Scott Spark RC Comp - What to upgrade?

[SamTaylor]

What is your timeline for all these upgrades?

That bike is pretty much as entry level a dual sus you can get these days, which isn’t in itself a bad thing, but it depends what your expecting to get out of the bike. 
 

It’s a decent frame though, and the geometry is great, so in that sense worth while to upgrade, if your plan is to slowly upgrade over time as things become due for replacement anyway. But then you need to be honest with yourself, and not waste money on too much maintenance, especially the drivetrain, as that NX drivetrain isn’t worth servicing or maintaining, and nor is that fox 32 either, especially if you weigh anywhere over 80 odd kgs. 
 

my fear is, by the time you have done all the upgrades suggested, and you add up the cost, along with the initial purchase price of the bike, you may as well just have bought a 920 or 930 te begin with. 

[SamTaylor]

  On 4/3/2025 at 8:04 AM, ct_rider said:

I always found a lighter XC fast rolling 2.2 tyres with decent puncture protection makes the biggest difference on the overall feel of the bike for a first upgrade, more nimble and better rotational weight for climbs. Unless you riding on very technical / rocky single track, go wider tyres with more volume for extra protection for the rims.

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Bro, these days 2.2 rubber is practically gravel bike territory….🤣. 
 

when you think about it, it’s pretty hard to believe we ever rode anything other than paved sidewalks with our 28mm stanchions, no droppers and 2.1 maxxis cross marks. 

Edited Sunday at 01:36 PM by SamTaylor
Spelling

[ct_rider]

  On 4/6/2025 at 1:32 PM, SamTaylor said:

Bro, these days 2.2 rubber is practically gravel bike territory….🤣. 
 

when you think about it, it’s pretty hard to believe we ever road anything other than paved sidewalks with our 28mm stanchions, no droppers and 2.1 maxxis cross marks. 

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I guess it becomes more significant when you climb between 1200 - 1800m elevation 🤣 

[RobynE]

Well the bikes featured for ACE were running 2.35s. I think your own fitness is a massive consideration as well, I mean Matt was running a 40t chainring in the Prologue which for me would be like riding a post office bike in my lowest gear on any day, never mind the Epic 😂 

[AllAboutRides]

  On 4/6/2025 at 1:22 PM, SamTaylor said:

What is your timeline for all these upgrades?

That bike is pretty much as entry level a dual sus you can get these days, which isn’t in itself a bad thing, but it depends what your expecting to get out of the bike. 
 

It’s a decent frame though, and the geometry is great, so in that sense worth while to upgrade, if your plan is to slowly upgrade over time as things become due for replacement anyway. But then you need to be honest with yourself, and not waste money on too much maintenance, especially the drivetrain, as that NX drivetrain isn’t worth servicing or maintaining, and nor is that fox 32 either, especially if you weigh anywhere over 80 odd kgs. 
 

my fear is, by the time you have done all the upgrades suggested, and you add up the cost, along with the initial purchase price of the bike, you may as well just have bought a 920 or 930 te begin with. 

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Noted thank you very much.

No time frame - but I hear you saying about the 920 and 930 but I would most prob slowly upgrade parts to my liking.

Overall this bike is a beast for me (yes you do get better bikes) , enjoy riding it and most comfortable bike and setup I’ve ever had, but I dont like the NX shifting, not smooth at all and only have the bike for a month. I noticed that a fork with bigger stantions will make big difference and carbon wheels.

I appreciate all the opinions and advice, much appreciated.

[SamTaylor]

  On 4/6/2025 at 3:37 PM, AllAboutRides said:

Noted thank you very much.

No time frame - but I hear you saying about the 920 and 930 but I would most prob slowly upgrade parts to my liking.

Overall this bike is a beast for me (yes you do get better bikes) , enjoy riding it and most comfortable bike and setup I’ve ever had, but I dont like the NX shifting, not smooth at all and only have the bike for a month. I noticed that a fork with bigger stantions will make big difference and carbon wheels.

I appreciate all the opinions and advice, much appreciated.

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Cool man. Yes if you’re going to do this slowly over time, then by all means. If you did everything DnD recommended in one go, then you may as well just trade the bike in on a higher specced model, but spread over time makes sense, and will be easier to budget. 
 

My opinion though, if your doing a lot of trail riding, is a dropper post would be a more pertinent upgrade than a set of carbon wheels. 

[DieselnDust]

  On 4/6/2025 at 3:37 PM, AllAboutRides said:

Noted thank you very much.

No time frame - but I hear you saying about the 920 and 930 but I would most prob slowly upgrade parts to my liking.

Overall this bike is a beast for me (yes you do get better bikes) , enjoy riding it and most comfortable bike and setup I’ve ever had, but I dont like the NX shifting, not smooth at all and only have the bike for a month. I noticed that a fork with bigger stantions will make big difference and carbon wheels.

I appreciate all the opinions and advice, much appreciated.

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The thing is you have to weigh up the cost of upgrades vs making this bike you have better and resaleable and get a better specced bike off the classifieds or from a store, new.

A better fork is R12 000 upward

Better wheels, R15000

New drivetrain even GX, R13000

YOu're already in for R30 000.

Its a false economy to say you should have bought a R90k bike because that also needs to be maintained and parts replaced. YOu have to weigh up at what point have you spent enough on this bike and its time to get something better. Yes the frame is upgradable but I have a feeling that bike has an alloy rear triangle which is a bit weighty anyway

 

I would just get it working better with a Deore SLX rear derailleur, maybe also the shifter, run out the cassette and fit a Sunrace unit. Gauge where you are in you mtb passion at that point and either sell it or upgrade it.

 

[mikkelz]

Ride the bike and replace stuff when things break. 😅

[AllAboutRides]

  On 4/6/2025 at 3:55 PM, DieselnDust said:

The thing is you have to weigh up the cost of upgrades vs making this bike you have better and resaleable and get a better specced bike off the classifieds or from a store, new.

A better fork is R12 000 upward

Better wheels, R15000

New drivetrain even GX, R13000

YOu're already in for R30 000.

Its a false economy to say you should have bought a R90k bike because that also needs to be maintained and parts replaced. YOu have to weigh up at what point have you spent enough on this bike and its time to get something better. Yes the frame is upgradable but I have a feeling that bike has an alloy rear triangle which is a bit weighty anyway

 

I would just get it working better with a Deore SLX rear derailleur, maybe also the shifter, run out the cassette and fit a Sunrace unit. Gauge where you are in you mtb passion at that point and either sell it or upgrade it.

 

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It is quite heavy at the bike but from my understanding and according to specs, rear triangle are carbon…..welcome to double check and confirm.

Valid advice, thank you!

[DieselnDust]

  On 4/6/2025 at 6:28 PM, AllAboutRides said:

It is quite heavy at the bike but from my understanding and according to specs, rear triangle are carbon…..welcome to double check and confirm.

Valid advice, thank you!

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No worries , if it is full carbon then it’s worth upgrading as parts wear out 👍🏼