With two new weight records, Scott impressively showcases its expertise in carbon and completely redesigns its bestsellers Scale and Spark. Just 849 grams for the Scott Scale hardtail frame (27.5 and 29 inches) and 1749 grams for the Spark frame including shock (27.5 inches) are a real statement and will make weight fetishists and racers sit up and take notice.
In contrast to the bike companies, which are reducing their range of models Scott exactly the other way round. Both Scott Scale and Spark will therefore be available in three different wheel dimensions. With 27.5, 27.5 Plus and 29 inch wheels, Scott customers will have a free choice. There will be a total of 25 models of the Scott Scale and Spark. These include seven Contessa models, with which Scott is expanding its range of lady bikes.
Scott RC models: the racing machines from Scale and Spark
Scott adds the suffix RC ("Racing Concept") to its lightest bikes that are uncompromisingly optimised for racing - the bikes in the fleet that help a Nino Schurter to World Cup victories. All Scott RC models do without a front derailleur and have been optimised exclusively for single drivetrains. Furthermore, the suspension travel of both the Scale and the Spark has been limited to 100 millimetres. Scott calls up only 9.8 kilos with tubes for the lightest Spark - the RC 700 SL - in the line-up.
For a wider range of applications, there is the Scott Sparkwithout the RC suffix, also with a suspension travel of 120 millimetres. The two wheel sizes 27.5 and 29 inches are also available here. For those who like it a little more downhill, there are also four 27.5 Plus models of the Spark for 2017 with 130 millimetres at the front and 120 at the rear and 2.8-inch wide Maxxis tyres. In direct comparison to the 29er-tyred Spark, the Plus model has noticeably more reserves downhill. At 11.6 kilos for the top model, Scott also proves here that plus-fullys don't have to be heavy and cumbersome.
In order to get the best out of the bike, the Swiss engineers go to great lengths and give each Spark its own rear triangle depending on the wheel size. Only the main frame for the 29- and 27.5-plus Spark is identical. In addition to innovative details, the geometry of the new bikes was also further optimised: a slacker head angle, shorter chainstays, a longer reach and shorter stack were on the to-do list.
Scott Scale: lighter, comfortable and just as stiff
Hardtail fans can look forward to the new Scott Scale can look forward not only to a record weight, but also to significantly more comfort. Without sacrificing stiffness, the new design is said to have improved seating comfort by 35 per cent and flex when standing by 27 per cent.
Find out more about the new Scott Scale and Spark mountain bikes in BIKE 8/2016 - on newsstands from 5 July. You can read the issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or in the DK shop order:
