The start of the Digger project was a couple of years back when Nukeproof’s mountain bike team were looking for a training bike, something to crank out some base miles, maybe run around town on. But seeing as they were a bunch of shredders, a standard road bike wouldn’t do, nor would a run-of-the-mill gravel bike. So Nukeproof created the Digger an affordable wide dropbar bike with monster tire clearance, simple 1x drivetrains & hydro brakes to add a little spice to your commute, while still being ready to scout new trails too…
2019 Nukeproof Digger mountain bikers’ gravel road bike
We actually got a pretty good look at the newest iteration of the Digger late last autumn. But the new bike is available now, so warrants another look and that dose of training ride inspiration up above via Elliott Heap & Caldwell Visuals film.
Nukeproof calls the bike a “confused beast”. It’s not meant to be the fastest on the road -but you can stick a set of 700c wheels in there with some fat slicks for some quick base miles. It’s not meant to be the most capable trail bike – but you can fit proper 27.5 trail or 29er XC tires on it. It is a versatile bike that will be a blast to ride, however you choose to.
Nukeproof Digger Tech Details
Let’s get to the nitty-gritty of the new bike. The Digger is a an all-new triple-butted, hydroformed alloy frame with a full carbon, tapered steerer fork, using updated all-surface geometry in three four stock sizes.
Geometry Update: A note here, a previous geometry table had been inadvertently posted here that was for the Scout trail hardtail. The new table above is the correct geo for the gravel Digger. Sorry, for any confusion.
It gets internal routing in the front triangle including for a 31.6mm dropper seatpost, plus a threaded BSA BB, flat mount brake, rear rack mounts & full coverage fender eyelets.
It uses mountain bike standard SRAM 1×11 drivetrains and 12x142mm & 15x100mm bolt-on thru-axle wheels. You know you have some extra pre-Boost wheels collecting dust somewhere, just waiting to give this bike multiple personalities with a few different tire setup options.
Nukeproof says the bike is optimized for fat 700c tire or 27.5 Road Plus, but expands on that a bit recommending up to 700x45mm road tires & 27.5×2.3″ or even 29×2.1″ mountain bike tires to get really serious.
Pricing & Availability
The Digger comes in two complete bike builds, both spec’ed with WTB’s new 47mm wide 650B Sendero knobby Road Plus tires & tubeless-ready wheels. The blue 2019 Nukeproof Digger Pro is based off their athlete training bikes and sells for $1700 with a SRAM Rival group, a 120mm throw Brand X dropper post, and trail ready Nukeproof alloy Horizon wheels.
The more affordable gray 2019 Nukerpoof Digger Comp retails for $1350 with an Apex 1×11 build and a rigid seatpost. Both get wide 480 or 500mm alloy dropbars, alloy stems & Nukeproof house brand finishing kit.
