The first time we reviewed the Mega 290 we asked ourselves why Sam Hill doesn’t ride the 29er? Last season he finally made the switch and Hill was seen riding a prototype of the Nukeproof Mega 290C for the first time. We were mega excited to see how it would fare against the competition.

Nukeproof Mega 290C Pro | 170/160 mm | 14.84 kg | € 4,299

The Nukeproof Mega 290C was a bike that we simply had to have in this group test. When Nukeproof informed us that they “only” had the Pro model available at the time, we couldn’t turn them down. It might not have the best componentry, but the spec is sensible and well-considered nonetheless. The Mega 290C Pro comes with RockShox suspension consisting of a Lyrik Select+ fork and a Super Deluxe Select+ shock, with performance that is hardly discernible from the Ultimate models found on the flagship bike. For the brakes and drivetrain, Nukeproof have specced equally proven and reliable components: a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and Guide RE brakes. The frame of the brand new Mega 290C doesn’t only upgrade to carbon, the geometry and kinematics have also been revised from the ground up compared to the aluminium model we reviewed previously. The bike now offers 170 mm travel up front and 160 mm at the rear. The head angle has been slackened to 64.5° and the seat tube angle has been steepened to 76.75°. In size L, the 470 mm reach is neither too long nor too short. Currently, Nukepoof offer the 29er in only three sizes from M-XL. Smaller riders will have to resort to the 275 model.

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