I'm in the market for a new gravel bike. i'm new to the gravel scene and wondered what peoples thoughts were on the Nukeproof Digger? If anyone has had one or general opinion would be appreciated. https://nukeproof.com/products/2021-digger
I have no experience with this bike but after reading the specs page, I think it will ride well. BB drop is a respectable 70mm. Chainstay length is a nimble 425 (not crazy stable, but quick and will allow for sufficient tire width). Headtube anhle is a nice slack 70°. Triple butted hydroformed aluminum is probably the best manufacturing practice available for alloy. It doesn't seem overpriced. I would pull the trigger.
NukeProof makes some fine bikes. In addition to my Ridley XTrail I have a NukeProof Scout 275 hard tail. My Scout is an aggressive hard tail, as far as geometry, I've kitted it though so I can do some adventure riding with it. Panaracer SK's in 650B x 48, Selle Anatomica saddle, and SQLabs 16 degree sweep handle bars. It's pretty comfortable to ride. It's no Digger but I like it. I have no doubt the digger would be an excellent platform for gravel riding.
It looks nice and my advice is pretty much always delay gratification and try stuff. There are online sites that compare geometry so you can use them to compare bikes you know fit you with others. You should try different wheel diameters too.
The geo looks very good, I just wish more of these bikes strayed away from a lowish stack height. This bike is right on the cusp of what I would feel comfortable getting in stack, another 10mm would be nice. 70mm bb drop is nice, but 75 would even help get you in the bike and offset stack.They have gotten better over the last couple years, but so many still carry racing or road fit in the front. For long days or any off road, bikepacking, commuting, etc. I find a more upright position to be better, more comfort, and more confidence on sketchy descents. I'm getting older though and don't really want to be in an aggressive position even on the road. I see quite a few bikes that everything looks great, then I see the stack and it's a deal breaker, very few seem to want to give us the stack which I think makes a bike much more all around grab it and go, up for whatever fit. It's like the designers and marketing teams see gravel racing as what gravel riding is all about, rather than riding for enjoyment. Almost as if we need 2 "gravel" categories now, racing bikes, and then the do it all, allroad, adventure, everyday ride, whatever you want to call the up for anything bike.
