Nukeproof has raised the bar in nearly all areas
changes here. A highlight for me are the shorter seat tubes, allowing longerstroke droppers to be run. So at 6ft 2in tall, I was able to ride a size XL with a 200mm stroke post, while retaining the option to upsize to the XXL for a longer reach/wheelbase if needed. With the shorter seat tubes comes much lower standover heights and the bottom bracket drops a hair too.
The head tube on the V3 Scout now sits at 64.5° and the effective seat tube steepens to 77°. All contemporary numbers and while the reach has increased on most sizes, the effective top tube lengths have reduced a touch due to the steeper seat tube angle, and this is noticeable when riding seated. Short head tube lengths were a criticism of the older Scouts and Nukeproof has addressed this too, with the head tube on the XL gaining an extra 10mm in stack height.
Take a closer look and you’ll see the fixtures and fittings have been brought right up to date too. The threaded bottom bracket and chain guide mounts carry over, but a top tube accessory mount, SRAM’S UDH rear mech hanger and comprehensive rear mech tube and chainstay protection are all welcome additions.
HOW IT RIDES
With no production bikes available for the launch date – just frames – my Scout was built up with components to suit the job in hand. A mix of Nukeproof’s own hardware along with a spread of Manitou, Hayes, Microshift and Michelin resulted in a Scout that was dressed very much as a hardcore hardtail, right down to the chain guide and bash plate.
Hitting the mountains, my expectations and hopes were for evolution not revolution, as on paper I could only see subtle improvements over the previous generation. It didn’t take long to realise that Nukeproof had nudged the Scout up a level and this hit home on the first boulderstrewn descent.
It was enlightening to slam a 200mm dropper on a size XL hardtail and really hunker down on the bike, taking advantage of the super-low top tube. The Scout now felt small enough to hustle, with stability being kept in check by the longer wheelbase and slacker head angle. The 140mm fork seems to hit the mark too, feeling a natural partner for the more-capable frame, and when teamed up with 2.4in Michelin rubber, gives an indomitable feel that never holds you back. But rest assured, Nukeproof has not forgotten the older model’s responsive handling or sullied its all-round nature. If anything, the steeper 77° effective seat angle on the V3 Scout has increased its climbing ability – especially on steeper pitches.
So the good points of the previous Scout remain – the low weight, silence, comfort and stability – but it’s now a much more animated ride. The geometry tweaks add up in a very favourable way, boosting confidence and encouraging you to push on harder, gambling on some risky or questionable lines and getting you through unfazed.
Without question, every box on my wish list of improvements has been ticked off. In fact, Nukeproof has raised the bar in nearly all areas. The old Scout may well have had an eye on the uplift truck but this new V3 evolution has gone all-in and bought a season ticket.