Review -

ENDURO Long-term Test 2015: The Nukeproof Mega AM 275 Pro

It is time to introduce the next Long Term test bike for 2015, this will be ridden by the newest member of the ENDURO Magazine test team, Scottish racer James (Knowli) Knowles. Knowli has been on the enduro race scene for a many years now, racing both in the UK and Internationally and has stood on many podiums. He is a racer, an engineer and a qualified bike mechanic, and can certainly put a bike through its paces. His racing credentials are clear, with highlights from this year including winning the Irish Enduro Championship and taking numerous podiums in the POC Scottish Enduro Series. Knowli is dedicated to racing and trains hard on some of the worlds most technical trails in Innerleithen. He took 85th at the EWS in the Tweed Valley and is looking to race more EWS rounds next year.

We wanted to put Knowli on a bike that would be an ideal choice for a privateer racer, a bike that delivers EWS performance at a sensible price, and one that would be tough and reliable enough to survive a season doing it all. When we drew up a short-list there was an obvious winner by a clear margin, the Nukeproof Mega AM275 Pro!

When it comes to rugged performance, the Nukeproof AM275 is a very popular choice
When it comes to rugged performance, the Nukeproof Mega AM275 is a very popular choice
The bike will be put through its paces by our newest test rider James (Knowli) Knowles
The bike will be put through its paces by our newest test rider James (Knowli) Knowles

The Mega AM has always been ready to race out of the box, and is fully armed with 160mm travel, single chainring, dropper post, good tyres, and sensible componentry. The Pro model retails for £3,199.99 and is the top of the line model with a full SRAM XO1 drivetrain, RockShox Pike RCT3 and DebonAir shock, RockShox Reverb, SRAM Guide brakes and Schwalbe Tyres. This is the same bike that team rider Greg Callaghan has been doing damage with during the world series.

The Pro model is fitted with the latest SRAM Guide brakes
The Pro model is fitted with the latest SRAM Guide brakes
Despite the X01 drive train, the AM275 is fitted with a top guide. Demonstrating Nukeproof's no-nonsense approach.
Despite the SRAM X01 drive train, the Nukeproof Mega AM275 is fitted with a top guide. Demonstrating Nukeproof’s no-nonsense approach.
The new DebonAir shock is incredibly active off the top, a big improvement
The new RockShox DebonAir shock is incredibly active off the top, a big improvement
James has already shortened the stem to a 40mm, and fitted a GPS for STRAVA training
James has already shortened the stem to a 40mm, and fitted a GPS for STRAVA training
A mud guard is an essential accessory for a Scottish Winter
A mud guard is an essential accessory for a Scottish Winter
Long, low and loud, the new Mega AM275 is certainly distinctive
Long, low and loud, the new Mega AM275 is certainly distinctive
The new Guide Brakes will get thoroughly tested on the harsh Scottish trails.
The new SRAM Guide Brakes will get thoroughly tested on the harsh Scottish trails.
Knowli is also an engineer and a mechanic so will bring useful input into the testing process
Knowli is also an engineer and a mechanic so will bring useful input into the testing process
This bike will be raced hard over the next 12 months
This bike will be raced hard over the next 12 months

For more information on the Nukeproof Mega AM275, check out the Nukeproof website.

To follow the progress of this bike through the season, and all the rest of the bikes in the Long Term Test Fleet, check out our exclusive timeline. This timeline reveals the ups and downs of owning one of these bikes.

Words and Photos: Trev Worsey

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