Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon: The 1st Race Enduro with Sram Eagle Powertrain

The Brits from Nukeproof were the first to fuel speculation about a Sram drive. As early as 2022, unpainted aluminium prototypes with an unlabelled motor appeared in the EWS-E racing series. Today we know: The new e-drive from Sram, which goes by the name of Eagle Powertrain, has already been extensively tested here. In keeping with the racing format, the finished Megawatt Carbon has become a racy E-Enduro with racing DNA. It is the motorised brother of the classic Enduro Mega, which scored top marks in the downhill classification in the BIKE test (HERE is the detailed test).

>> Read all about Sram's new Eagle Powertrain e-bike drivetrain here <<

The facts about the Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon

• E-drive: Sram Eagle Powertrain with automatic shifting
• Motor: Sram, powered by Brose (Drive SMag), max. 90 Nm
• Battery: Sram, 720 Wh, slide-in removal
• Full carbon frame
• 170 mm suspension travel v + h
• Mullet wheels, 29 / 27.5 inch
• Five frame sizes S to XXL
• from 24 kilos (manufacturer's specification, size M)
• Two equipment variants for 10499 and 11999 euros

The electric drive of the Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon

The new e-drive from Sram, the Eagle Powertrain with a 720 Wh battery, provides the thrust for the Megawatt Carbon. At the heart of this system is the complete networking of the entire drive - including the gears. Battery, controls, display, software - everything comes from Sram. The brand also relies on motor hardware from Brose with the Drive SMag, a special feature of which is the combination with the Eagle Transmission shifting system, which enables automatic shifting functions. You can read about how the system works in detail and how the automatic shifting system performs off-road in our detailed presentation of the Sram Eagle Powertrain.

For the frame construction, Nukeproof has opted for a design with a closed down tube in which the battery can be pulled out at the bottom. To achieve this, the Sram or Brose motor was installed rotated in the full carbon frame. This allows the 720 watt-hour battery to slide out of the closed down tube in front of the motor. To remove the battery, a small cover must first be removed, in which there is even space for a small toolkit. Then a bolt can be loosened with an Allen key and the battery is released.

The bike has a full carbon frame with 170 millimetres of suspension travel and uses an MX wheel mix with 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear wheels. There is also space for a water bottle in the frame triangle - even with piggyback shocks, which are standard on this bike.

The geometry

The Megawatt Carbon is available in five sizes from S to XXL with a reach of 435 to 515 millimetres. This means that even tall riders will be happy. The head angle is slack at 63.5 degrees and the seat angle is steep. At 447 millimetres, the chainstays are in the medium range.

Equipment and prices

The new Megawatt Carbon is the spearhead of Nukeproof's E-MTB portfolio. Thanks to the upscale equipment and Brexit, the price in Germany is steep: 10499 or 11999 Euro. But both models have the full Sram range with AXS support and transmission gearstick on board. This is particularly important for bikes with Eagle Powertrain, as this is the only way to make the automatic shifting features available and the only way to fully utilise the particularly clean operating concept with the AXS pods. If you're in the more affordable segment, you'll have to go for the Megawatt with aluminium frame and Shimano drivetrain. The good news is that the first models of the new Megawatts of carbon are to be available immediately.

Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS

The top model is the Megawatt Carbon RS, which is said to weigh around 24 kilos. When considering the weight, however, you have to take into account the massive Continental tyres with DH carcass, which shine with massive puncture protection and grip, but are not exactly light. A Rockshox suspension system consisting of Vivid Ultimate and ZEB Ultimate ensures good absorption capacity. This is complemented by Sram's X0 Transmission drivetrain and Code RSC brakes, as well as the wireless Reverb AXS dropper post.

Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon Pro

On the lower of the two models, the suspension comes from Sram's Select+ range and the transmission from the GX range. The brakes are also more favourable with Srams G2 RE. Here too, the Reverb AXS dropper post is controlled wirelessly. Weight according to the manufacturer: 24.3 kilos.