Whether you’re watching World Cup XC or a local race, you’re likely to see a lot of Scotts and it’s been that way for decades. Its entry-level carbon bike is feather-light and handles nicely up front, but it’s blunter than we expected out back.
Scott’s Scale frame has been a benchmark for XC performance throughout its life (though it’s had a complete overhaul for next season). The head angle sits just shy of 70 degrees, which is slack in XC terms, and the seat tube is relatively relaxed at 72.5 degrees.
Butt-jointed construction (as opposed to Scott’s sleeved ‘IMP’ method) gives the frame its minimal weight edge. Subtle ledges and depressions are moulded into the ultra-thin tubes, to engineer their behaviour under load, and the gear cables disappear into moulded blisters. The rear brake hose runs externally, for easy servicing, and the relatively slender down tube swells just ahead of the press-fit bottom bracket.
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Although the 650b-wheeled Scales use a conventional 31.6mm seatpost, the 29ers stay with Scott’s uniquely massive 34.9mm size and oversized, semi box-section seat tube. The chainstays and seatstay wishbone are pretty solid, too, though the seatstays themselves are flat and slim. The brake mount sits on the chainstay to stop it affecting the flex of the seatstays.
While this entry-level frame comes with a DT Swiss QR axle, you can upgrade to the same 142x12mm system as the more expensive models, but you’ll need to change your hub/wheel at the same time. A band-on front mech makes for a clean look if you single-ring it.
The kit
The relatively heavy, non-series Shimano crankset and Deore front mech definitely make single-ringing tempting, but the XT rear mech doesn’t have a clutch and the 10-speed cassette only sports an 11-36t spread so you’d probably also need an expander cog. The 2.1in Schwalbe tyres don’t cushion trail chatter as well as fatter rubber would, and the Shimano rear hub has noticeable engagement lag on stop/start trails.
The ride
Details
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