By Rob Hancill
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57 Comments

2022 Nukeproof Megawatt launched

[MEDIA=youtube]lxZQXsx5CD8[/MEDIA]

Spoiler: it’s very very good…

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Rob Hancill
Creator of EMTB Forums. Owner of many cameras, computers and a couple of EMTB's. I also make YouTube videos on bikes and stuff.

57 Comments

  1. Why do all the brands i like seem intent on using shimano motors.

    Looks very good as a bike though.

  2. [QUOTE=”Rekt, post: 313667, member: 14870″]
    Why do all the brands i like seem intent on using shimano motors.

    Looks very good as a bike though.
    [/QUOTE]
    Probably just a commercial decision – ie enables the most profit margin.

    However I do reckon the shimano system as a whole is the most well rounded, ie decent power, decent size , decent weight, decent controls, decent integration, decent reliability.

    Sure other motors are better at some things, eg bosch is more powerful, but when considered in the round I think the shimano system is hard to beat.

    I say this as the owner of a bosch cx gen 4 bike

  3. Looks good, price is more an issue of the market than the spec which is proven by spec + santa cruz being so much more for similar spec. If i was in the market for something similar to my whyte it would be right up there. could use some better colours.

  4. Pingback: 2022 Nukeproof Megawatt launched – Cycletronic

  5. I like it, and the middle range bike is in my sweet spot but dang grey grey grey (n)

    I can see why the reviews only show the green one, but dont want to stretch that far :/

  6. [QUOTE=”Mteam, post: 313672, member: 11387″]
    Probably just a commercial decision – ie enables the most profit margin.

    However I do reckon the shimano system as a whole is the most well rounded, ie decent power, decent size , decent weight, decent controls, decent integration, decent reliability.

    Sure other motors are better at some things, eg bosch is more powerful, but when considered in the round I think the shimano system is hard to beat.

    I say this as the owner of a bosch cx gen 4 bike
    [/QUOTE]

    Be fine if i lived in an area with downhills but most my riding is very flat and the power makes the flat fun. The shimano just doesnt have the punch that the bosche and brose has which just kind of ruins the experience for me now ive had the power i cant go back.

    but i do envy the small size and neat motor area which is instantly lost due to its ugly battery flap on every bike

  8. [QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 313724, member: 52″]
    Nice save at 2 minutes mate!
    [/QUOTE]
    I think I’d have been kissing Moles at that point. There is a verbal comment that the music doesn’t quite mask 🙂

  9. [QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 313724, member: 52″]
    Nice save at 2 minutes mate!

    Those trails look fun, was that filmed at Surrey Hills?
    [/QUOTE]
    Surrey Hills and Swinley Forest Mix.

    I though I was a total goner at that point too!

  14. [QUOTE=”alan_sh, post: 313838, member: 11394″]
    Where do you fit a water bottle?
    [/QUOTE]
    Space for a 500ml under the shock (and they sell an adapter I think if you want a 750)

  16. [QUOTE=”alan_sh, post: 313844, member: 11394″]
    It looks very very tight under there.
    [/QUOTE]
    I got a 500ml in it ?

  17. you tested the XL [USER=1]@Rob Rides EMTB[/USER] ? did you find the size accurate? I always have trouble cos i have longer legs than I do arms so the bikes reach is always too long for me..

  18. [QUOTE=”dobbyhasfriends, post: 313847, member: 6005″]
    you tested the XL [USER=1]@Rob Rides EMTB[/USER] ? did you find the size accurate? I always have trouble cos i have longer legs than I do arms so the bikes reach is always too long for me..
    [/QUOTE]
    Seemed shorter than the stats suggest but fairly steep seat angle. I could ride XL or XXL but liked the way the XL handled.

  19. Hmm – tempting to get the base model and Un mullet it with 180mm 27.5 Zebs, and part out my current bike on to it.

    500wh battery fine for me and weight saving no doubt a bonus.

  20. Im guessing nobody has noticed the stupid cable routing. You dont even get a choice where to run the cables and pinkbike comments are going mad because sand/dirt gets in to your headset and causes no end of grief. Its that bad people are turning down entire bikes because of it…

  21. you see lots of people slating the idea, but then you don’t actually see that many people who have had an issue with it. Been on various EMTBs for a while now.

    fully external routing would be my preference for any bike except for the dropper cable, makes life so much easier, especially for trail side repairs.

  22. [QUOTE=”R120, post: 313880, member: 291″]
    you see lots of people slating the idea, but then you don’t actually see that many people who have had an issue with it. Been on various EMTBs for a while now.

    fully external routing would be my preference for any bike except for the dropper cable, makes life so much easier, especially for trail side repairs.
    [/QUOTE]

    There are plenty of people who have had the Acros headset and hate it. Not only the dirt but its apparently unreliable too. Not giving a choice is the problem though. You are stuck with that headset and all its faults for the life of the bike.

  24. [QUOTE=”Eddy Current, post: 313897, member: 6473″]
    Nukeproof subforum now!
    [/QUOTE]
    Not until you say “please”…

  25. I agree, hate that head tube routing, how f’ing cheap and stupid! This trend needs to go from the mtn bike manufacturing asap! This alone cancels me from even looking at this bike. Will not buy a bike with this type of routing. Excludes from running any other headset, anglesets, etc. Absolute a miss on their part. How hard is it to run internal cables, seriously! Even external, come on! For the price you are paying, come on! Just cheap imo.

  26. [QUOTE=”R120, post: 313868, member: 291″]
    Hmm – tempting to get the base model and Un mullet it with 180mm 27.5 Zebs, and part out my current bike on to it.

    500wh battery fine for me and weight saving no doubt a bonus.
    [/QUOTE]
    Don’t swap to a 275 zeb. Just increase the 29s by 10mm and fit a 275 front wheel.

  27. As others have said I personally would really like to see companies start to at least come up with a nice way to run the rear brake line external. Especially with options for wireless shifting and dropped posts.

    That’s one of the things that I really like about Transition bikes. Rear brake line is external and nicely designed and dropper and shifter cable are internal.

  28. I had a BMC Trailfox that had a channel on the underside of the Dow tube you ran all he cables in – was the best soloution I have come across as his the cables but still easily accessible. I believe GT have something similar on some of their bikes

  29. Tbh, the bike looks not well thought trough.
    It might ride well, but the cable routing from swingarm to the front is ridiculous.
    That small spacer that keeps the cables at a certain distance is only clipped in.
    Chances are that this will come off soon.
    The welding beads look as if they have been in a hurry while doing it.
    And then it’s yet another bike with the EP8… no stand out or unique solution here.
    The EP8 may be the smallest of all motors but it’s clackering and it’s battery use is quite high.

    Not my thing…

  30. [QUOTE=”R120, post: 313972, member: 291″]
    I had a BMC Trailfox that had a channel on the underside of the Dow tube you ran all he cables in – was the best soloution I have come across as his the cables but still easily accessible. I believe GT have something similar on some of their bikes
    [/QUOTE]

    You are correct, GT does something similar. Internal cables are cool and all, but for simplicity for at least the brake I would prefer that style setup. And it makes life so much easier when switching out rear brakes….lol

  31. Someone on another forum pointed out something interesting. The front part of the main frame is identical to the Vitus ESommet (its the same parent company so no surprise). The headtube, toptube and downtube are the same, seat tube and motor carrier differ, and obviously the back end.

    Comparing the 2 looks like the Mega is a little shorter reach per size (495 XL for the Mega vs 505mm XL Sommet) but offers an XXL for the Mega (515mm)

    The seat tube angle is a smidge steeper on the Mega and both brands actually list saddle set back at height, which is a brilliant idea, showing the Mega is 10mm further forward at extension. Otherwise head angle, BB drop, chainstay etc. are the same.

  32. [QUOTE=”STATO, post: 314024, member: 8119″]
    The seat tube angle is a smidge steeper on the Mega and both brands actually list saddle set back at height, which is a brilliant idea, showing the Mega is 10mm further forward at extension. Otherwise head angle, BB drop, chainstay etc. are the same.
    [/QUOTE]

    This differs for each frame size. I ride XL, which has the exact same seatpost angle. No idea why the 2021 Vitus hasn’t been hyped a bit more, given it’s pretty much the same bike. Since it’s from the same parent company I wonder if they were saving their advertising budget for the more exciting Nukeproof bike, leaving Vitus their value oriented range. The mid range Vitus is higher specced and cheaper than the bottom Nukeproof (bigger battery/better wheels/better groupset/£400 cheaper).

    Edit: That wasn’t my post on STW you’re referring to was it? 🙂

  33. Some of the Megawatt detail FYI:

    Frame / cable routings etc
    [ATTACH type=”full”]65659[/ATTACH]

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65664[/ATTACH]
    [ATTACH type=”full”]65665[/ATTACH]

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65663[/ATTACH]

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65661[/ATTACH]

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65662[/ATTACH]

  34. Megawatt vs E-Sommet frames. Looks like it shares a lot of the front triangle (obvs as same company) but motor area is different, seat tube and rear linkage and rear triangle different, shock rocker etc.

    All leads to a different leverage curve, and you can see why the Megawatt is so supple off the top first 40mm travel is quite different, the E-Sommet is way more progressive right off the top so likely not feeling as sensitive (I’ve not actually ridden it, just looking at the curves).

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT VS VITUS E-SOMMET.jpg”]65669[/ATTACH]

  35. Interesting, very cool they post this stuff 🙂 I’ll be keen to see if I can try both at some point to compare. I wonder if any of that progression comes from the shock tune running extra volume spacers, as I know they mention their “HOTDOG” tune specifically on the website, but curiously I can’t find any mention of what a HOTDOG tune is. I wonder if it’s an in-joke I’m totally missing.

  36. [QUOTE=”Rob Rides EMTB, post: 314034, member: 1″]
    Megawatt vs E-Sommet frames. Looks like it shares a lot of the front triangle (obvs as same company) but motor area is different, seat tube and rear linkage and rear triangle different, shock rocker etc.

    All leads to a different leverage curve, and you can see why the Megawatt is so supple off the top first 40mm travel is quite different, the E-Sommet is way more progressive right off the top so likely not feeling as sensitive (I’ve not actually ridden it, just looking at the curves).

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT VS VITUS E-SOMMET.jpg”]65669[/ATTACH]
    [/QUOTE]
    Seeing as each graph is not to scale; If you look at the numbers on the graphs instead of the shape of the curves you can see the overall leverage progression of the two bikes isn’t actually all that different (2.95ish – 2.3 versus 3.0 – 2.3).
    Yes the start of the Mega’s curve is shallower but consider that the first 50mm of travel is beneath the bike’s sag point. and in actual fact that flattter portion of the Mega’s beginning curve is offering more support below sag point rather than a softer initial rate.
    At and just above sag point (where small bump compliance actually happens) the two are really quite similar.

    The old Esommet (pink curve) is still a predominantly progressive curve but a lot flatter so as to work better with the natural progression of an air shock and has a falling rate at the end where an air shock naturally ramps up tons more.

  37. [QUOTE=”R120, post: 313880, member: 291″]
    fully external routing would be my preference for any bike except for the dropper cable, makes life so much easier, especially for trail side repairs.
    [/QUOTE]
    Found this for you. €79 for a saddle with a free bike with bell, lights, reflectors,wheels,cables,chain,gears, gear selector, mudguards (they’re quite good quality – better than the €40 MTB ones), tyres, pedals,cranks, handlebars, grips, stand – and easy accessible cables !

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65772[/ATTACH]

    Decathlon’s hub motored bikes have a simple but easy cable tidy :

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65773[/ATTACH]

  38. [QUOTE=”Zimmerframe, post: 314441, member: 4350″]
    Found this for you. €79 for a saddle with a free bike with bell, lights, reflectors,wheels,cables,chain,gears, gear selector, mudguards (they’re quite good quality – better than the €40 MTB ones), tyres, pedals,cranks, handlebars, grips, stand – and easy accessible cables !

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”cheapcheap.jpg”]65772[/ATTACH]

    Decathlon’s hub motored bikes have a simple but easy cable tidy :

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”cables.jpg”]65773[/ATTACH]
    [/QUOTE]

    I’d be a little concerned about the cables along the bottom of the down tube getting damaged or snagged on things.

    something more like the way GT does it would work though.
    [ATTACH type=”full”]65775[/ATTACH]

    But I still think simply allowing the rear brake line to be able to be run externally similarly like what Transition does would be great.

    [ATTACH type=”full”]65776[/ATTACH]

  39. [QUOTE=”jbrown15, post: 314448, member: 9925″]
    I’d be a little concerned about the cables along the bottom of the down tube getting damaged or snagged on things.
    [/QUOTE]
    How/where the hell do you ride if you’re snagging the underneath of a bikes downtube on things?

  40. [QUOTE=”Gary, post: 314533, member: 247″]
    How/where the hell do you ride if you’re snagging the underneath of a bikes downtube on things?
    [/QUOTE]

    you act like it’s unimaginable but yet Transition and GT aren’t running the cables on the bottom of the down tubes. I live and ride in Vancouver Canada, so lots of North Shore style trails. Steep, rocky & rooty trails. I’m not saying it would be something that would happen all the time but it’s something that’s totally possible of happening,

  41. I wouldn’t worry. Mid motor Emtbs pretty much always run cables over the top of the motor rather than below it and hub motor Ebikes aren’t really suitable for proper mtb riding at all

    Transition, GT and Specialized have all run cables under the BB on their normal mtbs.
    routing wise it’s rarely the best solution but bearing in mind the cables beneath the BB are still tucked up a fair bit higher than the chainring you really would need to be pretty special to snag them.
    Yeah. We have steep, rocky and rooty here too

  42. [QUOTE=”brewoz40, post: 313919, member: 10008″]
    I agree, hate that head tube routing, how f’ing cheap and stupid! This trend needs to go from the mtn bike manufacturing asap! This alone cancels me from even looking at this bike. Will not buy a bike with this type of routing. Excludes from running any other headset, anglesets, etc. Absolute a miss on their part. How hard is it to run internal cables, seriously! Even external, come on! For the price you are paying, come on! Just cheap imo.
    [/QUOTE]
    whats the problem with the head tube routing, is it just that you can’t put whatever headset/stem on?
    Seems to be the trend for road bikes I’ve just bought a bike that has a similar setup and i’m now limited on my bar/stem choice, however I do appreciate the clean look and can live with that.
    I guess it seems to be a trade off of function over form in some way. on a roadie you could argue they are both better with it all internally routed through the stem as it gets it out of the way and it’s unlikely to need to be serviced regularly but I get what you’re saying on an mtb you just anticipate having to change things more often and it’s going to cause a ball ache when doing work on it.
    routing from the frame to the swingarm looks a bit rough but realistically it may be very practical and safe, it;s not like you are going to suffer impacts to that area, and it’s probably very easy to renew cables through it.
    I know a bloke with a 2021 sommet and he has built a few bikes in his time but was unable to internally route a cable through the chainstay of his bike as it seemed it just hadn’t been designed well enough. heard a fair few tales of these super integrated routings that are seemingly imposable to route cables through unless you have 6 hours to spare , well maybe this is the answer, take the direct route!

  43. [QUOTE=”Gary, post: 314624, member: 247″]
    Ebikes aren’t really suitable for proper mtb riding at all
    [/QUOTE]

    Gary I usually agree with most of the things you post, even when people get their panties in a knot about it, but this is where you lose me…..lol

  44. Try reading the entire sentence instead of randomly quoting just the second half of it 😉

    I said
    “Hub motor Ebikes aren’t really suitable for proper mtb riding at all”
    Because they’re really not 😉

  45. I don’t like to agree with anything he says .

    Painfully, I have to agree with a lot of it though. :ROFLMAO:

    They are great for bumbling about without breaking the wallet though.

  46. [QUOTE=”Gary, post: 314665, member: 247″]
    Try reading the entire sentence instead of randomly quoting just the second half of it 😉

    I said
    “Hub motor Ebikes aren’t really suitable for proper mtb riding at all”
    Because they’re really not 😉
    [/QUOTE]

    yeah I missed the hub part……lol
    Once again I find myself agreeing with you ?

  47. Mine is shipped and on its way. I do love Nuke for this. I ordered a Marin E2 on 1st december (release day) and I still haven’t got an accurate delivery date. I order a Megawatt Elite on Monday and its already on its way and getting here following Monday….

  48. My first post here, purchased a XXL Megawatt Comp on Thursday which should arrive soon hopefully. My last bike was a Vitus Mythique VRX which I loved. Looking forward to my first ebike 🙂

  49. Well I’ve sat on a megawatt and ridden it up the road (only) in XL.
    Although the wheelbase is 1290mm, it feels a lot shorter than 495 reach would suggest, I actually measured it at 485 with a spirit level and a tape measure. BB is actually 335mm, chainstays are 445mm. It does seem poppy. Its the only ebike I’ve managed to easily hop on… looks really good in the flesh!

    If Marin would give me an answer on when I was to expect my E2 then I may well jump ship for this instead!

  50. Mine has arrived, Comp XXL. Need to set the suspension up not got a clue where to start :-(.

  51. [QUOTE=”Davvee, post: 321030, member: 19221″]
    Mine has arrived, Comp XXL. Need to set the suspension up not got a clue where to start :-(.

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”BA3FD940-7C60-483C-81AE-AC848AE6D599.jpeg”]67564[/ATTACH]
    [/QUOTE]

    Start here! [URL=”https://www.emtbforums.com/community/threads/suspension-set-up-guides-and-info.2424/”]Suspension set-up guides and info – EMTB Forums[/URL]

  52. [QUOTE=”Richt20000, post: 319032, member: 606″]
    Well I’ve sat on a megawatt and ridden it up the road (only) in XL.
    Although the wheelbase is 1290mm, it feels a lot shorter than 495 reach would suggest, I actually measured it at 485 with a spirit level and a tape measure. BB is actually 335mm, chainstays are 445mm. It does seem poppy. Its the only ebike I’ve managed to easily hop on… looks really good in the flesh!

    If Marin would give me an answer on when I was to expect my E2 then I may well jump ship for this instead!
    [/QUOTE]
    Sat on the bike can feel more compact than the reach numbers due to the steeper seat tube angle (78 degrees) compared to what you may be used to. How did you measure the reach with spirit level / tape measure? Seems like a bit of room for error there. Although not disputing the numbers may be slightly off, as its quite common for manufacturers geo numbers to deviate from the actual end product.

    I’m 6’3″ (191cm) and rode the XL which I found really good fit. I could have also fit the XXL but given the choice I’d stick with the XL. I like longer bikes too, but I liked the way the XL handled; long travel (and slightly heavier bikes) for me benefit from being shorter.

    I had the same when I tested the Marin Alpine trail, I was on the Large, not the XL, and it worked well.

  53. Went out for my first ride today and omg what a bike. I left the suspension how it came out the box and the sag seemed correct, I’m just about to have a coffee and read the suspension thread which was posted above. Hope I’m ok uploading a couple of photos :-).

  54. [QUOTE=”Davvee, post: 321207, member: 19221″]
    Went out for my first ride today and omg what a bike. I left the suspension how it came out the box and the sag seemed correct, I’m just about to have a coffee and read the suspension thread which was posted above. Hope I’m ok uploading a couple of photos :).

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”3085537D-1D1F-4D0F-886D-2DCEE65FC7CB.jpeg”]67600[/ATTACH]

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”7C9E2DB3-F705-444C-A7DA-EFBF77B94CB6.jpeg”]67601[/ATTACH]
    [/QUOTE]
    Who would ever have thought a Ford Fiesta could look cool ..

    [ATTACH type=”full”]67603[/ATTACH]

  55. [QUOTE=”Davvee, post: 321207, member: 19221″]
    Went out for my first ride today and omg what a bike. I left the suspension how it came out the box and the sag seemed correct, I’m just about to have a coffee and read the suspension thread which was posted above. Hope I’m ok uploading a couple of photos :).

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”3085537D-1D1F-4D0F-886D-2DCEE65FC7CB.jpeg”]67600[/ATTACH]

    [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”7C9E2DB3-F705-444C-A7DA-EFBF77B94CB6.jpeg”]67601[/ATTACH]
    [/QUOTE]
    Did it come with Zebs ?

  56. Not saying cable routing isn’t something to consider but given all the reviews I’ve seen that say just how good this bike is it seems a valid point to take into account but I can’t believe anyone would be that bothered that they wouldn’t buy / ride one because of it !!! I think most bikes have some down sides and if it’s just cable routing on the Mega I’ll take that all day long !
    The Elite model for £6k is an amazingly well specked bike imo ?⚡

  57. [QUOTE=”thebarber, post: 321264, member: 445″]
    Did it come with Zebs ?
    [/QUOTE]
    It’s just a standard comp which does indeed come with the bike. The reason I went comp instead of the Elite is because I wanna grow my riding with the bike so further down the line I’ll just upgrade the parts. The bike is perfect for me, I have no complaints at all.

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