Submitted by
BWAmondson
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield Date Reviewed: November 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dalby Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1950.00
Purchased At:
Westbrook Cycles - M
Strengths:
Light, Strong, Quick, Stiff, Traction control located on handlebar, Front Shock, Looks great.
Weaknesses:
Brakes (Avid Juicy 5) are not great.
Similar Products Used:
There isnt one!
Bike Setup:
Standard Specification straight out of the box.
Bottom Line:
I come from a road bikeground and my only previous experience on mountain bikes has generally involved using heavy cumbersome bikes. This is a very lightweight bike similar in feel to a road bike due to te carbon fibre frame and riding position. Ideal as a cross country bike the traction control button for the rear shock is located on the handlebars allowing you to change the ride to suit the conditions. The options are; locked out for when you are on roads, traction (70mm travel)which is great on the majority of most rides ride and finally fully-open (110mm travel) which is great when you have an aggressive down hill section. The front suspension is also adjustable this is a more standard set-up involving an adjustment switch on the front right fork.
Once you get the hang of using this system it is something that becomes as natural as changing gear and you will be suprised how often you make subtle changes throughout your ride.
You are paying for the Carbon frame and this is definately taken into account with the gears (Shimano LX) which i have found to be a bit agricultural and the brakes (Avid Juicy 5) which are poor. This though is to be expected on a lightweight carbon bike at this end of the price range. If you want better components then you are need to look at the Scott Spark 10 or 20. The difference in price between the 30 and 20 was about £800 - 1200 and to be honest you can use the standard Spark 30 for the first year and add better components to it if you decide you need to. The only components i am definately going to change are the brakes.
All in all i am absolutely thrilled with this bike, it has got me off the roads and into the woods absolutely brilliant on singletracks, so fast it is frightening. It is very strong and you will be amazed at what the bike will let you ride over. I have gone from being a poor mountain bike rider to one of the better ones in our group purely through the bike allowing me to have more confidence to attack sections I would normally avoid and on any uphill sections i have ended up just leaving people behind.
One final point, I purchased this from Westbrook cycles in Middlesborough. Fantasic price (£1350)and outstanding service. I would definately recommend them.
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Submitted by
shook
a Weekend Warrior
from Groningen, Netherlands Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sleen
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Carbon Frame & Remote adjustable rear-suspension
Weaknesses:
The juicy 5's are not that strong and the wheels are good, but a tad heavy. I'll probably replace them, but it's not necessary.
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper FSR XC, Cube hardtails
Bike Setup:
Changed steer for straight carbon one. Rest == factory componentry
Bottom Line:
The bike just works great. Good climber on technical trails. Confident on going downhill. Rear-sus lockout when on the road. The frame is very solid/stiff and still very agile. 3 chillis 'cause of cheaper brakes/wheels. 5 chillis overall 'cause it's just a very very great bike.
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Submitted by
julie
a Racer
from avon, colorado Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
horsethief, fruita, colorado
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
Turin cycles
Strengths:
Climbs like a dream and can take a hit, agressive geometry, Least expensive carbon frame I could get my hands on
Weaknesses:
hmmm. . .can't think of one, Scott really thought of everything
Similar Products Used:
Trek EX9.0, Ibis Mojo, Specialized Epic, Gary Fischer High-Fi
Bike Setup:
Factory set up right now and loving it, could try to lose some weigth here and there
Bottom Line:
For the price I got it, it could not be beaten. . . I had to break up with my boyfriend because I am having a love affair with this bike!!! Can't wait for race season
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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rosie's Bumps - Des Plaines, IL
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
Higher Gear
Strengths:
This is a really strong bike. I was expecting it to be more fragile due to the light weight, but it has proven my worries to be false. The 30 comes with a weak group of components, but that's why I bought it - so I could upgrade the components to fit me. I've added quite a bit and the bike just keeps getting better. Light, agile, and sexy.
Weaknesses:
The component group was pretty weak, but more $ will buy the 10 or 20 and remedy that. Also, we found that there was a minor problem in the suspension with bolts loosening after about 4 hours of riding. A little of that blue locktight and a Park Tool torque wrench fixed that problem. Those Scott Ozone tires were terrible ... too thin. I flatted 3 times on one ride!
Similar Products Used:
Titus moto light, specialized FSR pro, Giant Warp DS1
Bike Setup:
I bought the Spark 30 and added the following: Ritchey WCS Carbon riser handlebars, Ritchey 100 mm WCS Carbon stem, Ritchey 34.9 WCS carbon seatpost, Selle Italia SLC saddle, XTR RD-M972 shadow rear derailleur, XTR FD-M971 front derailleur, Hutchinson Python Air Light tires ... and I'm thinking about a new set of Crossmax SL or ZTR wheels.
Bottom Line:
This bike ROCKS. It's a little expensive for the components setup, but it's the lightest frame and shock combo out there ... period. It handles beautifully, is as solid as an aluminum frame, and is as sexy as a supermodel. What's not to like? If you get one, you'll catch yourself becoming a weight weenie.
$
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