Nomen est omen: Nukeproof has made a name for itself with its bikes, particularly in the enduro and downhill scene. The Scout trail hardtail also fits this image and looks mega-stable with its high-quality frame. On rough descents, the wide handlebars and slack steering angle inspire additional confidence. Unfortunately, the rigid and very long factory-fitted seat post cannot be fully lowered into the curved seat tube, meaning that the high saddle wastes the potential of the low standover height.
A similarly contradictory picture can be seen in the rest of the component configuration. No tyre combination in the test offers more grip than the soft Schwalbe rubber. They can be ridden on the wide rims in a tubeless setup with low air pressure and thus extend the limits of what is possible on a hardtail. At the same time, the groupless Shimano brakes with long levers have little bite, tire your hands quickly and set the limit early on technical descents.
Even though the Rockshox Recon is extremely heavy, it responds reasonably and guides the Nukeproof Scout reliably through rough terrain. Thanks to the low bottom bracket, the plump Scout feels like a board when cornering and comes close to Dartmoor in terms of riding fun.
The downside of the solid construction becomes apparent on pedalling-heavy routes. The puncture-proof but overweight tyres are reluctant to get moving. Although the geometry puts the rider in a balanced riding position, without a dropper post and quick-release saddle, frustration quickly sets in on tour. In addition, the 1x10 drivetrain with only 418 per cent range makes for fat thighs.
Conclusion on the Nukeproof Scout in the test:
Above all, the frame and tyres of the Nukeproof offer a solid basis for price-conscious downhill fans. When it comes to touring, the weight and economy features don't score points. - Tobias Knetsch, BIKE tester
Technical data & notes Nukeproof Scout 290 Race
Manufacturer information
- Price: 1749 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: M,L, XL, XXL(tested size L, 44 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.05 kg
- Frame weight: 2485 g
- Weight of wheels: 5502 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4386 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 800 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 62 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: WTB STi30 TCS / Nukeproof Neutron V2
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary; Evo Addix Soft Super Trail TLE 29; Nobby Nic; Performance Addix DD TLE 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Rockshox Recon RL Silver
- Suspension travel: 139 mm
- Brakes: Shimano BL-MT 410 / 180/180 mm
- Gears: Shimano Deore / 1 x 10
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 30; 11-46 / 418 %
- Seatpost / Ø: Nukeproof Neutron aluminium / 31.6 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 16.25 from 25
- Chassis efficiency: 7 out of 10
- Rolling resistance: 12 out of 20
- Weight: 4 of 20
- Inertia impellers: 5 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 7 out of 10
- Seating comfort: 4 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 25.5 from 30
- Front suspension: 16.25 of 25
- Saddle retractability: 7 out of 10
- Brakes:. 9 from 20
- Tyre grip: 19 out of 20
- Driving stability: 1 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 57.25 FROM 105
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 77.75 FROM 115
- Other: 13.5 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: good
BIKE test rating*: satisfactory - 148.5 out of 250 points
*The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Jan Timmermann
Editor
