The West model range is Megamo's mid-range model. Although the West 10 is equipped with a modern 1 x 12 Apex groupset, it unfortunately only achieves an average place in the middle class in most ratings. The frame of the Megamo West 10 has the slackest seat tube angle among the carbon models and is fitted with a long, thin seat post. As a result, you can expect excellent riding comfort, although this is more on a par with the Fuji Jari Carbon 1.3, Corratec Allroad C2 or Conway GRV 9.0.
Megamo West 10: The heaviest carbon bike in the test
The West model is the heaviest carbon bike not only in this test, but also in the entire test lab. The wheels account for almost half of the weight and weigh more than five kilos - that's even at tandem level. The gear ratios are also very short, similar to the Bulls Machete.
The West 10 is more of a cruiser than a sports bike. The short wheelbase and the stack/reach ratio of a racing bike speak against it. The short, wide chainstays make for a stiff and manoeuvrable rear end, but leave little room between the bags and the heels. We found that the front wheel of the Megamo West 10 touched the tip of our foot several times, despite our standard shoe size 43. It's difficult to assign a core competency to the bike as it doesn't have any major faults apart from the in-house cheap wheels and doesn't really do anything well compared to other competitors. Although the frame is well crafted, there seems to be something wrong with the geometry. The overall weight, the tyres, the drivetrain and the brakes can't compensate for this.
Pedalling like the Koga, sitting like the Trek, shifting like the VSF, load distribution similar to the 3T and manoeuvrable like the Giant: the "West 10" has many good features, but unfortunately they don't fit together. If you deduct the RRP of the Sram groupset and wheels, the Megamo would cost around 1500 euros, which is too much.
More gravel bikes from the test
Megamo West 10 in detail
- Price: 2649 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.48 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL (test size greased)
- Note: 2,5
Facilities of the Megamo West 10
- Brakes: SRAM Apex (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Apex (1 x 12; 40, 11-50 t.) | Grade: 3.0
- Tyres: WTB Riddler 700-45c (eff.: 43.5 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Impellers: Black Jack Ready GR
- Impeller weights: 2061 / 3000 grams (front/rear)
Geometry of the gravel bike
- Seat/top/head tube: 545 / 550 / 150.8 millimetres
- Wheelbase/caster: 1025 / 70.4 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 579.3 / 363.4 millimetres / 1.594
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 633 / 563 millimetres / 1,124
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: new Apex groupset, choice of tyres, lifetime warranty possible
- Minus: Front wheel too close to the frame, uncomfortable, heavy cheap bikes
