Recent Reviews
Oct 2, 2023
A very long wheelbase for very long adventures
Oct 2, 2023
Nukeproof launch the Megawatt carbon with SRAM Powertrain motor; available in two models both enhanced in capability with SRAM Transmission
Oct 2, 2023
Parlee Cycles is out of bankruptcy and has big plans for the future, with a new owner and reinvigorated team!
Oct 2, 2023
Ready for a new electric mountain bike? REI is getting into the eMTB game with the new Co-Op Cycles DRT e3.1!
Oct 2, 2023 · Mike Hunger
Ein erster Test zum neuen E-Mountainbike Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS 2024 mit neuem SRAM Eagle Powertrain-Motorsystem.
Downhill-focused spec
Intuitive handling
Confidence-inspiring handling
Capable suspension
Bulky around the bottom bracket
Auto Shift can’t deal with technical terrain
Oct 2, 2023
The Loam Wolf tested the new Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon - equipped with SRAM Powertrain - for a first ride review, and came away impressed.
Oct 2, 2023 · Alan Muldoon
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 »
Good geometry and sizing. Increased range, power and tranquillity from the SRAM motor. Auto Shift clearly has merit but I need more time on it. AXS gives an ultra-clean cockpit. Wide size range
Only two power modes. SRAM Powertrain and surrounding Auto Shift tech drives the price up. No geometry adjustment
Oct 2, 2023 · Jamie Darlow
This bike is heavy on the scales but rides light on the trails. How often have you heard that said about an e-bike? I’ve certainly written something like that on more than one occasion, and I’ll use it again here to describe the Privateer E161. Indeed, some of the best electric mountain bikes out there do weigh plenty and still ride light. But what does that actually mean? For clarity, here goes. I mean that it’s heavier than an average e-bike (23-25kg) and you can feel that when lifting it into a workstand, sliding it into your car, or kicking it off you when you’re lying upside down in the bushes. (Hopefully not the latter too often.) That weighty feel drops off when you’re riding the bike though, you can use the weight to compress the suspension, the damping is light enough to allow this, and the rebound is fast enough to help you out of the hole again. Basically, judo by mountain bike. The Privateer E161 is exactly this kind of pugilist, it weighs in over 26kg and it’s one of the heaviest bikes I’ve ridden, but it’s still decent fun. Need to know E161 generates 161mm travel, uses a 170mm fork and comes in an MX-only wheel format New Shimano EP801 delivers power more smoothly, and gets a 630Wh battery, and removable display Burly enduro build, with machined motor guard, part-external cable routing and dual-sealed oversized bearings Spec highligths include Fox Performance Elite suspension, Hayes Dominion A4 brakes, Shimano SLX drivetrain Generous reach and wheelbase, four frame sizes and just one model On sale right now for £4,999 Frame Before we get too deep into the ride feel though, the details are almost as interesting. The E161 is made from 6061 T6 aluminium, not the higher specced 6066 alloy found on the regular 161 bike. This is because the downtube on the bike is an off the shelf design, which comes in the cheaper and heavier alloy. No one is ever going to mistake the E161 for a regular bike, Privateer hasn’t managed to pull off the oblique downtube design of Canyon that appears slim from the side. The natural polished look, chunky frame and unashamedly flowing welds, and mostly external cable routing just add to the industrial feel. Most e-bikes, nay all e-bikes, I can think of, use a plastic bashguard around and under the motor shell, but Privateer’s CNCd an alloy one instead. Which must surely be stronger and more resilient. This clangs like a ship’s bell whenever you flick a rock into it (fairly regularly, it turns out) or sump out the bike. It’s a nice design feature, but as I’ve never had a problem with a plastic guard here I’m wondering if Privateer has solved a problem that didn’t exist. I also had to loosen it to feed more dropper cable through when adjusting the post’s height in the frame. Horst Link Suspension The suspension design makes it instantly recognisable as a Privateer with …Continue reading »
Great performance at top speed and over chunky ground. Good sizing, affordable and cleverly specced
Too heavy. The battery’s small
Oct 2, 2023 · Seb Stott
The new Megawatt has 170mm of travel, a carbon frame, and SRAM's new motor.
Sep 30, 2023 · Cyclocross Magazine
Cyclocross season is upon us. Do you need a dedicated cyclocross race bike? We put the Bombtrack Tension C to the test.
Sep 29, 2023 · James Watkins
Merida’s 130mm travel One-Twenty (yes, you read that correctly) aims to be the bike of the people, offering an up-to-date, do-it-all platform at a reasonable cost
Competent climber and fun descender
Neutral characteristics for all-around biking
Hassle-free component package
Lifetime frame warranty
A bit heavy
Maxxis Forekaster tires lack bite to push downhill limits
SRAM DB8 brakes a little underwhelming
Sep 29, 2023 · Mick Kirkman
Fast and efficient, the Neuron has nailed the remit for a rapid and composed-feeling trail bike
Fast accelerating and quick across the ground on mellower trails
Schwalbe tyres roll rapidly with adequate grip in most conditions
Suspension feels a little hyperactive and overworked on steeper downhill trails
Lock-on grips feel quite hard
Sep 29, 2023
Our first ride on the Dogma X didn't go to plan. But that doesn't mean we were left disappointed – except for wanting to ride more.
Sep 29, 2023
Merida One-Twenty mountain bike revamped with simplified alloy design and, get this… 130mm of trail travel, plus more capable & affordable…
Sep 29, 2023 · Josh Ross
Is there more to this bike than just a good price?
Some customisation when ordering
Mudguard/Fender mounts
Compatibility with 650b and 700c wheels
Room for 700x45mm tyres
Gorgeous paint
Stiff frame sucks fun out of off-road handling
Only 42cm bars available
No 2x build options
Sep 29, 2023 · Mick Kirkman
First ride review As a trail all-rounder that targets simplicity and affordability, Merida’s latest One-Twenty model isn’t directly competing with the best downcountry bikes that we’ve tested, like the Scott Spark, Yeti SB-120 or Transition Spur. That’s because, while those bikes tend to be lighter and cost way more cash the One-Twenty has a broader remit targeting a wider range of terrain and user groups. Best full-suspension mountain bikes: reviewed and rated by experts This new version only (currently) comes with an aluminium frame across a range topping out at £3,100 for the top spec 700 model featured here with RockShox suspension and SRAM NX drivetrain. Two other One-Twenty versions offered include a 600 model at £2,500 with a Marzocchi Z2 fork and Deore drivetrain and a 300 model with a Suntour fork XCR fork and Shimano Cues drivetrain for the bargain price of £1,900. Need to know New 130/130mm short-travel aluminium trail bike 29in wheels f/r only Five frame sizes grow in reach and wheelbase, rather than height Size specific dropper seat post, rather than infinitely adjustable to save weight and cost Steeper 78.5° effective seat angle and 66° head angle The One-Twenty is something of a bridge between Merida’s pure XC bikes and the new-school One-Forty/One-Sixty models launched last year that target aggressive trail and full-on enduro riding. The all-new frame also forms the basis of a Ninety-Six Lite model, which replaces the outgoing 120 RC and is a more XC-focussed machine with reduced travel of 110mm at both ends. This Ninety-Six plugs a gap in the market Merida has identified for a more affordable XC/marathon bike across two variants; the XT version with a RockShox SID SL and the 400 model, which has a Suntour fork and Shimano Deore drivetrain. Merida One-Sixty FR first ride review: a bike park bruiser While we’re talking about travel, it’s worth pointing out that despite the name, the new One-Twenty actually has 130mm at both ends. An extra 10mm might be worth shouting about in terms of capability, but Merida was keen to retain the name of what’s been a very successful bike for the brand and is sticking with the original. Short travel trail bikes haven’t got as much attention in recent years as enduro bikes, but with the growth of the downcountry segment and a sense many riders are starting to feel over-gunned on 160 or 170mm travel bikes at many spots, the category is definitely getting livelier. It makes a lot of sense too, as with modern geometry, shorter travel rigs can be plenty capable, especially if local hills don’t justify the extra weight and (potentially) less efficient pedalling and climbing of a longer travel rig. Merida reckons the One-Twenty ascends as well as its XC bikes while combining the confident handling, styling and modern sizing concept from its longer travel trail and enduro bikes. With a slight caveat over weight that I’ll get into later, I’d largely agree. It’s also refreshing (a little like with Specialized’s Status) …Continue reading »
Excellent value across three models. Great balance of efficiency, agility and stability.
Modern shape and sizing.
Heavy for its category.
Internal headset cable routing not the most user-friendly.
Sep 29, 2023 · Seb Stott
It's still called the One-Twenty, but this aluminum trail bike now has 130mm of travel front and rear.
Sep 29, 2023 · Ross Demain
The latest Merida One-Twenty boosts the travel to 130mm and uses P-FLEX suspension system for simple and light performance.
Sep 28, 2023 · Sean Fishpool
Our midpack XC tester sees the light – in every sense – as he hits the trails on the high-end RC World Cup model of Scott's legendary Scale
Laugh out loud fast
Smooth, assured front end
Well-balanced back end
Climbs like a demon
Adjustable geometry
100mm travel is conservative
No UDH
No dropper post
Fast is its only speed
Sep 28, 2023
The new Canyon Inflite CFR design is very close to the one Mathieu van der Poel rode to victory at the 2023 Cyclocross World Championships
Sep 27, 2023
The new Litespeed Toscano claims to be the lightest production titanium gravel bike, and it's got big tire clearance, too.
Sep 27, 2023
When you're lunch rides roll through Colorado's mountains, you build a mountain bike with more and better travel to handle it.
Sep 27, 2023 · Knut Nes
Yamaha have been making ebikes for years. They created the first electric pedal assist motor all the way back in 1989, years before the rise of the ebike as we know it today. When the electric full suspension mtbs started appearing, Yamaha and...
Sep 8, 2023
Not only is the Trek Marlin one of the most searched bikes on our website, it's also Trek's best selling mountain bike! And for good ...
Sep 6, 2023
What comes to mind when you picture a 120mm mountain bike? Lycra? XC podiums? Well you're going to have to throw that all ...
Aug 16, 2023
Meet the all new Canyon Endurace CF SLX and CFR! These high performance endurance bikes have had some serious updates ...
Jul 28, 2023
When Trek launched the first motorized version of their famed Fuel EX trail bike last year, it had one pretty noticeable gap - there ...
Feb 17, 2023
Overall, the Himiway Zebra is a solid e-bike that provides riders with a comfortable, stable, and accessible ride, whether for daily commutes or leisurely rides. The bike's powerful motor and dependable components make it an excellent option for riders who need extra assistance navigating uneven terrain, steep hills, or long distances. The Zebra is a great e-bike choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable way to get around town or explore the great outdoors.
Price
High capacity battery
Fenders, rack, and lights included
A bit on the heavy side