2023 Nukeproof

Scout 290 Frame

Nukeproof's kids lineup expands with new 14" and 16" options, plus a balance bike.

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A first look at the Scout Comp hardtail, the most interesting build and potentially the best value in Nukeproof's mountain bicycle lineup.

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The Nukeproof Scout started life as a burly, dirt jump/4-cross bike. But over the years the Scout has broadened its horizons, maturing into a capable trail bike, without ever losing sight of its more playful past. And with the latest round of frame revisions in 2022, the Scout is more capable than ever before. It’s also bang up-to-date. Best hardtail mountain bikes: classic trail-shredding machines Need to know: Bolt-thru axles front and rear mean you’ll need to carry a multi-tool Tool strap mounts under the top tube are handy for carrying a tube and a multi-tool Available in 27.5in or 29in versions, but currently no 297 option Wheel size specific sizing: 290 comes in M, L, XL, XXL, 270 in S, M, L, XL The new alloy Scout frame gets a tapered zero stack head tube and an equally low slung top tube. There’s a bottle mount on the slender downtube for hydration and a second set of bottle bosses under the top tube for attaching a tool wrap, or whatever you need close to hand on your regular rides. With bridgeless stays the rear end of the Scout is every bit as streamlined as the front triangle – the 3D rear dropouts that are sculpted out from the inside adding to the overall soft, elegant look of the frame. And with a addition of the SRAM UDH (universal derailleur hanger), the Scout frame is fully compatible with SRAM’s recently released T-Type direct mount derailleurs. More importantly though, finding a replacement derailleur hanger has never been easier. But Nukeproof hasn’t just smoothed out the hard edges of the Scout or added expensive drivetrain compatibility, the geometry and sizing have been updated too. There are still two unique versions of the Scout frame, where the 290 tested here is designed around 29in wheels. There’s also a parallel Scout 275 range, which, you guessed it, rolls on 27.5in wheels. And Nukeproof couldn’t be more inclusive, with a sizing split that’s right down the middle; four for each wheel size. There’s a ton of overlap too, the sizing on the 275 ranging from S to XL and the 290 from M to XXL. Which means, all but the shortest and tallest riders can choose whichever wheel size they prefer. Best of all, Nukeproof has introduced size specific chainstay lengths on both platforms, to help ensure that riders big and small get a similar ride experience. On the 290 that means the chainstay lengths start at 432.5mm on the size medium and increase in 2.5mm increments to 440mm on the XXL to help maintain a more consistent weight distribution across all four frame sizes. Suspension Up front, the Scout 290 Elite gets a Fox 36 Rhythm fork. Travel on the Elite, Comp and Race builds is 140mm, while the range topping RS model rocks a 150mm fork. Now, we’ve never been convinced that more travel is better, especially on a hardtail, but the taller fork on the RS build could be advantageous on the Scout, …Continue reading »

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