Feature

Pro Bike Check: Sam Hill’s Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon

23.10.2017

by Manne Schmitt

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 002 810x540

On his second Enduro season, five-times Downhill-World-Champion Sam Hill took the overall victory in the Enduro World Series 2017 in a breathtaking final. At the last race of the EWS in Finale Ligure we managed to catch Sam on Finale’s beach and have a quick look at his work-horse, the Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 002 810x540 — Sam Hill’s winning Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon. Since the fourth run of the EWS 2017 in Ireland Sam has been riding the new carbon version of the Nukeproof Mega 275. Sam’s bike is a frame-size M.

First off a little retrospective on Sam’s 2017 season racing for the Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic-Team: it’s the first time this year that Sam raced the entire Enduro World Series. In Wicklow/Ireland Sam rode the carbon version of the Nukeproof Mega 275 for the first time and came in second. At the sixth round in Aspen-USA he secured himself the top step of the podium and two weeks later he placed second in Whistler-Canada. He got to the final round in Finale with an advantage of 110 points over the season’s shooting star Adrian Dailly, who had won a total of 3 races in the season. Sam landed a 3rd place in the Finale Ligure race whilst Adrien only came in fourth, with a 20 second-gap.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 001 810x540 — Sam taking the outside line to keep momentum in the turn.

Sam also took his enduro bike on a trip to the downhill world champs in Cairns/Australia, where he managed 6th place.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 012 810x540 — Sam Hill sporting the number 13 on the trails of the EWS this year; clearly it was Sam’s lucky number! Sam had a couple of AVS-Handguards attached to his handlebar again this season.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 008 810x540 — Sam’s cockpit consists of Nukeproof Horizon handlebars and grips – both in a special Sam-Hill-Edition— and a massive 50-mm Nukeproof Zero stem.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 017 810x540 — The SRAM-shifter comes in the fancy BlackBox finish, only available for selected SRAM pro-riders. Sam relies on Nukeproof Horizon grips, obviously in the Sam Hill Signature-version.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 011 810x540 — Sam runs his RockShox Super Deluxe RC 3 shock with 170 psi.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 015 810x540 — You brake, you lose! Still, Sam uses 4-piston SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200 mm rotors.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 014 810x540 — After his 5 World-Champ titles Sam can now also get his 2017 EWS-overall victory-sticker on the seat-tube. Congratulations!

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 013 810x540 — The RockShox Lyrik with 170 mm travel and 90 psi air-pressure helped Sam to plough his way to the EWS 2017 overall-win.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 016 810x540 — The Mavic Deemax Pro-rims with a prototype version of Mavic’s Charge-tires, which aren’t that different from the version we tested. They’re clearly experimenting with different rubber compounds.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 005 810x540 — Sam also runs a Mavic Charge prototype at the back.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 010 810x540 — For his drivetrain Sam trusts a SRAM X01 Eagle and a massive 10–50-tooth cassette. In the last run of the EWS in Finale Ligure Sam opted for a very small 32 t chainring.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 003 810x540 — The hollow axle of the SRAM Eagle XO bottom bracket hides an All In Multitool. Sam runs 165 mm-length cranks, 5 mm shorter than on the stock bike. These give him more ground-clearance when pedalling.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 004 810x540 — Sam’s unique feature that distinguishes him from all his fellow pro-riders in the Enduro World Series: he uses flats instead of clipless pedals. Are you tempted now? Here you’ll find our comparison test of 8 flat pedals.

Sam Hill Bike Check Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon EWS Finale 2017 006 810x540 — Sam Hill bagged the overall victory of the EWS 2017 in a gripping finish.

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Words & Photos: Manne Schmitt

About the Author

Manne Schmitt
Authorized Officer

Manne Schmitt is a Procurator at 41 Publishing, contributing a wealth of methodological expertise from his career as a Chief Analyst for a state authority. This background ensures the journalistic depth of his research, and the acquisition of exclusive news for E-MOUNTAINBIKE, ENDURO, GRAN FONDO, and DOWNTOWN. Active in cycling since 1989, he combines operative test support with administrative responsibility, strengthening the quality of editorial processes. The world of racing remains a passion; no one on the team knows the EDR professionals better than Manne.

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