DISTANCE 2705 kilometres | 45,200 vertical metres
It was a year ago. I had just welcomed the Spark full of anticipation as a long-term test bike when all the cheerfulness came to an end. A nasty accident, knee surgery, a ruined season - from then on, the stylish trail bike would have had to live out its existence as a disdainful therapy device. But the charms of the elegant Scott had not gone unnoticed by some of his colleagues. The bike was borrowed as a service vehicle for long-distance adventures and bike park excursions alike. I myself cycled 1800 kilometres on the Spark, mainly on knee-friendly flat stages. In the end, various riders managed to cover 2705 kilometres and 45200 metres in altitude.
The different types of riders who have targeted the Spark also make its universal character clear: the Swiss have combined the short suspension travel with slack angles and thus created something like the prototype of the modern trail bike. Of course, this concept works particularly well in thin air price spheres: At 7799 euros, even specialist brands don't have to haggle over the last penny: Sram XX1 Eagle drivetrain, Fox Factory suspension and lightweight Syncros TR1.5 wheels - despite 2.8 inch wide Maxxis Recon tyres, the Spark weighs in at 11.6 kilos.
Speaking of tyres: I'm not a big fan of plus tyres. But they make sense on this bike. For technical downhills, the suspension travel is tight despite the 66.6 degree steering angle. The plus tyres provide that little bit of extra comfort.
The Sparks' wear and tear record is also impressive: Three sets of brake pads, a split cable housing and a bent thru-axle - that's it. In addition, BIKE lab manager Christoph Allwang attests that the Spark has the half-life of a marine diesel. Any criticism? The low bottom bracket requires extreme caution when pedalling on root trails, the (180 mm) front discs could be larger, and the Twinloc lever - which is commendable in itself - worked sluggishly in the end.
CONCLUSIONLightweight all-rounder that hardly left any feathers in continuous operation. Would I buy it? Yes. But my wife would probably wring my neck at the price!
DEFECTS / MAINTENANCE
- 820 km - Bent thru axle: High jump, flat landing, low suspension travel - the 15-millimetre axle did not cope with this combination without damage. Nevertheless, the manufacturer was surprised: "We've never seen this before."
- 900 km / 1900 km - Worn brake pads: Three sets of brake pads - not excessive wear for the kilometres and metres of altitude covered. However, the Sram Guide Ultimate with its 180 mm discs was not only notable for its moderate braking performance, but also for its grinding and squeaking noises.
TUNING
- 960 km - handle change: Scott's own rubbers wore out in no time and were replaced with less comfortable but more durable Contec Trail screw grips.
WHAT THE READERS SAY
"Not only does it look great, it rides great too. As a convert from the Race-Spark, I'm really happy - except for the ground clearance: I've had several near misses on root and rock trails and have now smashed a set of pedals into pieces. That probably wouldn't have happened with a 29er wheelset. But I still love the bike ..." Urs Grendelmeier
"Take a look at where the shift cables and brake line enter the frame. This is where the cables rub on all 2017 models." Fritz Grünewald
"Mega, but you should think about the tyres. Only for dry terrain. Use in the bike park is just about feasible with downhill tyres." Sven Dietsche
RELATIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Changing partnerships
The Spark had its relationship highlights when it went off-road: Long-distance bestie Henri Lesewitz took the Spark on a four-day tour with an altitude difference of 9,000 metres, and endurance test colleague Franz Fischer climbed practically every summit on northern Lake Garda for a week.
Functionality 6 out of 6 points
Durability 5 out of 6 points
THE TESTER
Josh Welz, BIKE Editor-in-Chief, 50 years old
Size / Weight 1.83 m / 80 kg
Driver profile Medium-length tours, technical trails
Favourite areas Saalbach, Bavarian foothills of the Alps, home rounds on the Isar trails
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 12/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
