Out of the box there is nothing you really need to change, Rockshox’s excellent Pike and Monarch RCT3, RockShox Reverb, full SRAM X9 and Nukeproof’s own stuff is good kit, Maxxis tyres, and good chain retention. The gearing is a tad on the large side with a single 36 tooth chainring.
However you’ve already swapped out some bits and pieces I see?I needed to lighten her up a little for the big epic all–mountain days. The main upgrade are the Spike Oozzy wheels, light at 1700g for the pair and have so far held up well in tubeless form. I use the Nukeproof Generator wheels with dual ply’s for the shuttle days as anything lighter will get killed. Some Brake Authority semi floating disks and pads cope with heat better than the stock Avid set–up. I’ve changed the drivetrain with a Blackspire 32 tooth narrow/wide chainring and ditched the Truvativ chainguide, a General Lee 40 tooth cassette adaptor now gives me a good range of gears and quite a weight saving… I haven’t dropped a chain yet either.
I also replaced the 60mm stem with a Spank 50mm to sharpen the steering and a Nukeproof carbon bar which helps with fatigue from constant vibrations of riding every day. All this has dropped the weight to 30.8lbs without pedals, that’s pretty good for a bike like the Mega.
Previously you said the large Mega was too big for you, what’s with the change of heart?I took you and your colleague from another mag’s advice (or gave in to your constant badgering) but it was when I was being chased by you and Toby Pantling down the super enduro trail on a large Kona Process that I ‘got’ what you meant, great stability and cornering which was a lot faster and much less input is required to make the bike work for you. It is far more comfortable climbing too.
