Nukeproof Scout going to be to big

Born_2_Kill_83

I'm currently using a 2021 Trek X caliber 8 and been wanting the Nukeproof Scout Pro ever since I saw it late last year. I can only find one in the UK and its a size large, its not due till middle of July but I can buy and return for free if it doesn't fit.

Now my X caliber is a size medium, I should really be riding an M/L for my size but the shop only had a medium and a large in and due to the seat tube not dropping down low enough into the bike due to water bottle bolts the bloke in the shop said I would be better with the medium.
It's certainly easy for me to control but I always have the feeling I'm to far forward over the bars with my weight especially when standing on the bike.

I really want the Scout and the extra top tube length will be welcome I feel, unfortunately the large comes with a 170mm dropper which will take me to high for my inseam so I plan to use a shim to bring it down 30mm.

I'm 510 with shoes with a 30 inch inseam and 511 arm span. What do you guys think, will it be OK or to big?

Spec below

Trek:

https://trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/x-caliber/x-caliber-8/p/33193/?colorCode=grey_black

Nukeproof

https://nukeproof.com/products/2021-scout-290

reaperactual

Nicee! 😛 I want the Nukeproof Scout Pro too, great choice imo.

I'm a similar height and inseem and between M and L. I chose a medium hardtail which came fitted with a 150mm dropper which was too tall for me.

The Nukeproof frame doesn't have any bottle mounts on the seat tube but whether you choose a medium or large a 170mm travel dropper is very likely going to be too tall for you.

Standard droppers can't be shimmed down for less travel and obviously can only be inserted up to the collar regardless of seat tube restrictions.

The One Up dropper is the only one I'm aware of that can be shimmed but only by 10 or 20mm.

I reckon you could get away with a medium or large frame size but either way you might find you'll need to replace the 170mm dropper for a 150mm or possibly even a 125mm travel dropper.

Born_2_Kill_83

Thanks Reaper, 30mm was just a guess I may have to go more, correct me if I'm wrong but the One up dropper and the Ascend X are very similar and people have inserted the white plastic shim One Up supply in both droppers.

However I' currently running a Rockshox Reverb 125mm on my X cal which extends out my current tube by around 5cm so even with the inch inch tube on the Scout I could still easily use that without it being slammed down to the collar. So there always options I feel when considering inseam length.

singleton

Not sure where you live, but can you try to rent a bike that is closer in size to the Nukeproof?
E.g. in Swinley forest you can rent Vitus Sentier for 2 hours for £25 - it might be worth trying to find something near you to try.

reaperactual

I've not heard that you could shim a Brand X dropper the same way as the One Up! 😎👌

Since mine was too tall I went back to an old school rigid seat post. 😀

If your 125mm dropper has a 50mm (2"ish) gap underneath then you could replace that dead space with more travel. That way you'll achieve max travel, your saddle (when dropped) will be out of the way as much as it can be which is the ideal scenario to aim for.

Having said that I've had a closer look and compared the spec on your medium Trek and the Large Scout frame. The seat tube on the L Scout is (460mm) only around 6mm taller than your M Trek (17.5"). Looking at those measurements you could possibly just about get away with the fitted 170mm travel dropper after all.

Born_2_Kill_83

reaperactual said:

I've not heard that you could shim a Brand X dropper the same way as the One Up! 😎👌

Since mine was too tall I went back to an old school rigid seat post. 😀

If your 125mm dropper has a 50mm (2"ish) gap underneath then you could replace that dead space with more travel. That way you'll achieve max travel, your saddle (when dropped) will be out of the way as much as it can be which is the ideal scenario to aim for.

Having said that I've had a closer look and compared the spec on your medium Trek and the Large Scout frame. The seat tube on the L Scout is (460mm) only around 6mm taller than your M Trek (17.5"). Looking at those measurements you could possibly just about get away with the fitted 170mm travel dropper after all.

I've measured up the Seat tube plus Seat post including collar on my old bike and compared it with the scout at full extension including collar and it comes to 3/4cm more.

If I can't shim I wonder how much of a faff it would be letting the seat pop up naturally to my height or full extension and squat on it a little.

JBA

The reach on the Scout is about 30mm longer than your Trek. Not a massive difference but will be noticeable. If it proves to be too long you can effectively reduce it by rolling the bars back and/or fitting a shorter stem.
As for the seat post, buy a shorter travel dropper post and sell the one that comes on the Scout to recoup some or all of the cost.

reaperactual

With my very limited experience of the extend and squat method in my kitchen it did my head in!

Never even tried it while riding and hear lots of riders say it's frustrating and suppose it defeats the purpose of what a dropper is meant to do for your riding technique and practicality.

Your only talking about a 7.5mm higher saddle than you have now, that's not a lot in the scheme of things so maybe it will be fine.

Like @singleton says it's a no brainer if you could at the very least sit on the Large Scout but with all the factors involved it's impossible to predict how it will fit in the end.

Edit:
I sold my dropper for good money and could have easily replaced with a lesser travel dropper for little to no financial loss.

Agree with JBA don't sweat it, see how it is and go from there. There's always that option to swap, exchange, buy/sell easily and might not cost a penny.

Born_2_Kill_83

Thanks guys, can't wait for it to arrive, time will drag. I'll report back.

I purchased my XC Caliber 8 not really knowing what I wanted from my mountain bike. Over the last 12 months of research and riding I think I've found it with the modern geo top spec hardtail. Should keep me going for a few more years.

I've just returned to MTB from running XC races in my childhood on the Peugeot Racing Tim Gloud edition fully ridged. Bikes have changed so much in this time, theres no wonder I fell off a lot I used to think it was lack of skill back then.

reaperactual

For what it's worth I think you've bought a great bike for your needs, newly acquired knowledge, naturally improved off road skill level, etc.

Congrats and looking forward to see some pics of your new beast when you finally get your hands on it. 💯🤘

Born_2_Kill_83

Update, ended up skipping the Scout Pro and went Reactor Elite carbon instead in a medium. Figured I'd skip another hardtail and go straight to a full sus, a move I'd end up doing in a couple of years anyway.

The bike is a sexy work of art can't wait to shread it.