Nukeproof has revealed its revised Digger gravel bike, along with the story of why it is like it is. They’re not afraid to put flat pedals on it, it’s that sort of bike. Read on, watch the video, feel the need to play.
What even is “gravel biking”? Some sort of 1990’s love child from a ménage à trois between a Mountain, cyclocross and road bike?
Well, the Digger has been Nukeproof’s take on a gravel/ adventure/ drop bar bike that goes off road. What started during an (slightly) intoxicated conversation with Sam Hill in an Italian town, has ended up as a cult product in our range. What seemed like a niece product at the time has seen decent demand year on year, resulting in Nukeproof dedicating time to an all-new development of the Digger Platform.
The Digger is designed as a do-it-all training bike, commuter bike and bike to just go out and explore with. The Nukeproof Digger offers something slightly different to some of the “true gravel bikes” in the market, it is designed and spec’ ed with the soul of a mountain bike. Slightly more gravity focussed geometry, wide bars, dropper posts and 1x drivetrain. The New Digger has been totally redesigned, more confidence inspiring on technical descents and to be more versatile on long adventures.
The 6061-T6 frame has been completely redesigned, all new tube profiles have been engineered to make the Digger stronger to ensure reliability on those back country epics. The frame is 2 degrees slacker in the head angle and reach is increased by 20mm across all sizes.
This allows for the use of shorter stems to improving rider confidence and control in the corners (and keep it more MTB). The frame is also designed around fitting an aggressive 200-45c tyre and still have 7mm of clearance for even the filthiest of rides. Nukeproof have also reengineered the fork to use T800 UD carbon, this offers and much stiffer and direct ride again enhancing the handling, whilst also soothing out trail chatter.
The seat posts are also designed to be shorter allowing for longer dropper posts (the Digger now takes a 31.6mm dropper so benefiting from a huge variety of MTB droppers available if fitting post purchase).
Increased usability for adventure was a key factor in the re-design. Nukeproof have engineered in Pannier & rack mounts, gear accessories mounts, fork bag mounting points, x2 water bottle mounts and mud guard/ fender points all help make the Digger ready for any multi day/ week adventure.
Riding a Digger, you are not expected to shave your legs or wear those “interesting little peak road caps under your helmet”. To help prove this theory, Nukeproof sent Tasmanian wild man Dan Booker to the Lake District to join the artisan gravel artists Adam Brayton and Meg Whyte on a typical lakes Gravel ride. Don’t let Adam’s freshly bottle tanned legs and designer Lycra fool you. A Lakes Gravel ride is epic and a perfect way to explore the Lakes. A blend of tarmac to link bridleways (aka rock gardens). A Lakes gravel ride is pretty gnarly. Plus, take in a few village refreshment holes along the way. Whilst Adam and Meg looked like they were ready for the Tour De Lakes, Dan dropped in straight from the Downhill World Cup; Blackline Trail Pants, baggy tee, 5-10’s and flat pedals. He also benefited from taking out the new RS spec Digger with the Rockshox Judy up front to aid sending. Living in the Lakes, Meg and Adam are gravel connoisseurs, with the Digger not only being a key part of their training, but a perfect way to commute around the lakes during tourist season.
Our route took in some epic climbs, views and descents, plus a swift lap of the local trail centre downhill (to the amazement of some). Meg and Adam are wild cats! Sending their Diggers, to the limit of “gravel”, but showing perfectly what the Digger is designed for- is extreme gravel a category yet? The Tasmanian tourist loved it too, not just the cake- the order’s in for a RS to explore the finest of his home turf when he heads back after the race season.
So, in summary, what is new about the Digger? Everything.
The New 2022 Digger Line up:
Digger RS: £2,999.99
- Frame: Nukeproof Digger V3 Aluminium
- Fork: Rockshox Rudy Ultimate XPLR, 30mm Travel , 45mm offset
- Brakes: SRAM Rival
- Drivetrain: SRAM Rival 1
- Crankset: SRAM Rival 1, 170mm 40T
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend Internal 125mm Dropper post 31.6mm Integrated into the GRX RX-810 Brake Lever
- Wheels: DT Swiss GR1600 Spline 25, 700c
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite 700x45c, Addix Speed Grip
- Handlebars: S/M/L 460mm, XL 500mm
- Bar Tape: Black Cork Cushion Tape with Gel
Digger Factory: £2,399.99
- Frame: Nukeproof Digger V3 Aluminium
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX
- Crankset: Shimano RX-810, GRX, 1x 11 Speed, 170mm 40t
- Brakes: Shimano GRX, RX-810 Levers with RX-810 Flatmount callipers
- Fork: Nukeproof Digger High Modulus T700 HM-UD Carbon Tapered steerer fork
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend Internal 125mm Dropper post 31.6mm Integrated into the GRX RX-810 Brake Lever
- Wheels: DT Swiss GR1600 Spline 25, 700c
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite 700x45c, Addix Speed Grip
- Handlebars: S/M/L 460mm, XL 500mm
- Bar Tape: Black Cork Cushion Tape with Gel
Digger Comp: £1,799.99
- Frame: Nukeproof Digger V3 Aluminium
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX
- Crankset: Shimano RX-600, GRX, 1x 11 Speed, 170mm 40t
- Brakes: Shimano GRX, RX-600 Levers with RX-400 Flatmount callipers
- Fork: Nukeproof Digger High Modulus T700 HM-UD Carbon Tapered steerer fork
- Seatpost: Nukeproof Neutron Inline, 31.6mm, 400mm
- Wheels: Neutron Neutron v2 Hubs with STI25 TCS 32h Rims
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite 700x45c, Addix Speed Grip
- Handlebars: S/M/L 460mm, XL 500mm
- Bar Tape: Black Cork Cushion Tape with Gel
Comments (2)
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I’ve seen high end mountain bikes in last 5 years) with worse geometry than this bike. LOL.
I’ve always loved the look of the Digger. I tried so hard to buy one when it first launched but no-one had any stock. In the end I “settled” for the Orange RX9 instead and it’s been fantastic. I do still love the look of this though and reckon both the Orange and the Nukeproof offer a great option at the tougher end of the gravel spectrum.