[cycloholic]

Hello! This is my new ride, a spark wc nino edition!

Frameset: Spark RC WC nino edition
Fork: Rockshox RL3 (In the first lower leg service ill mount the WC stanchions/crown)
Drivetrain: XX1
Brakes: Sram level
Crankset: quarq xx1 non boost(!)
Wheelset: dtswiss xmc 1200 spline (rear non boost)
Handlebar/stem: Syncros fraser combination
Saddle: ergon sm pro
Pedals: Shimano xtr
Seatpost: Syncros something!
Tires: Schwalbe ray/ron

Well, first thing is i got some parts inside the box, like rubbers and plastic things that i really dunno where i should put them(ill upload pictures later).

Second, i got a concern about the quarq!
I mounted it and is really close to the frame. Frame is boost, quarq is not! (frame doesn't have protection there at all:madman. I did 3 rides, first 2 rides was ok, but the third i saw some dirty marks(not scratches). So i removed the crankset, and i put the 2.5mm spacer for 89.5 frames and a 2.5mm spacer where the axle ends so it will not strangle the bearings. It looks way better now, but the bad thing is that i know that my crankset is 2.5mm to the right Probably it would be temporary until i get a boost one, although most likely, 2.5mm does not have a meaningful difference to worth changing crankset at all!

Third, i have temporary put the universal boost adapter on my rear wheel, but cause of the 2.5mm offset in the right side, i just ordered another one for dt 240s that actually moves all the wheel 3mm on the right and adds a 6mm longer cup on the left only, plus the spacer for rotor.

You thing i must keep the non boost quarq or change it to a proper one?! Also any recommendation about a dropper post? XC/XCM use!

So far about the bike, its my first FS bike so i cant compare it to another one but geometry really gives you a feel you can go the fastest you can in XC tracks! I really like the sensitivity of SID, i think debonair indeed makes a different. My previous fork was sid wc(recently serviced) the last model before debonair and i think the newer mode is really smoother! Then is the three mode lockout, i think is a bit of cheat when racing compared to just full open and locked mode! Last but not least, fraser handlebars are the most stiff i have ever ride! While i dont like scott as a company, i disliked foil i own for two years and i also hate the most of the scott bikes design including this one(well its not ugly, but it could definitely be way better for this pricetag) i really like how this bikes works!

 

[MI-XC]

I don't think you can make the non-boost Quarq work, it will always be a hack and mess up the chain line or something else. I have the boost Quarq XX1 on my 2018 Spark RC 900 WC. I also added a XC lightweight dropper. Really happy with the 9point8 Falline R and I used the lockout/dropper matchmaker combo that comes on the Spark 920 bikes. It cleans up the cockpit and puts the dropper lever in a good position.

 

[cycloholic]

Indeed, this is where i end up also! So my cranks are 168 q factor, i thought it was the smaller one! The good thing is that i can only change the spider! The bad thing is that with my spacer now i went from 168 to 170.5 q factor LOL.

 

[cycloholic]

Any good advice for frame protection if the handlebar hit the frame?🤔 I already miss the canyon protection 😂

 

[cycloholic]

Another question! Usually i got sag below 20% for xc racing but this one got the 3 mode lockout, im thinking to go 25 or even more in the full open mode. What you usually prefer for spark?!

 

[stom_m3]

Another question! Usually i got sag below 20% for xc racing but this one got the 3 mode lockout, im thinking to go 25 or even more in the full open mode. What you usually prefer for spark?!

I've asked this question in my thread as well. I originally set my sag for 20-21% which was 210psi shock pressure (+45lbs body loaded weight, I weigh about 165lbs clothed). The issue was that I never got past 70% travel on the shock. I lowered the shock pressure to 175psi with a very slight change in sag ~22% and no change in available travel. At first I thought my twin lock was setup wrong but I checked it cable tension and it does fully open and there is a difference from open to middle from a stiffness perspective. I'm going to try letting all the air out of the shock to see if I can even get to 100% travel. As of right now, I can't. That said, I'd be curious to know what the Scott Engineers designed the rear suspension sag for. Usually it's 25%. Let me know what you find.

 

[mikejk78]

So guys, Scott Sparks are fragile bikes, beware.

Lets get a couple things out of the way....

1. I was first told i should be riding a large - my initial purchase was a Scott Spark RC 900 Pro in large
2. This frame was too small, I'm almost 6'2 - 198lbs
3. I brought it back to change for an XL frame, there were none left
4. I was told i would need to dish out an additional 2500 + tax to get an XL Spark SL
5. At this point, i had spent about $11,500CAD on the bike to get the size that fits me properly, This took 2 months to achieve. Eek.

Finally, my SL arrived, and it was beautiful, and damn fast!!!

I had a miniature crash. I didn't even hit the dirt, and held on to my bike. After which, i noticed what looked like a crack on my top tube. I don't recall it ever being impacted in the crash...

Earlier in the ride, i rode down a valley, with a G-OUT at the bottom, where i heard a slap sound. Figured my fork bottomed out, but it hadn't... This is relevant later in the story.

I emailed my bike shop, they thought the frame was cracked - ouch! I had taken this bike on its very first ride! We sent the images to Scott's warranty department, where they identified the damage as simply a surface scratch, which they see a lot of, when the frame comes in contact with the cleats on your biking shoes. "Go ahead and ride the bike, its safe 100%" So i did!

2nd ride in, and on the same g-out i heard the same "SLAP" sound. Again thought it was my fork, but nope, and not the shock. IT WAS THE FRAME CRACKING!

I sent the bike back to the shop and explained exactly what had happened. They fired the email and shots back to Scott and instantly Scott warranty flip flopped and said the frame is cracked due to impact and will not fulfil a warranty claim, instead i need purchase a replacement frame at a cost of $2000.

To be honest, i think these frames are flimsy, Ive been riding and racing for 20+ years, and have NEVER cracked a frame. For this frame to fail on me, after one ride is appalling. Im no Nino Schurter. I can't afford a new frame after every ride. Lightweight for your racers is fine, but build something durable for the everyday rider, who's not sponsored and can't afford to drop thousands after an afternoon ride.

Ive crashed other bikes, WAY HARDER, and ZERO damage. I have a HardTail Cannondale FS-I, weighs less than my spark, and i can ride that thing way harder. No damage, no issues.

Scott, first and last time i buy one of your bikes. My bike shop, however, has been amazing - even covering some costs. Kudos to them, bad form on Scott's customer service, and warranty department. They also keep deleting my posts, on Instagram - they take no responsibility.

Thoughts anyone?