2021 has shaped up to be a pretty big year for Nukeproof with the introduction of the long-traveled Giga, as well as the Mega seeing a mighty update late last year, though the brand hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Today, Nukeproof has launched the Megawatt, the brand's first-ever e-bike coming kitted with a Shimano STEPS EP8 motor, an interchangeable battery, and mixed wheel sizes.

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Nukeproof has noticed the massive gap in the range that only an e-bike could fill and has done exactly that with the new Megawatt. While the Mega V4 was under development the brand saw the perfect opportunity to get an e-bike in the line-up.

With 170mm of travel at both ends, the Megawatt is prime for all-mountain, enduro and DH use. It's then built around a fully custom triple-butted and hydro-formed 6061-T6 aluminium frame, with some forged parts with a 29" wheel at the front, and a 650b wheel at the back.

Nukeproof wanted to create an e-bike that's as close to the Mega as possible, so just like the Mega, the Megawatt is low, long, steep, and slack with its geometry being designed around the bike's saddle offset. This is to keep weight centered, which Nukeproof reckons is important for an e-bike.

It also results in steeper seat angles across the size range and more so on larger sizes. This also results in longer reaches. Then, there are shorter seat tubes to accommodate dropper posts with more drop and the mullet set up makes the most of the new geometry.

While we're on the subject of the Megawatt's geometry, a large frame sees a 475mm reach and a 78° effective seat tube angle along with a 64° head tube angle and 442mm a chainstay. Medium and small frames get a 77.5° seat tube angle.

Then the Megawatt uses the very same swing link driven 4-bar Horstlink suspension platform as the Mega which is said to be supple of the top but progressive and supportive through the rest of the travel.

As for neat frame features, the new bike can fit up to a 620ml water bottle with a supplied adaptor mount and there's an additional accessory mount inside the frame. There's then a one-piece cast aluminium motor housing and the downtube is shaped to retain structural integrity with less weight and it also allows for a removable battery design.

The bike then comes with adjustable battery mounts to allow space for an E8036 or E8035 battery. That means there's the option to run either a lighter 504Wh or heavier but longer-lasting 630Wh battery. The brand has popped a door that allows access to not only the battery but also the internal cable routing.

There's then full internal cable routing, clearance for up to 2.6" tyres, and boost 148mm hub spacing.

Of course, this bike is built around a Shimano STEPS EP8 motor which gets three assist modes but also two power profiles, one that's optimised for power, and the other, range. 

The Nukeproof Megawatt will be available in three models featuring Fox and RockShox burly ZEB and 38 forks with Shimano drivetrains across the board, in the form of the Deore line-up at the bottom end of the range up to XT on the spendiest bike.

It's available in five sizes from S to XXL with prices starting at £5,000 and topping out at £7,000.

• nukeproof.com

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