A threaded bottom bracket may also help to keep maintenance that bit simpler. While working on bikes with internal cabling can be a pain, for example, its reassuring to see that the Giga comes with fully tubed internal channels to make life a little easier. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike. As deputy editor-in-chief, Peter is as much a man of action as he is of words. It keeps the tyres glued to the trail and spits you out the other end at some serious speed. But Im not cutting a big ol Nike Swoosh into every mirror-smooth decomposed-granite corner. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time. The frame of the Giga is packed with even more cool features, like the integrated rear mud guard, massive seat and chainstay protector and the soft TPU plate on the downtube. It really came alive when smashing through stuff, where that predictable feel helped it manage big and small hits consistently. A bit of lateral deflection can help you keep from getting knocked offline in a chunky, rocky section, but it makes for a vague boundary between grip and slip. With the suspension tuned uncompromisingly for traction, the Giga is harder to pull into the air than the YT Capra and Specialized Status 160 over small rollers and jumps. -Works well at high and low speeds It only moves back by 2.5mm in the first 50mm of travel, though, before continuing to arc upwards and forwards for the remainder of its travel. The rear hub has a reassuringly quick pick-up and nice whir to it, too. The best trail bike of 2022 Introducing 14 of the most ROSE BONERO 3 In our 2022 trail bike group test, Atherton AM.150 In our 2022 trail bike group test, Canyon Spectral CFR In our 2022 trail bike group test, Bold Linkin 135 Ultimate In our 2022 trail bike group test, Mondraker Raze RR SL In our 2022 trail bike group test, strong suspension with infinite traction and reserves, extremely fast and precise on technical terrain. And when youre tackling the really high-speed trails that are strewn with loose rock and gravel through the turns, theres no denying how much confidence the brake and tyre combo brings into play. Nukeproof bikes are designed for hard riding and racing. In practice, this lead to actual seat tube angles getting. Whether it's a new bike, technical clothing, tyres or a hard to find item, chances are Bikesy will be able to help you find a deal that's discounted. A big bike with all this travel is all well and good on the descents, but this rig is designed to be pedalled uphill, too. Its fair to say that Nukeproof sweated the details here. We rode all of the bikes on test back-to-back to pin down the differences and mixed up the order in which we rode the bikes to see just how each machine felt when we were fresh and not so fresh. Its like measuring reach by downtube angle or something. Beneath the tyres sit Nukeproofs very own Horizon V2 wheels, which proved tough throughout testing. The Shimano SLX gearing might sound a bit of a budget choice on a bike at this price, but Shimano tends to do a seriously good job of making its cheaper kit work almost as well as the high-end offerings. Overall, the closest contender to the Giga 297 was the Whyte G-180 RS MX. Right now, on Chain Reactions website, the $4,500 Elite Carbon build is the least expensive option. Sign up for the latest news, stories, reviews, and special offers from Beta and our affiliated brands, delivered to your inbox. Nukeproof has done a sterling job when it comes to the numbers. The Nukeproof Giga offers enough reserves to deal with huck-to-flats. The Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory secures the coveted Best in Test in our bike park group test. As a result, its gone from speccing lighter, more puncture-prone rubber, to full-on race-ready tyres that wont need changing. When it comes to our annual Bike of the Year test, the Mega has proven itself time and time again over the last few years, but never managed to take top spot. As a hard-hitting descending machine, its less suitable for easy trails and beginners. Go for a Nukeproof enduro bike if you will be riding through loose surfaces, steep descents, steep climbs, rocks, roots, and water. Rob Weaver is BikeRadar's technical editor-in-chief. Were not supposed to skid. The awesome suspension generates endless traction through corners and at the same time provides huge amounts of reserves, making the Giga your best option for fast bike park laps with huge jumps. A degree in sports technology and decades of riding experience all help to give Rob a thorough understanding of whats needed to create a great bike or product. Our test bike in XL should suit everyone from 183 to 190 cm tall and combines a 495 mm reach with 640 mm stack. The 12-speed SLX drivetrain is no different and works brilliantly with a wide enough range thanks to the 10-51t cassette. Beatdown: Santa Cruz Megatower Dream Build. Add to that the overall poise and dynamic position the bike manages to hold when things get really terrifying make it a formidable bit of kit and a bike that I continue to reach for whenever the opportunity arises. One big advantage of the Nukeproof is its seat tube, which at 460 mm is very short, especially in proportion to the long reach. Nukeproof Scout bikes are low and long. The all-important seat angle (measured with the saddle set to my preferred pedalling height of just under 700mm from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle) is steep, at 78 degrees. Only the Specialized Status and YT Capra are more fun on easy trails. The fork works well enough, but lighter riders might find it a little over-damped, and its not as comfy on the hands when things get really rough. On less severe pitches, you can sit and spin a gear just fine with the shock fully open and limited suspension bob, making the most of that steep seat angle. The powerful suspension generates insane amounts of traction in almost every situation yet still offers enough support to collect plenty of air miles on big jumps. Unlike the Factory equivalent of the fork, there are no golden, Kashima-coated upper fork legs here, though. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. When not tearing up Stuttgarts local trails while testing bikes, he loves nothing more than loading up his self-renovated VW T5 and hitting the road. Theres nothing all that revolutionary, just a leverage curve that stays straighter for longer. I was worried that the Nukeproof Mega 290 Carbon would be. I know Ive mentioned the front tyre feeling a little slow going on the ups, but theres no getting away from the fact that it feels reassuringly predictable in just about any conditions. View and compare a huge selection of bikes from brands such as Trek, Specialized, Giant, Santa Cruz, Norco and more. Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best bike park bike of 2021 6 models in review. But it was when riding steeper trails that the balanced feel of the Giga managed to creep ahead and just boost rider confidence that bit further, which means a lot. If youve spotted any issues, please let us know. Robs expansive knowledge of bikes comes courtesy of his passion for racing. The Giga is available in five sizes from S to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders from 159 to 201 cm tall. Although Nukeproof offers the Giga in the 27.5in and 29in version in five different frame sizes, if youre looking at the mixed-wheel size option, its worth noting that there are only three size options to choose from (small, medium and large). Starting with what they decided was the optimal saddle offset for each frame size, Nukeproof chose the seat tube angle that would achieve it. Also, it should be mentioned, both are available in both 27.5 and 29-inch varieties. You can find out more about at nukeproof.com, All Bikes in this group test: Canyon Torque:ON 9 (Click for review) | Norco Shore 1 (Click for review) | Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory | Propain Spindrift CF Mix (Click for review) | Specialized Status 160 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA 29 CORE 4 (Click for review), Words: Peter Walker Photos: Robin Schmitt. Im on a mess of loose small rocks scattered over a mess of loose large rocks with the occasional exposed root stretching across at exactly the wrong angle. Furthermore, The Giga offers sufficient reserves for botched landings and still provides enough support to pull into the air after big compressions. Together with the robust spec, this makes the Giga a hot candidate for the Best in Test title in our bike park group test. When I would compress the bike before jumping or unweighting through a section, I didnt slide into a valley in its sag. Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 180 mmRear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 170 mmSeatpost BikeYoke DIVINE 185 mmBrakes Shimano XT 200/200 mmDrivetrain Shimano XT 12-Speed 1051Stem Nukeproof Horizon 50 mmHandlebar Nukeproof Horizon V2 25 mm Rise 800 mmWheelset DT Swiss EX 1700 29"Tires Michelin Wild Enduro Front Gum-X3D / Michelin Wild Enduro Rear Gum-X3D 2.4 / 2.4. It uses a true full SLX drivetrain, including chain and crank, and keeps the same full-featured suspension spec, ditching the Kashima coat but keeping the Grip2 fork damper. He cut his teeth racing cross-country mountain bikes in the early 90s before finding his feet in downhill. We will send you a notification as soon as this product is available again. Its not that it seems tall and cumbersome in any way. The Nukeproof Mega 275 comes with a 27.5-inch wheel, while the Nukeproof Mega 290 has a 29-inch wheel. On near-vertical descents, the central riding position distributes your weight evenly between the front and rear wheel, generating good traction on both ends but never threatening to throw you over the bars. While Robs a mountain biker at heart and never happier than when hes sliding down a Welsh hillside, hes more than happy to put the miles in on the road or gravel bike, too. The biggest deal, though, is the switch to a 36 fork instead of 38. I tested the 297, which refers to the mixed-wheel size or mullet bike. and easy to ride fast when pointed back downhill. Nukeproof only makes the Giga from carbon, partly down to the scope it gives when it comes to tuning frame stiffness, and partly down to the complex down-tube shape it has created in order to fit a bottle cage. Nukeproof has always listened over the years and seems keen to improve when and where it can. I happen to weigh 190 pounds, so I might notice it more than some riders, but this bike likes to hold its shape, no matter what I tried to toss it into. The Giga is now offered in all the conceivable wheel combinations currently available (27.5in, 29in or mixed with a 29in up front and 27.5in at the rear). Far from it, thanks to that low-slung centre of mass. The single-pivot, linkage-actuated suspension design delivers, in the case of the 297 seen here, 180mm of rear-wheel travel. Make sure your brakes are always in good working order and properly adjusted. Nukeproof found that, for many brands the rate of increase in saddle offset varies between frame sizes, even though the effective and actual seat tube angles may stay the same. Made for the toughest trails in the world. is the most cliched marketing slogan in the entire mountain bike industry. Every time we bike testers pick an assignment, part of us worries whether there will be enough to talk about. On top of that, Nukeproof provides much of the finishing kit, including the bar, stem, saddle and grips. The Giga plays out its strengths on technical trails, where it pulls past its opponents at Mach 10 while feeling reassuringly composed. Thats matched with a rear centre (or effective chainstay length) of 438mm. No matter how much dust, the Giga makes it easy to manual out of corners without drifting. I rode the Giga on a wide variety of trails, covering everything from smoother jump trails to steep, technical natural tracks covered in rocks and roots. Read the new issue of ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine now. I think a service and tune-up would remedy this, though. If you plan to use the bike in the bike park or local trails, then choose a Nukeproof trail bike. SUMMER SALE | Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for 5 + Get a pair of Lusso cycling socks! In a bid to help keep the bike stable at speed, the head angle stands at a slack 63.4 degrees. The light touch of the Shimano levers, coupled with their impressive power, really helps when your hands and arms are starting to feel beaten up. Nukeproof bike frames are made of either aluminium, carbon fibre, or alloy. - Horst Link rear suspension design- Mixed (Mullet) wheels: 29 front, 27.5 rear- Internal cable routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Includes Shimano E6002 battery charger- Weight given for size, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg (27.5 version)- UK price: 1399.99 GBP- European price: 1699 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg- UK price: 1399.99 GBP- European price: 1699 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg- UK price: 2499.99 GBP- European price: 3099 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg- UK price: 2999.99 GBP- European price: 3599 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg (27.5 version)- UK price: 2499.99 GBP- European price: 3099 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg- UK price: 1899.99 GBP- European price: 2299 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg (27.5 version)- UK price: 1899.99 GBP- European price: 2299 EUR, - External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger)- Frame weight: 2.35kg (27.5 version)- UK price: 2999.99 GBP- European price: 3599 EUR, - Intended for riders roughly 127cm-142cm tall or with 57cm-66cm inseam- External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- UK price: 1199.99 GBP, - Intended for riders roughly 120cm-130cm tall or with 52cm-59cm inseam- External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- UK price: 849.99 GBP, - Intended for riders roughly 127cm-142cm tall or with 57cm-66cm inseam- External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- UK price: 999.99 GBP, - Intended for riders roughly 140cm-158cm tall or with 64cm-70cm inseam- External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- UK price: 999.99 GBP, - Intended for riders roughly 120cm-130cm tall or with 52cm-59cm inseam- External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- UK price: 1199.99 GBP, - Intended for riders roughly 140cm-158cm tall or with 64cm-70cm inseam- External cable routing with internal dropper post routing- UK price: 1199.99 GBP. Taken together, the Factory builds burlier fork, better dropper and XT drivetrain make it a worthwhile upgrade, but most riders will have no complaints on the Elite. Whats so special about it compared with the other seven Enduro Bike of the Year contenders? My test bike arrived with a slightly inconsistent feel to the rear brake, with the bite point wandering quite dramatically as I rode. You can loft the front wheel up, chuck the bike about from line to line and make shapes in the air in a very confident manner. In the U.S., there are a handful of brick-and-mortar Nukeproof dealers, but most people will buy them through Chain Reaction, who ships directly from Nukeproofs U.K. homeland, though you may be responsible for import duties. The Mega 290 Factory Carbon comes with, as you might expect, factory Fox suspension front and rear, including a Grip2-damped Fox 38 and a full XT build. With so much of the frames mass slung low in the frame and a low bottom bracket, this should make for a confident bike through the turns. I felt like I could bring order to the chaos. All in, the Giga 297 Carbon Elite tipped the scales at 16kg (medium, without pedals). The bikes back end is supple enough to track the ground impressively and manages to soak up the chatter well. In 2010 he joined the team full-time and has been keeping a close eye on all things test-related ever since. This gives the medium bike a front centre (a measurement taken from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre of the front axle) of 800mm. Being able to confidently jab the brakes and slow down in what feels like a split second really makes a difference to how you approach a trail. And that counts for a lot. When the hits get bigger, while the Giga cant just make these bumps completely melt away (not that many bikes can really do this), itll more than just take the edge off to smooth things out. Nukeproof found that, for many brands the rate of increase in saddle offset varies between frame sizes, even though the effective and actual seat tube angles may stay the same. In turn, this increases the performance of moving parts. Or at least, I think it has, especially on the medium frame Ive been testing. A bit of lateral deflection can help you keep from getting knocked offline in a chunky, rocky section, but it makes for a vague boundary between grip and slip. Become an ENDURO supporter and lets shape the bike scene together and make mountain biking even better! Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Thats when the Mega 290s predictability made it stand out. When it comes to guiding consumers, Peter cut his teeth at Vancouvers oldest bike shop and now puts pen to paper on the daily translating this know-how into our editorial plan. There are different types of Nukeproof bikes on eBay. In practice, this lead to actual seat tube angles getting steeper as bikes went up in size. Its not a dramatic difference, and generally only something I would start to pay more attention to at the end of a long day on the hill. Field Test: 5 Hardtails and 5 Full Suspension Value Bikes Against the Impossible Climb, Wrong Numbers: How Judging Bikes by Their Geometry Charts Doesnt Tell the Full Story. Just as orderly is how the Megas suspension behaves. The Nukeproof Giga knows well that its far from its limits and always strikes an excellent balance between speed and safety. While this worked out for me at 68kg (and when riding some faster, drier trails, Id add a click of damping if needed), lighter riders may struggle.