Future now! The new Scott Gambler: Stealth machine for park and downhill in the test
Laurin Lehner
· 26.09.2025
With the new Gambler, Scott is launching a downhill bike that is clearly geared towards racing. The centrepiece is a newly developed 6-bar chassis with 210 mm rear suspension travel and a central, low shock position that is concealed in the frame. The aim: balanced handling and many options for adapting the bike to the track and riding style. Many options means: a double chainstay length adjustment, a flip chip that influences the bottom bracket height and rear triangle progression, as well as a triple reach adjustment in the headset.
No High-Pivot
Scott engineers spent three years developing the bike together with the World Cup team. Scott bought a number of bikes from competitors for inspiration during the development process. It's funny that they still didn't design a high pivot rear triangle. A conscious decision, as product manager Clement Martin says: "High-pivot has advantages, for example on rough, straight sections. However, it has disadvantages on steep terrain and when braking."
Benoît Coulanges in particular, who only joined the Scott Racing Team at the beginning of the year, has provided a lot of input for fine-tuning. However, the fact that Benoît, who was a sure-fire podium contender last year, has so far failed to achieve anything with his new bike probably doesn't play into the hands of the Scott marketing team.
Benoit Coulanges: "500 grams of extra weight under the bottom bracket"
The bike will be available in two equipment variants. It will be delivered in a mullet design: "Because a 29er rear wheel restricts the manoeuvrability of many riders," says Product Manager Clement Martin. However, if you still want a large rear wheel, you can easily retrofit it. The centrepiece is the rear shock, which is hidden above the bottom bracket and can be accessed and adjusted via two plastic covers. The rear triangle works with both steel spring shocks (as in our test bike) and air shocks.
As the SAG cannot be read directly in this design, the "Scotties" integrated a SAG indicator on the crank base. During the Predecessor was a real weight miracle at 15 kilos, the top model with steel spring shock absorber 16.85 kilos (size L) without pedals on the scales (thanks to Gregor, who lent me his mobile scales). But a light downhill bike is no longer automatically considered a good downhill bike. Worldcupper Benoît Coulanges told us that he even puts 500 grams of extra weight under the bottom bracket - for extra riding stability.
E-bike look without a motor: where is the damper?
Scott calls the new frame design "Integrated Suspension Technology". The shock and linkage are positioned closer to the bottom bracket in order to centralise the weight. This should ensure better handling, more traction and greater stability at high speeds. The look takes some getting used to at first, as the bulky frame shape is somewhat reminiscent of an e-bike. Not that e-bikes are unsexy - but if you're already riding a biobike, you don't necessarily want an e-bike look, do you? On the other hand, the hidden shock is a real design masterpiece and stands out.
Setting options
Tech fans can let off steam here.
The bottom bracket height can be adjusted by 16 mm via a flip chip on the front shock mount - this also changes the progression of the rear triangle:
- More Progressive (30 %): more sensitive at the beginning, more protection against punctures.
- Less Progressive (25 %): more support in the mid-travel range.
The chainstays can be varied between 445 and 460 mm using a flip chip and interchangeable dropouts. Shorter means more manoeuvrable; longer means smoother.
Reach adjustment on the headset: The reach can also be adjusted by plus and minus 6 millimetres using the headset cups supplied. There is also a neutral position. That makes 3 possible positions. Product Manager Clement Martin says: "Many riders are exactly between the frame sizes in terms of height. With this feature, you no longer have to worry about choosing the wrong frame size."
Damper integration & maintenance
The frame is compatible with standard air and steel spring shocks. Large openings in the down tube and seat tube facilitate access to the adjustment options and hardware. Both are protected from dirt by robust covers. Top: A mini-tool is hidden in the cover.
Impellers & variants
The bike is designed for a mixed-wheel setup (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear), but can also be ridden completely with 29-inch wheels. There are two models to choose from.
Models & prices at a glance
- Gambler RC: Fox suspension, SRAM XO1 DH Price: 7599 euros
- Gambler 10: RockShox suspension, SRAM GX DH. Price: 4899,- Euro
- Frame kit: Gambler Carbon HMX, Integrated Suspension Technology, 6-link kinematics Price: 3999,- Euro
Scott Gambler RC
- Suspension travel: 210 mm
- Fork: FOX 40 Factory Grip X2 Air, Kashima, 200 mm
- Shock: FOX DH X2 Factory, 250x75 mm
- Rear derailleur: SRAM XO1 DH, 7-speed
- Crank: Raceface Atlas DM36T aluminium, 165 mm
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver 4-piston, SRAM HS2 discs 200 mm
- Wheels: Race Face Atlas, 29" front, 27.5" rear
- Front tyres: Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5", DH, 3C Maxx Grip
- Rear tyres: Maxxis DHR II 27.5x2.5", DH, 3C Maxx Terra
- Weight: 16.8 kg (tubeless) (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: 7599 Euro
Scott Gambler 10
- Frame: Gambler Carbon HMX main frame, aluminium 6061 rear triangle
- Suspension travel: 210 mm
- Fork: Rockshox Boxxer Base, Rush RC, 200 mm
- Shock: Rockshox Vivid Coil, 250x75 mm
- Rear derailleur: SRAM GX DH, 7-speed
- Crank: SRAM Descendant DH DUB, 34T steel chainring, 165 mm
- Brakes: Shimano MT520 4-piston, Shimano SM-RT76 discs 203 mm
- Wheels: Alexrims MD30 Disc, 29" front, 27.5" rear
- Front tyres: Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5", DH, 3C Maxx Grip
- Rear tyres: Maxxis DHR II 27.5x2.5", DH, 3C Maxx Terra
- Weight: 17.5 kg (tubeless) (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: 4899 Euro
Interview with Clement Martin, Product Manager Scott
Who is the new Gambler for - park riders or semi-pro racers?
We designed it for our World Cup team, so it's a real race big bike. However, thanks to the many adjustment options, the bike can also be transformed into a fun-orientated park bike - that was exactly the idea.
High-pivot rear triangles are the latest trend. Why do you do without them?
Because it doesn't fit in with our concept. High-pivot has advantages, for example on rough, straight sections. However, it has disadvantages on steep terrain and when braking - the rider is pushed too far forwards.
What was the biggest development challenge?
Definitely the kinematics. We worked on it for a long time until we were 100 per cent satisfied - the effort was worth it.
The integrated damper looks like a design gimmick. Does it bring any advantages at all?
We wanted to place the shock deep in the frame and design the bike around it. This only works with carbon - and only in the way we have realised it. And no, it's not just for the design effect, it also has technical advantages.
Without air cooling, the damper develops significantly more heat. No problem?
We put it to the test: Benoît Coulanges drove long runs without a break. Even afterwards, there was no measurable loss of performance. That would also be unacceptable for a World Cup bike.
What can the new Gambler do better than its predecessor?
It rides more confidently on extremely rough terrain, especially when cornering. Although the predecessor was easy to drive, it generated less traction.
You have maxed out the adjustment options - aren't you overtaxing the customer?
Our online set-up guide explains exactly how to set up the bike and the benefits of the changes. Of course, it's not a "set it and forget it" bike, but a racing machine.
Why no aluminium frame?
Our concept only works with carbon - that's why there is no aluminium version.
Why mullet instead of 29 inch rear?
A 29er rear wheel restricts the manoeuvrability of many riders. With Mullet, the bike remains more agile.
World Cup bikes are not necessarily suitable for hobby riders. Wouldn't a hobby bike make more sense?
Many people want to ride exactly the same bike that is used in the World Cup. Those looking for something simpler will be well served by the aluminium predecessor.
First test impression: How the new Gambler rides
The predecessor of the new Gambler was an eye-opener. We have probably never had such a light test bike before. It weighed 15 kilos and was a real park machine. However, it was more likely to bounce than stick to the ground on bumpy rides. Click here for the Test report.
Weight didn't play a role in the development of the new Gambler - why should it? It's no secret that World Cup racers prefer a heavier bike because it is more stable and therefore faster.
For our test, we chased the new Gambler in the top configuration over park and downhill trails in Châtel. The size L is compact and fitted my 1.78 metres like a glove. It becomes clear after the first few metres: the geometry places the rider in the centre of the bike - and that's exactly where they belong. The Gambler can be intuitively manoeuvred through rough terrain, with the front and rear working as one. Scott's goal of giving the bike more traction is immediately noticeable: even over nasty root carpets, the bike stays firmly on the ground and pulls true to line where you want it to go. The Fox suspension does a great job.
Initially, the front end was a little too low for me, but a few spacers under the stem brought the balance back. On the jump tracks, the Gambler surprises with enough pop - fun, even if its true territory remains the hard, rough downhill tracks. By the way: The bike is whisper-quiet. Although the shock developed noticeable heat inside the frame, I didn't notice any loss of performance.
In short: unlike its predecessor, the new Gambler is an uncompromising racer. It remains to be seen whether it really needs the many adjustment options. We haven't yet been able to find out how the bike compares to other World Cup bikes.
And to finally answer the question from the headline of this article: the new Gambler is no better than its predecessor for park use - but it is very much better on downhill slopes. The concept with the hidden shock is a matter of taste. The many adjustment options are great for racers and tech fans, but for hobby big bikers who just want to blast around the park, they are rather too much of a good thing. - Laurin Lehner, BIKE test editor
This is how the predecessor of the new Gambler rides. Click here for the Test report.
>> Do you want to try out the new Scott Gambler for yourself? Then come to the BIKE Festival in Saalfelden Leogang. More info here.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
