The new custom butted 6061 aluminum Scale 29 Team is a lightweight and durable 29” hardtail. With Shimano brakes and drivetrain, and the same celebrated geometry as its carbon siblings, it gives you a great value in a big wheeled bike.
Strengths: Drivetrain, brakes, poploc remote, made for big fellas
Weaknesses: Saddle (one ride then into the bin), slightly lazy steering
Bottom Line:
Lovely bike. Was my first 29er and I still think an awful lot of it. If the UK had any more in stock when mine was stolen, would definitely have bought again (see my review of Specialized Carve Expert). For a year I was happy and it really rejuvenated my love of xc, mainly because the 29er wheels and XL frame size brought back that feeling of a bike actually fitting me. I am 6'5" and the 26s I had previously always felt were too small for me. Like I was riding a clown bike.
It is quite light for an all-alloy 29er, which was very reassuring. The brakes, drivetrain, derailleurs and poploc remote all worked flawlessly the whole time I had it and I threw a lot of mud at it in that time. I was worried that the spoke / rim / tyre combination felt weak and jelly-like, and that it would eventually result in buckling. I have made one minor change to true the rim in a year, but those fears did not eventuate. The wheelset is a good combo even if it is on the edge of engineering - it works! Climbs effortlessly in the dry - can really lever the body behind it, which is very satisfying.
My only real gripe is a small one - the lazy steering. Picking an accurate route through a tight chicane is not easy - the steering is not intuitive and I never quite got confident to approach chicanes at high speed. I suspect that it's the combination of new geometry, frame size and the 100mm fork that results in a high position for the bottom of the headstock in comparison to a 26. Complete conjecture: perhaps Scott's nervousness over speccing a 29er lead them to include a 100mm travel fork + poploc remote to protect the rims? Maybe in 2012 bike models 80mm air + stiffer rims is the way to go for a 29er? The handlebar grips are a bit 'yesterday' compared to the Specialized BG I'm running now.
The rolling resistance with the Rocket Rons is very very low. Makes for a lovely commute over tarmac. XC a bit more grip would be nice, but that's purely down to tyre choice I think. I was always very assured by the Shimano front hub.
Overall, a beautiful bike that I would definitely recommend to anyone tall who wants quality components from a great innovating company, but doesn't want to splash multiple thousands out.
Strengths: Great bike from top to bottom. Can not believe how well it climbs...bike give the confidence to rip up hills!
Weaknesses: Has not shown me any after the first 30 miles. It would be nice if the bike came with tubeless ready tires. But for the price point the stock Rocket Ron's work well.
Bottom Line:
Very happy with my purchese, lots of bang for your buck. Scott bikes does a great job with the over all package.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
stumpy223
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2012
Strengths: Frame Geometry (slack head tube and short chain stays)
Value (SLX/Deore Drivetrain)
Weaknesses: Stock Pedals are horrid, but thats pretty standard, since everyone upgrades
Use of white saddle and grips, whoever thought that was a good idea should become a politico...
Fork is heavy
Tires came mounted backwards, wtf?
Bottom Line:
This is my first 29er, and really my first bike in years. I had a 26'er years ago, but gave up mtbing after having issues when hitting objects on the trail. Well the 29er didn't help with my inability to wheelie over things, but thats ok cause I now just run right over them.
Its a great value when compared to Specialized and Cannondale, but the brakes are an area where scott skimped and I wish they had not, the Shimanos are noisey but they work.
Never thought that a 1200 dollar bike would be "entry" level, but that just seems to be the way the world is going, between inflation and novice riders thinking we need SLX components anything less than 1200 is thought of as low end.
If you have the scratch go for the Scale Team 29er, if not the Aspect series is great, and honestly feels better.
Submitted by
csuarez
a Weekend Warrior
from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2012
Strengths: Lightweinght
Awesome design
Great comoponents
Weaknesses: The seat requires some getting used to
Bottom Line:
Excellent bang for your buck
Thinking of purchasing a MTB? Look no more, I definetly encourage you to buy this bike
It is very light, the brakes are very responsive, the shimano gears and shifters work flawlessly.
I am never going back to a 26er because I am more confident on my ride
Buy, buy buy!
Strengths: I think the color scheme and the seat are about the only two strengths with this bike.
Weaknesses: Where do I start? I have had nothing but problems with this bike since I rolled it out of the store. Loose front and rear hubs, derailleurs and shifters don’t work well, they shift hard and get caught between gears, both front and rear brakes rub on the disk and squeal, the front tire rubs on the shocks when I turn, the stem and headset already creak like a much older bike, the chain constantly bounces off the chainstay when on the smallest chainring.
Bottom Line:
BLUF: this bike is a POS and I wish I could return it and get a different one, additionally the store I got it from and Scott have been no help. I had to inflate the tires and turn the rear tire around before I rode it for the first time. I think I got two good rides out of it before it started falling apart. I’m at the point now where I’m afraid to ride because I don’t know what will break next. I saved for a two years to get a new bike and do not have the money to replace it or I would. It is either a lemon or the store I got it from did not put it together properly.
Submitted by
Rookie Hector
a Racer
from Juarez, Mexico
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2011
Strengths: Light
strong and responsive fork, after adjusting dont forget it at your LBS, and dont forget seat fitting as well, and then make a small mark in case you have to move it for steep descents
Hydraulic Brakes
Derailleurs are good, remote lock is great
Weaknesses: Brakes: Squeak (not a big issue)
Tires: Rocket Ron, sometimes the front tire looses a bit of grip, cant ask for much at 220lb and a hard packed mountain in the desert.
Rims: A bit weak, have had to adjust it twice in barely a month
Bottom Line:
It is worth if you are on this budget range; (to save a few extra dollars)
The design is appealing, it is how it drew my attention at first, and after riding it, I didnt want to let it go, if this happens to you (with any bike) BUY THE BIKE YOU LIKE!(and can afford)
It is what I did, and totally satisfied
Similar Products Used: Giant Talon 0
Specialized Rockhopper
Trek Mamba
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rudy102
a Cross Country Rider
from London Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2011
Strengths: This is a fantastic Bike
---Solid frame ( Very light at 3.5 lbs)
---Deore drive train is a work horse
---Rock Shox Tora TK fork is very responsive and the pop lock is fantastic.
----Saddle is great. But takes getting used to.
Weaknesses: Nothing major
----Brakes. They stop great but squeak.
----Rims. Alex-rims are not as firm as i would like them.
Bottom Line:
This is my first 29er after having a 26er for years and i would never go back.
Here is the best advice that i can give. Test ride all the bikes you possibly can and then decide which one feels the best. Don't buy a bike based on looks or components. If you test riding a bike and you don't want to give it back to your LBS then you know that's the bike for you. I test drove every 2011 29er Ht and 2 Full-Suspension bikes in South Western Ontario. My budget was up to $2100. The Scale Team felt the best with the Specialized Spumpjumper Comp 29er HT a distant second. To Conclude...
This is a great Lightweight 29er with a great component package for a fantastic price. You can't go wrong with a Scott Scale Team 29er!
