The Digger is Nukeproof’s first attempt at a gravel bike and is new for 2017. Born through necessity when Nukeproof’s top-level mountain-bike athletes needed something to train on, it’s an off-road inspired gravel bike that’s tough-looking, well-specced and surprisingly nippy to ride.
Nukeproof Digger 1.0 ride impression
Made from 6061 T6 aluminium with rear quick release, matched to a carbon fork and steerer with a 15mm bolt thru’ front axle, it weighs 9.49kg for a medium without pedals.
Sporting mudguard bosses both front and back, you’re treated to pannier mounts on the rear — it may be called a gravel bike but it’s crying out to be ridden with brazen disregard for its own wellbeing on road.
The aluminium tubing isn’t the prettiest, with slightly ovalised down and top tubes that look a little ungainly in certain lights. It’s more function over form but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Nukeproof has settled for slack and long geometry, and this translates well out on the road. The 71.5-degree head angle and long 1,030mm wheelbase offers great stability over bumpy terrain, and the bike is confidence inspiring when you pick up speed.
The stem and handlebars come courtesy of ZIPP Service Course
The ride is impressively smooth yet stiff when you put the power down. Nukeproof is really on to something with how it’s set up the frame.
The single 40-tooth front ring paired with SRAM’s 11- to 42-tooth cassette gives plenty of climbing potential but can spin out when closing in on 30mph. SRAM’s Apex offers smooth operation from its DoubleTap shifters but, if you’re not used to how it works, it can take time to acclimatise to.
The WTB tyres don’t create too much drag on the flat but aren’t very stable, especially if you’ve got a penchant for leaning over in the bends when it’s wet. I nearly came a cropper a couple of times on turns that I’d normally hit with ease.
Nukeproof’s Digger 1.0 is an off-road inspired gravel bike
The brakes offer great power and modulation so you really can stop on a dime without much fuss — but you’d expect this from SRAM’s hydraulic Apex offering.
The Digger’s spec and frame are more than worthy of its price tag, especially when you consider how well the bike rides. If you’re looking for a commuting hack that’ll take more abuse than you can throw at it, this is certainly a top contender.
Nukeproof Digger 1.0 early verdict
The Digger rides well on tarmac and gravel, and offers great value for money.
Alex has been riding bikes since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. He first raced back in 2003, winning the Juvenile category on a sketchy hard tail Planet X bike. Alex lived in the Alps for seven years so isn’t shy of a climb or two and loves getting out in his bike in all weather. His favorite thing to ride is steep loamy tracks with loads of opportunities to slam the bike into turns and really give it some frame bending welly! He’s broken his fair share of frames, so any bike between his knees is going to get a right seeing to.
[“Source-bikeradar”]
