Nukeproof Mega TR build - 26'er!

Well thought I should start a build thread now that most of the bits have arrived!
Have been umming and arring over the last few months on what to do about a new steed - had toyed with the idea of a new Bird Aeris, but the faff of cyclescheme (and work....) and long lead in times due to popularity drained my enthusiasm somewhat.
I really enjoyed building my lads bike and thought I might give building a full bouncer a go.
I 'accidentally' bought some 140mm Fox 32's on ebay last year as I thought the price was wrong - these are around 12 months old and the guy had a BIN price of £100. So I pressed the button and waited for the 'sorry wrong price listed' email - I thought they'd be a good upgrade for the HT.
But what actually happened was these dropped through the door:

They need some new stickers as the guy who had them had decided to go stealth - but I've ordered some from SLIK graphics.
I'd looked at something similar to the Giant Trance frame that would take the 140 fork and thought about getting powder coated etc. and swapping the bits from my HT over on to it.
I missed out on a couple of frames on ebay and PB and whilst I was thinking what to do I kept looking at the Nukeproof Mega as it's a bike I've always liked and looked at possibly getting a new one.
Well, again on ebay just before Christmas a bargain popped up in the shape of a 12 month old 26'er Mega TR frame and shock. This was up for £450 but open to offers - so a couple of cheeky offers later (and a bit of a postage panic.....) this arrived:

It's a large frame, but sizes up only slightly bigger than my medium HT so should be spot on, had spoken to a guy on a course not so long back with a medium and he wished he'd gone to a large (medium is slightly smaller than my HT).
Have also managed by (emailing nearly every Nukeproof dealer in the UK!!!) to bag an elusive direct mount front derailleur bracket, as these were a 'bolt on option' during the production year of this frame.
So I have to decide for now to stick with 2 x 10 set up as this should suit most thing I want to do. Had considered 1 x 10 but not sure I'd cope too well with the hills - planning Peaks and Snowdon so thinking the granny will be useful!!
As I was in no rush to build it I decided to take my time and accumulate the parts I wanted. I had been tempted to just transfer most of the stuff from my HT and get it built, but decided I'd be better waiting and planning a decent spec.
Have picked up a few bargains over the last few months in the sales etc. including Superstar Carbon AM wheels for £240, SLX brakes for £80 and a few other bits.
I also decided to stay with the KS eTEN dropper post as I've been really impressed with the one I have on my HT but have gone for the internal version for the Mega.
Will be setting the wheels up tubeless (tubeless virgin!!) so watch this space for any comedy moments!
Here's the full build spec, just waiting for the last few bits to drop through the door and then I can build it!
Frame - 2014 26'er Nukeproof Mega TR 18.75"
Shock - Rockshox Monarch RT3 Debonair
Fork - 2014 Fox Float 32's 140 travel
Brakes - Shimano SLX
Rotors - Shimano XT 180f/160r
Crank - Shimano SLX 170 38.26t
Bottom Bracket - Shimano SLX
Cassette - Shimano SLX 10 sp 11-36t
Shifters - Shimano SLX I spec B (no display)
Front Mech - Shimano SLX direct mount dual pull
Rear Mech - Shimano SLX shadow
Chain - Shimano Deore
Bars - Nukeproof Sam Hill 760
Stem - Nukeproof Warhead 50mm
Headset - Hope
Wheels - Superstar AM carbon Switch-ultra
Tryes - On-One Chunky Monkey trial 2.4 f/Smorgasbord trail 2.25 r
Pedal - Superstar Nano X
Seat Post - KS eTEN integral 100mm drop
Saddle - Specialized Henge
Grips - Superstar lock-on Half Flange
Rough weight should be around 13kg's (according to google and excel.....)
I might, at some point in the future go 1x10 with a wide range cassette as most of my mates seem to be doing this and it's pretty good all round and save a bit of weight in the process.
Have been umming and arring over the last few months on what to do about a new steed - had toyed with the idea of a new Bird Aeris, but the faff of cyclescheme (and work....) and long lead in times due to popularity drained my enthusiasm somewhat.
I really enjoyed building my lads bike and thought I might give building a full bouncer a go.
I 'accidentally' bought some 140mm Fox 32's on ebay last year as I thought the price was wrong - these are around 12 months old and the guy had a BIN price of £100. So I pressed the button and waited for the 'sorry wrong price listed' email - I thought they'd be a good upgrade for the HT.
But what actually happened was these dropped through the door:

They need some new stickers as the guy who had them had decided to go stealth - but I've ordered some from SLIK graphics.
I'd looked at something similar to the Giant Trance frame that would take the 140 fork and thought about getting powder coated etc. and swapping the bits from my HT over on to it.
I missed out on a couple of frames on ebay and PB and whilst I was thinking what to do I kept looking at the Nukeproof Mega as it's a bike I've always liked and looked at possibly getting a new one.
Well, again on ebay just before Christmas a bargain popped up in the shape of a 12 month old 26'er Mega TR frame and shock. This was up for £450 but open to offers - so a couple of cheeky offers later (and a bit of a postage panic.....) this arrived:

It's a large frame, but sizes up only slightly bigger than my medium HT so should be spot on, had spoken to a guy on a course not so long back with a medium and he wished he'd gone to a large (medium is slightly smaller than my HT).
Have also managed by (emailing nearly every Nukeproof dealer in the UK!!!) to bag an elusive direct mount front derailleur bracket, as these were a 'bolt on option' during the production year of this frame.
So I have to decide for now to stick with 2 x 10 set up as this should suit most thing I want to do. Had considered 1 x 10 but not sure I'd cope too well with the hills - planning Peaks and Snowdon so thinking the granny will be useful!!
As I was in no rush to build it I decided to take my time and accumulate the parts I wanted. I had been tempted to just transfer most of the stuff from my HT and get it built, but decided I'd be better waiting and planning a decent spec.
Have picked up a few bargains over the last few months in the sales etc. including Superstar Carbon AM wheels for £240, SLX brakes for £80 and a few other bits.
I also decided to stay with the KS eTEN dropper post as I've been really impressed with the one I have on my HT but have gone for the internal version for the Mega.
Will be setting the wheels up tubeless (tubeless virgin!!) so watch this space for any comedy moments!
Here's the full build spec, just waiting for the last few bits to drop through the door and then I can build it!
Frame - 2014 26'er Nukeproof Mega TR 18.75"
Shock - Rockshox Monarch RT3 Debonair
Fork - 2014 Fox Float 32's 140 travel
Brakes - Shimano SLX
Rotors - Shimano XT 180f/160r
Crank - Shimano SLX 170 38.26t
Bottom Bracket - Shimano SLX
Cassette - Shimano SLX 10 sp 11-36t
Shifters - Shimano SLX I spec B (no display)
Front Mech - Shimano SLX direct mount dual pull
Rear Mech - Shimano SLX shadow
Chain - Shimano Deore
Bars - Nukeproof Sam Hill 760
Stem - Nukeproof Warhead 50mm
Headset - Hope
Wheels - Superstar AM carbon Switch-ultra
Tryes - On-One Chunky Monkey trial 2.4 f/Smorgasbord trail 2.25 r
Pedal - Superstar Nano X
Seat Post - KS eTEN integral 100mm drop
Saddle - Specialized Henge
Grips - Superstar lock-on Half Flange
Rough weight should be around 13kg's (according to google and excel.....)
I might, at some point in the future go 1x10 with a wide range cassette as most of my mates seem to be doing this and it's pretty good all round and save a bit of weight in the process.
_______________
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
0
Posts
Wheels turned up this afternoon, just waiting on tyres, valves, rim tape, stans fluid and dropper post now.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Absolutely bombproof frame, responds very well to being ridden very hard. Jumps like a slopestyle bike!
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Still waiting for tyres, valves and tape though
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Cane Creek Inline. The improvement was immense. It made the bike so much better on the rough stuff, loads more grip and better climbing.
Didn't get a huge amount done as I was off sick yesterday whilst trying to do it and my brain wasn't quite in the zone.
Still, I got started on it!
Stickered my forks up:
Every one loves a bit of carbon:
And Hope bits:
Nukeproof stem & bars (Sam Hill edition):
Front brake mounted:
And front mech:
Need to sort out shortening brake hoses and running cables etc. couldn't find the I-spec mounting bits for my shifters, but eventually discovered them lurking in the bottom of the parts box as they'd fallen out of the bag the shifters were in.
Hoping to get a bit done each night and hopefully be finished for next week.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Just need to size chain and fit dropper post.
Waiting for a new remote as Captain Hamfist managed to overtighten and crack the clamp.
Got a couple of extra Hope bits arriving to as I'm quite liking the red!
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Took it for a quick spin and all seems OK, brakes need bedding in properly. Doesn't feel much bigger than my HT.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
― Kurt Vonnegut
The Tank.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12943207
The bird.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13029454
I agree. I had a demo on a Giant Trance for a few days with the same fork. They are absolutely terrible. The damping is extremely crude, worse than Rockshox cheapest dampers. The flex in them is also pretty bad.
A Rockshox Today or Suntour Epicon would be a decent upgrade for a 32 CTD evo. A bike like this needs a well damped and stiff fork.
Would like some Pikes but can't afford them so will use these for a while until I can save some cash.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
Agreed! Dont ruin my sales pitch though
Thats more like it..
I'll take a 14% sales commission.
Did the blue route and a couple of cheeky single tracks at Cannock to see how it went.
Things I like:
-170 cranks feel spot on
-Climbs better than I thought it would
-Less cramped than my HT
-Builds up speed quickly
-Gearing 11-36 and 38/26
-Brakes have bedded in nicely over 11 muddy miles
-Nano X pedals - grippy a f**k!
Things I don't like
-Fox forks - bit clunky
-Could have gotten away with a 125 dropper
Things I need to tweek:
-Brake lever & dropper lever position
-Tyre pressures
-Shock pressure
-Swap spacer to lift stem up slightly
Really liking the bike - enjoyed building it and think it should be fun to ride.
Off over The Dog on Thursday evening with a few guys from work.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
The guy is happy with his bike, leave him to it. Rev's aren't much/any better really, depending which damper you have. And for £100 for his 32s he got a bargain.
OP - enjoy the bike, it looks great. I miss my old mega TR, so much so that i've been eyeing up some second hand TR 275 frames!
B'Twin Triban 5
Slightly heavier than I wanted but have realised that my inner tubes are best part of 0.5kg's!
Will give tubeless another go in the near future.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
He even said his Fox fork feels clunky. The Mega TR frame is really good but a poor performing fork will ruin the ride.
Even them most basic Revelation is a lot better than a Fox CTD evo which is probably the worst modern fork from a premium brand. A Rockshox Tora has better damping.
Will have to live with the forks for a while until I can afford something else.
I've given them a dose of silicone spray to see if it livens them up a bit, and I might drop the pressure a tad and see how that goes.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
The Tank.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12943207
The bird.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13029454
B'Twin Triban 5
The CTD evo was less consistent than the Rockshox TK damper which was basic but provided some control.
Bike performed well and the clunky-ness seems to have gone from the forks.
Will stick with them for a while and see how I get on.
Interesting to hear the comments about silicone spray - I was under the impression that it was OK to use.
Chris
Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings
Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er