Nukeproof’s all-new 2021 Mega range offers carbon and aluminium models both available in 27.5in (Mega 275) and 29in (Mega 290) wheel sizes.
The Mega has been a staple of Nukeproof’s range and a workhorse on the enduro race scene for ten years. In that time, it has gone through various iterations, won numerous titles – including Enduro World Series Elite Champion 2017–19 under Sam Hill and EWS Under-21 Champion 2018 and 4X World Champs silver medallist 2019 under Elliott Heap – and, for 2021, Nukeproof is releasing the fourth-generation frame.
The company says one of the stipulations in upgrading the bike for 2021 was that it should look like a Mega – mission accomplished, although its top tube has been straightened up, shock position changed and, in fact, the new bike shares no frame components with its predecessor.
Stipulation two was that it should fit a full-size water bottle, which might seem like a bizarre place to begin a redesign but anyone who reads internet comment boards knows this is of paramount importance.
2021 Nukeproof Mega frame
Nukeproof’s Enrique Repolles has designed nearly every bike in the company’s recent history, including the Mega family. The third-generation bike, Nukeproof says, was the biggest turning point in the bike’s design, and indeed delivered the most racing success.
The latest Mega builds on the existing design. Its wheelbase is lengthened slightly, although reach and chainstay length on the 290 are slightly shorter than the previous version, the latter being something requested by Sam Hill.
The head angle is slacker by half a degree (now 64 degrees on both the 275 and 290) and the seat-tube angle is also slightly steeper across the board. Meanwhile, shorter seat tubes with maximised insert depth allow the use of longer travel dropper seatposts.
Guide tubes on the carbon models allow for easier internal cable routing and, of course, there’s now room for a 750ml water bottle.
2021 Nukeproof Mega suspension kinematics
Mark IV Megas feature the same four-bar Horst link suspension platform as used in all previous models, with all-new linkages and refined kinematics.
According to Nukeproof, the latest design improves sensitivity while giving added mid-stroke support. Reduced overall progression allows greater tunability through the use of shock volume spacers.
The bike is also slightly more active under braking than its predecessor.
Nukeproof Mega 2021 range overview
The new Mega is available in a total of 10 different wheel size, frame, and build options, ranging from £2,699.99 to £5,499.99. There are also carbon and aluminium frame-only options in both wheel sizes.
2021 Nukeproof Mega 275 and 290 RS
The RS model is the high-end carbon frame, available with either 27.5 or 29in wheels. Pricing and build are identical on both. A nice finishing touch is that the frame comes with a pre-fitted clear scratch protection kit.
- Frame: Nukeproof Mega V4 Carbon, 165mm (275) 160mm (290) travel, internally piped cable routing, ISCG 05 mounts, threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear-axle spacing
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Fork: RockShox Zeb Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT
- Wheels: Mavic Deemax Pro Sam Hill
- Tyres: Michelin Wild Enduro
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle 12-speed
- Chain guide: MRP 1x AMG V2, 32-38t, ISCG-05, black
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
- Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon Carbon V2
- Stem: Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm, Black
- Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon Enduro, Black
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
- Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
- Weight: 15kg/31.9lb (tubeless, Medium 275)
- Price: £5,499.99 / €6,399.99 / $5,499.99 / AU$7,999.99
2021 Nukeproof Mega 275 and 290 Factory
The Factory model uses the same frame with a range of Fox, Shimano and Nukeproof components, and has a lower price tag.
- Frame: Nukeproof Mega V4 Carbon, 165mm (275) 160mm (290) travel, internally piped cable routing, ISCG 05 mounts, threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear axle spacing
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Fork: Fox 38 Float, Factory Series, Kashima, Grip 2 damper
- Shock: Fox Float X2, Factory Series, Kashima, EVOL, two-position
- Wheels: DT Swiss E1700
- Tyres: Michelin Wild Enduro
- Crankset: Shimano XT M8100 12-speed
- Chain guide: Nukeproof guide with bash, 28-36t, ISCG-05, black
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8120, four-pot brake
- Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon V2
- Stem: Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm, Black
- Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon Enduro, Black
- Seatpost: Bikeyoke Divine Stealth
- Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
- Weight: 18kg/32.5lb (tubeless, Medium 275)
- Price: £4,999.99 / €5,699.99 / $4,999.99 / AU$6,999.99
2021 Nukeproof Mega 275 and 290 Elite
The entry-level carbon model features the same frame as the RS and Factory versions, while keeping the price down to a competitive level.
- Frame: Nukeproof Mega V4 Carbon, 165mm (275) 160mm (290) travel, internally piped cable routing, ISCG 05 mounts, threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear axle spacing
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Fork: Fox 36 Float, Performance Elite Series, Grip 2
- Shock: Fox Float X2, Performance Series, EVOL, two-position lever, Custom CL
- Wheels: DT Swiss E1900
- Tyres: Michelin Wild Enduro
- Crankset: Shimano SLX M7100 12-speed
- Chain guide: Nukeproof guide with bash, 28-36t
- Brakes: Shimano SLX M7120, four-pot brake
- Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon V2
- Stem: Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm, Black
- Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon Enduro, Black
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend
- Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
- Weight: 17kg/32.3lb (tubeless, Medium 275)
- Price: £3,999.99 / €4,699.99 / $3,999.99 / AU$5,799.99
2021 Nukeproof Mega 275 and 290 Pro Alloy
If metal is more your thing, Nukeproof offers both wheel size options with a high-end build in its Pro Alloy models, available in a wide range of sizes.
- Frame: Nukeproof Mega V4 275 Alloy, 165mm (275) 160mm (290) travel, triple-butted hydroformed tube set, internal cable routing, ISCG 05 mount, threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear axle spacing
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select Charger 2.1 RC, Debonair
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select RT
- Wheels: Nukeproof Neutron V2
- Tyres: Michelin Wild Enduro
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed
- Chain guide: Nukeproof Chain Guide with bash, 28-36t, ISCG-05, black
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RE
- Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon V2
- Stem: Nukeproof Neutron AM, 45mm
- Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon Enduro
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend
- Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
- Weight: 16kg/32.1lb (tubeless, Medium 275)
- Price: £3,399.99 / €3,999.99 / $3,399.99 / AU$4,999.99
2021 Nukeproof Mega Comp
The entry-level aluminium Mega Comp has the same frame as the Pro Alloy with a range of solid, budget components. At £2,699 it sits at a highly competitive price point.
- Frame: Nukeproof Mega V4 275 Alloy, 165mm (275) 160mm (290) travel, triple-butted hydroformed tube set, internal cable routing, ISCG 05 mount, threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear-axle spacing
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Fork: RockShox Yari, Motion Control RC damper, BOOST, Debonair
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select R, Custom
- Wheels: Sun-Ringle Duroc SD37
- Tyres: Michelin Wild
- Crankset: Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed
- Chain guide: MRP 1x CS, 28-34t, ISCG-05, black
- Brakes: Shimano Deore M6120 four-pot brake
- Front rotor: Shimano SM-RT66, 203mm
- Rear rotor: Shimano SM-RT66, 180mm
- Handlebars: Nukeproof Neutron V2
- Stem: Nukeproof Neutron AM, 45mm
- Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon Enduro
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend
- Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
- Weight: 14kg/33.9lb (tubeless, Medium 275)
- Price: £2,699.99 / €3,149.99 / $2,699.99 / AU$3,999.99
2021 Nukeproof frame-only options
Both 275 and 290 carbon and aluminium are available as frame-only (with headset included) and Nukeproof notes that all components from the previous generation Megas will fit the new frames. Plus, you can order them in the team colours – bright yellow.
- Mega 275 or 290 carbon frame: £2,499.99 / €2,999.99 / $2,499.99 / AU$3,599.99
- Mega 275 or 290 alloy frame: £1,799.99 / €2,099.99 / $1,799.99 / AU$2,599.99
