DIRT ISSUE 143 – JANUARY 2014
Words by Steve Jones. Photos by Steve Jones
With two red air volume plugs fitted to the forks, and the bike weighed and measured (a shade under 34lb), the size large Mega was pretty much ready to go. This in itself is welcome in days when many companies still don’t get it when it comes to bar width, stem and general sizing.
With a good wheelbase the right side of the 47” boundary, average head angle for travel in this range at 66º, a well–balanced chainstay and bottom bracket just about on the axles it’s a mix designed for charging. OK a Kona Process 153 shades it on the numbers, being lower and with a slightly cheekier chainstay but what is most impressive however is Nukeproof’s acceptance to offer an extra large which actually is made for riders over 6 foot. Great job.
The parts are top dollar here and I like the decision to go for one big ring up front with a standard cassette out the back. Some will hate it but most reasonably fit riders wont even bat an eyelid. The talk is king size in the description and sums this bike up pretty well, “all mountain adventure, alpine playtime and gravity enduro events. Refined and improved rear travel.” This bike is ready to roll before you even take a look at the package – RockShox Monarch Plus RC3, Pike RCT3 and Reverb Stealth, SRAM X9 – it’s pretty much job done. And then there’s the price.
But what about the performance? Like they say, the mid stroke has good control (well of course it should, but I never had too bad an experience on last year’s bike) slightly improved on previous and a solid, quiet nature. First riding experience is hugely positive, you know where you stand with the Mega, you can charge hard and the vibrations are kept low compared to some plastic (sorry carbon fibre) bikes.
At £3199 it’s a steal, your only real question should be how much do you value weight? 34lb is pretty heavy (DH casing tyres will put it over 35lb) considering the same day I had a £3000 27.5” downhill bike weighing 36lb. Nukeproof’s next step should be to evolve the Mega in that department, but at least we have a company producing bikes in a range of sizes for everyone.
Price: £3199
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