We have this beast in the house and testing is underway!
Remember last year when little bikes were all the craze? Less travel but slack angles. In fact, we just published a review pitting two such bikes against one another. Well, since that market has been appeased, the industry can start paying attention to the long-travel crowd again. Meet the newest, biggest rig on the block, the Nukeproof Giga. Depending on wheel size, either 27.5-inch or 29-inch, it's a 180mm/170mm (respectively) rear travel brawler that is aimed at taking on anything that dare stand in its way. Let's dig into the particulars.
What's more than Mega? Giga. What's more than enduro? Super-enduro. As the modifier may indicate, the Giga is designed to tackle the sort of terrain that may trip up even an enduro bike. The suspension kinematics are designed to make it lively on the trail and can even be fine-tuned for a more progressive ride. There is a fine line between point-and-shoot and just plowing. Nukeproof states the Giga is more the former than the latter. Due to an issue with customs, Vital has only recently taken possession of our own test bike, so we aren't ready to confirm Nukeproof's claims. Based on our impressions with the Mega 290, we're eager to get this on trail. After all, more of something good is surly better. Right?
Our particular test bike is the Giga Factory model, the top shelf offering from Nukeproof that retails at $5,499. We also opted for the 27.5-inch wheel version. Handling suspension duties is a FOX Factory 38 fork with 180mm of travel while rear suspension is a FOX Factory Float X2, also delivering 180mm of travel. A Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain is mated to XT 4-piston brakes and the expected 203mm rotors. We were pleased to see the Bike Yoke Divine dropper as a piece of OE spec. DT Swiss E1700 wheels on Spline 30 hubs and 2.4-inch Michelin Wild Enduro tires take care of the round parts and Nukeproof's house brand finishes off the cockpit. Much like the Mega 290 RS we tested, the Giga Factory is a force to be reckoned with in the price department.
Much like the new Mega 290 and 275 bikes, the Giga can hold a water bottle and has an accessory mount inside the front triangle. The Giga's frame has some incredible molding to make the bottle fit. Though a custom bottle cage is needed, it is supplied with the bike.
Riders wanting to fine-tune the suspension characteristics of the Giga will have the option to alter the rear suspensions progression curve via a small flip-chip on the non-driveside pivot.
The process is described as such:
"The suspension is designed to be super supple off the top, whilst being supportive in the mid stroke and progressive throughout the rest of the travel. The anti-squat is optimized to ensure the Giga descends like a hooligan yet behaves itself on the climb back to the top for the next run." - Nukeproof
"The suspension platform is based on the same horseshoe driven linkage as our award-winning Dissent downhill frame, albeit now with a 2-stage main pivot flip chip. Using an eccentric axle system, riders can alter the Kinematic progression, so the bike can be tailored to suit the conditions on the trail with only an 8mm Allen key." - Nukeproof Setting 1 = 25.5% progression Setting 2 = 29% progression. Yes, you can run a coil shock! |
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"Both settings are designed to be supple at the beginning for small bump compliance. They also both have good mid-stroke support for better cornering and pumping. Like the Dissent, the progression drops off in the end stroke to prevent mid-stroke harshness or spiking and allows more tuning options with volume spacers.
The + Progressive setting can be used to add shock progression on a coil set up just like adding a volume spacer to an air shock. The added suppleness is also good in wet and slippery conditions." - Nukeproof
Geometry on the Giga is what you would expect to find on a rig designed with this much travel and focus on ripping down the mountain. Regardless of wheel size, a 63.5-degree head angle leads the charge on the new Giga. Reach numbers are in the longer, but not "out there" category, with 475mm/480mm for a size large 29er and 27.5-inch model (respectively). Though chainstay lengths are the same across all sizes, they do vary between wheel sizes, 435mm for little wheels and 445mm for 29-inch wheels. Keeping the same on both wheel sizes but changing from small/medium to large/x-large/xx-large is the seat tube angle. Smaller frames have a 77.5-degree effective seat tube angle and larger sizes steepen up by half a degree to 78-degrees. Full sizes and specs are below.
The 2021 Giga comes in three build kits, each of them available in a 27.5- or 29-inch wheel configuration, and all of them carbon. A frame-only option is also available.
Comp - $3,699: The entry point to the Giga complete range. The Comp features suspension from the awesome new RockShox ZEB fork and custom tuned Super Deluxe shock combined with Shimano’s bulletproof Deore 12-speed drive train and powerful 4 pot brakes. All finished with Nukeproof Neutron dependable finishing kit. All Giga models are tubeless ready with pre-taped rims and Michelin’s Wild Enduro tires as standard.
Elite - $4,499: Mid-tier model, featuring the brand new FOX 38 Performance Elite Series (Grip 2) fork and a custom tuned Float X2 EVOL shock. Dependable and crisp shifting is from Shimano’s SLX 12-speed drive with stopping power from the SLX 4 pot brakes. To complete the build it’s rolling on DT Swiss 1700 wheels with our premium Horizon finishing kit.
Factory - $5,499: The Premium build in the Giga range. The Factory Comes with the Factory specification Kashima coated FOX 38 fork and custom tuned X2 Factory shock. Crisp, direct and reliable shifting from the Shimano XT 12-speed drive train and complimentary powerful 4 pot Shimano XT brakes. Also featured is the awesome Bike Yoke dropper post (drop depends on bike size) and the ultra-strong DT 1700 wheelset. As with the Elite, the finishing kit is from our award-winning Horizon range.
Frame Only - $2,599: Options come complete with Nukeproof Headset (fitted) and seat clamp with a custom tuned Fox Factory series X2 shock and Sram Maxle.
Get more information on pricing and availability at Nukeproof.com and keep it locked here on Vital MTB for our forthcoming review of the all-new Giga!
View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the Giga in the Vital MTB Product Guide.
hbelly13
2/1/2021 6:42 AM
mentalhead
1/28/2021 3:02 PM
TruckeeRiverTroll
1/28/2021 1:13 AM
Colin McCarthy
1/28/2021 12:41 AM
sspomer
1/27/2021 3:17 PM
SB14
1/29/2021 12:04 AM
Sry, Pressed the wrong button. It was a thumbs up! Full support just talking about bikes. And i can put on my favourite quote, and i know that this rings true with us all, if we can imagine it when we share the trails and rides:
Everyone who rides a bike, is a friend of mine.
Maxipedia
1/27/2021 12:55 PM
Dear VitalMTB'ers!
) ), but we're not all intellectually challenged, most of us strive to be good people and a lot of us truly love mountainbiking. This guy is not at all representative for our scene. If any of you have the curiosity to find out how awesome riding here actually is, holler at us and we promise we'll be good hosts and you'll return back home thinking how to come back. Don't take my word for it, but ask our friends from Vermont, Colorado, California and actually from all over the world.
Since certain references to our country popped up in this comment section, I would like to apologize on behalf on our local MTB community about the moronic comments of a certain user here. We know him, we laugh about him, but we are not like him. Yes, we were a third world country (now trying to make it to the second world
From Romania with Love,
Mx
EugenM
1/27/2021 1:42 PM
the great Maximilian, one of the 4 pillars of Romanian mtb-ing... actually, my bad, he is all the 4 pillars of the Romanian community; please ppl, do like, share and comment on his posts. Don't forget to put an 'Amin' at the end of each comment.. he lives for that. You will make his day and he would be able to show on his Facebook groups how much international approvement he gets; he needs that in order to still show relevance. Let's help him guys reach his daily target of likes.
remember: like, comment and put an 'Amin' at the end of each comment. His little soul will radiate joy and light if you guys do that. 😇
cheers and thx in advance!
edit. Maximilian, stop stalking me! #getoveritbruh
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 2:39 PM
Could you just go and cut the wire to the 56k modem he's using?
Thanks,
Vital MTB Users
khai
1/27/2021 12:03 PM
Eoin
1/27/2021 9:46 AM
@sspomer remember those times you jokingly complained that no one comments on the site? Careful what you wish for
On topic: that downtube bottle nook is cool.
bulletbass man
1/28/2021 2:24 AM
Nukeproof: “70 comments on a vital page *gasps*”
Scrolls down to comments and throws up in their mouth a bit
Kusa
1/27/2021 9:39 AM
hamncheez2003
1/27/2021 6:38 AM
LLLLL
1/27/2021 3:23 AM
TimBud
1/27/2021 4:38 AM
sspomer
1/27/2021 6:16 AM
TimBud
1/27/2021 2:14 AM
Damn thats a cool looking bike!
Such a shame its singlepivot. I'm not tempted purely because of the inevitable brake jack.
I'll be happy to stand corrected if my simple mind has missed something, but it doesn't look like NP have done anything to combat that Achille's Heel
TEAMROBOT
1/27/2021 9:06 AM
TimBud
1/27/2021 10:31 AM
Possibly, but why does it predominantly effect single pivot bikes? I've never had noticeable brake jack from any other suspension layout I've ridden (VPP, Horst, Maestro).
I'd guess that Danny Hart would've overcome those suspension setup/body position issues, but he famously had that CNC'd linkage to isolate his rear brake on the Saracen.
TEAMROBOT
1/28/2021 5:04 PM
thejake
1/27/2021 6:36 PM
TEAMROBOT
1/27/2021 7:47 PM
TimBud
1/28/2021 12:22 AM
Yeah man, but you not humon, so I have to take that with a pinch of salt.
That said I'm keen to hear more, so I'll send you an email for the next TEAMROBOT Answers, if thats ok
MikeyOrange
1/28/2021 10:31 AM
Yeah, brakejack is real, but it's more due to the user not letting up on the brake before the suspension, which has squated, is unweighted usually over a large obstacle.
I haven't really experienced any dramatic brakejacking since my Proflex Beast (young and didn't pay enough attention to my braking) and I've had a few single pivots since.
jason.west.750
1/27/2021 12:47 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 12:49 AM
jason.west.750
1/27/2021 12:59 AM
bulletbass man
1/27/2021 12:33 AM
Man I hope nukeproof can get some more us distribution cause the bikes are so damn cool.
Plus Sam Hill.
metadave
1/27/2021 7:29 AM
bulletbass man
1/27/2021 8:02 AM
CadeG4
1/27/2021 12:27 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 12:21 AM
Philip_Rossetti
1/27/2021 12:38 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 12:47 AM
boozed
1/27/2021 1:14 AM
Philip_Rossetti
1/27/2021 1:25 AM
bulletbass man
1/27/2021 2:13 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 2:56 AM
unpopular?, yeah...tell that to the global marketing and sales departments.
Just because you and 100 other vital-ists think 27.5" #shred(or someother bs like that), does not mean anything. In the real world, adults use 29ers(also racers!, as 29ers are indeed faster! ); so, why they requested a 27.5" model instead of the one that all ppl will buy?, I'm telling you why.., they've asked for it because they need to keep pushing the/that Nomad bs, as in "look, competition for the Nomad in the same wheelsize and bla-bla!", the difference is, some of us just aren't that dumb!, grow up and also try using critical thinking for a change!
TimBud
1/27/2021 4:26 AM
So your argument is that Adults use 29ers because they're faster and that you're not dumb and everyone else needs to grow up?!
Thats some black belt level cognitive dissonance there
skiskateshane
1/27/2021 6:41 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 7:20 AM
slimshady
1/27/2021 4:10 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 4:36 AM
banj
1/27/2021 4:26 AM
slimshady
1/27/2021 4:33 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 4:41 AM
qanon bruh, qanon!
))))
having said that, I have said vital staff requested the 27.5" in order for *insert any Nomad rant here*(my favourite, actual seat tube angles from 2012 but with my own touch "hello enduro 2015")
BHowell
1/27/2021 8:54 AM
Our choice to grab a 27.5-inch version took into account a number of elements that do not merit defense in this context. I will assure you, it has nothing to do with the existence of the Santa Cruz Nomad.
I tested the Nomad (medium)
The Giga (large) is being tested by someone else, in another state as part of a larger project.
Let us all please keep these comments civil and in context. This is just a bicycle, after all.
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 5:59 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 7:19 AM
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 7:50 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 7:57 AM
the ideea was that you are moaning theoretically.. while, I comment from the position of a/the guy who just dropped an advance for his Giga. Do you get it now?
if you need further explanations, next time I'll try to make you a drawing.
EugenM
1/27/2021 9:30 AM
actually I have the ability and, in fact I am a prod mng for several years now.
just beacuse you can't make simple and logic connexions, does not mean others can't.
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 10:13 AM
What was illogical about my response?
Bike shop employee in third world country ≠ product manager.
What pleasure do you get from adding to conversations where nobody cares what you think? Look at your comment history and how many downvotes you have. These aren't disagreement downvotes. They're "man, this guy has his head up his ass" downvotes.
Vital, where's the block button?
EugenM
1/27/2021 10:31 AM
bike shop employee... 3rd world country...; of course, that is exactly what I am. You're so smart you should apply to some central intelligence agency. ppl all over the world do need your talents bruh!
having said that, when I ordered in Asia my first 3 containers of bikes, little did I know that , several years from that moment, when now working with several local factories in and around my country(but still giving some orders to taiwan factory) and after developing 3 brands(2 for bikes and 1 for accessories), some "knowledgeable rider" will figure out that I am doing all of this from the clerk position at my local LBS. daaamn man, you're some sort of Sherlock Holmes, aren't you?, please be Sherlock Holmes.. it will be the highlight of my day if the real Sherlock Holmes figured me all out from my comments/replies here on Vital!
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 10:47 AM
Maxipedia
1/27/2021 12:43 PM
EugenM
1/27/2021 1:20 PM
ooh.. my personal fanboy Maximilian the great...at what, no one knows.. maybe mtb-ing at his local hill.. but that's debatable.
as for what I do and what I supervise, you should send me monthly thank you notes and flowers. Without these cheap a$$ "bikes" , there would be no #industry as, roughly 300 ppl riding mostly real mtbs can't really be considered a community;
regarding the Nomad, yeah, I'm pissed off, as I would have brought one if it would have been a mullet.
one+one equalls two and both have nothing to do with what this special gentlemen here and I were discussing; and you interfere at the request of... I guess, no one?!
Also, stop stalking me everywhere. You're still not over the fact that I blocked you and have no real interest in discussing anything with you?, what's the matter, aren't you receiving enough love these days?, not enough dumb effs liked your posts these days?, are you still using the same special needs rethoric to impress slow minded weak hearts?, did the fan club got bigger?, please, do share the news!, actually, I'm kidding. I have zero interest in what you are doing. And, if people would know better, they all would lose interest really fast. Facebook saved you from anonymity. You should be thankful and say a little prayer to Mark every night. Without him, no one bar your buddies would know who you are.
Anyway, resume position Maximilian; we are "all" "looking forward" for your "intelligent" and witty reply.
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 2:52 PM
Wow. Cringier than I thought. And as expected he comes back with non-sequiturs and idiotic opinions, without addressing anything that was actually asked of him.
Pal. You're an embarrassment to Vital, MTB, the MTB industry, Romania, the internet and the human race. How do you not realise nobody wants you here?
TimBud
1/27/2021 8:11 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 8:24 AM
for all I care, anyone can get the bike they think they need/want/etc. My question was to vital and it was about their decision to ask for a 27.5 instead of the 29er.
my asumption was that they specifically asked for the 27.5 one in order to compare it with the Nomad and, thus, ethancing that full 27.5" wheeld bikes with 170-180mm travel and modern enduro geo have a place in the current line-up of bikes. In fact, what SC has done with the Nomad was dumb AF and with zero sense of logic. I'm not saying it is a bad bike....I'm just saying it has the wrong size of wheels and that we are not in 2012-2015...27.5" should have dissap. by now and only be found on supermarket "bikes".
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 8:47 AM
EugenM, if you disagree with their decision, maybe you should ask Vital for a refund for all of the coverage you are paying them for.
You're not a product manager, nor do you have the ability to think like one. What's wrong with giving people a choice? You bought a 29", what do you give a heck if there's something else on offer?
I personally don't give a fuck about 29" wheels, but you don't see me shitting my uninformed and unsympathetic opinion all over every other article, crapping on the publication and questioning people who are much more intelligent and informed on the bike industry than I am.
sspomer
1/27/2021 6:50 AM
slimshady
1/27/2021 7:01 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 7:12 AM
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 8:32 AM
What's theoretical about me thinking you're a bellend? I'm just stating facts. You think buying a bike makes your stupid opinions any more valid? At which point did I ever give you the idea I gave a shit about this bike or the fact you bought one?
I saw your name and stupid face, noticed you wrote something idiotic and thought "fuck that guy". I know you think you're funny going on about unicorns, but let me assure you, it just makes you look like an even bigger fool.
lickmycrinkle
1/27/2021 7:43 AM
Roots_rider
1/27/2021 10:48 AM
Maxipedia
1/27/2021 2:33 PM
EugenM
1/27/2021 3:00 PM
TimBud
1/28/2021 1:21 AM
What has happened to Waki?
Did he go cold turkey on it?
Andy Mac
1/27/2021 7:09 AM
EugenM
1/27/2021 9:22 AM
BHowell
1/27/2021 7:15 AM
We have some really cool projects in the pipeline centered around 29er bikes (including this Giga) that will appeal to all sorts of riders.
It's a shame you came in so hot, there's merit to your question, but under these pretenses, it's difficult to address legitimately.
EugenM
1/27/2021 7:18 AM
Adam_Schaeffer
1/27/2021 12:30 PM
EugenM
1/27/2021 12:41 PM
I don't. I'm just against full 27.5" wheels; bikes have had such a great development in the last years that we simply don't need them anymore. It is like trying to make a smartphone with physical buttons on it...we're just beyond/past this and they have no real relevance;
and also, I never said I'm against A 27.5" wheel on a bike.. I am against having two. There is simply zero, ZERO, reasons to have a 27.5" front wheel. - actually, that's my problem with the Nomad. Instead of being the bike that could have been, we got some sort of reheated pizza.. and we all know a reheated pizza is not the way -
I'm short.. I could benefit from a 27.5" rear wheel.. but, given the choice of having a full 27.5" or a full 29er, I'll choose the latter 10 out of 10 times.
Bogdan_Spoe
1/27/2021 12:51 PM
bulletbass man
1/28/2021 2:35 AM
For those of us who value our time in the air as much as our time on the ground a smaller and lighter front wheel and fork is absolutely preferable. And is easily the most difficult adjustment to make switching to 29ers. I’m a proponent for mullets and my next bike will prob be one but if I ever get another dh bike it will absolutely be 27.5 front and rear. I race occasionally for fun.
I am not stupid for liking 27.5 wheels. You are not stupid for liking 29ers. You are dumb for trying to invalidate the opinions of others. Cause when you are talking bikes and most of life it is just fucking opinions man.
Roots_rider
1/27/2021 4:20 PM
EugenM
1/28/2021 12:37 AM
Roy Patient
1/27/2021 12:18 AM