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The current Scott Spark RC is based on a frame platform with 127 millimetres of travel at the rear, a 120 mm fork and a shock integrated into the bottom bracket area. To make the already potent race bike suitable for touring, Scott adds another ten millimetres of travel to the fork, specifies slightly coarser tyres and a more powerful braking system.
Due to availability, we had to make do with frame size M. The reach of the Scott Spark in size L would be 37 millimetres longer. The seat angle is a moderate 75.2 degrees. These dimensions integrate the rider comfortably into the bike, the geometry creates a propulsion-orientated riding position with a lot of pressure on the front wheel. The low front end in particular is reminiscent of the ancestry of the Spark RC race bike, with which Cross-country star Nino Schurter wins his tenth world championship title, among others under the nail.
Thanks to the Twinloc lever (controls the fork and shock simultaneously), the three riding modes - open, platform, closed - can be changed easily while riding. This guarantees maximum efficiency on any surface. For the tyres, Scott relies on the lightweight, but only tamely profiled Schwalbe Wicked Will with a soft rubber compound at the front and fast Speedgrip rubber at the rear.
On downhill trails, the bike's plush suspension, low bottom bracket and slack head angle make it a confident performer. On steep terrain, however, the Spark was not fully convincing. The short travel of the dropper post and the low front end cause the bike to roll over early on. In addition, the fork releases its travel too quickly without adjustable compression damping. Nevertheless, the Scott Spark 930 gets the BIKE rating "very good".
Conclusion Test Scott Spark 930 (2023)
High traction, fast and innovative - these are the core competences of the Scott Spark. The Swiss bike manages the balancing act between downhill performance and sportiness very well. However, it lacks reserves on demanding terrain. - Thomas Weschta, BIKE tester
Technical data and notes Scott Spark 930
Manufacturer information
- Price: 4799 Euro >> available here
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material. Carbon/aluminium
- Frame size: S,M, L, XL(tested size M, 44 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 13.57 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 2282 g
- Weight of wheels: 4943 g
- Handlebar width: 760 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Rhythm Fit Grip Remote
- Shock: Fox Nude 5T
- Front / rear suspension travel: 133/127 mm
- Crank: Shimano SLX
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Brake system / disc (front / rear): Shimano Deore BR-M 6120 / 180/180 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Syncros Duncan Dropper 2.0 / 125 mm / 31.6 mm
- Wheels: Syncros X-30SE
- Tyres: Schwalbe Wicked Will Evo Addix Soft / Speed Super Race TLE 29 x 2.4
- Ease of maintenance: weak
BIKE test rating¹: very good - 194.3 out of 250 points
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The 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
