Just a few weeks after Sam Hill rode to his 3rd consecutive EWS overall victory, his latest championship-winning race whip, the Nukeproof Mega 290c, is now available to the rest of us. For 2020, the Nukeproof Mega 290 not only gets a carbon upgrade, but it also sees changes to suspension kinematica, a slacker head angle & steeper seat angle. Nukeproof also updated their Mega 275 line-up with the addition of a new size ‘medium-large’ to ensure there’s a suitable reach measurement for everyone…
Carbon at last: The Nukeproof Mega 290c
For 2020, the Mega 290 is generally just a bigger bike on the whole, with a modernising geometry update – with a 5mm increase in rear wheel travel to 160mm and a 10mm increase in fork travel to 170mm (at least!) The head angle slackens off 1.5° to 64.5°, while effective seat tube angle steepens up 1.25° to 76.75°. Chainstay length stays the same at 450mm, as does the -30 BB drop. Reach sees a considerable increase of 20mm for the Medium frame, bringing it to 455mm, while remaining at 470mm & 515mm for the L & XL frames, respectively.
As for the suspension kinematic, the 2020 Mega 290c model should have improved small bump sensitivity over the 2019 model, with increased mid-stroke support for more predictable cornering & pumping, and additional end of stroke progression.
Nukeproof never really planned to launch a carbon 29er Mega; they say it was Sam Hill who pushed them to do it when he wanted to make the switch from the 275 to the 290. Sam rides the top-end build, the Mega 290c RS, which features an additional 10mm fork travel bringing it to a whopping 180mm, serviced by a RockShox Ultimate RC2 Lyrik. The RS has an even slacker head angle of 64° & a 76.3° seat angle. The 160mm rear end travel is serviced by a custom-tuned RockShox Super Deluxe RCT shock.
Mega 290 geometry
2020 Mega 290 Pricing & Availability
For 2020 the Nukeproof Mega 290 will be available in 6 models, starting with the alloy 290 Comp, at £2599 (~$3204), all the way up to the carbon 290 RS, at £5299 (~$6534). All models will be 12-speed. Check with your local Nukeproof dealer for more specific pricing and availability information, but don’t expect to be able to buy the 2020 Mega until late November.
2020 Nukeproof Mega 275
For 2020, the Nukeproof Mega 275 doesn’t see any changes to its geometry or suspension design. The only noteworthy point is that Nukeproof have now made available a medium-long frame for all 275 and 275c models, to ensure they are offering appropriate reach & top tube measurements to fit everyone. The medium-long, recommended for riders of 5’9″ – 6ft, offers a reach measurement of 452.5mm and an effective top tube length of 602.5mm.
Mega 275 geometry
Just like the 29er, the 2020 Mega 275 is also available at 6 price points, ranging from the alloy Mega 275 Comp at £2599 (~$3204), to the carbon Mega 275c RS at £5299 (~$6534).
All Mega 275 and Mega 290 frames are spec’d with quality Enduro Bearings, who offer a 2-year warranty of their parts. Every Mega in the range is also now 12-speed with either Shimano or SRAM drivetrains, and spec’d with 4-piston brakes. Nukeproof have also upgraded the front tyre on all models to the Michelin Wild Enduro Magic-X compound.
