SCOTT reigns cross-country market with two new frames

SCOTT’s new Scale and Spark frames both raise the bar for lightweight Cross Country bikes. Thanks to new carbon fibers and new lay-up technologies, the Carbon Experts at SCOTT have managed to set new benchmarks for high-end mountain bikes. Their hardtail Scale RC SL weighs in at just 849g, a weight that was laudable for high end road bikes just a few years ago.

The Spark

The Spark is SCOTT’s full suspension XC platform and consists of more than thirty models across the Spark RC (Race Concept), Spark and Contessa lines.

The Spark RC 700 is the bike of choice for World Champion XC rider Nino Schurter. The FS frame comes in at 1749g and  just 9.8kg for the entire package.

Wheel Options

SCOTT is providing three wheel size options across the line: 27.5″ wheels in the Spark 700/700 RC models, 29″ in the Spark 900/900 RC and 27.5″+ in the 700 Plus. Suspension travel is a race-tuned 100mm front and rear in the RC model and 120mm in the standard models. The 27.5+ bikes get 130mm in the front and 120mm in the rear.

New Carbon Technology

SCOTT utilizes three material levels in the layup of their carbon frames: HMX- SL, HMX and HMF. With the new lay-up process, all carbon bikes become lighter, and stiffer. The new HMX-SL Spark frame utilizes MR70, YS60 and HR40 carbon fibers. HR40 is a strong and light filament that, used together with MR70, attains unbelievable tensile strength values. To achieve stiffness standards, they also include YS60 layers on the frames.

HMX is a fiber blend used by SCOTT, and is 20 percent stiffer than its HMF counterpart for the same weight. This unique material allows SCOTT engineers to create incredibly light bikes with excellent riding characteristics.

HMF carbon fiber is used to maximize strength and to keep weight low. This material has an optimal blend of stiffness and strength that offers the best riding session.

A New Look at Frame Components

SCOTT did not limit their focus to the frame. Many of the sub-assemblies that go into the frame were re-examined as well. Weight savings were found in a re-engineered rear triangle, brake mount and rocker link.

Twinloc Optimizes FS For All Conditions

SCOTT ’s patented TwinLoc is still the only system on the market that controls damping and air volume to over three distinct ride settings. With a flick of the thumb, you can be in Traction Mode on both the fork and shock, then quickly back to Lockout for climbs or Descend for the downs. For 2017, they’ve added a new TwinLoc lever that is accessed under the handlebar. This allows the lever to be placed on the left side, which allows more options for a dropper post and is great for the ever popular 1x drivetrain set up.

The Scale

With a renewed Scale line, SCOTT has shown that hardtails are not dead and are an important tool in the XC riders quiver.

The Scale benefits from many of the same engineering advances that went into the Spark and the line is divided along the same wheel/tire options as well.

New Damping System

During the development of a hardtail frame, it is essential to distinguish the areas of the frame optimized for comfort from the ones more related to the stiffness. SCOTT’s SDS2 reinvents the concept of comfort on hardtail frames without adding additional parts or sacrificing pedaling stiffness. They analyzed and tested different tube shapes on the whole frame along with accurate alignment of the carbon fibers. The result on the new Scale frame is specific, controlled flex in areas that increase rider comfort and guarantee optimal absorption of vibrations not only on the saddle but also when the rider is standing up on the pedals.

Cable Integration

To provide a clean look and a functional solution for all the different control cable standards on the market, the cable routing on both the Spark and the Scale is fully internal and designed for full length cable housing. Routing the cables internally omits bulky external hardware and looks cleaner. The cables can endure a longer lifetime as they are protected within the frame.

The entry points are machined alloy removable inserts that come along with the frame and can be chosen according to the setup of the bike. Assembly of an electronic group or a dropper post will not be a problem and the look will always be clean-cut.

A Bike For Everyone

The Spark line goes deep in providing options for riders with a wide range of needs and budgets. Across all wheel and tire size ranges, the Spark line comprises 45 models.

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