Scott Spark Pro 29er review

[RoboLuke]

I’ve read a lot of mixed reports on the Scott Sparc pro, some of them really not flattering. It’s especially the rear shock which seems to get the grunt of the disapproval. But I just got a Spark Pro and thinks it’s great, so here is a report by someone who actually owns one (2 x 36 km N Farms + 1 x 25 km GroenKloof ride).

 

Am I qualified to review bikes? I’m a middle aged committed week-end warrior who has been MTBing for about 18 months. I’ve never been on a 90 K Specialised so no I don’t know what I’m missing, I did not come through the 26er ranks so I can’t really compare with that, I’ve only owned one other bike – also a 29er – so my spread of opinions are limited, I’m not a pro and I’m not particular fast. So guess what? I probably represent 75% of the Mtb riders in South Africa so maybe they are interested in an opinion.

 

My other bike is a Trek Hi Fi Plus 29er, so before you cry that’s entry level consider that I’ve upgraded the wheels, tyres, stem, saddle, seatpost, handlebar and shock (to a RP23 with Kashima bling),Its 13 kg and not a bad bike.

 

Scott Sparc Pro: Lets start with the sales pitch: So this bike has a 3 position switch which is handled from the handlebar (easy peasy) and you can have 3 settings. (1) The front shock is quite hard and the rear shock is totally locked. Yep – you now have a HT, congratulations. This configuration is made for smooth-ish climbs and flats. I use it a lot as you have no bop and have maximal power transfer to the wheels. You can even stand out the bike if you want. Yes – you can feel the difference (2) The front shock is more plush and the rear shock opens up a bit, but still firm. This is like riding a RP23 with the toggle to the right. This configuration is where it’s rocky, rutty or you are moving fast over unknown terrain (3) Both front and rear shock is totally open. Like riding a RP23 with the toggle to the left. Clearly this is for downhills and as it’s so simple to flip the switch to get here, why not use it?

 

The ride: So you can change the suspension with the flip of a switch and that adds a great dimension to the ride as you can optimise your bike given the 10 meter of dirt in front of you. But that means that you must use it – if you take a hard hit whilst you have the shocks locked out you will break your bike and risk falling as you now have less traction. So the marketing pitch actually works…and very well.

 

In single track the bike amazed me. So much faster than what I’m used too – you can just rip. The bike turns tight and turns in properly. This is probably an even bigger feature than the suspension system. I felt that I could sit down longer and did not have to stand as quickly to get better handling.

 

Downhill - Its very accurate – you wheel goes where you aim and the bike splendidly tracks direction – it takes no effort to keep it on route. When you hit the brakes hard the back does come loose so it required more still than what I’m used to. I think my Trek rolled faster downhill – maybe the RP23 soaked up hits a bit easier, but I felt more comfortable on the Scott because it would stick where I aimed, until you hit the brakes and you have no Trek APS to assist.

 

Climbing – I believe I can climb more efficient.

 

Technical up and down – The balance is great, I did not have to think of moving my weight back or concentrating on weight distribution, it’s just so easy and feels natural.

 

The feel of the bike is more Racing than Cruiser. I find myself huffing and puffing more as I keep on pushing to go faster. With this bike you need to pace yourself – it will burn you out if you don’t watch your pace.

 

The components:

The gears shift like silk, no issues, no delays, no chain drops – simply delicious and what one would expect for this kind of money. Brakes brake. I don’t know how one is better than another…

 

The 2 x 10 will still take me a while to get used too…My issues are not that I felt that did not have enough gears…more to do with the choice of the larger blade, or the smaller one. There is no middle blade so you gotta pick larger or smaller.

 

The handlebar is wide and contributes to the smooth handling through windy single-track. I replaced it with a 660 mm 5 degrees handlebar but my hands got sore and I feel I lost a little bit of the handling, so I’m going back to the original configuration, Pro has a carbon version which I will try and get.

 

The tyres are Rocket Rons (tubeless) which are simply great – fast rolling and confidence inspiring. I swapped out the front tyre with a Racing Ralph and the Rocket Ron definitely feels a bit more confidant. These tyres compliment and contribute towards the great feel of the bike.

 

The saddle is lekker.

 

The seatpost is nonsense. Its heavy and is a set-back seatpost on an aggressively setback frame. I can’t get the saddle moved forward enough. Best replace this with a light seatpost with zero set-back.

 

The wheels are OK but a tad heavy. I’m swapping them out for my ‘old’ American Classics which will yield about 400 g weight saving.

 

I really can’t fault the suspension, for all the criticism I think the DT Swiss Nude 2 shock works very well.

 

I think the bike will come in at 11 kg with XT Deore pedals, slime, bottle cage. Right now its 11.4 kg but there are still upgrades to be done. It’s a Carbon frame so if you win the lotto you can really get it light with upgrades.

 

In conclusion

I did my best average speed on my standard 36 km route on my first go on it, and I did not try to beat any records.

 

Its not a cheap bike but I think it lives up to the marketing type. Its still very good value for money (in the cycling world). I think it’s great and does not deserve the bad rep some people posting on it (who never tried one). Swap out the wheels, handlebar and seatpost and surely this must compare with other 60 K bikes?

 

It’s nimble and efficient. The only downside I can think off is that you now have a bike that you can turn into a HT for half the ride, your bum certainly feels the extra impact. And of course – you are going to battle to find one as the last stock for 2012 are drying up…

 

Robo

[Li Mu Bai]

thanks. I have one too. All the guff abnout the rear shock - nonsense. Bike rides great, 3 lockout positions is fantastic, and easy to get used to. Bike rolls extremely well, is light and has excellent components for the price. Replaced the seatpost and handle bar with Ritchey WCS carbon - now it rocks.

wheels could be lighter, but great value all the same.

Edited May 20, 2012 by Li Mu Bai

[RoboLuke]

Did you replace the handlebar with a 680 9 degree bend?

[TALUS]

I have a Scott Pro hardtail and a Tallboy dually - so no direct opinion regarding your bike BUT I fully agree that we make up 75% of the market and as such I enjoyed your review as it interests me more than a 23year old whippet that trains during office hours. Enjoy your bike and Groenkloof.

[Aurora]

I have to agree, i dont see any issues with my rear shock either.

 

That said, there were a few guys at sani2c who's back shocks lost all air and needed new ones.

[panbon]

i thought i might add my 2 cents worth to this review. i bought a scott spark pro 1 month before the epic and was very pleased with the bike. however its only on a tough multistage race like the epic where its flaws were exposed. from day 4 onwards the rear shock repeatedly lost pressure. despite being repaired by scott on day 5 it still could not maintain pressure. the shock was again repaired after the epic but failed again on the sani. on one evening in the epic scott was trying to deal with about 20 shock failures. its an awesome bike and brilliant value for money. if you want to ride one day races no problem but if you ride a multi stage race then ride with a shock pump or put a fox on the back. why do you think evans and george threw the nude 2 away and replaced it with a fox. i think people need to be aware of how many of these shocks bombed on the epic

[Pieterg]

Prices please

[GLuvsMtb]

Great review.

Would the RP23 be compatible with the Scott lock-out system?

[NicF]

Just returned from Trans-portugal.

Lost the rear shock on day 4 of 9. Definitely seems to be a problem with these shocks?

[El Dodgius Bastardo]

Yup, the rear shock sucks. If it wasn't for the DT Swiss, it would WITHOUT DOUBT be the best bike on the market

[Brett]

Interesting read.

Thanks :-)

 

Maybe change the shock with Fox's new range (2013 i think) the new CTD damper.

 

For those of you wanting to learn more:- http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/fox-2013-new-ctd-damper-34-forks-and-more-33747/

 

Im definitely looking at one of the forks.

[panbon]

Great review.

Would the RP23 be compatible with the Scott lock-out system?

 

nope you lose the back remote control hich is a pity. also no lock out but the guys i know who have made the switch say it works much better. also read a long term review on the scott spark rc saying how much better the bike worked with a fox which is probably what prompted evans and george to switch. its a pity because the remote control of the rear suspension is the heart of the bike. still think its a great bike tho

[RoboLuke]

O dear there goes my whole attempt to restore credibility to the bike. Luckily I don't do 5 day stage races

[Hendrik vd Walt]

I bought my pro about 2 months ago now - had a spark 26inch before!!

 

I have done around 1500ks on it as well as the Sani2sea.

 

I love the bike - it is definately faster than my 26incher, it handels the tight stuff very well and it is a blast on the straights, downhills etc.

 

I find it a bit tougher on the steap climbs - probably mainly due to the 2x10 - legs just need to get stronger!!!!!

 

I have done some cross country racing with it also and it handled the technical stuff very well - climbs up the steep rocky sections like a mountain goat!!!

 

I ride my suspension quite hard and use the lock-out a lot - I have had no issues with my rear shock!!! Would be great if Scott replaced the units if there is an issue though.

 

This bike really is fantastic and real value for money at the price/spec you get!!!

[covie]

Great review.

Would the RP23 be compatible with the Scott lock-out system?

 

Nope but you dont need to lock out the rp23 like you do the dtswisscheese shock, I tried the scot and after a couple of km's it became clear why scott came up with their ingenious lockout system, becuase you need it. The DTswiss is so bad you end up playing more with the lockout system than you do with your gear levers chagning gears. Do get any sort of decent ride out of the scott your fingers will be very busy the whole day switching between modes. I know someone thats spent 20-30k on a bike doesnt like to admit a part of the bike sucks but that rear shock is just horrible. If they put it the New custom valved monarch you would never need to switch between modes, and if you put in a RP23 you might occasionaly want to lock it out. But if i bought the scott i would have put in a RS monarch immedialty, then it would be a decent bike.

[Christie]

The outer housing of my partner's rear shock on his Spark 26 cracked about 2 weeks before Sani2c. It got sent to DT SA for repair. Day before Sani a shock arrives at the shop, but it is not his shock and does not fit in his bike, either (different model). DT SA still does not know where his shock is. I've had a Scott Scale 26, had no issues, but I'm going to avoid DT stuff.