NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY Review
- Price: $6,899
- Frame: Carbon
- Tires: 29 inches
- Gear: 1×12
What we like about it: The excellent geometry makes for a very smooth ride over super fast and rough terrain.
What we don’t like about it: There is only one kind of painting, difficult to meet everyone’s aesthetics.
Rating: (4.9/5)
The NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY is a bike built for riders who need a faster and longer bicycle body to descend.
It has many possibilities, taking into account long traversing rides so you can pedal comfortably uphill.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications as well as other versions of this bike.
Additionally, at the end of the review, we will also compare several best bike models. If you want to know more about bike reviews, don’t hesitate to follow us.
Riding Experience
The NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY is a heavy-duty downhill machine between a full-suspension enduro bike and a full-suspension racing bike.
With 180mm of travel in the front and 170mm in the rear, as well as a loose head tube angle, I couldn’t wait to take it on my descent.
I immediately booked a ticket on Skyscanner to the mountain bike park near my home, which has been the resort I rode across most of the time. The route I chose this time was almost all gravel and sand ground combined with big drop jumps and winding trails. This time I would use NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY to conquer this route.
Climbing
The NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY was a heavy-duty, full-suspension enduro bike that was more than capable of going uphill.
The biggest feeling when climbing was the lightness.
The carbon fiber frame effectively reduced weight, and with the Shimano XT M8100 12-Speed drivetrain kit combined with the locking front and rear shocks, I was still able to ride up for not too steep uphill.
Also, when I was climbing the pedal, the front Maxxis Assegai 29″ x 2.5 WT and rear Maxxis Minion DHR II 29″ x 2.4 WT large grain outer tires gripped the ground to death, turning every lap of my pedaling into an upward climbing journey.
After I spent some time on it, I still took the NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY to the start point on the top of the mountain. The next step was to test its powerful descending ability.
Decline
I leaped the first jump and landed after doing a “Table” in the air, but the strong support of the FOX shock let me land without feeling strong impact.
Besides, the carbon fiber frame did not bring me heavy and uncomfortable feeling in the air, but still relatively flexible and light.
On the descending acceleration sections, the quick responsive movement of the front and rear shocks, combined with the 29-inch wheelset, had the ability to filter out any jitters. I was able to get the bike up to my expected speed very quickly.
The Shimano XT M8120’s brakes enjoyed great braking power when encountering sharp corners, and the single-finger brake handle allowed me to have more power and energy to maneuver the bike’s steering.
What I was most pleased with was its top-end geometry, where I could keep my center of gravity in the middle of the bike and evenly distribute the weight I was carrying front to back.
On rough trail terrain I could feel it stable and smooth in the camber.
All in all, the NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY is a full-suspension enduro bike that I love to ride on the descents. It also helped me complete another one of my super fast descent on this route.
Specification
NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY has a total of four carbon fiber frame sizes (M-XXL) to choose from. The frame design with internal cable routing makes it look cleaner and neater.
The silent cable tube treatment reduces the noise made by the cable slapping the inner wall of the frame during the descent ride.
Next, a protective patch on the downtube prevents damage to the carbon fiber frame caused by splashing rocks during intense riding.
Moreover, the NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY comes with a chain stabilizer to reduce the chance of the chain falling off and damaging the disc.
The design of the dropper allows you to quickly adjust your riding center of gravity between climbing and descending transitions.
Finally, the NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY has excellent geometry, exceptional descent speed, and terrific strength on winding trails.
Video
Other versions
The NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY is a full-suspension enduro mountain bike with a perfectly balanced geometry and excellent components.
But its price may be a bit expensive for some beginners who are on a budget and want to get started.
For this reason, we also found a full-suspension enduro bike with the same carbon fiber frame and a lower-rated kit, but at a more affordable price.
NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON COMP
The NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON COMP and the NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY both have the same carbon fiber frame and an internal cable routing design.
However, the former is less expensive for riders on a budget or for riders who want to get started on a full shock enduro bike.
The former uses RockShox , Domain fork and RockShox Super Deluxe Select R rear guts.
Although it does not have the strong support of FOX fork, but the same 180mm damping travel can still cope with these riding surfaces.
As for the drivetrain, Shimano Deore M6100 with its own chain stabilizer frees you from worries about the chain coming off in the descent.
Concerning the brake kit, Shimano M6120 brakes with 203mm front and rear discs also have good braking ability.
Finally, if you don’t have much of a budget or want to get started with a full-suspension enduro bike.
NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON COMP would be a more suitable choice because of its friendly price and top-notch carbon fiber frame. However, there are still a lot of potential waiting to be discovered.
Below, we will list the specific parameters of the NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY and some other brands of full shock enduro bikes with similar prices for your reference.
What do we like about it?
-Inside alignment design, which is cleaner, neater and easy to clean.
-Cable muffling treatment, reducing the noise made by the cable slapping the inner wall of the down tube during the ride
-Excellent geometry, making for a very smooth ride over super fast and rough terrain
–The great dropper, designed to quickly switch the weight of the ride between climbing and descending
-A chain stabilizer, to reduce the occurrence of the chain falling off during the descent ride.
-29-inch wheels, which boasts 170mm of rear travel and 180mm of front travel, making it a superb downhill bike
What don’t we like about it?
-There is only one type of painting, difficult to meet the aesthetics of everyone.
FAQs
- What kind of wheelset does it use?
Front wheelset: DT Swiss EX1700 SPLINE 30,29″, 6 Bolt, 110x15mm.
Rear wheelset: DT Swiss EX1700 SPLINE 30, 29″, 6 Bolt, Shimano Microspline Driver, 148x12mm.
- What kind of rider is it for?
It is a full-suspension enduro mountain bike with a top-notch carbon fiber frame paired with a top-notch kit. It is more suitable for riders with plenty of riding experience to bring out the maximum performance.
- How to choose the right size for Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory?
Here we provide you with a size chart, but of course you do not necessarily have to follow this standard. The best way to find the most suitable size is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’6″ – 5’10” | M |
| 5’9″ – 6’0″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’4″ | XL |
| 6’3″ – 6’7″ | XXL |
Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory Specs
Build
| Frame | Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon, 170mm Travel, ultra-strong monocoque UD Carbon Fibre frame, adjustable main pivot, internally piped cable routing, ISCG 05 mounts, Enduro Bearings, Threaded 73mm BB, Boost 148mm rear axle spacing, 3D contoured Rubber frame protection and Factory fitted clear paint protection kit covering TT/DT/CS/SS BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Color: Kracken Blue |
| Fork | Fox 38 Float, Factory Series, Kashima, Grip 2 Damper, 180mm, 44mm Offset, BOOST, Orange |
| Rear Shock | Fox Float X2, Factory Series, Kashima, EVOL, 2 Position lever, Custom LCM, LRM tune, 205x60mm, Trunnion with Bearing End |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 73mm, threaded |
| Headset | Nukeproof, 44-56 IITS |
| Stem | Nukeproof, 44-56 IITS |
| Handlebar | Nukeproof Horizon V2 25mm Rise, Width – M780mm, L800mm, XL800mm, XXL800mm |
| Saddle | Nukeproofy |
| Seatpost | Bikeyoke Divine Stealth with Brand-X Remote lever, M:160mm drop; L/XL/XXL:185mm drop |
| Grips | Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, SGS 12-Speed, Shadow Plus |
| Crank | Shimano XT M8100 12-Speed, Hollowtech 2, 170mm, 30T, 52mm Chainline |
| Shifters | Shimano XT M8100 12-Speed, Hollowtech 2, 170mm, 30T, 52mm Chainline |
| Cassette | Shimano XT M8100-12, 12-Speed (HYPERGLIDE+), 10-51T |
| Chain | Shimano XT M8100-12, 12-Speed (HYPERGLIDE+), 10-51T |
| Chain Guide | Nukeproof guide with Bash, 28-36T, ISCG-05, black |
| Brakes | Nukeproof guide with Bash, 28-36T, ISCG-05, black |
Wheels
| Rims | DT Swiss EX1700 SPLINE 30,29″, 6 Bolt, 110x15mm |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Assegai 29″ x 2.5 WT, 3C MaxxGrip DD TR, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR II 29″ x 2.4 WT, 3C MaxxTerra DD TR |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Wheelset size | Frame material | Brake Type | Damping stroke |
| Specialized Stumpjumper EVO LTD | Click View | 1 × 12 Electronic | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 150mm rear, 160mm front |
| Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 Flight Attendant | Click View | 1 × 12 Electronic | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 160mm rear, 170mm front |
| Santa Cruz BRONSON XX1 AXS RSV / Carbon CC | Click View | 1 × 12 Electronic | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 150mm rear, 160mm front |
| Pivot FIREBIRD Team XX1 AXS – Live | Click View | 1 × 12 Electronic | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 165mm rear, 170mm front |
Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory VS Specialized Stumpjumper EVO LTD
Between the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory and the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO LTD, I would prefer the former with a longer front and rear shock travel.
First of all, the Fox 38 Float fork of the former has better support and more travel than the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate of the latter. This support helps the former deal with more complicated road surfaces.
In terms of drivetrain components, the latter’s SRAM GX Eagle AXS has a drier shifting feel than the former’s Shimano XT. On the contrary, the Shimano XT’s shifting feel will be softer and silkier.
When it comes to braking components, the former Shimano XT M8120 and the latter SRAM Code RS both have powerful braking capabilities. But the Shimano brakes feel more linear, while the SRAM feels more direct and violent.
In the end, of these two bikes I prefer the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory because of its longer damping travel and ability to adapt to more complex riding conditions.
Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory VS Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 Flight Attendant
The Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory and Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 Flight Attendant are both excellent full-suspension enduro bikes, but the latter uses more advanced kits than the former.
Both bikes boast Fox 38 Float and RockShox ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant forks, with great support and rebound lubrication.
However, the latter uses the top-of-the-line SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS shifting kit, which has a faster and crisper response than the former’s Shimano XT. The former has a lighter weight and stronger tension rear derailleur.
The SRAM Code RSC brakes are also higher rated and have better braking power than the Shimano XT 8120.
The latter do have more advanced component levels than the former, but it also costs, almost $6,000 more than the former.
As a result, unless you are very rich, I would recommend the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory more.
Learn More: Is Trek Slash 9.9 XTR Worth Buying? [Trek Slash 9.9 XTR Review]
Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory vs Santa Cruz
BRONSON XX1 AXS RSV / Carbon CC
Between the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory and Santa Cruz BRONSON XX1 AXS RSV / Carbon CC, I would prefer the VPP frame of the latter.
But in terms of damping kit, the former Fox 38 Float has a thicker tube diameter and longer travel than the latter Fox Factory Float 36, so the former is more advantageous in dealing with larger drops.
The latter uses SRAM’s top-of-the-line XX1 Eagle AXS shifting kit in its drivetrain components, which has top-notch shift response, better weight and rear derailleur tension than the former’s Shimano XT.
As for braking, the latter’s SRAM Code RSC brakes have a higher rating and better braking power than the former’s Shimano XT 8120. However, I prefer the Shimano XT’s handlebar design.
Between these two bikes I still recommend the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory because it’s wallet-friendly, while the latter is a bit overpriced.
Learn More: Is Santa Cruz BRONSON XX1 A Good Bike? [Santa Cruz BRONSON XX1 Review]
Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory vs Pivot FIREBIRD Team XX1 AXS – Live
The Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory and the Pivot FIREBIRD Team XX1 AXS – Live both use a carbon fiber frame, but the former has a more relaxed geometry angle, allowing for better stability when descending.
In terms of front and rear damping, the two are also indistinguishable, both having good support.
In the drivetrain and brake components, the latter’s kit is better for drivetrain and lighter in weight. It is also excellent in braking.
However, the latter costs $6500 more than the former. So unless you are on a budget, I would recommend the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory, for it uses high-rate components with reliable capabilities.
Learn more : Is Pivot Mach 6 Pro X01 Splendid – [Pivot Mach 6 Pro X01 Review]
Summary
Above is my ride review of the Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory. In our opinion, it’s a capable full-suspension enduro bike in every way and the price is right. That’s why we gave it a 4.9 rating.
Of course, if you’re interested in exploring other full-suspension bikes, we have reviewed a variety of bikes at different price points that you might find interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews as well.
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