This 2022 Scott Spark RC is outstanding! First Ride Impressions
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- Опубліковано 28 жов 2021
- The Scott Spark has been one of the fastest and most successful XC race mountain bikes for years but for 2022 it undergoes the biggest change in its history, with a rear shock completely hidden inside the frame. That's just the tip of the iceberg of the changes though but what really matters is how it rides. So join me for a blast on my local trails to see what it's all about
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I think this is a fantastic offering and bike from Scott and let me tell you why.
First, Scott are simply pricing well and within reason. You can start with their $4000 USD “entry level” RC full carbon build that gives you everything you want and then some. Try and find something of a similar spec from Specialized, not happening. As you go up the tiers, you’re getting better forks, carbon composite layups, components, wheels, etc.
Second, the bike just looks sexy. The full integration of the rear shock is certainly a highlight. The proprietary Scott TwinLoc system on the entire range is magnificent and exclusive to Scott. This system will come in brilliantly handy during mixed XC terrain where you get to dial in your suspension and stiffness to exactly how you want it - on the fly.
Third, and again echoing the first point - there’s value for money here. You’re getting a beautiful bike, with cutting-edge innovations (the multi tool thru-axle tool is a fun touch), with excellent components by and excellent brand.
I’m a big Specialized fan but with what they’re doing to their pricing strategy recently, it’s completely asinine. And it’s unnecessary. Most consumers don’t care that Peto Sagan won a stage in the TdF with his free S-Works, they just want a solid performing, looking and reasonably price bike - whether road or gravel or mountain - that they can enjoy. And Scott wins all three.
The thing is that, compared to boutique Brand’s like Pivot and Forbidden, specialised’s offerings are still fairly affordable.
My XT switchblade is entry level in specs, and it’s already pushing mid to high end build for the specialised epic.
And I think you miss the point of what consumers want. Yes, some consumers just want a solid bike. Others, just want to enjoy an expensive toy which they can have fun riding. Half the fun of cycling, is in doing it on a kick ass bike. You don’t need to be a competitive cyclist, to want to enjoy a pinarello F or an S works, if you can afford it. Value proposition doesn’t always have to be the most important factor
Stfu you’re on every other video hating on specialized…. Reading the features page on bike doesn’t do anything. This bike is a nightmare to setup and maintain. Good weight though compared to previous Scott’s
I would have an Epic evo over a Spark, and Epic over Spark RC. Specialized do price a little on the high side but in terms of overall ride and frame quality there is a difference. Their warranty is also for longer and even small details like threaded BB makes a difference for me. I actually think Scott bikes are closer to Canyon than specialized in terms of frame quality and ride quality.
I got a Scott because there were no reasonably-priced Specialized Stumpjumpers at the time. It’s a genius not a spark, but for the amount I spent, it’s amazing value proposition. For the longer travel, that twin-loc is amazing; not sure I could live without it now….But, the Spark 2022 vs Genius 2022 becomes an interesting question…
Been waiting for more reviews of this bike, the hype is real!
This channel deserves a million subs, didn’t know ive been watching his videos a few times this past months already until now and i just realized i must sub
What a gorgeous machine!
I remember old scalpels all too well to agree with flex rear. I would agree to additional pivot. It is legitimately the single con I can come up with. For that single reason I need to say no to the frame, of course still looking into stealing that twinloc.
Excited to see you review this bike. I think the conundrum for many of us is the RC vs the “trail” version. If you’re aren’t racing, is there any reason to get an RC over the standard? Looking at the prices, there is overlap between the two. Good excuse for you to ask for a 9xx series from Scott for comparison!
Depends where you ride. If your don’t race, no real need for the lighter RC. The trail will be more versatile for different kinds of riding. I race competitively, which is why I have an RC.
When doing the midterm & longterm review in the future, can you check if mud, dust or anything else have found its way into the headset/cable routing, 7:54 that cable "sleeve" seem like a nice scoop to scoop (yeah i know the opening is small and in a kinda hidden place but dirt seem to find its way into every nook and cranny no matter how obscured it is ;) ) up dirt & other stuff if you ride in grimy conditions behind another rider or car or whatever, please and thank you 😃 👍
Top question Jesper I'll definitely keep an eye on it. Luckily the conditions are horrendous right now so shouldn't take too long to find out
@@davidarthur I'm also looking out to buy this bike. My local LBS has one in stock at the moment. With all the mud in Belgium that open gap in the headset for the cable routing just asks for mud to get in and kill your headset in 1 week.
I'm 172cm tall and at the upper level of the size S or at around 20% into the size M...what do you suggest? Top level of a t
smaller bike size or lower level of a bigger size?
Absolute dream bike. Would be even better with Dangerholm mod
I'm a roadie/gravel rider and listening that on mtb you can have sram gearing and shimano disc brakes really blows my mind
Haha yes mountain bikes blur the boundaries in a way roadies rarely do
And there are more than 2 brands for brakes
This is because they can’t get components from one component maker to satisfy the build. So they mix and match.
Blows your mind? Really? You obviously don't build your own bikes.
There are hope disc brake calipers for sram/shimano/campagnolo for road bikes now. Pretty neat if you ask me!
"A very Bold design" I see what you did there. ;-)
I ordered the RC Pro with 12 speed mechanical XTR last year when they were announced and was told I probably get it in the Autumn so I sold my Tallboy 3 and waited. I've now been told that due to component delays to expect it some time next year.
Got mine rc pro less than a week go and I love it!. What about you?
🔥🔥🔥
Any thoughts on the non rc versions? Do you think they will be good trail bikes
Call me crazy but I’m pretty sure he has the alloy wheel up front and carbon wheel in the rear. Notice the depth of the wheels when viewed from the side, the rear wheel is deeper than the front. I have a 2021 Scott Spark RC with the Syncros carbon wheels and my front and rear wheels have the same depth. I'm pretty sure that front wheel is alloy.
What is the big different betweem RC and 910 model in terms of uphill performance? Can you compare with both? Thanks.
Sadly the components on versions lower than this €8000 build aren't so great; probably denting their performance compared to this rather expensive version offering.
An interesting although yet quite unobtainable offering from Scott, well done on the first look video.
The trail version would appeal to a wider ranger of users; it would b nice if you could get a hold on one of them (a mid to low priced version please) & give us a peep.
How does it compare to the F-Podium you reviewed a few years back?
What size did you test? And how tall are you. I'm 180 and wandering if m size would be ok. I came from cc and allways prefer more agility against stability but this new trend longer slacker etc..what is your expierience about this bike and sizing. Thank you in advance.
"A very *Bold* design"
I saw what you did there ;)
do you think bringing in modern geometry will cause racers to sit for longer parts of the climb, as manufacturers claim is intended by the steeper seat angle and slacker head angle? dropper posts had an immediate affect, so how about this change?
Trails look really good. Where is this?
Forest of Dean and plenty of pukka trails there to choose from
I'm interested in buying one. But i'm not sure which one to get, the RC model or the 900 series. I race xc, mostly smaller local races. I would like to maybe one day take it to my small local bike park. Do you think that the 900 series will lose much time compared to the rc model in a xc-race or is it more worth getting the more trail oriented 900 model?
It all depends on your trails. For a lot of races, even a hardtail will be fine. And if you want the extra comfort from full suspension but your trails are more mellow, a more conservative bike with quicker handling might be better (older Spark). I consider my Chisel with a 120mm fork a trail bike for my trails, so the 2022 Spark RC is no doubt a trail bike. It just depends on what trails you ride and your tolerance for vibrations.
Hey. Was the video Spark size L? If so, how tall are you? I've been watching that bike. I would get it in size L almost immediately. XL size again doesn't seem to be found anywhere.
Yes it’s a size large and I’m 5’11”
Does anyone know if you can jump the trek supercaliber? I want a fun bike to race state races that I can also have fun at the local trails with my buddies. I’ve been considering the new scott spark rc but I love the idea and feel of the supercaliber.
Yup you can jump any mountain bike the Trek should be just fine
I own a Supercal not a big jumper but definitely have ridden some tough rocky drop lines with it. It's tough maybe not right tool for job based on geo but should handle.
Where are these trails David? I'm a Cotswolder (and a roadie) but they look pretty decent.
They're all in the Forest of Dean - the best local mountain biking really
Ah, should've known! Cheers, keep pondering a return to knobblies after years in lycra. Just over an hour from me so maybe it's time to dip my toe again.
Very good as usual David but ad a road rider and talking to local cycle dealers they have nit seen a scott bike in 18 months. I for one have given up on owning a scott addict bike and will look at other manufacturers. No point in giving your good reviews when us the general public unable to hold of these bikes.
Ordered mine in Aug 2021, and ETA is April 2022.
Same
Can't fit a bottle in the back cage? That triangle is tiny. Already seen two of these in for a warranty claim at my LBS. Chinese Carbon... Swiss Price.
Try changing the brake pads on the back, it's a bit silly made!
but the thing is, with this money i get a scott spark 960 and going on vaccation 4 times a year lul
“A Bold design” 😉
Great review. Way too jittery video though.
Im surprised they made the "pro" version 120mm. I wonder if it's just "ahead of the curve" or if others will not follow and stay at 100mm for pure xc
It’s a good question - I think if you can have more travel with no compromise to weight and efficiency then it’s surely a good thing? I’m thinking it is based on this first ride so far
@@davidarthur a good example is the Scott spark's frame - it weights the same (or maybe even less) as Trek procaliber w less travel. If you can keep the weight roughly the same more sus travel is always better
@@davidarthur from what I've read the travel does come with a trade off, as everything in life. When the Santa cruz blur cc (very similar bike to this) engineers talked about the design they mentioned everything had to be beefed up for that extra travel. So that means extra weight.
I'm myself not a pro, I got a trail bike and I feel overbiked for my xc local wood trails so I'm looking very hard into these " down country bikes", so far I think I've landed on canyon lux trail (would be amazing if somehow you could test one out btw). Mainly due to price as Scott is nearly twice the price if you want decent suspension kit. The only thing I don't like is that all of these bikes seem to have rigid pedaling platform, but still keep the lockouts - I think that's such a fail. I did some research and it turns out you can't convert the lockout to knob, unlike in some past generations - this is a huge downside to me.
The only thing I would "argue" a bit is you calling the spark trail version a "down country" bike, I know it's all semantics on a silly name, but to me the downcountry is a souped up xc bike, the 130mm non stepcast bike with very slow beefy tires is simply a trail bike. I know these days enduro bikes are called trial bikes, and downhill bikes are called enduro bikes, but I really do believe a 130mm bike should just be called a trail bike. If anything these new school xc bikes and downcountry bikes are the same and are just filling out the spot of where the average Joe's trail bike used to sit, because of how insane trail bikes have become.
@@GFClocked I concur with what you are saying, last year I wanted a bike that I could safely ride some of the bigger trails in Australia - Derby, Mount Buller etc.... and still enjoy my local single track. I bought a YT Izzo - brilliant bike for the occasional rip at a bike park or gravity(ish) circuit but slower and more muted, even dull and boring for where I ride most the time.
I was lucky enough to offload it for what i paid and bought a ex demo Kona Process 134 CR/Dl - same deal although slightly poppier and climbed better - kept it for 6 months and luckily only lost $200 on resale. Both these bikes are Trail bikes and coincidently have 130mm suspension + they also have heavier and more robust frames - as you say Trail bikes - overbiked for 90% of riders I know.
I was then fortunate enough to test an Ibis Ripley, Kona Hei Hei, Transition Spur, Revel Ranger and Norco Revolver 120mm and BINGO - down country sweet spot for me at least - The standout for me across all bikes was the 35mm Stanchions 120mm SID Forks and the Lux Shock - impeccable climbing manners and supper supportive with zero flex.
These bikes like the Lux pedal really well, can comfortably be riden on 60, 70 80k+ all day rides with the effiency to allow you to enjoy the ride, but also be pointed downhill and not have you feeling like you are holding on for dear life, but actually enjoying yourself and then the next day do a lunch ride or smash the local single track and not feel like its been dulled down.
To me that is what Down country bikes are for. I settled on the Norco Revolver FS1 120mm and couldnt be happier, did a 60k ride with 1200m of climbing two weeks ago and didnt touch the lock out, next day rode some local trails called Harcourt in Country Victoria in Australia and set some PB's on the downhill tracks - perfect!!!!!
Happy bike hunting.
@@shaun1900 wow, what a stacked list! I wonder why was it the fs1 that got you though, why not the ranger for example?
Wake me up in 2024 when these bikes are supposedly widely available in all sizes
First 😎🤙🏼
🙏
really good video, great looking bike, but those prices! 12K UKP for the top end model? Bike manufacturers are just taking the mickey aren't they?
Well they are all sold out - supply and demand 🤷🏼♂️
A Specialized Epic S-Works retailed for $12,000 back in 2015.
If you look at the rate of inflation and the cost of bikes....well, I hate to break it to ya, but bikes have been this expensive for years. The difference between the top spec build from 2015 and 2021? Lighter, better components, better geometry, wireless shifting, internal cable routing, etc.
At least manufacturers are giving us better bikes each year, instead of paying the same price for the same old technology.
Lockouts LOL
Right i like the Scott ' s but the lockouts got to go
Dropper please
Too expensive and too heavy i think
Too expensive and over engineered rubbish. Give me a good steel or ali hardtail all day. While you're worrying about scratching your shiny new toy I'm up the hill and down again before you've even adjusted your rear shock. Bike is pure pants
Lol, good for you.