In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
Nino Schurter confidently won every single World Cup race in 2017. Even in Albstadt, when he chose the Scale hardtail over his Spark fully just once last season, nobody was able to beat him. In addition to Schurter's excellent form, the super-light frame certainly contributed to this - the top model in the Scale line weighs less than 900 grams. How Canyon on the Exceed Scott also uses a different carbon fibre in the cheaper price categories than in the top model. The cheaper frame is therefore over 500 grams heavier than the bike that Schurter lifted over the finish line in Albstadt. However, the geometry and stiffness remain unchanged.
That's a good thing. Because with the 422 millimetre short chainstays, the Scott Scale is extremely nimble around any cross-country course, no matter how tight. On very steep climbs, you have to move slightly forward onto the tip of the saddle to shift your weight and keep the front wheel on the ground. The inexpensive Fox Rhythm fork responds extremely sensitively, but it does bob slightly through its travel. The Scott lockout lever is easy to operate. The inexpensive Addix Performance tyres lack grip in wet conditions, but roll just as well on tarred roads as the more expensive versions. With the 32 t chainring of the 1x12 drivetrain, climbing is almost as easy as with the 2x11 drivetrain on Cannondale or Bulls. However, it lacks a gear for high speeds. If the trail only slopes slightly downwards during a marathon, you have to pedal at a high cadence to keep up with the group. The inexpensive aluminium seatpost from Syncros offers significantly less flex than its carbon counterpart in our test. Test in BIKE 1/17.
Stefan Loibl, BIKE test editor: The compromises that Scott makes on the Scale due to the cheaper carbon fibre compared to the top model are clear. The complete bike is nevertheless coherent, and the weight of 10.8 kilos is also acceptable considering the price. The short chainstays make the Scott Scale extremely agile on singletrack.
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2018 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
