The Mega has been completely redesigned for 2018 with boost hub spacing and tweaked geometry. For the first time there is a carbon frame for the 275. This is the same frame that Sam Hill piloted to EWS victory and it’s found on the Factory and RS models. The more affordable 275 bikes get a triple butted and hydroformed aluminium frame. These alloy bikes have the same focus as the carbon bikes with the same race proven geometry. The 65-degree head angle remains the same, but the head tube is slightly longer for a more confident feel. Large and XL frames are slightly longer so even the tallest riders will feel at home on the Mega. The Mega 290 bikes all get an aluminium alloy frame with similarly revised geometry.

All the Nukeproof Mega bikes are now ‘one by’ only with boost hub spacing. This has allowed the engineers to make the bike much stiffer. Torsional flex is reduced which makes the bikes more assured at speed on rough terrain. The carbon bikes get internal cable routing while the alloy models have the cables neatly routed on the down tube.

Both the 275 and the 290 have 165mm rear wheel suspension travel. The Four Bar, Horst Link, suspension design is fully active, so that you can brake and pedal more effectively on rough tracks. Front travel is 170mm on the 275 and 160mm on the 290. There are three different builds – Comp Pro and Factory - that share the same forks and shocks on both the 27.5” wheeled bikes and the 29ers. The Mega 275 gets an additional RS model.

The Comp and Pro models are both RockShox equipped. The Comp has a Yari RC up front with a Super Deluxe R rear shock. The Pro gets a Super Deluxe RC3 with a Lyric RC. This fork has the same chassis as the Yari but with a higher performance damping cartridge. The Factory models get high-end Fox Float Factory shocks with a 36 fork and an X2 shock. These offer cutting edge performance. For those that prefer RockShox, the 275 RS gets a top of the range Lyric RCT3 with a Super Deluxe RC3.

With one by drivetrains, big disc rotors, wide bars and dropper posts on all models, all the Nukeproof Mega bikes are ready to take on the most challenging terrain. The quality of the Nukeproof finishing kit is impressive and out shines the ‘own brand’ components found on most other bikes.

As with suspension the different build options feature the same components on both the 275 and the 290. The Comp gets a reliable Shimano SLX 1x11 speed drivetrain with Deore brakes. The Pro gets SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 speed, with that massive 500% gear range to get you up the steepest climbs, and powerful Guide RE brakes. The Factory bikes all get slick shifting Shimano XT 1x11 speed gearing with XT stoppers. The 275 RS features the very best drivetrain performance, with SRAM XO1 Eagle 1x12 speed, combined with the ultimate stopping power of Code brakes.

With boost hub spacing on all the 2017 Megas you get a stiffer wheel build that helps to give the new bikes such confident handling. The Mega Comp rolls on inhouse Nukeproof Neutron wheels while the rest of the range get branded wheelsets. The Pro gets Mavic XA Elite wheels, with Sam Hill running Mavic’s, these wheels are a perfect fit on the Mega. The Factory bikes get DT Swiss E1700 Spline wheels with 30mm rims for great tyre support. The RS also gets DT Swiss with the even better performance of XM1501 Splines.

The tyres on the Mega are a real plus point. Every bike features the same high-end Maxxis High Roller II tubeless tyres. These are great all-rounders and the triple compound Max Terra rubber gives you that extra cornering grip. Double Down side wall protection offers extra security when hard charging through rocky chutes.