Sam Hill is superhuman! He not only secured the overall victory of the Enduro World Series on the brand-new Nukeproof Mega 275 RS, but also secured 6th on it in the Downhill World Championship in Cairns, Australia. But how fast can mere mortals ride this bike?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Let’s go Racing! – The 10 fastest enduro bikes in test
The new Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon RS makes a potent first impression: the boxy carbon main frame and burly aluminium rear triangle look aggressive, presented entirely in black. With the fourth generation of the Mega, Nukeproof uses 170/165 mm suspension travel, combined with 27.5″ wheels and a modern, long (470 mm reach in size L) and slack (65° head angle) geometry. The components of this stealthy bike leave nothing to be desired: a RockShox Lyrik RCT3 suspension fork, a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, and light DT Swiss XM 1501 rims with an internal width of 30 mm. All this delivered at a price of € 4,200! The look of the angular Nukeproof Neutron stem is a matter of taste, but there is nothing to complain about regarding the cockpit dimensions (50 mm stem / 780 mm bars).
The key word for the Nukeproof Mega 275 RS is balance… in many respects. The first thing you’ll notice is the extremely comfortable sitting position. Thanks to the steep 75.8° seat tube angle, you can sit comfortably and well centered. The saddle can be mounted centrally on its rails without giving the impression that you’re sitting back over the rear wheel. The bike climbs efficiently in spite of the heavy MAXXIS Double Down tires. Once you lower the 170 mm (!) long Reverb dropper post and sprint into a stage, the Mega willingly marches forward and accelerates explosively. The weight distribution through turns is also great. Riding the bike you’re positioned centrally, always having enough weight on the front wheel.
The Mega is very precise, pleasantly agile, but not as playful as other bikes in this comparison. The suspension too is well balanced. The rear linkage works with a defined action, providing a lot of feedback and progression – although it isn’t as plush as the best we tested, becoming a little skittish in rock gardens. Unless by chance your name is Sam Hill, you will lose ground here with the Mega. All in all, the overall package is very coherent, which also underlines the consistency of Hill at the EWS.
The Nukeproof Mega 275 RS in Detail
Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 170 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe RC3 165 mm
Brakes* SRAM Code R
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seat post RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem Nukeproof Neutron AM
Handlebar Nukeproof Horizon Carbon
Tires Maxxis Highroller II
Wheels Dt Swiss EX 1501 Spline One
Price € 4,200
The carbon frame looks the part with clean lines and smart cable routing ports. Nothing rattling here!
The rear suspension of the Mega 275 RS feels very defined, giving a lot of feedback. The bike accelerates very well and does not wallow in compressions. Unfortunately, the rear suspension isn’t as sensitive as the best we tested.
Nukeproof combines the carbon frame with a burly aluminium rear triangle for optimum stiffness and durability.
“To finish first, you first have to finish!” To avoid prematurely ending an enduro race, it is advisable to put on a little extra weight. MAXXIS Double Down tires are a good choice.
The geometry of the Nukeproof Mega 275 RS
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 381 mm | 420 mm | 458 mm | 508 mm |
| Top tube | 560 mm | 585 mm | 622 mm | 668 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 75.5° | 75.5° | 75.5° | 75.5° |
| Chainstay | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
| BB Drop | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1162 | 1187 | 1226 | 1273 |
| Reach | 410 mm | 435 mm | 470 mm | 515 mm |
| Stack | 591 mm | 591 mm | 600 mm | 604 mm |
| Wheelsize | 27.5″ | 27.5″ | 27.5″ | 27.5″ |
Conclusion
The Nukeproof Mega 275 RS is an excellent enduro bike that scores high with its balanced and predictable handling. It climbs willingly and rides through turns like it’s on rails. For high speeds and in very rough sections, however, it requires a strong rider.
Strengths
– very balanced geometry
– excellent componentry at a fair price
– climbs willingly
Weaknesses
– Rear suspension more firm than plush
– less composed at high speeds on rough terrain
For more information head to nukeproof.com
The test fleet
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Let’s go Racing! – The 10 fastest enduro bikes in test
All bikes in test: Canyon Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Team | Giant Reign Advanced 0 | Lapierre Spicy Team Ultimate | Pole EVOLINK 140 29 | Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 | Santa Cruz Hightower LT | SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned 2018 | Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 | YT JEFFSY 27 CF Pro Race
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