Nukeproof Mega Pro 275 review

EWS winning credentials and a killer spec make the Mega a serious contender

Our rating

4.5

4750.00
3350.00
5399.00
The Mega has been treated to some subtle but significant tweaks for 2018. The result is a seriously sorted bike that can be raced from the get-go without the need to change anything on it

Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

Robin Weaver

Published: April 25, 2018 at 10:00 am
Our review
A great bike with superb tyres and incredible damping. Sizing won't suit everyone though and there's too much flex in the wheels Buy if, You’re in the market for a seriously well-mannered enduro bike that can be raced at the highest level straight off the shop floor

Pros:

Great suspension that offers confidence and comfort when it counts; geometry is great in the larger sizes; dependable tyres that'll grip well and stave off punctures; powerful, easy to control brakes

Cons:

Medium frame feels like it could be longer; wheels feel flexy when pushed hard

The Mega has been treated to some subtle but significant tweaks for 2018. The result is a seriously sorted bike that can be raced from the get-go without the need to change anything on it - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
One of those all-important tweaks including redesigning the back end of the bike to work with a metric shock. In this case, the Pro gets the proven RockShox Super Deluxe RCT shock - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
Paired with the Super Deluxe shock at the rear is the formidable RockShox Lryik RCT3 which is both comfy and capable — something I certainly appreciated on the downhill trails in San Romolo - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
Nukeproof's own brand bar (which comes 800mm wide as standard) and stem feel really comfy and natural in use and are nicely finished - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
Though the Mavic wheels used on the Pro are light and quick to get up to speed, they can feel flexy when pushed really hard - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
SRAM's Guide RE brakes offer consistent feel and power, even on brutally steep downhill trails - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
Even though the suspension is seriously sorted, I still decided it was better to jump these rocks on the San Romolo DH track rather than batter through them - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

Thanks to Sam Hill, Nukeproof is coming into 2018 with an Enduro World Series (EWS) title under its belt and on an all-time high. Clearly the changes it's made to the Mega are working for the experienced Australian. But just how well will they fare for us mere mortals?

  • The Nukeproof Mega Pro 275 is one of our Bike of the Year bikes for 2018. To read reviews of the other contenders and the categories tested across road, mountain and women's bikes, visit our Bike of the Year hub.

Our annual search for the best enduro bike is over, and the Mega Pro 275 made it all the way into the top five contenders

While much of the attention fell on the switch to the use of carbon on the pricier Mega builds, the alloy bikes also get a serious working over. All Megas (using 650b wheels, at least) are now designed around a 170mm / 6.7in travel fork and sport a super slack head angle of 63.9 degrees.They also get tweaked to accommodate the new metric shock sizing and have had their shock tune altered slightly for improved support, which Nukeproof claims will work with both air or coil shocks should you wish to switch things up a bit.

One of those all-important tweaks including redesigning the back end of the bike to work with a metric shock. In this case, the Pro gets the proven RockShox Super Deluxe RCT shock - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

Chainstays remain 435mm across all sizes and bottom bracket drop is unchanged at 10mm.Axle spacing at the back grows to 148mm and all frames are now single ring only, allowing the main pivot to be broadened slightly to improve stiffness.Frame sizing doesn't alter for the size small and medium bikes, but the large and extra-large bikes grow significantly, with the large now sporting a reach of 470mm which is 10mm more than the 2017 bike. That means the medium carries over the 435mm reach, which by today's standards is at the shorter end of the spectrum.

While the 458mm seat tube on the large means folk looking for a little extra room to play with could upsize from a medium to large — even though the 35mm jump in reach is significant — seat post travel may limit this, as the large only comes with a 170mm travel post.

The alloy Mega gets an external bottom bracket and external cable routing (with the exception of the dropper post cable/hose).

Nukeproof Mega Pro 275 kit

Paired with the Super Deluxe shock at the rear is the formidable RockShox Lryik RCT3 which is both comfy and capable — something I certainly appreciated on the downhill trails in San Romolo - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

We moaned and Nukeproof listened. All Megas (that includes the cheapest in the line-up) are now shod with Maxxis tyres complete with their tough Double Down casing to help stave off flat tyres.With tyres being such a critical aspect of any bike build, I'm so pleased to see some of my favourites in place here, with a casing and compound that'll handle just about any trail going.

Nukeproof's own brand bar (which comes 800mm wide as standard) and stem feel really comfy and natural in use and are nicely finished - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
Damping is taking care of by RockShox, where the Lyrik RC fork and Super Deluxe RC3 shock create a seriously formidable pairing. SRAM also provides the wide range GX Eagle 1x12 transmission and the incredibly potent Guide RE brakes.Finishing kit comes from Nukeproof for the most part, and I'm a big fan of the natural feeling 800mm Horizon bar, though I did trim it down to 760mm to suit.

Paired with the Super Deluxe shock at the rear is the formidable RockShox Lryik RCT3 which is both comfy and capable — something I certainly appreciated on the downhill trails in San Romolo - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
We moaned and Nukeproof listened. All Megas (that includes the cheapest in the line-up) are now shod with Maxxis tyres complete with their tough Double Down casing to help stave off flat tyres.With tyres being such a critical aspect of any bike build, I'm so pleased to see some of my favourites in place here, with a casing and compound that'll handle just about any trail going.

Nukeproof's own brand bar (which comes 800mm wide as standard) and stem feel really comfy and natural in use and are nicely finished - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

Damping is taking care of by RockShox, where the Lyrik RC fork and Super Deluxe RC3 shock create a seriously formidable pairing. SRAM also provides the wide range GX Eagle 1x12 transmission and the incredibly potent Guide RE brakes.Finishing kit comes from Nukeproof for the most part, and I'm a big fan of the natural feeling 800mm Horizon bar, though I did trim it down to 760mm to suit.

Nukeproof Mega Pro 275 ride impressions

I'll start with the sizing. While the medium frame was comfortable to ride for me at 5ft 8in, it does feel like it could grow a little in terms of reach when compared to its counterparts just to up its high-speed stability further.

The effective top tube length of 585mm and steep 75.5-degree seat angle also mean you feel quite upright on the bike when climbing sat down too, so you'd not want to go shorter than the 50mm stem that comes as standard. You'll also want to reach for that compression lever on the shock to firm things up when ascending because there's some bob from the suspension when grinding up climbs.

The playfulness and fun the Mega can generate when pointed downhill does help to put these issues to one side though.

Though the Mavic wheels used on the Pro are light and quick to get up to speed, they can feel flexy when pushed really hard - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

The light Mavic wheels spin up to speed quickly and power delivery through the frame feels direct and responsive. As soon as you dive into the first section of rough trail the feel through the suspension simply encourages you to ride as hard as you can. There's a great balance front to rear which adds an air of calmness, even when things look set to get really wild.At the rear, with a single volume spacer added, I felt I had enough progression to ward off any nasty bottom outs on the bigger hits and plenty of support when loading the bike through turns, where the Mega exits eagerly and at pace. Thread the Pro into a tight, twisty technical section of trail and it'll navigate it with ease.

Even though the suspension is seriously sorted, I still decided it was better to jump these rocks on the San Romolo DH track rather than batter through them - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
Up front, the Lyrik is a monster of a fork. Again, I ended up adding a single Bottomless Token to prevent any harsh bottom outs. When the trail got rocky and rooty, I was constantly impressed by the composure, comfort and support that the fork delivered, keeping the front wheel on the line and saving my hands from a total battering.My only real issue with the spec comes courtesy of the Mavic wheels which although light,were twangy and less precise in high load situations. They're quite narrow too (25mm internal), making the 2.3in High Roller IIs feel quite skinny when compared to the broader rimmed, wider tyre competition.Luckily though, as the tyres feature Double Down casings, you can run pressures a touch lower than usual and not worry about flatting every time you steam roller through sections of boulder or case landings.

Though the Mavic wheels used on the Pro are light and quick to get up to speed, they can feel flexy when pushed really hard - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK
The light Mavic wheels spin up to speed quickly and power delivery through the frame feels direct and responsive. As soon as you dive into the first section of rough trail the feel through the suspension simply encourages you to ride as hard as you can. There's a great balance front to rear which adds an air of calmness, even when things look set to get really wild.At the rear, with a single volume spacer added, I felt I had enough progression to ward off any nasty bottom outs on the bigger hits and plenty of support when loading the bike through turns, where the Mega exits eagerly and at pace. Thread the Pro into a tight, twisty technical section of trail and it'll navigate it with ease.

Even though the suspension is seriously sorted, I still decided it was better to jump these rocks on the San Romolo DH track rather than batter through them - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

Up front, the Lyrik is a monster of a fork. Again, I ended up adding a single Bottomless Token to prevent any harsh bottom outs. When the trail got rocky and rooty, I was constantly impressed by the composure, comfort and support that the fork delivered, keeping the front wheel on the line and saving my hands from a total battering.My only real issue with the spec comes courtesy of the Mavic wheels which although light,were twangy and less precise in high load situations. They're quite narrow too (25mm internal), making the 2.3in High Roller IIs feel quite skinny when compared to the broader rimmed, wider tyre competition.Luckily though, as the tyres feature Double Down casings, you can run pressures a touch lower than usual and not worry about flatting every time you steam roller through sections of boulder or case landings.

SRAM's Guide RE brakes offer consistent feel and power, even on brutally steep downhill trails - Matt Wragg/Mountain Biking UK

Thanks to the incredibly punchy Guide RE brakes, slowing down was never an issue, even after flat out, brake dragging chutes when caked in rain and mud. There's more than enough power on tap for just about any situation and it's easy to control too.

Overall, I always came away from riding the Mega impressed with just how solid the frame felt and how capable and comfortable the suspension was, even after long days on gruelling rough trails. Okay, the sizing in the medium won't suit everyone and the wheels don't feel like the do the bike justice, but there's no getting away from the balance and confidence this bike can generate.

Also consider...

If you're in the market for a new enduro bike, long travel trail bike or all-mountain bike, check out our reviews of those we've thoroughly tried and tested.

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Robin Weaver

Technical editor-in-chief

Rob Weaver is BikeRadar's technical editor-in-chief. Rob manages all of the testing here at BikeRadar and across our magazines, Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus. Rob first graced the pages of MBUK back in 2001 when working as a freelance writer and went on to start testing bikes for the title in 2007. In 2010 he joined the team full-time and has been keeping a close eye on all things test-related ever since. Rob’s expansive knowledge of bikes comes courtesy of his passion for racing. He cut his teeth racing cross-country mountain bikes in the early 90s before finding his feet in downhill. After many years competing on the UK national circuit (including a year attempting to race UCI DH World Cups), Rob realised his know-how and passion for bike setup, tech and writing clearly outweighed his racing ability. A degree in sports technology and decades of riding experience all help to give Rob a thorough understanding of what’s needed to create a great bike or product. While Rob’s a mountain biker at heart and never happier than when he’s sliding down a Welsh hillside, he’s more than happy to put the miles in on the road or gravel bike, too.
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