NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP Review
- Price: $2,299
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 700c
- Gear: 1 × 11
What we like about it: It’s an all-round gravel bike for commuters and all-terrain adventures.
What we don’t like about it: There is only one paint color, which is difficult to meet everyone’s taste.
Rating: (4.8/5)
NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP is a gravel road bike with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork, providing great stiffness. The carbon fiber fork also has some deformation to absorb some vibration from the road.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications as well as other versions of the NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP. And at the end of the review, we will also compare several best bike models. If you want to know more about bike reviews, don’t hesitate to follow us.
Riding Experience
The first thing that struck me about the NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP was that the bike had great all-around versatility, with its downhill-focused geometry and single-tooth drive train combining for more confidence on variable terrain and greater versatility on long-distance adventures.
I immediately booked a ticket on Skyscanner to a country road near my home. I took the NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP with me and set off. The countryside here is almost all gravel and sand, with some long uphill and downhill slopes and winding muddy trails.
Uphill
The NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP has a good climbing ability. When I was on this long uphill section, I could feel that the bike was still light in weight.
The Shimano RX-600, GRX, 40T crankset and Shimano M7000 SLX 11 Speed, 11-42T flywheel had a wide range of speed combinations so that I climbed easily on this not-so-steep incline. The Schwalbe G-One BITE, 700x45c outer tire also contributed to the good experience. The granular outer tire could firmly grip the ground, improving my pedaling efficiency.
Downhill
The NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP had an excellent descending ability. Starting with a slack head tube angle and greater reach, these gave it a more mountain bike feel, and with a shorter stem, it’s easier to control the direction and smoother when descending. Then Shimano’s GRX RD-RX812 rear derailleur for gravel road bikes has great spring tension, and I don’t have to worry about the chain coming off on bumpy descents.
What I appreciated the most about the NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP is that it used the RX-400 Flatmount hydraulic disc brakes, offering great braking power and responding quickly to help me slow down when turning onto trails. There was also no loss of braking power even if the brakes would have overheated during long descents.
All in all, I was exceedingly satisfied with the performance of the NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP on the descent. It is faster and better than any other gravel road bikes on bumpy sections.
Trail
The NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP was reliable as I turned onto winding trails. The NUKEPROOF’s rebuilt T800 UD carbon fork enhanced the bike’s handling and gave me a more responsive and direct ride. With 7 mm tire clearance, even when the outer tire was covered in dirt on the trail, there was still room for clearance, better keeping the wheelset rolling smoothly.
To sum up, the NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP is a bike with climbing performance and better descending ability than other gravel road bikes.
Specification
The NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP is available in four aluminum frame sizes from S to XL and features an internal alignment frame design for a cleaner, tidier look. The protective patch on the rear fork reduces the noise from the chain slapping the rear fork during the ride.
NUKEPROOF designed the Digger with many integrated mounting points for side bag holders, fenders, fork pockets, and accessory mounts, which greatly increases its long-distance riding ability.
In addition, it has a slack head tube angle and greater reach. This leads to a more stable pass-through in downhill riding.
The frame section also features a 31.6mm diameter seat tube that can accommodate the insertion of longer mountain bike droppers, thus increasing the climbing and descending potential of this bike.
Video
Other versions
The NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP is an excellent descent-oriented gravel road bike with a good aluminum frame and excellent geometry, but very cost-effective. Based on this, we also found a gravel road bike in the same series with the same aluminum frame and a higher-level kit.
NUKEPROOF DIGGER FACTORY
Comparing NUKEPROOF DIGGER FACTORY with NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP, the same aluminum alloy frame of both makes the former as powerful as the latter in descending.
But in the drivetrain kit, the Shimano GRX RX-810 hand shifter of the former has a better shifting feel. The DIGGER FACTORY also uses the same specification as the latter but with a higher grade and more durable and sturdy Shimano CS-M8000 XT 11-speed. Regarding the brake kit, DIGGER FACTORY uses the RX-810 brakes and Shimano RT800 discs, with stronger braking power than the latter. The floating discs of RT800 can also quickly dissipate heat when braking frequently to ensure the stability of the brakes.
Finally, this NUKEPROOF DIGGER FACTORY also has a dropper design, which allows for quick adjustment of the rider’s riding center of gravity when climbing and descending to improve riding efficiency.
Below, we will list the specific parameters of NUKEPROOF DIGGER COMP in detail and some other brands of gravel bikes with similar prices for your reference.
What do we like about it?
- -Inside cabling design, the appearance looks cleaner and neater, easy to clean.
- -Cable muffling treatment reduces the noise made by the cable slapping the inner wall of the down tube during the ride.
- -T800 UD carbon fiber fork enhances handling and provides a more responsive and direct riding experience.
- -Powerful integrated mounting points in multiple locations of the frame greatly increase the loading capacity to ride further.
- -Relaxed head tube angle and greater reach. This makes the bike smoother when descending.
- -Generous tire clearance for riding on the muddiest roads without hindering the wheelset’s roll.
What don’t we like about it?
- -Only one paint color, which is difficult to meet everyone’s taste.
FAQs
- What kind of wheelset does the Nukeproof Digger Comp use?
Nukeproof Digger Comp front wheelset: Nukeproof Neutron V2 hub, 12x100mm with a 700c WTB STi25 TCS 32H Rim. rear wheelset: Nukeproof Neutron V2 hub, 142x12mm (Shimano freehub) with a 700c WTB STi25 TCS 32H Rim.
- What kind of rider is the Nukeproof Digger Comp for?
The Nukeproof Digger Comp is an all-round gravel bike that is suitable for all riders to ride and has a powerful load capacity to support riding further.
- How to choose the right size for Nukeproof Digger Comp?
Here we provide you with a size chart, but of course you do not necessarily have to follow this standard. The best way to find the most suitable size is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’5″ – 5’8″ | S |
| 5’8″ – 5’11” | M |
| 5’11” – 6’1″ | L |
| 6’1″ – 6’4″ | XL |
Nukeproof Digger Comp Specs
Build
| Frame | Digger V3 Triple Butted Hydroformed Alloy Color: Cookie Dough |
| Fork | Digger Carbon |
| Rear Shock | N/A |
| Headset | Nukeproof Warhead Internal, IS42-28.6 – IS52/40 |
| Stem | Non-Series 6061, 7 Deg, 60mm, 31.8mm |
| Handlebar | Non-Series AL-6061 S/M/L:460mm; XL:500mm |
| Saddle | Nukeproof Trail Saddle |
| Seatpost | Nukeproof Neutron Inline, Black, 31.6mm, 400mm |
| Grips | Black Cork Cushion Tape with Gel |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | GRX, RD-RX812, 11 Speed, Shadow Plus |
| Crank | Shimano RX-600, GRX or Easton EA90, 1x 11 Speed, 170mm, 40T |
| Shifters | Shimano GRX RX-600 |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-M7000 SLX 11 Speed, 11-42T |
| Chain | KMC X11 11-Speed, Anti-rust with Quick Link |
| Chain Guide | N/A |
| Brakes | RX-400 Flatmount |
Wheels
| Rims | Nukeproof Neutron V2 hub, 12x100mm with a 700c WTB STi25 TCS 32H Rim |
| Tires | Schwalbe G-One BITE, 700x45c, ADDIX Speed Grip, Tubeless Compatible |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click to view | Wheelset size | Frame material | Brake Type | Driveline |
| Specialized Diverge Elite E5 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 2 × 10 |
| Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 11 |
| Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 1by | Click View | 650b / 700c Aluminum | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 11 |
| Cannondale Topstone Carbon 105 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 2 × 11 |
Nukeproof Digger Comp VS Specialized Diverge Elite E5
Both the Nukeproof Digger Comp and the Specialized Diverge Elite E5 use an aluminum frame paired with a carbon fiber fork.
The Specialized has a higher speed and longer handlebars, which makes it more aggressive in its riding position and faster on the flat. In contrast, the Nukeproof is not as fast, but it handles better and is more agile. On top of that, both bikes use the same RX-400 brake system, which results in similar braking ability.
For these last two bikes, the biggest difference is geometry: the former has a more relaxed head tube angle and greater reach, which makes it more stable in terms of descent performance. The latter will be more suitable for cruising and climbing on flat roads.
So, that’s all about these two bikes. If you need more extreme riding ability, that Nukeproof Digger Comp will be more suitable. Suppose the flat road is where you mainly cycle, then the Specialized Diverge Elite E5 will be better.
Learn More: Is Specialized Diverge Comp E5 Worth Buying? [Specialized Diverge Comp E5 Review]
Nukeproof Digger Comp VS Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless
Comparing Nukeproof Digger Comp with Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless, the latter uses some higher-level kits. Correspondingly, its price is higher.
First of all, their drive kits are the same, with fast and silky shifts and an identically powerful rear derailleur. However, the brake kit of the latter is of a higher level, and the brakes are more sensitive and have more braking force.
The next thing I liked about this gravel bike from Trek was the self-contained dropper design, which allows for quick adjustment of the ride’s center of gravity when climbing and descending. You can see in the geometry that the former has more ability to descend and handle rough terrain, while the latter has better climbing ability.
Finally, how do you choose between these two gravel bikes? My answer is that either one is a good choice that you won’t regret. You can make a decision based on your daily riding style.
Learn More: Is Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 A Good Bike? [Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Review]
Nukeproof Digger Comp VS Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 1by
Between the Nukeproof Digger Comp and the Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 1by, the latter uses a carbon fiber frame, lighter in weight and climbing than the former.
Both gravel bikes use the same drivetrain kit. but Canyon uses a more powerful and responsive Shimano GRX RX810 brake kit.
In terms of geometry, the Nukeproof has a more mountain bike-like geometry, which gives it the ability to handle complex surfaces better. While the Canyon will have a more road bike-like geometry. This determines its faster riding speed.
For the choice of these two cars, I like the latter with a lighter weight. But I am also falling for the powerful ability of the former to handle complex roads.
Learn More: Is Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 Suspension 1by Worth Buying? [Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 Suspension 1by Review]
Nukeproof Digger Comp vs Cannondale Topstone Carbon 105
Both the Nukeproof Digger Comp and the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 105 are, in my opinion, excellent gravel road bikes, both with great ability to handle complex surfaces. The former relies on a slacker head tube angle and greater reach with wider outer tires to give it more stable off-road capability. The latter depends on the rear wishbone suspension system to filter the bumps.
In terms of the drivetrain kit, the latter’s Shimano 105 road bike kit gives it a stronger transfer of power than the former. But the former gravel bike-specific Shimano GRX kit will be more robust and durable.
In the end, both cars are good choices. You can consider whichever bike based on the frame shape and brand you favor.
Learn More: Is Cannondale Topstone 1 Worth Buying? [Cannondale Topstone 1 Review]
Summary
Above is my ride review of the Nukeproof Digger Comp. In our opinion, it is a bike with off-road capabilities that surpass the gravel road bikes in its class and supports long-distance riding. That is why we gave it a 4.8 rating.
Of course, if you’re interested in exploring other gravel bikes, we have reviewed a variety of bikes at different price points that you might find interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews as well.
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