Nukeproof's 2021 Giga Line Has Finally Dropped 82

I really like the design and suspension platform of this bike. Single pivots with links modifying the spring rate (APP, Evil's Delta, and others) ride great and are simple to maintain. I'd like to see Nukeproof continue to scale this down to a shorter travel bike, potentially something supplanting the Mega or maybe less.

Thank you Vital for finally someone picking up 27.5" wheeled bike for their test rig.

Someone remind me what the relationship between pedal kickback and suspension kinematic is please. I spotted absolutely zero pedal kickback in the suspension demo.

that’s a cool new bike. Too bad about the comment section here, you look stupid.

eugenM and lickmycrinkle, cut the personal attacks and keep it to bike talk.

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.

Dear VitalMTB'ers!

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 ) ), 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.

From Romania with Love,
Mx

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

Could you just go and cut the wire to the 56k modem he's using?

Thanks,

Vital MTB Users

Great looking bike with nice geo and a killer build - just a shame there's no mullet option. A 180/180 mullet would be so sick... But I LOVE to see Shimano builds as factory spec!

@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.

Nukeproof: “70 comments on a vital page *gasps*”
Scrolls down to comments and throws up in their mouth a bit

Curious how they will survive with those after Brexit prices in EU. The base model is 4.7K EUR which is hardly comparable to 3.7K USD.

obligatory "looks like an aliexpress Santa Cruz"

Bottle cage is upside down

Ha, nice spot

you get a vital t-shirt for finding our easter egg (email sent to you LLLLL)

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

Unpopular opinion: Brake jack isn’t a real thing. Your fork is too soft which is causing weight shift during heavy braking.

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.

TimBud you should send in a question! Would love to address this question at greater length, because there is a relationship between braking and rear suspension feel but it’s not what would commonly be referred to as “brake jack.” Send a question in to “advice@vitalmtb.com”

True. And when people say brake jack they really mean squat. True brake jack, when the suspension decompresses, isn’t on many designs. My guess is Hart ran a floating brake arm to keep the suspension supple on the rough courses and was looking for every fraction of a second that he could.

It doesn't predominantly affect single pivot bikes. I've never had noticeable brake jack from any suspension design, and I specifically remember my single pivot Evil Revolt being the best braking downhill bike I ever had.

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

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.

Great prices, wow. The colors are so blah though...

only in the US of A. in EU, the factory model is 6999 euro.

Bummer

Man I hope nukeproof can get some more us distribution cause the bikes are so damn cool.

Plus Sam Hill.

They do have it, CRC

Don’t want to ship a bike across the ocean in a warranty issue. There are some shop dealers too but none near me.

omg its actually good.. ish wish the sizing was one size diffrent (L with 495mm reach)

why are guys keep pushing the 27.5" wheels?, you still want to justify the/that SC Nomad?

I wish I could give you more than one downvote

yeah.. I feel you bro, I would also want less low IQ/intelligence ppl around the world but, I have to accept the fact that our world is full of #trumpvoter style of ppl and I can't do a thing about it. Suck it up bro and learn to tolerate, just like I did.

wot

dafuck?

Or just like not be a dick who keeps harping ideas they know are unpopular. But I guess you know better than everyone else.

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!

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

Vital Rocks, but you make this site worse Eugen

only rainbows and unicorns from you bruh!

We all know how it goes... Pick a wheelsize, be a dick about it...

for sure!

You think Nukeproof came out with a 27.5" option to justify the Nomad? That's some interesting logic.

Thinking a UK brand would fling out a 27.5 bike to contempt US Trump supporters is even more interesting...

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")

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.

Do you notice that nobody cares about your idiotic opinion, either here or in the tech thread? I've never seen you write anything of value, and frankly your presence here decreases the enjoyment of this website. Please do us all a favour and get lost. Please.

the diff being that I already have my 290 giga ordered while you talk/write like from your fingertips we get nothing else but rainbows and pink unicorns.

What are you talking about? Maybe you should've spent that money on some reading comprehension lessons. Can't you piss off back to whatever third world forum you came from?

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.

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.

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?

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!

Tell me which brands then, so I can make sure I never give you a single cent.

@lickmycrinkle This dude is a joke on the forums in our local community, now he just takes all the embarrassment to an international level. It's really funny to see him write about speed and product management, while 1. he couldn't properly ride if his life depended on this, not to mention speed 2. the ”product management” he does actually refers to some Walmart-type bicycles that happen to be some of the worst of their kind. He's also on a personal crusade against the new-look Nomad since it was launched and believes the ”knows” what Santa Cruz ”should've done”. It's also comical and contradictory that he uses references to Trump all over the place, while he actually is a local cycling Trump, but minus the public support. Oh, the irony to say something like that when back home everybody laughs when they hear of you. Don't give him too much attention; I guess he feeds on that. It's like when you poke a bear, get a huge ”get lost” paw across the face and then whine that the bear isn't ”a good guy” like he's supposed to be.

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.

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?

What the feck are you whining about then? You have ordered the bike you want with the wheel size you want... Who the feck do you think you are to deny everybody else the bike they want with the wheel size they want!

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".

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.

EugenM, here's the Mega 290 we covered 3 months ago - https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Nukeproof/Mega-290-RS,31658#product-reviews/3937 among a pile of other 29ers in the last year.

FAkE NEWS!!! It's a false flag operation, designed to extract Vital from the global conspiration!!

💔

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.

Can't you just block him instead of falling for his shitty bait? He makes me hate this site.

He just needs banned to Pinkbike. They're looking for a Waki replacement

Waki actually is a smart troll...

@Maximilian, finally, something we can agree on. Waki's rants and comments were refreshingly honest and a delight to read. I can't give such smart, witty and on point/blunt replys; I'm nowhere near that well-read and smart. I can't be Waki.. no one can.

What has happened to Waki?
Did he go cold turkey on it?

You would be surprised to find how strong 27.5" sales still are in the UK and some other regions of the world. As a UK brand of course Nukeproof is catering mostly to that demographic.

to make a joke about it, most of the brits did also choose to leave EU so, the fact that they mostly use 27.5" wheels isn't surprising. 😁

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.

story of my life.

Some people like to 'play' when they ride MTB. 27.5" is more responsive to rider input and changes in direction/acceleration/braking. Speed isn't everything, sometimes its more about the sensation with the bike. Wheels/tires/frames/forks are always lighter, don't need carbon rims to keep things feeling tight, easier to pump/generate speed using terrain vs maintaining momentum on 29". I'd say its a more engaging process, and for some riders that feels more rewarding. Why would you care if someone doesn't want to ride the same wheel size as you?

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.

))))) What drugs do you take?! Krokodil?

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.

Put him on a 26" rigid single speed for a day? Must've just forgotten what it means to ride a bike, you know, having fun and all. Everyone in the world of bikes must ride/buy what he says, otherwise I guess we're all doing it wrong. Wonder why the marketing dept of a large company hasn't picked him up yet, with all of his valuable insight.

I had a huffy "mtb" with cantilever brakes in my teens. great bike, had a lot of laughs on it. currently having also a gravel bike which I ride on flat xc trails. does it count?(and why?)

Nukecruz