2022 Nukeproof

Megawatt 297 RS

When I tested the alloy Megawatt Factory 297 in our 2023 best E-bikes of the Year test, I loved the handling, fit, suspension performance and top-end specification. The stumbling block for me then was the limited range of the Shimano 630Wh battery that powered the Shimano EP8 motor. Well, the brand new Megawatt Carbon addresses my single concern with a 720Wh battery, and then some. Designed from the ground up around SRAM’s new Powertrain e-bike ecosystem, that combines the Brose-made motor, the Eagle T-Type transmission and AXS wireless shifting, it’s a brand new beast. Need to know Full carbon frame designed around MX wheels RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock and 170mm travel RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork with 170mm travel SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor, 90Nm torque, 680W Peak power SRAM Powertrain 720Wh removable battery Auto Shift and Coast Shift functionality SRAM XO AXS drivetrain Nukeproof Horizon Wheels DH casing Continental Kryptotal tyres Storage under the motor cover Available in 5 frame sizes S to XXL Two models: Starting with Pro build at £8,799.99 Frame Reimagined in carbon, the latest Megawatt 297 is altogether sleeker and lighter than the old alloy frame. The system weight is not that much lighter though, due to the bigger, heavier battery – my test bike weighed just over 24kg. Not bad given that it’s a 170mm travel bike with DH casing tyres, designed to be ridden on the most challenging terrain. Motor and battery But what about the new SRAM motor? With 90Nm torque and whopping 680W peak power the Brose made SRAM motor clearly has benchmark numbers, and from the first pedal stroke it felt punchy and purposeful, but with smooth composed delivery of power. Which is the best e-bike motor? Power, punch and range compared Six magnets on the rear hub-mounted speed sensor ensure that the motor gets a really accurate speed signal, and combined with pedal speed, the SRAM motor can figure out if you’re climbing or descending, without needing a motion sensor. That, combined with a lot of clever electronics is what enabled SRAM to offer Auto Shift and Coast Shift. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though and if you haven’t seen it already, Danny did a deep dive on the Auto-Shift and Coast Shift features of the new Powertrain, so I won’t cover that again. Geometry and sizing In terms of geometry, the new Megawatt isn’t a major departure from the original. The bigger motor and slide out battery pack have forced the chainstay length to grow by 5mm to 447mm. So Nukeproof also slackened the head angle by a hair to 63.5º to maintain a similar weight distribution. And while brands like Specialized are offering an increasing array of geometry adjustment on the Turbo Levo and Levo SL, the Nukeproof has none. Not even a flip chip on the shock mount. Nukeproof hasn’t gone down the size specific chainstay route either, but the seat tube angles on the bikes do steepen up as you go up the size range, …Continue reading »

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The new Megawatt has 170mm of travel, a carbon frame, and SRAM's new motor.

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The Megawatt’s natural-feeling ride is easy to master, and its fully loaded spec represents great value for money

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