On the trail version we tested, Scott added another ten millimetres of travel to the fork. At 75.5 degrees, the seat angle is pleasantly steep and places the rider in a propulsion-orientated position on the Scott Spark 910. Paired with the moderate reach, you sit compactly on the bike. Just as it should be on a trail bike. However, with the low front end, decent saddle rake and a lot of pressure on the front wheel, the Spark cannot deny its race genes. The same applies to the rear triangle. Although the rear end offers three riding modes via the Twinloc lever on the handlebars - open, platform, closed - our thumbs stayed on the handlebars most of the time. Even without the platform, the rear end remains surprisingly stable and provides good propulsion.
For the tyres, Scott relies on the fast but sufficiently grippy Wicked Will for trail use, with a soft rubber compound at the front and fast Speedgrip rubber at the rear. Downhill, the suspension impresses with its high sensitivity and good absorption capacity. The low bottom bracket and slack steering angle contribute to riding safety. In rough terrain, the Spark sometimes feels a little stubborn due to the stiff frame. The narrow handlebars with the special offset are criticised, and none of the testers really warmed to them. For 5499 euros you get a bike with first-class technologies. However, the choice of components could be better.
You can find more articles about the Scott Spark here:
Conclusion from Tobias Ziganek, BIKE tester:
"The Scott Spark manages to combine excellent propulsion with very good downhill performance. The perfect bike for long tours with trail interludes. However, if you're focussing more on the downhill, you'll find even more capable trail bikes."
Technical data and notes Scott Spark 910
General information
- Price: 5499 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S / M /L / XL (tested size L / 49 cm)
Measured values
- Front / rear suspension travel: 131 / 129 mm
- Weight without pedals: 12.58 kg
- Frame weight: 1844 g
- Weight of wheels: 4738 g
- Acceleration of running wheels:: 3593 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 760
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 53 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Syncros Silverton 2.0
- Tyres: Schwalbe Wicked Will 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Performance Elite Fit4
- Shock: Fox Nude 5T
- Brakes: Shimano XT BR-M 8100 / 180 / 180
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Fox Transf. / 150 mm / 31.6 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 27 from 30
- Chassis efficiency: 19 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 12.75 out of 15
- Weight: 12 from 20
- Inertia impellers: 6 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 7 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 27 from 30
- Front suspension: 14.25 out of 15
- Rear suspension: 18 out of 20
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes:. 12.75 from 15
- Tyre grip: 12 out of 15
- Driving stability: 9 out of 10
- TOTAL UPHILL: 83.75 OUT OF 105
- TOTAL DOWNHILL: 103 OF 115
- Other: 23 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating*: super - 209.8 out of 250
* The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measured values (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
¹ Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
² The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Max Fuchs
Editor
