Two quite different bikes. The Mega I'd say is more focused on going down and slogging up, the Whyte is a more all rounder so would be a load quicker/easier around trail centres and stuff at the cost of being slightly slower/less suited to pure gravity stuff.

but the mega is under 30lb ,same head angle ,steep seat tube angle.
i currently ride a marin wolf ridge with rev 140mm forks and a reverb and it weighs approx 31lb it and i find spot on for fast trail riding but just slightly lacking for gravity enduro racing.

My mega pro isn't under 30lb!

i own a mega it can be ridden for everthing.
But it is aimed at the downs. It hard work on the pedaling front

I think the Whyte breaks and the Mega doesn't (or not since it got new chainstays!)

I could be wrong but I think the Whyte frame will be lighter.

I own a Mega with a decent build and will be perfect for what you describe. Why not buy a discounted frame and strip your current bikes for parts.

I too owned a Wolf Ridge briefly but hated it, the Mega climbs in a way the Wolf Ridge can't live with and descends even better 🙂

146 is a long travel xc bike.
Mega is a short travel dh bike.

Should also add that I run the standard shock. Lots of folks change it for a coil for DH duty. I mustn't ride hard enough though...

the whyte is way lighter, its carbon. 26lb claim for full bike.
how heavy is your mega pro then steveh?

sorry chain reaction claims 30.2lb for the mega.

In that case Daveyboywonder has it, they are too different to compare.

my ns surge is a 'dh hardtail' but it rides all day xc a dream!

a carbon santa cruz v10 may be 4lb lighter than a alumimium specialized demo. does'nt mean there to different to be compared.

Its not the weight that separates them.
Would I want to race the mega on a pedally course-No.
Would I want to thrape a 146 down a dh course-No.
Horses for courses,thats all.

My Mega is a sensible but not stupid build and is 31.8lbs with a large ano frame, Reverb, Lyrik RC2DH, Flows on Hope and a mix of XT/XTR/SLX with 2x9 gears.

I suspect the weight quoted might not include pedals (add about a pound) as they aren't in the spec list.

As above, it's a mini DH bike that pedals really well. I'm faster both up and down than I was on my sub 30lb Commencal Meta 5 - stiffer, more direct, steep seat angle keeps weight over the pedals. I love it but it's not a fast climber.

As for 170 cranks, just pedal deeper into the turns and you'll reap the rewards!

[i]As for 170 cranks, just pedal deeper into the turns and you'll reap the rewards!

[/i]

Or put 175mm's on?

serious question, would you think that the 146 is less capable/weaker with it being carbon than my marin wolf ridge because i thrape that down dh courses (with dual ply tyres on) at full pace.

Because I've seen 10-12 broken ones so far. 😐

ive snapped a commencal 5 ,but who did'nt 🙂

@rorschach. that is worrying!

I keep reading about them breaking (and I assume they are being used a trail bikes).

Whereas there are plenty using the Mega as a miniDH without problems.

I think it would suit what you described.

so i'm getting the general idea that the mega would suit me better?

Isn't that 30.2lb for a small with no pedals? My large is about 31.5-32lb in stock spec with pedals etc.

that does'nt sound to bad,around the same as my wolf ridge.

I replaced the Wolf Ridge with the Mega with the same parts (Fox 36's were dropped to 140 for the Marin, back upto 160 for the Mega).

If you like your Wolf Ridge you will be amazed by the Mega, especially when you hit the first climb.

what is the mega like along technical flat/undulating trails?

technical is fine hit it hard. flat not so you need to put alot of effort in. Undulating is ok as you can keep the speed.

I've just thraped my mega to within an inch of its life for 3 weeks on all manner of dh tracks in several European countries. It didn't really break much at all.
Its also black, which is good.
That's all.

With the propedal on on the Monarch it's nice and firm so makes light work of it.

In fact that's why I don't want to swap for a coil. I use the bike for everything (same with my c456), so I like the choices the Monarch gives me.
I don't doubt that the coil will be far better DH but I spend at least as much time climbing. Whereas the RP23 on the Wolf Ridge didn't seem to make much difference between each propedal setting, the Monarch really does work.

Loving my Mega weighs in at 32 lb on our b-room scales
love how it climbs but then I am no racer and will never use it to its full potential going down ( too old to bike young )

Jason when do you lot get out for rides as could do with getting out more .

Hi Chris

Since the little fella came along its been alot more random. Used to be every Wednesday. Now it's Mon, Tues or Wed or not...

My missus is starting a Monday to Friday, 9-5 role soon instead of shifts so I'll hopefully get some rythm back in my life. Poor Simon has broken his hand at the Mega 🙁

What night works for you?

even with a coil shock, the Mega pedals surprisingly well, very little bob. It more depends on how you've built it, i.e. I thought I'd try mine on a 4.5hr trail ride yesterday that was much better suited to my short travel 29er, and boy did i feel it by the end of the ride (mine is on 180s, coil, DH rims, V2s etc etc, so weighs a ton!).

But for serious winch up, then have brilliant fun down and along, it is really rather good. Extended ups are brutal though, especially if everyone else is on lightweight kit!

Kev

Jason I am available any evenings if there is a bimble happening
cant yet do keeping up with racing snakes though

I'm running 2x10, 203mm Hope V2s, Flows, Hans Dampfs - still only weighs 32lb and I can pedal it all day round any of the trail centres - in fact I caught some cyclocrossers on a fireroad climb last time.

LMFAO

Go with the Mega, you can always run less sag for shallow trails - plus stans Crest wheels and the light weight Mountain King 2.2 tyres. That's my trail setup. It really livens the bike up for that kind of riding.

Whereas there are plenty using the Mega as a miniDH without problems.

didnt the first batch need new chainstays after a small snapping issue.

didnt the first batch need new chainstays after a small snapping issue.

Very few people got it, mostly the silvers - and they rectified it for free by sending everyone redesigned chainstays.

Not many companies would do that, they gave me a free headset as well as there was a tiny tiny tiny mark on my frame that was probably done by the shop.

Consequently all my future bikes are going to be from Nukeproof, they've been superb in terms of customer service - whether it be the chainstay issue or me asking them questions by e-mail/phone.

consider also:
Spesh Pitch
Titus El Guapo.

this review suggests serious problems with the Whyte
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-whyte-146s-12-46373

the pitch and el guapo are not options.
the only problem i can see in that review is the rear is not super stiff. the suspension design works fine on my marin and from what i've heard about the whyte ,it seems to work well on that aswell.

it is good to hear the monarch has a firm pro pedal setting.

Jam bo, I did say that in my first post. Nukeproof sorted it all sharpish.

Both have their issues. NP have had some finishing issues, and the well known chainstay issue which they sorted swiftly. Whyte have been plagued by quality control and warranty issues, and failing to fulfill orders. They also have obvious issues with stiffness as evidenced by the hideous brace on the new bikes.

As others have said they are quite different bikes, don't be fooled by geometry charts. The mega is very much a haul up, pin down bike. The Whyte, a long travel trail bike. The Fox32 on the whyte can be variable. In it's basic guise it's no great shakes, the top of the range fit version is a totally different fork. Though neither are stiff enough for their 150mm of travel if used and seriously abused. A 34 or 36 would be a better option but these might only highlight the frame's lack of stiffness.

FWIW a brand new mega pro in medium is 31 lbs without pedals. 33lbs with pedals and some dust. According to park shop scales. I found the mega a very capable bike when you attack the descents but a bit ponderous for trail riding.

I think there are better bikes out there in this category.

Pedals add 2lb in weight? LOL! The Pro weighs 33lb? My build is quite a heavy one, Hope v2's, coil forks and a dual ring etc.....it weighs 32 lb with pedals.

I don't think there are any better bikes than the Mega with similar geometry, my Mega rides better than my old mans Nomad MK2 on shallow trails.

The frame itself is only about 1/2 to 2/3rds of an LB heavier than the Alu Nomad MK2 (can't quite remember the exact weigh I measured). So you can easily get it down to sub 30lb with a decent build.

bwaarp

Pedals add 2lb in weight? LOL!

No. Pedals add about a pound, maybe a pound and a half. And after one ride dirt, dust, water will get into places that, short of a complete rebuild, will add weight. They weigh about 33lbs. I've weighed a lot of them.

So you can easily get it down to sub 30lb with [s]a decent build[/s] magic scales.

Even a small, built up with full XTR groupset and Easton haven wheels, with revelations just scrapes under 30lbs with some proper tyres. Yes, you could shave two pounds of that by fitting some 2.25 nobby nics or something but they wont last very long when given some stick.

I don't think there are any better bikes than the Mega with similar geometry, my Mega rides better than my old mans Nomad MK2 on shallow trails.

Good for you. That's what matters.

As far as the snapping chain stays go, i bought my frame second hand and nukeproof said they would change my stays if i had the bad type and or i snapped the ones i have.
Not sure you can get better than that in my view.

As it happen i had the upto date ones and i have hammered mine and its still show no signs of giving up.

@ muddyfunster
what are the bikes you would reccomend?

@ muddyfunster
what are the bikes you would reccomend?

Well I suppose it ultimately comes down to what you are most comfortable on. In that category though, personally I would have to rate the stumpy evo s-works as the best of the best.

Mr DH capable than the Whyte, more nimble than the Mega.

Listen to the funster....he talks sense.

Stumpy evo is an xc bike
my Mega will outclass on gravity downhill by far....maybe not pedally stuff

built up beefy though.

lyrik 1.5 coils
van r
avid codes
minion super tackys

stumpjumper:
evo comp,
evo expert,
or s works ?

freeridenick

Stumpy evo is an xc bike

You are so wrong it's not funny. Can you just admit you are wrong and save me having to put you right?

my Mega will outclass on gravity downhill by far.

No it won't.

mrbump

stumpjumper:
evo comp,
evo expert,
or s works ?

Specifically I would go for the EVO carbon if you can afford it (not s-works soz). It could probably benefit from a stiffer fork up front, but other than that it's as perfect an all round bike (platform,geo) as you can get. It's an xc riders dh bike, a dh riders xc bike etc etc. Stunning piece of kit.

funster you are a **** of the highest order with your posts.

stop being an arrogant so and so. this is a friendly discussion.

I don't think there are any better bikes than the Mega with similar geometry, my Mega rides better than my old mans Nomad MK2 on shallow trails.

The frame itself is only about 1/2 to 2/3rds of an LB heavier than the Alu Nomad MK2 (can't quite remember the exact weigh I measured). So you can easily get it down to sub 30lb with a decent build.

Personally I think the Nomad rides better than the Nukeproof, but we all want different things. However, for the price the NP was always good value, now even better as they seem to be blowing them out (updated model coming?)

Mega weighs 6.9lbs w/o shock. Nomad (alu) weighs 6.9 with. You could build a Mega to ~30lbs or under & not compromise on strength, but it's going to require a lot of high end bits. I've just finished building a Meta SX for my Mrs (almost identical frame weight to the Mega) & that just snuck in under 30lbs by a gnats ballsack.

Thoughts on the meta sx when you can hob nob.
Thinking of changing to one (from a mega )

My mates large mega dripping in XTR (single ring) flows on burgtech hubs, rental bars & stem, reverb (shortest one available) posh 36's and tubeless Rubber Queens is 30lbs 4oz on park scales.

Not exactly a reasonably priced build.

Built my Mega frame up with all the bits from my 2010 Orange five, which included Revelation 150 teams, 1x10 spd, Pro 2's with Flows, Hope race Evo X2's etc. Weighs in at 29.3 lb ( med frame & shock 7.9lbs ) and handles trail centre type riding superbly. 160-170 forks would be great for more DH/Alps type blasting, but I a more than pleased with the 150/150 balance. Only planned change will be a Fox RP23 in the near future. The RT3 is fine for most situations, but does get a bit out of its depth in fast rough going.

Yup, only way to get a Mega under 30 is compromise on the fork or the reverb, which kind of misses the point of the frame....

Thread hijack - how does the frame weight of the mega compare to the frame weight of a saracen ariel?

freeridenick

funster you are a **** of the highest order with your posts.

I presume the word with astrix is sage because all I've done is provided informed opinion. You, on the other hand come out with crap and name calling.

Yup, only way to get a Mega under 30 is compromise on the fork or the reverb, which kind of misses the point of the frame....

Seriously, it's not. You could build a Mega with a Reverb & a proper fork & still get it under 30lbs fairly easily. You just need to spend some money to do it.

A smidge under or a smidge over 30lbs? Who cares..

Is 30lbs a magic number which determines if the bike will go uphill or not? I find my mega climbs really really well. It maybe just me, but I love the geometry and while it's heavier than some (but not by much) and thus it doesn't accelerate quickly on slopes, you are never fighting to keep the front wheel going where you want it. I find it so much fun to ride, I love it as a trail bike and I'm really happy with it.

I don't have a dropper post though, and rely on the old school seat qr method until I save up enough money.

Anyway, have you all not read the latest dirt? 26ers and slow and 29 is the future! 😕