First ride review of the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS – eMTB with SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor

Nukeproof have taken over 2 years to present the 2024 Megawatt Carbon, the second iteration of their big-hitting eMTB. It still comes with mixed wheel sizes and 170 mm travel (f/r), but it now boasts the new SRAM Eagle Powertrain with automatic shifting. We put the all-new eMTB to the test for you!

You love mountain bikes? Then you’ll love the Nukeproof brand! They’ve got everything a mountain biker’s heart desires. Fitting the brand name, the Nukeproof bikes are known for their robust spec. The now Northern Irish brand offer a wide range of gravel bikes, hardtails, and full-suspension bikes, from trail to downhill and eMTBs. More than two years after the introduction of their first eMTB, the Nukeproof team now present the new Megawatt Carbon. It isn’t just the brand’s only eMTB, but also their first ebike made of carbon. Like its predecessor, it rolls on mixed wheel sizes with a 29″ wheel up front and 27.5″ wheel at the rear, and should be capable of taming the wildest trails with its 170 mm travel (f/r). Unlike its aluminium predecessor, which we’ve already reviewed for you here, the new Megawatt Carbon doesn’t come with a Shimano EP8 drivetrain. Instead, it relies on the all-new SRAM Eagle Powertrain. -. The size L Megawatt Carbon RS on test weighs 24 kg and is priced at € 11,999.

The 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS in detail

The Megawatt Carbon RS is immediately recognisable as a Nukeproof. This is mainly due to the shock positioned almost horizontally, which forms a line with the seat stays. The carbon frame features clean lines and undeniable Nukeproof DNA. It boasts the same design language as its predecessor and the analogue Mega enduro bike. The RS version of the Megawatt on test is wrapped in a beautiful white paint and embellished with large sparkling Nukeproof lettering that you could use as a mirror.

The cables are no longer routed into the frame via the headset, as on the predecessor, but through cable ports behind the head tube – home mechanics, rejoice! The cables are not clamped in place, but they didn’t rattle. The cables make a brief appearance at the transition between the main frame and the rear end before disappearing and popping back out where they’re needed. Besides the Nukeproof look, the frame has a tool mount on the underside of the top tube. The Megawatt Carbon is also one of the few eMTBs on the market with an integrated storage compartment. However, you won’t find it in the down tube as with most analogue bikes. Instead, it’s hidden in the motor cover, where you can safely store a spare tube with the help of the included strap, for example. Securely stowed away and protected from getting bombarded with dirt – cool. Above the motor cover, the down tube is covered in a plastic protector, and a generously dimensioned seat stay and chainstay protector prevents the chain from damaging the paint and causing a ruckus.

The SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor system in the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon

The Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon relies on the SRAM Eagle Powertrain, which includes the motor and the wireless SRAM Transmission drivetrain. One of SRAM Eagle Powertrain’s standout features is the Auto Shift function, which shifts the gears automatically according to an algorithm. With the Coast Shift function, you can also shift without pedalling. To do so, the motor spins the chainring so that the derailleur can shift gears. It can’t shift while stationary because the motor can only spin the chainring while the rear wheel and the cassette are also turning. The motor will be familiar to many of our readers because SRAM base their system on the proven Brose Drive S Mag, capable of churning out 90 Nm of torque and a maximum power of 680 watts. You can tell by its proportions that the motor is somewhat dated, as the area around the bottom bracket of the Megawatt is rather bulky. We recommend checking out our detailed review of the SRAM Eagle Powertrain for an in-depth review of how it performs on the trail and what other features the system has to offer.

The SRAM Eagle Powertrain is powered by a 720 Wh battery, which can slide out of the bottom end of the down tube. This allows you to easily recharge the battery indoors if you don’t have access to a power outlet close to where you park your bike. Nukeproof’s designers tilted the SRAM motor slightly upwards, thereby making way for the battery to slide out of the down tube. To access the battery, you must first remove the motor cover by removing the knurled screw, then you can loosen the bolt that holds the battery firmly in place. If you prefer charging the battery in the bike, the charging port is easily accessible above the bottom bracket, though you’ll have to contend with a fiddly rubber cover.

The SRAM AXS Bridge display is located in the top tube and serves as the system’s control centre. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sit flush with the frame due to the antenna that the control centre uses to communicate with the individual components. The colour screen provides only the most necessary information, such as the selected motor support and shifting modes, and the current percentage of the battery level. The system doesn’t come with a dedicated remote, and can be controlled via the existing SRAM AXS Pods, which keeps the cockpit nice and clean. The AXS Pods feel great, and the defined click provides immediate feedback, so there’s no need to look at the display for confirmation. The buttons of the Pods are assigned with two functions each. For example, you can use the top button of the right hand Pod to shift to an easier gear by pressing it briefly, or to toggle the Auto Shift function with a long press. This takes some practice to memorise and get accustomed to, but the functions are freely configurable via the SRAM AXS app, so you can assign the functions however you prefer.

The components of the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS on test

The Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon on test is the flagship RS version and is specced accordingly. Starting with a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, smoothing over all the bumps with its high-end Charger 3.0 damper. This is paired with the brand new Vivid Ultimate shock at the rear. As you’d expect from RockShox, the suspension performs excellently and offers easy adjustability. The derailleur of the new wireless SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission groupset is bolted directly to the frame and is very robust. However, it’s not powered by its own battery, as is the case with the conventional Transmission drivetrain, but connected directly to the main battery. That way you’ll never forget to charge the battery for the drivetrain, but it only works when the motor system is switched on.

The Megawatt Carbon RS comes with powerful SRAM CODE RSC Stealth four-piston brakes to keep your speed in check, offering tool-free lever reach adjustment, and SwingLink technology for more braking power and improved modulation. The reservoirs of the new Stealth models also run more parallel to the handlebar, so that the brake hoses form less of an arc. The brakes are combined with a large 220 mm rotor up front and a 200 mm rotor at the rear. You shouldn’t have any issues slowing down, no matter how long and steep the descents.

The RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post works well with the AXS ecosystem. However, it tops out at 170 mm, which is too short for a size L eMTB and restricts long-legged riders’ freedom of movement. For the remaining components, Nukeproof relies on good-quality in-house products. The 45 mm Nukeproof Horizon stem is clamped to an 800 mm wide Horizon V2 carbon handlebar. The Horizon Pro aluminium wheels are fitted with Continental tires consisting of a Kryptotal FR with the Super Soft rubber compound at the front and a Kryptotal RE with the Soft compound at the rear. Both tires rely on the sturdy Downhill casing, which you rarely see and shows who Nukeproof are targeting with their eMTB. Grip: check! Puncture protection: check, check!

The available models of the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon

The Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon is available in two different versions. In addition to the flagship RS model on test, they’re offering the slightly more affordable Pro for € 10,499. It relies on the same SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor, but combined with the slightly lower-end GX Transmission derailleur. Not to worry, though, that doesn’t mean you have to make do without the smart shifting functionality. For the suspension, the Megawatt Pro also comes specced with RockShox components offering 170 mm travel front and rear, consisting of a ZEB Select+ fork and a Vivid Select+ air shock. These offer slightly less adjustability than the top-of-the-range Ultimate models on the RS variant, but they rely on the same dampers and perform well on the trail. The Pro comes with SRAM G2 RE four-piston brakes, and the remaining components are identical to the RS version. Making Henry Ford proud, each model is exclusively available in one colour, so you can have the Megawatt Carbon in any colour, as long as it’s white (RS) or purple (Pro).

The geometry of the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon

The 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon is available in five sizes from S–XXL and should cater to riders from 160–198 cm tall. In size L, the 475 mm reach is moderate and the 440 mm seat tube is relatively short. The RockShox AXS dropper post can be inserted all the way into the frame. The 447 mm chainstays are also moderately long and measure the same on all frame sizes.

Size	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Top tube	574 mm	595 mm	611 mm	633 mm	655 mm
Seat tube	380 mm	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm	140 mm
Head angle	63,5°	63,5°	63,5°	63,5°	63,5°
Seat angle	77,5°	77,5°	78°	78°	78°
Chainstays	447 mm	447 mm	447 mm	447 mm	447 mm
BB Drop	30/10 mm	30/10 mm	30/10 mm	30/10 mm	30/10 mm
Wheelbase	1.225 mm	1.249 mm	1.274 mm	1.298 mm	1.323 mm
Reach	435 mm	455 mm	475 mm	495 mm	515 mm
Stack	624 mm	633 mm	642 mm	651 mm	660 mm

First ride review of the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS

If you hop onto the saddle, you’ll find yourself in an upright and comfortable riding position. This makes the Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS perfectly suitable for long rides. When you head onto a climb, there’s no need to shift your weight forward to keep the front wheel planted. The rear suspension offers plenty of traction on loose surfaces, though it bobs slightly while pedalling. But you can save yourself the effort of reaching for the climb switch. On steep inclines, the SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor offers powerful thrust and shuttles you to the top without breaking a sweat. In combination with the Auto Shift function, it makes cruising to the trailhead a leisurely affair. The key word here is leisurely. As soon as you encounter a technical climb, Auto Shift is easily overwhelmed and changes gears in places where you wouldn’t necessarily do so yourself. That way you end up working more against the shifting algorithm instead of it helping you, and we suggest you deactivate Auto Shift as soon as things get steep and technical.

Once you’ve made it to the trailhead and start to head back down, you’ll immediately feel right at home aboard the Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS. You feel at one with the bike, and your weight is evenly balanced between the front and rear, making it an easy bike for beginners to ride. The handling is intuitive and agile – it’s noticeably more manoeuvrable than you would expect from most full-power eMTBs. The tall front end instils you with confidence when ploughing through rock gardens, yet you don’t have to shift your weight forward to maintain grip on the front wheel through the corners. This is partly due to the sensitive suspension and soft compound on the tires, allowing you to stay on the tricky high line without the front wheel washing out. In case the bike’s composure has you hitting roots or rocks a little faster than you wanted, the suspension offers enough reserves to absorb big, unexpected hits. It also offers enough support and pop to get the Megawatt Carbon RS airborne. We were surprised at how far and high we could jump with little effort. If you’re rolling along without pedalling with the Auto Shift function activated, you never know which gear you’re in, because the system is constantly changing gears. While it might be in the roughly appropriate gear, the system can’t catch up if you brake suddenly before hitting a corner, and you’ll be in the wrong gear to pedal out of it. The Coast Shift function of the SRAM Eagle Powertrain is more helpful in these instances because it allows you to shift gears without pedalling, like when an unexpected climb suddenly rears up in front of you. This reduces the risk of snagging the pedals on rocks or roots, allows you to keep the cranks in a stable horizontal position, and lets you focus on the obstacles ahead.

Who is the new 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon for?

The Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon is targeted bang on at gravity-focused eMTBing, as proven by its robust and performance-tuned components. But the Megawatt is much more than an ultra capable trail shredder. It’s intuitive handling means it’s suitable for beginners and advanced riders alike. The excellent suspension excels on flow trails as well as natural enduro track or rugged bike park lines. It’s got outstanding all-round qualities and also lends itself well to longer rides thanks to the upright and comfortable riding position.

Our conclusion on the 2024 Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS

The Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS looks very similar to its predecessor and remains true to the brand’s DNA. With the Auto Shift and Coast Shift functions of the SRAM Eagle Powertrain, it provides a completely new riding experience. That said, the automatic shifting can’t keep up when things get technical. However, the bike excels on the descents with its intuitive, confidence-inspiring handling and capable suspension, appealing to both beginners and advanced riders.

For more information, visit nukeproof.com

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Words & Photos: Mike Hunger