Nukeproof Scout 290 Race Review
- Price: $1,599
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 29 inches
- Gear: 1 × 10
What we like about it: A sturdy frame with durable components, yet with the right price to fit anyone’s choice.
What we didn’t like about it: The lack of dropper design and the inability to switch riding positions between climbing and descending at any time.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Nukeproof Scout 290 Race features a rugged hardtail mountain bike appearance. With its sturdy aluminum alloy frame and carefully selected components, it is highly competitive among hardtail mountain bikes in its price range.
We will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race. In the latter part of this article, we will also compare it to several top bike models. If you want to learn more about bike reviews, you can follow us.
Riding Experience
The Nukeproof Scout 290 Race is an aggressive long-travel hardtail mountain bike designed for hardtail enthusiasts. The excellent frame combined with carefully selected components makes me eager to experience its charm.
For this purpose, I packed the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race and booked a trip to Windrock Park (Tennessee) on Skyscanner.
It offers a range of trails from easy to challenging, with everything from gravel roads to extremely rugged mountain terrain. It’s a great place to ride.
Climbing
The climbing performance of the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race, as a hardtail mountain bike, is undoubtedly excellent. I can feel that it has more stable power output compared to full-suspension mountain bikes while pedaling. It handles with ease on slopes that are not too steep.
Furthermore, the Scout 290 Race features a 30T chainring paired with a Sunrace CSMS2 10-Speed, 11-46T Black freewheel. This setup is perfect for tackling slightly steeper uphill sections.
What I like is that this hardtail mountain bike is equipped with Schwalbe 2.35-inch wide, aggressive tread tires. They grip the ground firmly, without any noticeable slippage.
Descending
I rode the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race on rough terrain for fast descents. The first thing I noticed was the RockShox Recon Silver RL 140mm suspension fork. Its excellent initial sensitivity still works reliably during these fast descents, filtering out a lot of vibrations. However, the rear wheel’s jumping sensation is not as grounded as that of a full-suspension mountain bike.
Next, the Shimano M5120 rear derailleur provided me with good tension, ensuring that the chain won’t unexpectedly come off. But adding a chain guide later on might provide even more stability.
I was pleasantly surprised that the Shimano MT4100 brakes, paired with front and rear Shimano SM-RT56 180mm brake discs, still deliver powerful braking performance when I rode into tight corners. It gave me extremely short braking distances.
Lastly, the Scout 290 Race is equipped with 29-inch large wheels and 2.35-inch aggressive tread tires. On these descending trails, I felt as stable as driving a tank.
In conclusion, the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race is a hardtail mountain bike with powerful overall performance. It has a better capability of descending than regular XC mountain bikes while offering stronger climbing performance than full-suspension mountain bikes.
Specification
The Nukeproof Scout 290 Race is available in four sizes (M-XXL) of aluminum alloy frames to choose from. With reinforced top and seat tubes, the frame becomes even stronger and more durable.
Furthermore, its slack geometry combined with 29-inch large wheels provides excellent stability and impressive traction during descents. The downtube features mounting holes that support full-size water bottle placement.
The Nukeproof Neutron AM 45mm stem, paired with the Nukeproof Neutron V2 25mm Rise, Width – M780mm, (L-XXL) 800mm handlebar, gives this hardtail mountain bike agile and responsive handling.
The longer handlebar allows riders to adjust the length according to their preferences.
Video
Other Versions
The Nukeproof Scout 290 Race is a hardtail mountain bike with a sturdy and well-designed aluminum alloy frame. It is suitable for riders who love hardtail mountain bikes, paired with appropriate components.
However, this series also offers hardtail bikes with higher-grade components to choose from.
For this reason, we provide another model within the same series of hardtail mountain bikes. They have the same excellent aluminum alloy frame but utilize higher-level components to fully unleash the frame’s potential.
NUKEPROOF SCOUT 290 RS
The NUKEPROOF SCOUT 290 RS and Nukeproof Scout 290 Race are different models within the same series of hardtail bikes. The former is more suitable for riders with a higher budget and more demanding requirements for components.
Firstly, the NUKEPROOF SCOUT 290 RS features a RockShox Lyrik fork with 150mm of travel, offering excellent sensitivity. This fork provides greater vibration absorption on complex terrain and enhances stability during descents.
In terms of drivetrain, it utilizes the SRAM GX Eagle 1×12-speed, offering crisp and precise shifting performance. Combined with the powerful rear derailleur tension, there is no need to worry about chain drops.
Lastly, the SRAM Guide RE hydraulic brakes, paired with a front 200mm SRAM Centerline and rear 180mm SRAM Centerline brake discs, deliver instant stopping power. The strong braking capability significantly shortens braking distances.
In summary, if you have a sufficient budget and are a dedicated fan of hardtail mountain bikes, the NUKEPROOF SCOUT 290 RS is a worthwhile choice.
Next, we will provide detailed specifications of the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race and list some similarly priced gravel bikes from other brands for your reference.
What do we like about it?
- Sturdy frame, durable components, and an attractive price point that suits anyone’s preferences.
- Available in four sizes (M-XXL) with 29-inch wheels, providing increased stability during descents.
- Impressive Schwalbe Magic Mary aggressive tread tires for superior grip.
- Reinforced top and seat tubes for increased frame strength.
- Downtube protection to reduce paint damage from flying rocks.
- Chainstay protection to minimize chain slap noise during rides.
What don’t we like about it?
- Lack of a dropper post, which means no on-the-fly seat height adjustment between climbing and descending.
FAQ
- What wheelset is used on this bike?
The front wheelset is the RaceNukeproof Neutron V2 Hub 15x110mm, and the rear wheelset is the Nukeproof Neutron V2 Hub 148x12mm.
- What type of riders is this bike suitable for?
With its high-quality aluminum alloy frame and durable components, it is suitable for both entry-level riders and experienced riders with extensive cycling experience.
- How to choose the right size?
Here we have a size chart for you. Of course, it doesn’t have to be according to this standard, and the best way to find the most suitable size is to try it on.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’6″ – 5’10” | M |
| 5’10” – 6’0″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’4″ | XL |
| 6’4″ – 6’6″ | XXL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Custom triple butted hydro-formed Alloy Color: Artichoke Green |
| Fork | RockShox Recon Silver RL, 140mm, 42mm Offset, Solo air, Gloss Black |
| Rear Shock | N/A |
| Headset | Nukeproof Warhead, 44-56 IITS |
| Stem | Nukeproof Neutron AM, 45mm, black |
| Handlebar | Nukeproof Neutron V2 25mm Rise, Width – M780mm, L800mm, XL800mm, XXL800mm |
| Saddle | Nukeproof Neutron, Black |
| Seatpost | Nukeproof Neutron, Black, 31.6mm, 450mm |
| Grips | Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano M5120 Deore 10-Speed |
| Crank | Shimano M5100 Deore 10 Speed Crank, 170mm, 30T, 52mm Chainline |
| Shifters | Shimano M4100-R Deore 10-Speed, (I-Spec EV) |
| Cassette | Sunrace CSMS2 10-Speed, 11-46T Black |
| Chain | KMC X10 10-Speed, with Quick Link |
| Chain Guide | N/A |
| Brakes | Shimano MT4100 Lever with Shimano MT410 2 Pot Caliper, Resin Pads |
Wheels
| Rims | Nukeproof Neutron V2 Hub 15x110mm, built onto a 29″ WTB STi30 TCS 2.0 Rim, 32H |
| Tires | Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary, Snakeskin, TL Easy, Addix Soft, 29×2.35″; Rear: Schwalbe Nobby Nic, DD, RaceGuard, TL Easy, Addix, 29×2.35 “ |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Travel | Frame material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Canyon Stoic 2 | Click View | 140mm front | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 10 |
| Kona Big Honzo | Click View | 130mm front | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 11 |
| Cannondale Habit 5 | Click View | 130mm rear, 140mm front | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 11 |
| Trek Roscoe 7 | Click View | 140mm front | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 12 |
Nukeproof Scout 290 Race vs Canyon Stoic 2
These two bikes both feature aluminum alloy frames with external cable routing. However, the former has a more relaxed geometry, resulting in smoother performance during descents on challenging terrains.
In terms of drivetrain components, the rear bike utilizes the higher-level Shimano Deore M6000, while the former uses Shimano Deore M5100. However, there isn’t much difference in performance between these two groupsets.
Let’s take a look at the forks equipped on both bikes. The Scout 290 Race features the RockShox Recon Silver RL, while the Stoic 2 uses the SR Suntour XCR 34. Although both have a 140mm travel, the former offers better sensitivity and support in the initial stages of fork compression.
Lastly, when it comes to braking components, the former’s Shimano MT4100 offers more powerful braking ability and stronger stopping force compared to the latter’s Shimano MT200.
Therefore, between these two bikes, the former has better overall performance and is more worth purchasing than the latter.
Learn More: Is Canyon Stoic 2 Worth Buying? [2022 Canyon Stoic 2 Review]
Nukeproof Scout 290 Race vs Kona Big Honzo
They have the same price, yet the former utilizes more advanced components.
In terms of the drivetrain system, both bikes feature the Shimano MT5100 groupset. However, the latter offers higher gearing, providing an advantage on steeper climbs.
Regarding the suspension components, the former’s RockShox Recon Silver RL has a 140mm travel compared to the latter’s Suntour XCR34 with a 130mm travel. It has an advantage in handling large drops and offers better vibration damping on rough terrains.
When it comes to braking components, the Scout 290 Race equipped with Shimano MT4100 outperforms the Big Honzo with Shimano MT201.
To be honest, these two bikes with the same price and identical frames, the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race offers a more cost-effective combination of components.
Learn More: Is Kona Cinder Cone Worth Buying? – [2023 Kona Cinder Cone Review]
Nukeproof Scout 290 Race vs Cannondale Habit 5
They are two different styles of mountain bikes.
Firstly, the latter is equipped with front and rear suspension systems. The RockShox 35 Silver R and RockShox Deluxe Select provide 140mm and 130mm of travel respectively.
Having full suspension offers more stability during large drops compared to a hardtail mountain bike, preventing the rear wheel from bouncing and ensuring greater safety.
In terms of the braking system, both bikes use the same drivetrain components, but the latter has slightly higher gearing.
However, in the braking department, the Shimano MT4100 brakes on the former offer better braking than the Tektro M275 brakes on the latter. I would prefer the brakes on the former.
Between these two bikes, if you’re looking for a more aggressive downhill experience, the full-suspension Cannondale Habit 5 would be more suitable. The hardtail design of the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race offers superior climbing performance and overall versatility.
Learn More: Is Cannondale Habit 5 A Good Bike?[2022 Cannondale Habit 5 Review]
Nukeproof Scout 290 Race vs Trek Roscoe 7
Nukeproof Scout 290 Race and Trek Roscoe 7 are both excellent hardtail mountain bikes from their respective brands. However, the internally routed frame of the Trek Roscoe 7 gives it a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Both bikes use the RockShox Recon Silver RL 140mm suspension fork, and due to the slightly more relaxed geometry of the Scout 290 Race, it may have a slight advantage in downhill performance.
In terms of the drivetrain, the Shimano Deore M6100 on the latter and the Shimano M5120 on the former have comparable performance, both offering reliable shifting capabilities.
When it comes to the choice of braking components, once again, the Shimano M4100 brakes on the Scout 290 Race provide stronger braking performance compared to the Shimano MT200 brakes on the Roscoe 7.
In summary, these two bikes each have their advantages. The Nukeproof Scout 290 Race may offer stronger riding capabilities, while the Trek Roscoe 7 has a more aesthetically appealing paint job.
Learn More: Is Trek Roscoe 7 Worth Buying? [Trek Roscoe 7 Review]
Summary
Here is my review of the Nukeproof Scout 290 Race. In our opinion, it is a sturdy and reasonably priced hardtail mountain bike, which is why we gave it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in other hardtail mountain bikes, we also review a wide range of bikes at various price points, all of which are equally interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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