ROB’S NUKEPROOF MEGA 290 RS CARBON £5,999.99

It’s been nothing but great times for Rob and his Mega

In the blink of an eye, another year draws to a close, and sadly my time aboard the Mega has come to an end. I’ve had a wonderful year riding the fourth-generation bike and have come to properly appreciate all the changes Nukeproof have made to it. While I got on with the previous Mega just fine, it certainly wasn’t as well-rounded as the machine you see here. Don’t get me wrong, the latest bike can still take a battering with the best of them, but the more energetic feel to the suspension means that on flatter trails it’s simply more fun.

It’s not all been plain-sailing, though. When Nukeproof sent me their new Giga to test at the beginning of the year, I did start doubting my original choice. With the ability to alter its progressivity, plus 10mm more travel than the Mega, the Giga is an incredible bit of kit, and, I’d argue, feels more surefooted and confident when things get wild. Its low-slung weight helps it corner like stink, too. But it isn’t as easy to chuck around as the Mega and really needs challenging terrain to get the most from it. The Mega, on the other hand, has been fun everywhere I’ve ridden it. From high-speed runs at BikePark Wales to cruisy laps on the Mendips, it’s consistently delivered.

In fact, aside from a wheel change for testing reasons, the bike is still stock, and I’m more than happy with it that way. The tester in me is keen to try it with a smaller back wheel, but even at 5ft 8in, I’ve had no real issues with the rear tyre buzzing my bum. There’s little I’ve needed to do in terms of maintenance either, aside from replacing brake pads and cleaning the drivetrain. The brakes do need a bleed now after a year of use, but that’s to be expected.

Before I finish up here, it’s important to answer that final tricky question – would I buy a Mega 290 RS Carbon? Well, yes, I’d buy a Mega, but probably not this one. I was seriously impressed with the cheaper alloy version I tested as part of Bike of the Year back in issue 394 and, with a much cheaper asking price, that’d likely be the one I’d go for. www.hotlines-uk.com