What Even Is Gravel?

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.

Shred...

Push It..

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.

All new T800 Carbon Fork

Multitude of mounting options on the frame

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.

3d Contoured chain stay protectors keep things silent and protected.

Short stems on all the models

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 freshly bottle tanned legs, designer Lycra fool you a Lakes Gravel ride is epic and a perfect way to explore the lakes. A blend tarmac to link bridleways (aka- rock gardens) to discover the lakes countryside- A lakes gravel ride is pretty gnarly. Plus, take in a few villages 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 pretty wild on these bikes, sending their Diggers down some pretty gnarly descents and potentially pushing to the limit of “gravel”, but showing perfectly what the Digger is designed for- is extreme gravel a category yet? Just when you thought it was getting a little wild, we pulled over and enjoyed a caffinated beverage and some of the lakes finest baked goods, almost civalised. The Tasmanian tourist loved it too, not just the cake- the orders in for a RS to explore the finest of his home turf when he heads back after the race season.

Digger RS

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

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

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

All New Nukeproof Digger

What Even Is Gravel?

WHATS NEW ABOUT THE DIGGER?