LONG TERMERS
INTRODUCING
SEAN’S NUKEPROOF SCOUT 290 PRO
£2,449.99 / 29in / nukeproof.com
MONTH 1: New tester Sean’s flying the flag for hardcore hardtails
As a newcomer to the mbr long-term test crew, I took a good look at the current fleet of bikes and those that have featured over the last few years. As expected, mid-travel full-suspension bikes are a common choice, with 29in wheels now dominating. E-bikes are represented too, but hardtails seem to be a rare sight in the monthly line-up. I made the decision there and then to throw a hardtail into the mix and address the balance.
And it wasn’t a hard decision to make, as I’ll admit to having a soft spot for the trusty hardtail. At 6ft 2in tall, I also have an affinity with 29ers; a self-proclaimed early adopter of bigger wheels. I also think my riding suits a 29er hardtail – a mix of man-made forest trails, long days in the hills and rooty singletrack, with a dash of tech.
But which bike to get? Top of my list was the Nukeproof Scout 290, a hardcore hardtail with an aluminium frame and 29in wheels. I picked the mid-range Comp model, but due to the current shortages, I got upgraded to the Pro build. Bonus!
It’s the top of three options in the Scout 290 range and is suitably equipped – a 140mm-travel RockShox Lyrik fork, DT Swiss wheels, premium Maxxis rubber, Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain and four-piston brakes all make this Scout more than fit for purpose. And so it should be, as its price tag is nudging £2,500, which puts it toe-to-toe against well-regarded trail
