Scott Spark Pro 29er review

[Benjamin]

I've got the expert version. Had for about 3 months, and honestly no issues. Changed the tires for Racing Ralphs which makes a big difference. I hear what guys are saying about the rear shock, but other than being a bit firmer than my previous RP32 fitted bike, I think it's cracker. Handles well and proper fast. Im happy.

[Showtime]

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.

 

Which is why I don't understand the whole new Fox 2013 CTD line? Surely it's nicer just to forget about the suspension and ride?

 

It makes the existing compression adjustment more understandable for the majority of riders but at the same time it encourages people who wouldn't have bothered to keep flipping the levers every 2 minutes.

Edited May 24, 2012 by Showtime

[El Dodgius Bastardo]

That's why we would prefer a Fox

[covie]

Which is why I don't understand the whole new Fox 2013 CTD line? Surely it's nicer just to forget about the suspension and ride?

 

People will always buy something they think they need. hell i even removed my poplock from my handlebars as it was cluttering it up and i saw no use in locking out my shock. But as far as rear shocks go, I now have a custom Rockshox monarch on my chariot and comming off Fox rears, I dont think ill fit a rear fox again soon. The RS is not as plush but it just tracks so much better.

[Hairy]

Kevins Rig, I like the route profile taped to the top tube

 

EDITE: Note the rear can on the frame

Edited May 24, 2012 by Hairy

[El Dodgius Bastardo]

A Monarch must be brilliant on that bike

 

Might be a Rockshox fan

Edited May 24, 2012 by El Dodgius Bastardo

[HandH]

I've got the baby Team version, Upgraded the wheels to some EA70xct's

& wanna put a better crank on then I'm happy..

I dont see the point of the Twinlock idea though, would rather prefer to be able to lock out the front & back

seperately. Will just wait for that little levet to go pop & replace it with 2 individual ones.

Also flipped that little high / low thingy to the high setting, seems a bit cushier this way

but that's about it.

[CAAD4]

Kevins Rig, I like the route profile taped to the top tube

 

EDITE: Note the rear can on the frame

 

Was this taken at the Epic, as I only see Aaikon's on the front, but Ralphs on the rear, or was that always their set up?

[arendoog]

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.

I can compare the fox and monarch on a gaint anthem ,because i rode both for 6 month,s.My ideal setup would be fox fork with monarch back shock.Monarch shock going strong and reliable.So easy to use soft, hard or inbetween

[koukie]

Was this taken at the Epic, as I only see Aaikon's on the front, but Ralphs on the rear, or was that always their set up?

Jip EPIC yu can see his number board, and the winning teams bikes at the back

[Crosschain]

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

 

 

 

WAS TOLD THAT SCOTT RECEIVED A BATCH OF FAULTY SEALS BEFORE THE EPIC ..... MINE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE EPIC FOR FREE WITH SEALS FROM A DIFFERANT BATCH ..... EVERYTHING FINE NOW !!!

[covie]

WAS TOLD THAT SCOTT RECEIVED A BATCH OF FAULTY SEALS BEFORE THE EPIC ..... MINE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE EPIC FOR FREE WITH SEALS FROM A DIFFERANT BATCH ..... EVERYTHING FINE NOW !!!

 

Crosschain, this is a world wide and continueing epedemic, has nothing to do with the replacement seals they used during the epic. I agree it has the potential to be a great bike, if you put a monarch or RP23 in.