The bikes from the new Hamburg label are designed to scurry over the trail like squirrels - hence the name. Sciu is a Latin abbreviation for squirrel.
The Sciu founder and mechanical engineer, Gjovalin Pepaj, worked for the US brand Santa Cruz for over ten years. Not a bad background, in our opinion. His idea: to design an enduro bike that can be pedalled like a trail bike. After two years of development work, the Sciu Aspen rolled out of production. At 6000 euros, the complete bike costs almost half (!) the price of the Santa Cruz Nomad. For the money, you get a full carbon frame and Ultimate suspension from Rockshox.
On the trail, the Sciu Aspen quickly reveals itself as a classic enduro bike. With its moderate geometry, it is very direct and manoeuvrable on the trail. Manuals? No problem. The suspension works confidently but firmly and gives the rider plenty of feedback. This means it can be pumped efficiently over root carpets, but it also gives out when things get fast, steep and bumpy. Compared to the speed-loving competition, the Aspen falls significantly behind. Only when we tuned it significantly softer than recommended did we get enough comfort out of the Sciu Enduro. Nevertheless, it remains rather firm. On tour and uphill, the bike fulfils the promise of founder Pepaj and is admirably drive-neutral, even in open shock mode.
STRENGTHRange of use, handling, propulsion
WEAKNESSES: Tight rear triangle, seat post cannot be fully lowered
Conclusion from Laurin Lehner, FREERIDE tester:
"Successful premiere! The Sciu Aspen is an all-round enduro bike instead of a modern racing bike. The range of use is broad, the equipment well thought out. However, there are better downhill bikes."
Alternative to the Sciu Aspen
There is only one model of the Sciu Aspen, albeit in different paint finishes. However, a 27.5-inch wheel can be fitted to the rear triangle. According to the manufacturer, this should improve the bike's parking characteristics but make it less efficient when pedalling.
Technical data and notes of the Sciu Aspen
Manufacturer information
- Distribution: Sciu Bikes
- Material / Sizes: Carbon / M, L (tested size), XL
- Price / weight without pedals: 5999 euros / 14.8 kg
Measurement data
- Front / rear suspension travel: 170 mm / 160 mm
- Rear suspension system: four-link
Equipment
- Fork / shock: Rockshox ZEB Ultimate / Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Cranks / gears: Sram GX Eagle / Sram GX Eagle
- Brake system: Magura MT 5
- Wheels: Syntace W33i system wheelset
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo Addix ST 2.4, Schwalbe Big Betty Evo Addix Soft ST 2.4
- Reach: 475 mm
- Stack: 631 mm
- BB drop: -30 mm
*Trail: By this we mean undulating, winding trails with obstacles, terrain steps and short counter-climbs. This is where lightweight bikes with agile handling and precise steering score highly.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
