time. DT Swiss next time...

Nothing is easy, as simple as that. I am 100% sure my carbon frame made in Poland has done less damage to the environment than a cheap BMX frame on CRC.
  • 2 0
 @NotAnotherClimb: save your breath for the climbs there's some people that it's senseless to argue with. They already know everything.
  • 1 1
 @Golden-G: how many sperm are wasted?
  • 22 0
 Intended use should include DH World Champs!
  • 10 0
 Only if your name is Sam Hill.
  • 22 1
 320g? A good poo before ride then?
  • 9 0
 Have both then :-)
  • 1 1
 Haha that made me laugh! Actually could go even ligher with a good poo before the ride!
  • 3 0
 640g=lighter bike plus the poo you were going to take anyway.
  • 1 0
 If it's measurably stronger than Al at that weight it's a win.
  • 12 1
 Look great the new 2018 Nukeproof bikes - The fox equipped red / black 275 (not pictured) and 290 Factory are the best of the bunch i reccon - the only thing that puzzled me from the product release was the statement abotu increasing reach but this is only the case for the Large / XL.

The difference in reach between Medium and Large is now quite a big jump from 435 to 470 which may put a lof of people inbetween sizes (I ride a 450 reach and couldnt go up to 470 so would need to drop down to 435) - It would have been good to see medium go up +10mm too.

Aside from that, they look great, spec is good and pricing seems very competitive too - Look like they are onto a winner, Sams results wont do any harm either!
  • 5 0
 @Racer951 and 45mm difference between L and XL......515mm reach on the XL...there must be a lot more giants out there than i have seen.
  • 2 0
 @Travel66: Didnt notice that - Its fair enough having an xl with 515 reach but it just looked confusing seeing the small gap between Small and Medium and then the huge jump from Medium to large and as you say Large to XL

Maybe the moulds got signed off earlier for the Medium frame for Sam to test and it was too expensive to change at this late a date so they just updated the larger sizes?
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: who knows, maybe the guy who said 29er riders don't deserve carbon frames decided that. Just teasing TBH, They probably don't need to bother with carbon, my 290 frame is stiff as F*ck and to the point its made me re-think bothering with carbon at all.
  • 3 0
 @Racer951: This is the exact problem i have looking at this, i want more reach than my current bike (460/70) but 515 i think would be too much
  • 2 0
 @bluumax: i guess I am lucky having the 480 XL reach frame, I would not have bought the 470 or the 515 either
  • 1 0
 @Travel66: think thats what im going to be doing. Doesnt hurt that its not metric or boost either
  • 1 0
 @Travel66: Aluminium is naturally stiff. But it doesn't mean the carbon bike is designed like-for-like is and stiffer in every dimension. With carbon you can vary thickness and layup direction to modify how a "tube" reacts. This is why nearly all road bikes now use full carbon forks. The carbon is laid up to flex and dampen road noise. A metal fork on a road bike simple shakes your knuckles off.
Pinarello make a road frame with 10 or 15mm of rear travel - and no pivot Blank Stare all in the carbon flex!
  • 3 0
 Well, with a 35mm increase in reach (for XL 29er) no one will now be able to argue that the change in numbers is only marginal, like we usually do. This bike now has geometry numbers on par with ION-G15 (you can always knock out a degree or two with an angleset), but at reasonable price point. Not a bad alternative for a tall guy looking at Geometron/Nicolai or Pole.
  • 2 0
 @jollyXroger: The numbers look great. The 290 looks great and is a reasonable price especially in the lower spec build. It would be on my list with a Geometron or Pole.
  • 3 0
 Yep. Medium is too small and large is way to big.
  • 2 2
 @robhill: my chromoly commuter absorbs the road better than your carbon forks could ever dream of.
  • 1 0
 @Travel66: Giants who like spacers. 115mm head tube is tiny.
  • 1 0
 Agree, the 35mm jump from M to L is big enough they could slot another intermediate size in. I'm in the same boat - 435 is too small for me, but 470 is freakin huge. The old 460mm L was pushing my luck but could be offset back to 455 with a Works Components headset. I'd be tempted to try the 435 offset forward, but would prefer the stack height of normal cups. Dammit Nukeproof, I know I'm splitting hairs here but sooooo close to perfect.
  • 1 0
 @bluumax: Offset cups will let you tune those distances +/- 5mm on a Tapered headset.
  • 1 0
 @mollow: I won't argue with that. Steel is real. But for the sake of this thread, nukeproof aren't offering a steel version...
  • 1 1
 @robhill: neither do they have a carbon fork
  • 6 1
 I absolutely LOVE the 2017 mega 290. there's some kind of magic in it's geo, being playful, quick to turn, easy to pump and pop, while being crazy steady and confident inspiring barreling down steep and rough stuff. Please make me a carbon 290. or keep it aluminum, just make it lighter.
  • 5 0
 Quote - There was a time when Nukeproof had a reputation for plastering their name and logo on every available surface, but the new bikes are nicely understated. In the photo below I can spot Nukeproof 14 times. Hahahaha. But I am a Nukeproof fan boy owning one previously and I would definitely buy another.
  • 2 0
 @Mattherby stupid question - this Nuke Proof has nothing to do with the 1990's carbon fiber components company, right? I had some cool carbon-shell hubs and handlebars-with-integrated-bar-ends made by 'Nuke Proof' circa 1995...
  • 1 1
 @twozerosix: same company. there were bought up by chain reaction some time in the 2000's
  • 1 1
 @twozerosix:I beleive you are correct but the brand has since been sold www.bikepro.com/arch_products/hubs/a-hubs-nuke.html
  • 2 0
 @ryanthedestroyer: thanks! brings back memories of simpler days
  • 2 0
 @twozerosix: where everything broke every 3 minutes? lol I was always working on fixing my bikes in the 90's
  • 1 0
 @makripper: yeah even that was fine. ride bikes, go to class, ride bikes, come home, drink beer and fix bikes. Spend 2 hours adjusting V-brake cables, toe-ing in XTR pads. Repeat. Simpler days.
  • 2 0
 @twozerosix: i hated the xtr replaceable pads. Blue kool stops on my SLX brakes were my jam. too adjustable lol. my favorite was truing my rims after every ride and fixing all the flat spots so my brakes would work.
  • 2 0
 @makripper: totally been there! You're right, not so fun
  • 3 0
 This year my Mega 290 has been game changer for my ridding, probably one of the absolute best, yet underappreciated (here in north america) bikes around. I was hopefully for a carbon 290 in this release... i'll be looking to upgrade when they get around to it.
  • 5 0
 It looks great, no not water bottle mount inside the triangle. Never again will I buy Allmountain /enduro a bike that can't mount a water bottle in the front triangle.
  • 2 0
 I have a 16' 275 and was able to hack mount a side loading water bottle cage into the front triangle. Only fits a 600ml bottle, but for big rides having another bottle mount option along with the one below the downtube should be plenty. Here's the write up www.wideopenmountainbike.com/2017/09/fit-bottle-cage-nukeproof-mega-similar
  • 1 0
 @jsquid8: doesn't it fit beneath the shock also? seems to have space

i am considering the 2018. but i really need a water bottle , and i am used to ride with a 1 liter one inside my large patrol
  • 1 0
 @tiagomano: I'm not sure, if there was enough room for a bottle below the shock, the space might be compromised when the shock is compressed. I just flipped the shock with the piggyback on the bottom and mounted it on top of the upper shock mount.
  • 2 0
 I understand why companies want to build carbon framed bikes - the weight savings possible make for a nice easy up-sell to some buyers - and I also see the reasoning for building the rear swing-arm from aluminium.

Surely though, 100 grams dropped from the 'un-sprung' side of the coin would result in a better ride? A lighter front triangle = a negative effect to the un-sprung/ sprung ratio.

Make the front triangle from aluminium and build the rear from carbon fibre = better un-sprung/ sprung ratio!
  • 3 1
 Amazing looking bike at amazing prices. But, 515mm reach on an XL. This is getting out of hand. Despite the steep STA, I would go for an L at my 6'5"/196cm. Would just put my seat a bit back.
  • 2 0
 I have same problem Smile For my style of riding mainstream bikes becomes too long as I normally ride XL sizes (197cm).
  • 2 0
 @bd4e1: Strange, isn't it, as these bikes are made for peeps our height. I guess over time it will come down a bit. I think an XL with reach around 480mm with a decent STA is pretty spot on (and 1-2 yrs ago would have been considered very long). My main concern with the latest trend is just the very long wheel base (especially when conbined with the slack HTA, which I like for steep terrain). Anyway, we shouldn't complain as there are just so many options nowadays!
  • 6 2
 Come on man, surely at 6ft5 you are the expected customer for an XL - Reach is all about handling and not saddle position. I know guys around 5ft10 running 465 reach bikes, you would dwarf one surely.
  • 4 1
 @MTB-Colada:
@bd4e1
Really interesting this. I am 194cm myself.
Would you even consider the XL to be rideable?
I have a Large Mega 2012 and sure, it is not that roomy with its 435mm reach, but still not cramped. But a reach on 515 is just beyond my imagination.
  • 4 1
 @Startgas: I ride around a 435-445 reach and I am 5ft 8, I dont feel stretched in any way at all.

I think its a matter of trying things to see how you get on - they definately have guys your height in mind when they designed the XL, there are not many taller guys out there!
  • 2 1
 @Startgas: Reach number only doesn't paint the whole picture. You also have to take into consideration an ETT or more specifically an (E)STA, since the ETT is the function of ESTA.

For instance, Mega 290 XL has a 515mm reach and a 678mm ETT, while, as the best example of a f*****up geometry, SC Hightower LT XXL has a 498mm reach and a 692mm ETT. Mind you, that is at a stack height! The real, optimal pedaling position for tall riders is at a much greater saddle height and the thus the real distance between the saddle and bars is greater still.
  • 3 0
 @jollyXroger: That must mean if you were very tall on a Hightower LT XXL the saddle would literally be over the rear axle. Santa Cruz cut some corners to bring everyone the long travel version of that bike, hey at least its cheap though, right?
  • 2 0
 @Racer951: Just google images for "santa cruz hightower xxl". Looks absolutely ridiculous!
You are right though, peanuts money.
  • 2 0
 @jollyXroger: forums.mtbr.com/attachments/santa-cruz/1151098d1502218231-santa-cruz-hightower-lt-img_8688.jpg

That looks terrible - A picture of the smaller size on the same thread looks pretty decent, in the larger size with a long seatpost the seated position is awful, it must feel like you are pushing forwards on the pedals when seated climbing.
  • 2 0
 @Racer951: It depends vastly on terrain and style you ride. As MTB-Colada said, roomy reach usually comes with long wheelbase - and that's what I don't like for riding my favourite slow, twisty and techy rockcrawling trails around here. Actually since I shifted to "modern geo" I have problems to ride some trail features I used to ride without any hesitations couple of years before on smaller bike.
  • 1 0
 @bd4e1: Sorry, but are you sure you are not looking at the wrong tool for that job? "Slow, twisty and techy rockcrawling trails" call for a different type of bike, one which might not even necessitate a rear suspension.
  • 1 0
 @jollyXroger: I suppose its a very specific type of riding - sounds almost like trials riding out in the woods to me, not typical of the kind of riding a 160mm full suspension is intended for I suppose.

Anyway, can always size down if the frame has a suitably long seat tube.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: Yes, I'm not saying it is "normal" riding and I'm glad there are many choices on a market - both short bikes and long bikes. I'm just saying that there are people like me and we hope that these choices will stay diverse.

I went size down too for my current bike (Reign), but for my next bike I would probably have to go two sizes down and for my height I'll have to use superlong seatpost and that's not very visually appealing.Smile
  • 2 0
 @Racer951: Fact is, @Nukeproofinternational could have squeezed two more frame sizes in that chart. One "Medium Long" in between M and L. Also, "Large Long" for in between L and XL. It would have made everyone happy. Probably these two would've ended up as bestsellers as well. Go step further and offer these two "tweeners" as the only carbon versions, in the first year at least, and - voila! - at half the mold/production cost, compared to when a carbon 29er rolls out, they could have covered at least 80% demand in both 27.5" and 29" market. I might be wrong, but it sounds like a decent plan for a small company to cover 100% demand sizing-wise and still offer the "dreaded" carbon fibre bikes as well.
  • 1 0
 @jollyXroger: Its all cost related and their biggest marketing machine rides a medium with a 435 reach and likes it - So thats that!

I am sure if cost was no object they would have stuck an extra size in and included an XXL but these things will sell out before they are even physically in the warehouse - they wont need to worry about what sells best as the whole lot will be gone long before the end of 2018.
  • 2 0
 @Racer951: Not necessarily. If you take a look at clearance items for Mega 275 and 290 on CRC, you will notice it is mostly S and M (no pun intended) frames left in stock. Large are mostly gone and XL was gone long time ago.

So if the product matrix went something like this:

S: 410mm (2017 model: 410mm; delta=0), Al only;
M: 435mm (2017 model: 435mm; delta=0), Al only;
MRace: 450mm, CF only;
L: 470mm (2017 model: 460mm; delta=10mm), Al only;
LRace: 490mm, CF only;
XL: 515mm (2017 model: 480mm, delta=35mm), Al only;

@Nukeproofinternational would have created 6 frame sizes (4 in aluminium, 2 in carbon fibre) per wheel size, with these tweener "Medium/Large Race" frames being spot on both geometry and material-wise. It simply makes sense having a race spec. bike with a bit longer and lighter frame.

I'm sure their biggest marketing machine would not give a single f*** about that 1.5 additional centimeter.

Anyways, too late for that now. Maybe Orbea could pull the similar thing off when they make aluminium Rallons i.e. insert two sizes in between S/M and L, L and XL, with an additional size above XL? Smile
  • 1 0
 @jollyXroger: CRC and Hotlines though under the same ownership don't operate as one entity - try and order a 2017 bike from hotlines, let me tell you there isn't a lot left, CRC have just taken some of the sale stock for themselves.
  • 3 1
 They need to change up their paint jobs. The factory/carbon versions look beutiful and understated but the other versions with their logo slapped all over the place and the blue/yellow color scheme is nasty IMO.
  • 1 0
 Not too familiar with horst link. How does it perform with heavy riders ? i cant ride fsr or single pivot without killin the shock or my buddy bob. Vpp and some dw seem to handle it well .
  • 1 0
 I'm a fat bastard on a fsr. Finally put a Pushed shock on and my bike feels great. Tried spacers and increased psi to shitty results. There's a guy in Utah(?) that machines fox coil shocks to fit the yokes on Enduros and Stupmy Evos.
  • 1 0
 @BigballmcCall: i remember my original stumpy 2000ish and couldnt do crap with that shock had to machine a piece of aluminium and run it as a hard tail. Later on the enduro wasnt better .shame as I really like the new enduros but they've gone higher with there leverage ratio. make shock tuning even harder Nukeproof has similar leverage as the nomad and i like that a lot .
  • 1 0
 Horst link is 'FSR' but this will have almost no relevance as to its suitability for heavy riders, its not the type of suspension but how it is applied - one could be super progressive, one could be very linear, depends on the design

You just need to get a new shock tune (unless you are a really really big guy or so obese you are outside of what the shock is capable of handling in which case it sounds like a coil with huge spring rate for you) on a modern bike and you will probably be OK - early 2000's was a long time ago....
  • 2 1
 Couple of thinks

We know it will go downhill well but what about uphill for those of us who do all day rides that involve climbing to the top!

Why would you pay the extra for the RS over the Factory?
  • 1 0
 mega's have no problems earning the vert!
  • 3 0
 The green & yellow looks like an Aussie world champs custom. Very awesome.
  • 3 3
 "The bike was originally conceived four years ago, but Nukeproof took their time during the development process, experimenting with different layups in order to achieve the blend of stiffness and light weight that's expected from a carbon frame aimed at taking on the Enduro World Series."

I call BS on this statement. They were still trying to figure out which "standard" they will honor, in order to have a bike which wouldn't be outdated 30 seconds after its introduction to the press.
  • 3 0
 'and the top-of-the line Factory model for $4,300" Not something you read on PB every day
  • 3 0
 only had nukeproof brakepads..
  • 4 3
 Everyone on pinkbike is an engineer as of late talkimg abou stack, reach and HT length as if you guys had a clue. Go ride yer bikes and enjoy life
  • 8 1
 Wait a second... it has nothing to do with being an engineer. Its about time the engineers listen to the consumers about top tubes, head angles and such. To me it really says something that average women are going for L and XL frames in the ews and downhill because thats what fits. And Santa Cruz engineers/designers dont make frames big enough for a top 6'2 factory rider so another engineer has to make an offset headset to make it fit better. Thats lunacy. Seriously, it doesn't take a genius or an engineer to figure this stuff out. Is Chris Porter an engineer...? Hes a visionary and a smart guy who knows his shit and knew that the indusry packed with engineers who had it all wrong. Pretty sure Gary Fisher wasnt an engineer but just a bike geek who was on to something. Seriously, an engineer designed the Softride shitbike and countless other terrible bikes but since an engineer designed it must be good as you see it. I do agree we should get out and ride!
  • 3 0
 This is hilarious seeing as you actually commented on reach and stack in a previous post - " I feel quite comfy on the medium and have no issues with stack or reach"

Could it be you were making a point based on a perfectly legitimate personal opinion? Or are you a pinkbike engineer and have no right to comment too? Maybe you are a 'real' engineer?
  • 3 1
 @Racer951: I actually have no clue to be honest, lol, my statement came from the fact that I feel fine on my bike....I find it amusing too see so many people commenting on stack, reach and length as if everyone is a bike engineer. Did not mean to offend anyone, just having fun man.
  • 3 0
 @eball: Why would you need to be an engineer to know what fits you?
  • 3 0
 Factory model with X2 and 36 Kashima for $4150? Wow!
  • 3 1
 Such a sexy looking bike, I wonder if this is what will replace my mega.... (Lean dont steer in the video.)
  • 1 0
 For 5'11" or 180 cm what size would be best between medium and large? It seems silly that there is such a jump between sizes.
  • 1 0
 Only thing I can pick on is no drink bottle holder. Just gone to a bike with one and love it. Short rides with no backpack are great
  • 1 0
 This bike can only be ridden to its full potential if your name is sam hill.
  • 2 0
 So sexy!!!! I now know my goal is to get one asap
  • 2 0
 "Intended use" -Enduro. All mountain. DH
  • 1 0
 Anyone know which colourway the frame only version of the carbon 275 is? can't seem to find it on their site.
  • 2 0
 Best looking bikes around in my opinion.
  • 2 0
 If Sam Hill gets a commission on every Mega sold, he should be a rich man.
  • 4 0
 Totally, I don't know what he's paid but he deserves a heap more.
  • 5 1
 @dwojo: He has certainly earned his paycheck this year thats for sure, from what looked like fading out of the sport two years ago to 6th at world champs and a possible EWS overall - The guys one of the legends of the sport thats for sure.
  • 2 1
 @Racer951: fading out? Wtf
  • 1 0
 @mollow: Well yes, it looked for a while like he might quit racing when he made the move to enduro and seemed to find that 'spark' again - Do you have a different view of things, im sure he said this himself in an interview?
  • 1 1
 @Racer951: loss of interest, not talent.
  • 1 0
 @mollow: can you lose talent?
  • 1 1
 @Racer951: yes. Fear will do that to ya
  • 2 0
 What size does Sam Hill Ride, given he is 5'10" AFAIA?
  • 5 0
 I gather sam has always ridden a medium and believe he is more like 5'9"

No super long reach for Sam - A few pro riders I know of wont do the whole long reach thing because they insist on a 50mm stem to keep weight on the front wheel, not sure if thats the same with Sam but I am sure he knows what he likes by now.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951:
thanks for info
  • 2 0
 to date he was always on a medium
  • 5 0
 Sam's on a medium, part of the reason the Medium sizing hasn't changed- we didn't have any calls for changes to the medium and as we're a small company we couldn't afford 2 moulds. The riders that have ridden the new Mega in Medium and a 2017 medium so far are happy.
  • 1 0
 @Nukeproofinternational: thanks for confirming that, thought as much.

Great job on the new bikes, I am eyeing up the fox equipped 275 for 2018.
  • 2 0
 K den
  • 1 0
 The irony of Sam Hill's surname never ceases to amaze me...
  • 23 0
 You mean the aptness? Sam Clipless would be ironic.
  • 2 0
 @BenPea: that just made my day.
  • 23 0
 @BenPea: Fk. Schooled in english by a frenchy
  • 18 0
 @Yahh: I'm not completely French. Never go full-French.
  • 2 0
 @BenPea: clipless is ironic.
  • 8 0
 @BenPea: The word clipless is ironic in itself though.
  • 7 0
 @colincolin: too true boys. I try to avoid ironic bike components whenever possible.
  • 10 0
 @BenPea: true ironic components tend to rust
  • 1 1
 @colincolin: lmao so true... Got caught on my first online shoe purchase
  • 1 1
 How is it possible the 27.5 has 10mm BB and the 29 has 30mm BB, that's 1 cm and 3 cm.....WTF!!!!!
  • 1 1
 ^^^^^@mikekazimer
  • 3 0
 @Bird-Man: Chart is labelled incorrectly. That column should be "BB Drop". More drop with the taller wheel to keep BB Height similar between wheels sizes.
  • 1 0
 @vikb: ok thanks but what is the actual BB from the ground??
  • 2 0
 @Bird-Man: they don't measure that way any more because with different tires that number changes a lot.They just give BB drop from the axles.
  • 1 0
 @rideonjon: oh makes sense
  • 1 0
 Cant wait till the alloy frame only is up for sale
  • 1 0
 isn't this site about bikes?
  • 3 4
 That bike hits all my right buttons, its sexy in all the right places. One room at the Motel, with one bed, with that bike please!
  • 2 0
 Hack-proof.
  • 1 0
 Anyone knows when they are going to be available for purchase?
  • 1 0
 @jamesbriancrilly:
That price is unbelievable! I got a Tracer 2 from Fanatic bikes in 2012 that had an X9 build zero carbon and no dropper post for that same price. That wobbles my mind.
  • 1 0
 Any change to the shock rates?
  • 1 0
 Intended use: all-mountain / enduro / DH World Cup ...
  • 4 4
 Looks like a sess.... capra
  • 3 2
 Its looks like a bike, but its a beautiful bike
  • 1 0
 Damn
  • 1 0
 And euro prices?
  • 8 0
 Prices in Germany according to MTB-News.de:

Mega 275 RS Carbon
4.200 €
Mega 275 Factory Carbon
3.850 €
Mega 275 Pro
3.100 €
Mega 275 Comp
2.200 €

Mega 290 Factory
3.500€
Mega 290 Pro
3.100€
Mega 290 Comp
2.200€

Framesets: 2100€ Carbon / 1500€ Alloy
  • 3 0
 @pbuser15914: Very reasonable.
  • 1 2
 @jimmythehat: they seem too cheap for me
  • 1 0
 @pbuser15914: are you sure - the Prices in Sterling are much higher???

Mega 275 RS Carbon £4,599.99
Mega 275 Factory Carbon £4,199.99
Mega 275 Pro Alloy £3,349.99
Mega 275 Comp £2,399.99
Mega 290 Factory Alloy £3,799.99
Mega 290 Pro Alloy £3,349.99
Mega 290 Comp £2,399.99

Read more at www.mbr.co.uk/news/2018-nukeproof-mega-365540#tt7vY3b5kIxy1I6g.99
  • 2 0
 switch chainreaction to € and compare the prices... Very nice prices for €-Countries
  • 1 0
 @Travel66: Still very competitive. I've been eyeing Transition and Kona for my next ride, but at the price point of these, I'm seriously reconsidering. Just need to find a shop that carries them over here to swing a leg...
  • 1 0
 @pbuser15914: there is definitely something wrong with the pricing. The price for say Italy is 1000 euro more than Germany. Which doesn't make any sense.
  • 1 1
 I might gonna get one. No availability info just yet and no euro prices...
  • 1 0
 Nice bike.
  • 1 0
 I'm in love
  • 1 0
 Looks (like a) Mega
  • 1 0
 looks like a Jeffsy...
  • 1 0
 The Mega 290 looks good.
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