Scott Spark DC 2027: First impressions – here’s what Scott’s new trail bike is like to ride

With 140 millimetres of suspension travel and weights starting at 11.5 kilos, the Scott Spark DC could well be a real all-rounder. Compared to the trail bikes of recent years, which weighed up to 15 kilos, the Swiss manufacturer’s new down-country bike has a refreshingly different design. In our experience, lightweight full-suspension bikes can be the ideal choice for everything from a quick, fun ride after work to extended trail tours and even a weekend visit to the bike park. Can the Scott Spark DC live up to these expectations? We took it out on the trail to get our first impressions.

Conclusion

With the new Spark DC, Scott has brought out a really brilliant bike suitable for a wide range of uses. It lives up to its ‘do-it-all’ claim, albeit with a few minor compromises on spec, and this works particularly well in the lightweight top-of-the-range version. The suspension and geometry scored highly in our initial test. My plea: Make down-country bikes great again! - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

The Scott Spark DC 10 in detail

• Intended use: Trail bike
• Suspension travel: 140 / 138 mm
• Wheel size: 29”
• Frame material: carbon
• Weight: from 12.3 kg
• Price: 8,499 euros
• Special features: integrated shock absorber, frame storage compartment, tool mount, steering angle adjustment, steering stop limiter, flex pivot, SAG indicator

Facilities

• Fork / Shock: RockShox Pike / SIDLuxe XL Ultimate Flight Attendant
• Drivetrain / Gear ratio: SRAM X0 Eagle AXS transmission (1 x 12), 32; 10–52 (520 per cent)
• Brakes: SRAM Motive Silver, 180 / 180 mm
• Seatpost: Syncros Dropper Post
• Wheels: Syncros Silverton CF2
• Tyres: Maxxis Forekaster / Recon 3C MaxxTerra Exo, 29 x 2.4”

A full house

The Scott Spark DC inherits the high level of system integration from its sibling, the Spark RC, but is based on a frame of its own, developed specifically for trail riding. This frame not only conceals the shock but also features a frame storage compartment, integrated stem stop limiters, a seatpost clamp and a SAG indicator. The number of small and plastic components is staggering! On the one hand, this shows just how much thought Scott has put into creating a well-rounded overall design; on the other hand, it remains to be seen in long-term use whether the abundance and complexity of the features will stand the test of time. At first glance, however, the Spark DC shows no signs of any flaws: everything is securely fitted with no rattling and is easily accessible.

Given this, it is remarkable that the Spark DC in its second-most expensive spec level, the 10, weighs in at XX kilos. Scott has not only slimmed down the carbon frame, but has also kept an eye on the weight when selecting the components. Lightweight tyres and SRAM Motive brakes are rarely found on a bike with 140 millimetres of suspension travel, but more on that in a moment. With an electronically controlled RockShox Flight Attendant, carbon wheels and a cockpit from Scott’s own Syncros brand, the Scott Spark DC 10 certainly leaves nothing to be desired – though at a price of 8,499 euros, it really shouldn’t.

The joy of cycling

The new Scott Spark DC brings something to the trail bike scene that many other bikes in this category have long since lost: the joy of pedalling under your own steam. Long rides and the Transalp? We can definitely see the Scott Spark DC excelling there! This isn’t just down to its low overall weight, but also to a nippy tyre combination. The Maxxis Recon on the rear wheel originally hails from the cross-country scene; it rolls with minimal resistance but, with its lightweight Exo casing, offers comparatively little puncture protection. Anyone who wants to regularly tear it up on rocky trails on this 140 mm travel bike should consider upgrading to Exo+. Up front, the Maxxis Forekaster skilfully guides the Spark DC over dry trails. The grip in corners and on off-camber sections is spot on. Here, too, however, there’s still more downhill potential to be unleashed – for example, with a softer rubber compound than the fitted MaxxTerra.

Scott has equipped the new Spark DC with another great touring feature: a three-stage suspension lockout. On our high-end test bike, this task is handled by the electronic RockShox Flight Attendant system. On more affordable models, the tried-and-tested Scott Twinloc lever and a cable-operated system are used. On a bike that’s often ridden for many kilometres and long days over rough terrain, this makes perfect sense in our view. The solution has no real drawbacks. Instead, the fork and shock can be stiffened automatically or at the touch of a thumb to boost efficiency on transfer stages and when riding out of the saddle. The suspension electronics take a little getting used to in order to find the ideal balance between efficiency and comfort, but once you’ve got the hang of it, they’re a real asset to the Scott Spark DC. Despite the low-profile rear tyre, the traction on uphill trails is impressive.

The riding position on the Scott Spark DC 2027 is modern: nice and stretched out, yet still efficient. The reach measurements are quite long and, depending on how the adjustable headset cups are fitted, the steering angle is very flat. On particularly technical and narrow uphill sections, the bike can sometimes feel a bit cumbersome and the front end may dip. In such cases, it takes an experienced rider to countersteer. Overall, however, the Scott Spark DC still makes a very good first impression on the trail.

One for all

Riding enjoyment is a top priority on the new Scott Spark DC – just as we believe it should be on a trail bike. The carbon wheels spin freely, and the compact chainstay lengths across all frame sizes ensure agile handling. It’s only on very narrow sections of trail that you notice, on our XL test bike, just how much bike there is beneath the rider. The long reach and slack head angle ensure stable straight-line stability at high speeds, but need to be reined in a bit on slow, narrow sections. The Spark DC is at its best when riding fast. The trail bike tackles steep descents effortlessly thanks to its long dropper post and good rider integration.

This also highlights the downhill potential that lies dormant in the Scott trail bike. The suspension does an excellent job, feels like it has plenty of travel and offers plenty of reserves at all times. The rear suspension absorbs trail features – from small to large – with both sensitivity and efficiency. We’re certain that many riders will boost the Spark DC’s downhill capabilities even further with grippier tyres, more powerful brakes than the somewhat tame SRAM Motive, and perhaps a 150mm fork. The chassis would be ideal for this. That said, you might have to make some compromises in terms of weight and touring efficiency. As Scott sells it in shops, the Spark DC is a top-notch trail bike in a down-country configuration. Customers can set up the bike for both long-distance riding and the bike park. The range of possible uses is vast.

Strengths and weaknesses

Pro

• lightweight yet offering a high degree of system integration
• a good mix of climbing and downhill skills, suitable for a wide range of conditions
• efficient chassis with plenty of headroom
• fun to handle

Cons

• Tyres and brakes can limit your performance on downhill runs

What do you think: do you appreciate the Scott Spark DC’s lightweight design, or would you prefer it to be fully geared towards downhill riding? Let us know in the comments!