New benchmark for Light E-MTB: Scott Lumen with 15.5 kilos and integrated shock

Every self-respecting manufacturer is currently launching a light eMTB on the market. It's about time! It's been almost three years since Specialised with the Levo SL started the trend for lightweight e-bikes. However, the 17 kilos that the bike weighed in at the time are still surpassed by almost all competitor models. So we were curious to see what Scott would come up with - or in this case, what they would bring to the press camp in Massa Marittima, Italy. Another lightweight E-trail bike weighing 18 kilos plus X? No, the Scott Lumen wants to shape a new category of its own, which has been copied from the non-motorised bike. Keyword: Down Country. Less suspension travel and lighter components, but also for more moderate terrain. This downsizing makes a new dimension in e-MTB weight possible: in the sinfully expensive top version eRide 900 SL, the Scott Lumen weighs a whopping 15.5 kilos!

Down-country on an e-bike? A new breed is spreading

For the uninitiated, down-country sounds like a negative economic forecast, but the term actually describes a young Mountain bike categorywhich has already established itself on motorless bikes. With the new Lumen, Scott transfers the down-country concept to the e-MTB sector more uncompromisingly than any other manufacturer before. Down-country e-bikes are designed for moderate terrain. The maximum suspension travel of 130 millimetres is rather short and the forks are thinner. Thanks to flat geometries, however, fast descents are no problem. The e-bike category is aimed at riders with sporty aspirations who are prepared to put in a lot of effort - the slim TQ drive system in the Scott Lumen is a perfect match. Very light HPR50 motor (Click here to test the e-bike motor) with moderate power and a permanently installed battery with 360 watt hours. This enables a very light, powerful overall system.

Down-country bikes such as the Scott Lumen are designed to be fun and effective on flat and undulating terrain, even above the assistance limit. To save energy, these bikes can also be ridden over long distances with the motor switched off. The difference to light e-MTBs with more suspension travel lies on the one hand in the equipment, which can be designed more consistently for lightweight construction in line with the moderate range of use of DC bikes. For example, lightweight tyres with less puncture protection, slimmer suspension forks, slimmer brakes. On the other hand, in more efficient and more propulsive chassis. This brings them even closer to the direct and light-footed handling of non-motorised trail bikes. However, they offer significantly less reserves for rough terrain. Similar bikes are already available from Trek, for example (Presentation of the E-Caliper), BMC (first test of the Fourstroke AMP) and BH Bikes (iLynx Race LT in the test). And we already know that more lightweight e-bikes will follow!

The facts about the Scott Lumen

• Motor: TQ HPR 50, max. 50 Nm torque
• Battery: TQ, 360 Wh, permanently installed
• Optional additional rechargeable battery in water bottle format (160 Wh)
• 29 inch
• 130 mm suspension travel
• Full carbon frame with integrated shock absorber
• Weight: from 15.5 kilos
• Price: 4 models from 6999 to 15999 euros
• Space for two drinking bottles or 1x drinking bottle and 1x range extender

Scott Lumen: frame with integrated shock absorber

Thanks to the compact dimensions of the TQ-HPR50 motor and a permanently installed 360 Wh battery, the developers have succeeded in realising the unique design with integrated shock absorber - the TQ-HPR50. patented by the Bold brandwhich Scott recently purchased - into the e-bike segment. The dimensions can hardly be distinguished from their motorless counterparts. In fact, the frame surface area of Scott's predecessor e-bikes was always almost 50 per cent larger than that of comparable bikes without a motor. The Lumen only has eleven per cent more surface area than the Spark. Now you can argue about whether it is clever to hide a component in the frame that you often have to touch to tune the suspension.

This is not user-friendly. But this design has a decisive advantage, especially on the Lumen: because the shock disappears from the frame triangle, there is space for two water bottle holders. Or, if you click on the 160 Wh range extender, there is space for the additional battery and a water bottle. For weight reasons, the Scott Lumen has no pivot points at the dropout. The rear triangle consists of one continuous carbon component. The carbon struts flex in a defined manner - just like the Spark. Due to the design, you have to turn the bike upside down to reach the shock. It is located deep inside and can only be reached with some finger acrobatics. The SAG, on the other hand, is easy to read on the external joint. The only real problem with the integrated design is that the narrowness in this area restricts the retractability of the seatpost. If you are rather short-legged (seat height under 72 centimetres), you will not achieve a suitable riding position with a frame size M and 150 mm seat post.

TQ HPR 50: The e-bike drive in the Scott Lumen

The new HPR50 motor from German manufacturer TQ plays a large part in the classic look and the sensationally low weight. The motor is record-breakingly compact, not visible at all from the chainring side and barely visible from the left. The background noise is also barely noticeable. In many riding situations, for example on gravel, the drive whirring of the mini engine is completely drowned out by the ambient noise. Only when accelerating before steps or technical passages, when the cadence is briefly above 100, does the drive whistle a little louder. The fixed battery makes the frame stiff and light. Because the motor also produces no gear rattling on the descent, the riding experience with the HPR50 is pleasantly quiet. What you have to put up with is the rather low "punch". Even in the most powerful riding mode, the TQ does not provide a real boost feeling. It is not possible to be gently pushed to the summit by the motor without doing much work yourself. The rider must have the sporty self-demand. Click here for the detailed test of the HPR 50.

The Scott Lumen eRide in detail

The geometry of the Scott Lumen

Scott equips the Lumen eRide with a swivelling bearing shell in the head tube. This allows the head angle to be slackened by 0.6 degrees without much effort. In the slack setting, this is a very trail bike-compatible 64.9 degrees. The 450 millimetre rear triangle on all models ensures good uphill traction and a bike that only really gets light on the front wheel on the steepest climbs. Especially because the Twinloc concept allows you to harden the rear triangle so that the bike doesn't sag at the rear on climbs. The steep seat angle and the long top tube do the rest to ensure a very good uphill position. The seat tube length is not shown in the geometry chart and there is a reason for this. The nominally normal-length seat tubes are actually virtually longer in reality: as the insertion depth of the seat post is severely restricted by the concept with the integrated shock, you can't simply buy according to the reach length. What is important here is the saddle height, measured from the bottom bracket. If you normally ride a size M frame with a 420 mm seat tube but need a saddle height of less than 720 millimetres, the Scott Lumen eRide requires a seatpost with a stroke of just 125 millimetres (although a sensible 150 millimetres is fitted as standard). This is because around 3 centimetres of the seat post remain above the seat tube. So you could say that the M frame actually has a 450 mm seat tube.

Scott Lumen eRide: features and prices

There are three models and a women's version of Scott's new down-country speedster Lumen eRide. All rely on the identical full carbon frame and the same TQ drive. However, the equipment and prices vary drastically. With its exorbitant price of 15999 euros, the top model even puts the top models from Specialized, Trek and co. in the shade.

Lumen eRide 900 SL

At 15.5 kilos and 15999 euros, the Lumen eRide 900 SL marks two superlatives. Actually three, if you add the wheels: Because the Syncros Silverton SL cost over 4500 euros alone. In addition, there is a pure Fox Factory outfit - fork, shock, dropper post. The gears are shifted with a Sram XX1 Eagle AXS, i.e. wirelessly via radio. An FSA carbon crank rounds off the classy package. Another consolation for the sensitive hole in your wallet: the additional battery (160 Wh) is included in the price of the 900 SL.

Lumen eRide 900

The shimmering metallic blue Lumen 900 comes with GX Eagle AXS, Fox Performance Elite suspension and classic carbon wheels. It still costs 9999 euros. The carbon crankset and handlebar unit are the same model as on the top model. This keeps the weight down. Thanks to the easier to repair wheels, which are still very light, the 900 is probably the more suitable high-end racer of the two most expensive models for everyday use.

Lumen eRide 910

The lightweight fun starts at 6999 euros. The frame and motor are identical, but with Syncros aluminium wheels, XT gears, aluminium cranks and a normal handlebar/stem unit, the weight is likely to be around two kilos more.

Contessa Lumen eRide 900

The women's model only differs from the normal 910 in terms of colour. The equipment with XT gears, performance suspension and Syncros aluminium wheels remains identical, as does the price of 6999 euros.

The Scott Lumen eRide 900 SL on the trail

The motor of the Lumen is almost inaudible on gentle climbs and on flat terrain - but we already knew that. The first real surprise: when switched off, the lightweight e-bike rides: ...like a lightweight bike without an E! No resistance in the pedals, no sluggish tyres and no excess weight to accelerate - so the motor stays off voluntarily for longer. In Twinloc Traction mode, which reduces and hardens the suspension travel, the Lumen climbs very well on technical trails. It can be manoeuvred completely neutrally through tight hairpin bends. However, a technical climb with the then quietly whistling motor requires courageous pressure on the pedals. This is because the TQ HPR50 only provides a maximum of 300 watts, and only at a cadence between 70 and 90, but the sporty character suits the concept and feels harmonious. Downhill, the Lumen surprises with its trail bike-like smoothness. With a slack 65° steering angle and powerful brakes, we were able to ride at high speeds and felt safe. The lightweight bike is extremely agile and manoeuvrable. The wheels are very stiff and accelerate fantastically, but the paper-thin tyres are only suitable for flowing trails.

First conclusion from Christian Schleker, author and EMTB test rider

What surprised me right from the start was how light and sporty the Lumen rides when the motor is switched off. On flat and undulating terrain, it feels like a normal bike. The gentle support of the TQ and the traction mode give the Lumen a natural, sporty character on the climbs that other light e-bikes don't have. And yet it is still really fun to ride downhill. It is also extremely quiet both up and downhill. A very harmonious concept for sporty riders switching from a normal MTB and anyone who wants to keep their fitness levels high on an e-bike. You will be rewarded with a bike that is the perfect compromise between the two worlds: agile, light and, with a built-in fitness booster, a guarantee of fun on flowing, not too extreme tours.