Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon: The big one

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The Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon is the newest addition to Nukeproof’s race ready line of e-enduro bikes. Developed in tandem with the cutting-edge SRAM Eagle Powertrain, it’s a bike Nukeproof couldn’t be more proud of — the latest and greatest in eMTB technology wrapped in a carbon frame designed to wallop the nastiest trails on the planet.

Over the course of two years, the alloy version of the Nukeproof Megawatt was used as the test bed for SRAM’s first-of-its-kind EaglePowertrain — an integrated eMTB ecosystem the meshes SRAM AXS components, the drive unit, and software into one cohesive package. The Nukeproof engineering team had a front-row seat to the development of the Powertrain, giving them unique access to the budding forefront of e-bike tech. This role as a development partner gave engineers access to the SRAM system and allowed them to give feedback as it was developed. In turn, they got feedback on the Megawatt test bike SRAM their athletes were using. The MegawattCarbon is the product of this partnership; a new version of our race-ready e-enduro bike built from carbon and designed specifically to make the most of SRAM’s new system.

Settled and stable yet playful and agile, the Megawatt has earned a reputation for sure footedness in terrain where most bikes fight for traction. Nukeproof didn’t want to lose those qualities, so the rear linkage and suspension kinematic has only been slightly tweaked from the alloy model to get the best from the suspension. Based on rider feedback, new features were added such as storage under the motor cover for trailside essentials and improved internal cable routing, among other things.

The result is a carbon e-enduro machine that handles like a bandit and is purpose-built for the new SRAM Eagle Powertrain.

Welcome to the Megawatt Carbon, proudly designed and engineered in Northern Ireland.

TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT:

Nukeproof long believes the best way to develop bikes is to put them to the test at the highest level. The new Megawatt Carbon was no different.

SRAM’s Megawatt test bike was raced and developed through the 2022 E-Enduro World Series with the Nukeproof-SRAM Factory Racing team. It also earned a victory at the 2022 EWS-E100 in Tweed Valley under Nukeproof head-honcho Michael Cowan. Yannick Pontal from SRAM’s BlackBox Test Pilot Program also took the overall 2022 E-Enduro World Series title using SRAM Powertrain.

From the rain-soaked mountains of Northern Ireland to the scorching heat of a Slovenian summer, the Megawatt Carbon has withstood thousands of miles of testing in less than ideal conditions — all to ensure performance and reliability.

CONCEPT AND DESIGN:

As with all Nukeproof projects, the Megawatt Carbon started life on the pages of a sketch pad. Based around the Mega’s key linkage points, geometry, and design cues, it stays true to what we love about the Mega but incorporates lots of clever new features.

An example of this is the Megawatt Carbon’s easily removable battery, a must-have feature for big days where battery swaps are essential. Instead of using a battery door in the downtube, which can add weight and compromise strength, the motor was tilted so the 720Wh battery can slide out through the bottom of the downtube. This protects the battery in a weather tight compartment while making it easily accessible for maintenance, swapping, and transport.

WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THIS ?

– Linkage points were retained in similar positions to keep the Mega design cues
– Frame has been designed to allow a 500ml bottle to be used inside the front triangle
– Frame shapes have been refined allowing us to optimise strength & weight
– By rotating the motor, we have been able to make the battery easily removable

NEW SIZING STRUCTURE FOR OPTIMISED FIT

Whilst humans may not have changed size much in recent years, bike sizes most certainly have. To ensure a perfectly dialed fit for riders and customers alike, Nukeproof now offers 5 frame sizes: S – XXL

S: 160cm/5’3″ – 167cm/5’6″
M: 167.5cm/5’6” – 178cm/5’10”
L: 178cm/5’10” – 183cm/6’
XL: 183cm/6’ – 193cm/6’4”
XXL: 193cm/6’4” – 198cm/6’6″

SADDLE OFFSET & HEIGHT

Just like the Mega — low, long, steep and slack

Geometry is also designed around the saddle offset for each size to optimise seated weight distribution – even more important for an E-bike. This results in steeper seat angles across the board but especially on larger sizes for taller riders. This also results in longer reach figures.

LEVERAGE RATIO

The leverage ratio is the ratio between the distance the rear wheel moves vs. the distance the shock moves as the suspension cycles.

The new Carbon Megawatt is an evolution of the current proven Megawatt/Mega platforms, the starting rate was increased a little to help with beginning to mid stroke suppleness, mid stroke to end stroke has increased in progression to help with mid stroke and end stroke support and improve the lively poppy feel. The travel has also increased as a result to 172mm.

– New carbon 24% progression
– Current alloy 22% progression

ANTI-SQUAT

Anti-squat is suspension’s mechanical resistance to compression due to chain forces from the rider.

Anti squat % has increased from 92% to 102% (at sag) in the climbing gears. This helps the bike stay up in its travel when tackling steep technical climbs.

ANTI-RISE

Anti-rise is how much the bike resists the rear-end rise that occurs when we pull the brakes.

Anti-rise % has stayed pretty similar – high % in the beginning stroke that helps keep a balanced braking/bike feel and falling off to allow suspension movement when taking bigger hits.

MAGNIFIED AXLE PATH

Axle path is the line the rear axle takes as the suspension moves, measured relative to the main frame.

The new layout has affected the axle path to give a more rearward movement for 65mm of travel.