Nukeproof Electric Bike Review: Is Nukeproof Ebike A Good Brand? Pros, Cons?

If you’re in the market for a Nukeproof e-bike review, you probably know a thing or two about aggressive mountain biking. You’re not seeking an electric bike — you’re seeking the gravity-focused weapon, the machine that’ll slay the steepest descents and zoom back up to the top for more lines. Nukeproof is a no-nonsense, down-and-dirty, mountain bike manufacturer who are bang into their downhill racing, enduro racing, and the vibe of a great day on a bike. This guide is meant to help filter out the noise and give you the relevant information. We’ll take a closer look at their range of products, give some real-world ride feedback, pitch their key models head-to-head, and answer those all-important questions that you need to ask before deciding whether a Nukeproof electric bike is the perfect trail companion for you.

The Nukeproof E-Bike Range

Nukeproof’s e-bike range is laser-focused on the gravity side of mountain biking. They don’t make commuters or hybrids; they make highly specialized tools for challenging terrain. Here is a quick rundown of what’s available, as they’re very much centered around their award-winning platforms:

Nukeproof Megawatt (The all-rounder Enduro performer)

Nukeproof GigaWatt (The Super-Enduro, bike park tyrannosaurus)

On the Trail: The Megawatt Experience

So, what’s it really like to ride these things on the trail? Today we are going to concentrate on what is the most popular and useful electric MTB, the Nukeproof Megawatt. It feels like a purpose-built bike from the moment you throw a leg over it. The geometry is modern, long, and slack, which puts you at the ready to attack with confidence. With the seat tube angle steep enough to put your weight right over the pedals, the seated climbing position is surprisingly both comfortable and effective when pointed uphill. (Since the build is up to you, this could be Shimano or SRAM motor systems.) Those are both fairly silent systems; they offer smooth power that just feels natural. And there’s no jerky, unnatural jolt; rather, it’s as if your own power has been magnified, enabling you to spin up technical, root-strewn climbs that would leave you gasping if you were riding a conventional bike. You’re riding the more difficult climbing line, because you can.

But climbing is just half of the equation. It’s when you point the Megawatt downhill that the real magic occurs. It goes from a fine freerider to a total monster. At high speeds, the bike has an incredibly planted feel and encourages you to breathe through braking marker zones and keep pushing. The Nukeproof suspension platform is everywhere you can think of, and off the top is super plush, damping out small trail chatter and really keeping the tires glued to the ground, yet it ramps up throughout the stroke enough to deal with big impacts from drops and jumps without bottoming out completely. The mixed-wheel “mullet” format (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear) is a stroke of genius, providing the roll-over and grip of a front wheel but also the agility and playful mood of a rear wheel, which makes it an utter joy to flick through tight corners. Every ride on the Megawatt makes you feel like more of a rider than you were before, challenging your limits and unlocking new lines on trails you already thought you knew.

What to Consider Before You Buy

Ahead of taking the plunge on a Nukeproof, here are some important things for you to ponder that extend beyond the riding. The single biggest factor is the style of riding you do. A Nukeproof electric bike is too much bike for fire roads or light bike paths; it’s an enduro race machine, pure and simple. It loves steep, technical, and fast trails. If the above applies to your usual riding, you are the target audience. The build is something else to take advantage of. Nukeproof is notorious for creating bombproof frames that can stand up to aggressive riding and abuse year after year. All the fine detail is obvious in touches such as an integrated protective frame, heavy-duty hardware, and tidy internal cable routing. This durability focus offers a great peace of mind. Additionally, Nukeproof's bikes come kitted out with the best trusted fast-performance brands such as RockShox, Fox, SRAM, and Shimano. That not only means that you’re getting a high level of performance right out of the gate but also that servicing and sourcing replacement parts down the line is easy, as all good bike shops will be familiar with these systems. The value proposition is strong too; they tend not to be cheap but Nukeproof bikes will generally carry a more generous spec than their price-tag equivalents elsewhere, so you start with more performance for your pounds straight out of the box.

With Nukeproof absolutely bossing the high-end MTB trail scene, a lot of riders are after something that offers adaptability, ease, and bang for your buck for urban and multi-terrain escapades. That’s where brands like ENGWE really excel, offering a fantastic alternative for a different type of rider. One of the shining examples is the ENGWE EP-2 Boost electric folding bike, which is feature-packed to make it one of the most practical and enjoyable bikes around. Not taking anything away from the Nukeproof, but whereas the NP is a one-trick pony, the EP-2 Boost is a versatile master. Its savvy Torque Sensor delivers the most natural and smooth ride feel, capable of significantly extending your battery life and opening up longer trails off the beaten path. For when you need a little bit more of everything during those early morning commutes up a monster hill, the simple touch of the Boost button allows you to smash through all of those torturous ascents at a maximum of 25 km/h thanks to the powerful 250W motor that's capable of generating 55 Nm of torque. And its 20 x 4.0-inch fat tires are no gimmick; they cushion the ride, with excellent stability on asphalt, gravel, and even sandy trails. Never be afraid of running out of power with a super high-capacity 48V 13Ah lithium battery that can travel up to 120km per charge! You can’t beat the convenience of its folding frame, which is designed to disappear into very small spaces, like in an apartment, in the trunk of a car, and even on a train or bus. Featuring a robust rear rack, fenders, and a dependable Shimano 7-speed transmission, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost is an amazingly equipped electric bike made for real life.

Nukeproof E-Bike Model Parameter Comparison

5 FAQs about Nukeproof electric bikes

Is a Nukeproof e-bike a good choice for a beginner mountain biker?

This is assuming that the beginner is ambitious. If you’re a total beginner who wants to ride relaxed trails, then a Nukeproof is probably too much bike. Its aggressive frame geometry and long-travel suspension are tuned for steep terrain and can feel unwieldy at low speed on flat ground. But if you're physically active, going to pick it up fast, and ride tough trails or bike parks, starting on a Megawatt can be an amazing option. There’s a massive safety net of stability and capability that will instill confidence and help you develop your skills on terrain that would be scary on an inferior bike.

What is the difference between the Megawatt and GigaWatt?

Call it the distinction between “very aggressive” and “extremely aggressive.” The Megawatt is a classic enduro bike: one you pedal up a mountain and bomb down at top speed. It's an all-out whiz on really tough trails. The GigaWatt goes one beyond. It has additional suspension travel up front and even more gravity-inspired geometry. It's designed for absolutely the gnarliest, fastest tracks in the world and is best suited to riders who spend the majority of their time in bike parks or on uplifts, where how it pedals is almost as irrelevant as how it looks.

How much does a Nukeproof electric bike weigh?

As with all full-power, long-travel electric mountain bikes, Nukeproof e-bikes aren’t going to ever be described as “lightweight”. You could expect a Megawatt or GigaWatt to tip the scales somewhere between 23-26 kg (50-57 lbs) depending upon the build kit, frame size, and frame material (carbon vs. alloy). That weight is noticeable when lifting the bike, but it is a benefit on the descents, contributing to the planted, solid feel of the bike and helping it plow through even the rowdiest of sections with unwavering composure. The powerful motor makes the weight practically vanish on climbs.

Can I use a Nukeproof e-bike for commuting?

Yes, but it would be very inconvenient. A Nukeproof e-bike is specialist sporting equipment. The knobby tires would wear quickly and be slow-rolling on pavement. The huge-impact suspension is overkill for city streets. In addition, the bike's high cost and aggressive looks could end up making it a big magnet for theft. For commuting, a more practical and specialized e-bike—such as the aforementioned compact, feature-rich ENGWE EP-2 Boost—would be a vastly better and more reasonable choice.

How is the Nukeproof warranty and customer support?

Nukeproof offers a decent warranty; it's usually 5 years for the original owner of the frame. This should instill a sense of confidence in the reliability and build quality of their products. Because they are built of standard industry parts from such companies as SRAM, RockShox, Fox, and Shimano, warranty and service for those individual parts are facilitated by the incredible global support networks of those manufacturers. For the ultimate support and experience, we advise that you purchase through an authorized Nukeproof dealer.

In the end: if extreme downhill and solid build quality is what does it for you, Nukeproof electric mountain bikes are one of your best bets.