2022 Nukeproof Scout revives brand's hardtail with fresh, rowdy attitude

The all-new 2022 Nukeproof Scout sees the brand's hardtail refreshed after five years of faithful service with few changes.

Nukeproof says it didn’t want to create a revolution when designing the new Scout, but rather to gently bring “a classic” up to date and improve key areas in a sympathetic way, keeping the DNA of the original Scout.

The new version of Nukeproof’s Scout (V3) hardtail has re-engineered tube profiles, modernised geometry, revised sizing options on both the Scout 275 and Scout 290 and a variety of updates to bring it bang up to date.

2022 Nukeproof Scout frame

Bike boffins in Nukeproof’s engineering department explain they've revised the Scout’s hydroformed 6061-T6 aluminium tubeset to optimise the ride characteristics over previous iterations, either increasing wall thickness to provide the strength needed for a hardcore hardtail, or reducing the amount of metal to add compliance, maximising grip.

Eagle-eyed BikeRadar readers will be looking at the photos and pointing out the key differences between the latest V3 and the older V2 Scout, such as the new curved seat tube for extra tyre clearance and a steeper seat angle.

A SRAM UDH hanger is a welcome addition, assuring easy sourcing of fresh metal should you be unlucky enough to smash one.

The frame includes enduro-style accessory strap and bottle cage bosses. It’s now 1x specific (no provision for a front derailleur) but still uses a traditional threaded bottom bracket shell. Nukeproof has also included 3D-contoured rubber protectors for the chainstay and down tube.

2022 Nukeproof Scout geometry

Not all frame sizes, from small to extra-extra-large, are offered in both wheel sizes, with the 27.5in-wheeled bike available in small to extra-large, while the 29in bike is made in medium to extra-extra-large.

An increased BB drop over the old Scout adds stability, as does a slacker head angle. Bottom bracket heights are 307mm (29in wheel) and 308mm (27.5in wheel), while the 64.5-degree head angle is shared across both models.

Both the 275 and 290 bikes share a 74-degree seat tube angle, but the new Scout follows Nukeproof’s 'Dynamic Saddle Offset Theory' – a fancy way of saying they consider where the saddle will sit relative to the bottom bracket and handlebars – with a steeper seat angle optimised for each size to ensure the saddle can be set in the most ergonomically efficient position for laying down pedal strokes whilst seated.

Nukeproof offers ‘sized’ chainstays on the new Scout, which grow 2.5mm (from 422.5mm to 430mm on the 275 and from 432.5mm to 440mm on the 290) per size from small to XXL. This ensures all Scouts maintain the same balanced ride feel as the rear end grows proportionally with the front (rather than traditional sizing, where only the top tube, seat tube and head tube gain in length as size increases).

The seat tubes are reamed from the factory to ensure smooth and deep dropper-post insertion, even with the latest generation of new longer-travel droppers.

2022 Nukeproof Scout models and specifications

Nukeproof says the Scout frames will be available from June, and reminds existing Scout owners that all components on the previous Scout are compatible and can therefore be swapped onto the new frame.

The Scout is available in 275 (27.5in wheel) and 290 (29in wheel) options depending on rider preference.

There is no mullet option, although Nukeproof’s engineers tell us they're toying with the idea so if you’ve keen for one, just start pestering via the usual channels and maybe it will become a reality.

Race, Comp and Elite builds are available to suit a wide range of different budgets.

They all feature 140mm travel forks, but the new ‘RS’ model comes with tougher components and a RockShox Lyrik 150mm-travel fork for more aggressive riders.

At £1,300, the Scout Race has entry-level spec, but the selection of Nukeproof, WTB and Shimano 10-speed components add up to what looks to be a solid build for the beginner rider.

The Scout Comp has an upgraded Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork, and comes with a Brand-X Ascend dropper post, as well as a mix of Shimano’s Deore 12-speed components, hitting a strong sub £1,800 price point.

Scout Elites cost a hair under £2,500 but have a top spec list including Fox 36 Float forks, Shimano SLX drivetrain and DT Swiss XM1900 wheels.

Complete bikes, including the Scout RS, Elite and Race models, will be available from 11 July, in both 275 and 290 flavours.

Availability

• Frame only: available from 1 June 2022
• RS / Elite / Race models: available from 11 July 2022
• Comp models: available from 8 August 2022

2022 Nukeproof Scout range overview

Nukeproof Scout RS 275 / 290

• Frame: Nukeproof Scout 275 or 290
• Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+ Charger 2.1 RC 150mm
• Brakes: SRAM Guide RE
• Seatpost: Brand-X Ascend (small 125mm / medium 150mm / large 170mm / XL-XXL 200mm)
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed
• Crankset: SRAM GX Eagle, DUB, 170mm
• Cockpit: Nukeproof Neutron V2 25mm rise bar and Neutron 45mm stem
• Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline 30
• Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Snakeskin Addix Soft (f), Hans Dampf Snakeskin Addix Speedgrip (r)
• Price: £2,999.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC / €TBC

Nukeproof Scout Elite 275 / 290

• Frame: Nukeproof Scout 275 or 290
• Fork: Fox 36 Float Rhythm, 140mm, Boost, GRIP damper
• Brakes: Shimano SLX M7120, 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors
• Seatpost: Brand-X Ascent (small 125mm / medium 150mm / large 170mm / XL-XXL 200mm)
• Drivetrain: Shimano SLX 7100 12-speed
• Crankset: Shimano SLX M7100 12 speed crank, 170mm
• Cockpit: Nukeproof Neutron V2 25mm rise bar and Neutron 45mm stem
• Wheels: DT Swiss XM1900 Spline 30
• Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Snakeskin Addix Soft (f), Hans Dampf Snakeskin Addix Speedgrip (r)
• Price: £2,499.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC / €TBC

Nukeproof Scout Comp 275 / 290

• Frame: Nukeproof Scout 275 or 290
• Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2, 140mm, RAIL damper
• Brakes: Shimano SLX M7120, 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors
• Seatpost: Brand-X Ascend (small 125mm / medium 150mm / large 170mm / XL-XXL 200mm)
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speed
• Crankset: Shimano SLX M7100 12-speed crank, 170mm
• Cockpit: Nukeproof Neutron V2 25mm rise bar and Neutron 45mm stem
• Wheels: DT Swiss XM1900 Spline 30
• Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Snakeskin Addix Soft (f), Hans Dampf Snakeskin Addix Speedgrip (r)
• Price: £1,799.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC / €TBC

Nukeproof Scout Race 275/ 290

• Frame: Nukeproof Scout 275 or 290
• Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL 140mm
• Brakes: Shimano MT4100, 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors
• Seatpost: Nukeproof Neutron static
• Drivetrain: Shimano M1500 Deore 10-speed
• Crankset: Shimano M1500 Deore, 170mm
• Cockpit: Nukeproof Neutron V2 25mm rise bar and Neutron 45mm stem
• Wheels: Nukeproof Neutron V2 hubs, built on WTB STi30TCS 2.0 rim
• Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Snakeskin Addix Soft (f), Hans Dampf Snakeskin Addix Speedgrip (r)
• Price: £1,299.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC / €TBC

Nukeproof Scout Frame 275/ 290

• Frame: Nukeproof Scout 275 or 290
• Fork: 140mm recommended (up to 150mm approved)
• Sizing: S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Price: £449.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC / €TBC

2022 Nukeproof Scout ride impressions

BikeRadar and MBUK magazine tester Will Soffe attended the launch of the new Scout and got a sneak preview on the Welsh moorland above Crickhowell with World Cup downhiller Adam Brayton and Enduro World Series racer Elliott Heap. Here are his ride impressions of the 2022 Nukeproof Scout:

The large Scout 290 looked resplendent in radioactive yellow. Nukeproof/Tiny Rebel collab branding on the stickers was a nice touch.

The quality of the fit and finish on the frames is impressive, with the reamed seatpost and chased threads making the Scout impressively smooth.

The paintwork has a glossy sheen, and cable guides and bosses are neatly low-profile.

The new, slacker head angle and lower bottom bracket height on the 29er certainly keep it planted well in difficult South Walean springtime conditions. The bike feels predictable and easy to drift on greasy corners, although it is easy to smack your pedals on rocks and stumps because the BB is so low.

Jumps and drops are intuitive because the proportion between the top tube and the chainstay length is well balanced.

Goldilocks sizing means everything was where you'd expect it to be on the size large, with reach and standover feeling comfortable as soon as I swung my leg over.

The new steeper seat angle means that seated climbing is a pleasure, working with the sized chainstays to keep the front wheel down on steep climbs. Nukeproof engineers have kept the chainstays short on the smaller sizes, so it's easy to pop into a manual when needed.

Compared to 27.5in hardtails, this 29er definitely feels calmer and more stable. Hardtails can feel skittish and twitchy because of their light weight and lack of suspension, so I enjoyed the sure-footedness that comes with the extra BB drop and increased rotating weight of a 29er.

However, it’s worth noting that pro-riders Adam and Elliott both opted to ride the 27.5in-wheel versions of the Scout for their more 'flickable' nature.

A cracking new bike with a cult following, the Scout gets a refresh for 2022 and hits the ground running at a spectacular launch with a difference. I look forward to more rides together over the coming weeks…