Alternatives to Nukeproof Mega?

I’m looking for a bike that will be mainly used for steep, rocky stuff like the Alps and uplift days in UK but can be pedalled uphill if necessary, it needs big forks like lyriks or 36s with a 20mm front axle and a headangle around 66-67deg. For £2300 the 2012 Nukeproof Mega Pro seems like it’s perfect but are there any other reasonably priced options out there I should be considering or any reasons why I shouldn’t get the Mega?

Cheers

I think the correct STW alternative to suggest would be this :

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBTITEGV1/titus_el_guapo_x9_lyrik_reverb_ccdb

Plus I’ve got one so I’m bound to say its great, but it really is!

Wouldn’t any of the available 160(+) enduro bikes do? I’ve a mega and like it, but plenty of other bikes out there capable of what you describe. You may well be able to pick up a bargin at this time of year.

Perhaps a second hand (assuming price is a factor) Alpine 160 or a new YT industries Wicked 160:
http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/en/Bikes/Wicked160?x95edb=d22pbbicikf7oh9ungilrdc7t0gcjcb7

what wilko says.

The Mega seems hard to beat for it’s ride qualities and price especially given your requirements for which it’s ideal.

I’d be looking long and hard at the YT options. Though the lack of a BOS distributor in the UK is a drawback of some of their models.

got to be a “97 Beast of the east” with Boxxers for me ?

Cheers all. So far the Mega seems to be winning, the YT bikes look good but I’ve heard availability can be a bit difficult.
Wilko what are the angles like on the el guapo?..the only info I can find suggests a 68 head angle and 71.5 seat angle but doesn’t say what fork that’s based on.

Check out the canyon strive as well, fox suspension rather than bos so no worries about servicing. Similar price for probably a better spec (IMHO) as the mega pro.

blob – Member

the YT bikes look good but I’ve heard availability can be a bit difficult.

FWIW the Wickeds show as in stock and shipping in week 41, which is now.

can’t say how the mega ride compares to the guapo but i can say you won’t find better after-sales than from on-one.

remember also the full RockShox setup on the EG is all user serviceable, if this is important to you (is to me, considering long term costs and turnaround times).
edit: the pre-built EG only comes with CCDB though? which needs to go back.. i’d ask Brant about a Monarch version for £1800 ish personally, because CCDB isn’t ideal up or down, or you can put a coil shock on it for DH, check threads on mtbr.

Guapo 2013 is more like 67deg HA, longer TT and a low BB.
it goes uphill like you wouldn’t believe from a long travel bike.

Northwind

I’d be looking long and hard at the YT options. Though the lack of a BOS distributor in the UK is a drawback of some of their models.

I could be wrong here but surely any warranty on the fork and shock would be the responsibility of YT Industries.

The latest eg is definitely 67 deg ha but not sure what length fork that’s based on. Brant can confirm any details

What I can confirm though is how well it pedals and climbs, really, and not just for a long travel bike

yeah i ride uphill better on EG than my TopFuel (both speed and can clear more stuff, pedal strikes allowing).. but sounds like blob is more a DH man, and i’m not a good enough rider there to really say. i hear it’s very capable, “pocket DH bike” whatever that means. honestly if you’re mostly down with bit of up, EG is probably not your bike, it’s more a great XC/trail bike?
Mega was probably right first time.
test rides are pretty hard for both unfortunately..

muddyfunster – Member

I could be wrong here but surely any warranty on the fork and shock would be the responsibility of YT Industries.

For the duration of the warranty, sure, but not servicing or consumables, and the suspension should outlive the warranty by some years.

Canyon Strive ESX9?
Mine’s great! Dripping with bling for 2 1/2 bags of sand too.

Canyon Strive ESX9?
Mine’s great! Dripping with bling for 2 1/2 bags of sand too.

How did you find the whole process of buying from Canyon? I had a look at their website but am a bit unsure with the whole online sizing guide thing… Amazing value for money though!

I’m looking to get my first full-sus and have been looking at the Mega also but is there anyone still selling the 2012 Pro in medium now that it has come down in price? Seems to be only limited stock in small/large left!

Yeah the online sizing guide seems a little weird. It reccommended a small for me but the medium I chose fits perfectly. I’m 5’10”

So far, Canyon have been great. It only took about 10 days from order to delivery and the bike was built absolutely fine, just bolt the bars on and put the seatpost in the frame. Have had no issues.

Sizing wise, Canyon recommended a medium for me. The calculator thing wasn’t much use as I’m not a typical cyclist shape (6′ 1″ tall with a 31″ inside leg, very wide shoulders and long arms – think silverback gorilla, you won’t be far away). I went for a large in the end, it fits perfectly. My mate is 5’8″ and its too big for him (not massively though)- I’d say anything above 6′ would be a large.

I absolutely love mine – climbs brilliantly with the TALAS wound down to 120mm, the dropper post means you can set the post really high for climbing and out of the way for descents. As for downhill, it’s like an instant skill upgrade (don’t mind admitting it). I couldn’t get near one of my regular riding mates on the descent at Cwmcarn on my commencal, now I’m right on his tail. Definitely way quicker, its given me the confidence to attack corners and jumps way more than I used to. With the level of kit you get for the money, I just can’t recommend it highly enough!

2nd Hand Pitch and some Lyrics?

Budget to replace just about every part through as they were built to a (very low) price. Mine cost me £2.5k buying the bike new and replaceing everything appart from the rear QR and the tyres with a mix of 2nd hand Lyrics and and new everything else.

How about a spicy 516 ? Ive got a 316 with fox 36s and it’s superb used it in Les gets this summer a few gravity enduro’s and general xc rides including trail centers etc. Quite a long wheel base and nice geometry

I was in the market for a spicy but the 2012 were all sold out and were really expensive for the spec. The 2013 bikes are better speced but are more expensive again. I’m sure they’re lovely but with the direct sales companies charging what they do you really have to want one.

Cove G Spot, i have one for sale conveniently

Heckler, Nomad, Spicey, BLur LT(C) with 160mm 36’s, El Guapo

thats just my off the top of my head list…

bottlerocket for me 🙂

see also

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ideas-for-160mm-ish-travel-amfr-bike-or-frame-for-the-alps

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/the-great-debate-150-160mm-bikes

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-frame-ideas-5ish-travel-slack-fun

etc

loads of good bikes around. almost none of them are “shit”.

mythic spitfire over here – love it.

Cheers. Looking like either a mega or wicked 160 – don’t want to spend silly money and I can’t be bothered to trawl around for bits and build a frame up myself.