The Scott Spark is selling like a flat-screen TV in the Black Friday super sale. In our test of the current top-selling bike, we analyse the success strategy of this model, which is in remarkably high demand.
However, system integration and competition successes can only partly be the reason for the run on Scott's carbon full-suspension bike. In fact, the Spark has established itself as a real brand among cross-country fullys in recent years. Scott now offers countless versions for sale and even the options with more suspension travel, such as our Scott Spark 920 TR test bike, are rarely on sale for long.
You can find the 3 other top-selling MTBs in the test here:
The success story of the Scott Spark is inseparable from the Cross-country superstar Nino Schurter connected. What the Swiss rider showed at the wheel of the bike with the integrated shock absorber on the big stage put fans around the world in a buying mood.
Naturally, the advertising power of the public's favourite radiates to the trail bike version. Ten millimetres more crumple zone at the front make the Spark a desirable ride even off the race track. Two bottle cages and the familiar Twinloc system for compression damping control from the handlebars remain from the XC base. The steering angle can be manipulated by 0.6 degrees via a headset insert.
The last major new product package was granted to the Spark a good two years ago. At the time, BIKE readers even voted for the upgraded Race-Fully the most popular trail bike of the year. Will the popularity still be there at the end of 2024?
>> You can get an overview of the 4 top-selling MTBs in the test here: Cube, Canyon, Santa Cruz & Scott: top-selling MTBs on test
Scott Spark 920 TR: Details & Price
- Range of use: Trail / Tour
- Suspension travel: 130 / 120 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 13.3 kg
- Price: 5499 Euro
- Distribution channel: specialised trade
- Warranty: 5 years
- Maximum system weight: 128 kilos
- Special features: integrated shock absorber, steering angle adjustment, two bottle cages
Equipment
- Fork: Fox Float 34 Performance
- Shock: Fox Nude 5T
- Gearing / Bandwidth: Sram GX Eagle AXS Transmission / 520 %
- Brakes: Sram DB8 / 180/180 mm
- Wheels: Syncros Silverton 2.5
- Tyres: Schwalbe Wicked Will Evo Addix Soft/Speedgrip Superrace TLE
- Seatpost / Stroke: Syncros Duncan / 150 mm
The trail bike from Scott in a practical test
The fact that Schurter flies away from the competition downhill is hardly surprising given the good rear suspension function of the Scott Spark. Considering that the 120 millimetre rear triangle was originally developed for racers, the bike is wonderfully sensitive and has high suspension reserves over the roots. However, the very stiff rear aluminium frame triangle quickly becomes a ping-pong ball on rougher terrain. Compared to its peers, the Spark has a mighty long seat tube. Together with the generous stem length, the concept feels bulky on steep downhills.
Due to the front-heavy riding position, the Scott Spark 920 TR loses most of the advantages of the slack head angle. In addition, the sub-optimal performance of the Schwalbe Wicked Will tyre reduces the feeling of safety. Even with the soft rubber compound at the front, the tyre starts to slip early and sets clear limits on full-throttle descents. There is potential for tuning here! The Sram DB8 brake levers make a martial impression on the handlebars, which take some getting used to. We were all the more surprised by their half-hearted deceleration performance.
Even if Twinlock now seems a little outdated: Remote compression control of the fork and shock at the same time works well. One push of the thumb and the Spark, which is generally not prone to bobbing, becomes an efficiency machine. With a little practice, the three-part lever on the left side of the handlebars is easy to operate. Due to the relatively slack seat angle and the sweeping cockpit, the riding position is elongated. Sporty tours with a high proportion of pedalling are the Scott's preferred area of use. The fast-rolling tyres also suit this. In deep gravel and on damp trail uphills, however, the traction falls by the wayside.
The new BIKE spider diagram provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the Scott Spark 920 TR. Uphill, playfulness, downhill refers to the riding behaviour: The greater the deflection, the better the suitability. Equipment: is made up of different points such as quality/workmanship, usability, bottle cage volume, saddle lowerability. Propulsion: Influence of total weight and wheel inertia.
From the test lab
BIKE goes to unprecedented lengths to measure mountain bikes. In the test laboratory, we not only carry out our own geometry measurements, but also determine the lateral stiffness of the frame separately for the front frame triangle including the fork (front) and the rear triangle (rear). The total weight is without pedals, the wheel weight per set with tyres, cassette and brake discs. The following applies to the measured value of the wheel inertia: the lower, the easier it is to accelerate.
- Total weight: 13.32 kg without pedals
- Weight of wheels: 4808 g
- Impeller inertia: 3629 kg x cm²
Conclusion on the Scott Spark 920 TR
In the trail bike category today, there are far more confident downhill bikes than the Scott Spark TR. Its strengths come into their own on tours through varying types of terrain. The forward thrust is high, the character sporty. When the terrain gets steep, the choice of tyres and brakes requires a skilled riding technique. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Pro
- well-made aluminium-carbon hybrid frame
- Chassis and seating position are pleasing on tour
Contra
- Provides little safety on steep descents
- Tyre and brake selection
Jan Timmermann
Editor
