I
t’s obvious from this test that these
five bikes represent the current
evolution of full-suspension XC race
machines.AsXCracingbecomes
more technical, the bikes need to
bemorecapable,andwe’lllikelyseean
increasing reliance on technology.
There’snogettingawayfromthe
fundamentals of sizing and geometry
though.Andit’sclearthatthebestrace
bikesinthistesthavebeeninfluenced
bythehandlingandgeometryoftheir
longer-travel brethren, without losing
any pedalling efficiency.
Ifwedissectthisevolution,wecan
seethattheKTMScarpisskewedthe
mosttowardsthetraditionalcross-
countrytemplate.It’snotabadrace
bikebyanystretch.It’sthelighteston
test and has agility to its handling, but
the short, steep geometry means you
expend more energy manhandling the
bikeontechnicalterrain.Energythat
wouldbebestconservedfortheclimbs.
The Cannondale Scalpel and
Specialized Epic also stick to the
XCscript,butarefulloftechnical
innovation. Cannondale should be
commendedforthestiffnessofthe
LeftyforkandSpecializedalsoforits
unique Brain shock, which produces the
mostefficientride.Inthatrespect,the
SpecializedEpicistheperfectpartner
for any dyed-in-the-wool hardtail
fan wanting to transition to a full-
suspension race bike.
Giant’sAnthempushesin
completely the opposite direction,
andfeelsmorelikeashort-travel
trailbikethat’sbeenmodifiedforXC
racing.Whenitcomestobikeswith
accessibility and versatility, the Anthem
wouldcertainlymakethebestdaily
driver.Itjustlacksthedirectpower
delivery to win the finish-line sprint.
Whilewestruggledalittlewiththe
running order of the four also-rans,
one bike stood head and shoulders
abovetherest,duetoitspaceinevery
situation. It’s no surprise that Nino
Schurter has enjoyed such success on
theworldstagewiththeincredible
Scott Spark underneath him. Its sheer
sense of urgency, trail bike geometry
and practical, efficient suspension really
makestheScottSparkRC900Teamthe
entry-levelracebiketobeat.Conclusion
Our test winner’s stablemates
TheSparkRC900Comprecreatestheride
quality of the test-winning Team version, albeit
with an aluminium frame. It still gets the three-
postion TwinLock suspension remote, and with
the Fox 32 Rhythm fork boasting 110mm of
travel, the Comp is a little more capable too.
The rest of the component spec is the same as
theTeamversion.Takeitupanotch,andtheSparkRC900
Pro features the lighter HMX carbon frame
construction. This is then lavished with a Fox
32 SC Performance Elite fork with top-end FIT4
damper. Scott has also specced the Pro with a
raft of carbon goodies to further save weight,
including a SRAM Eagle carbon crankset and
Syncros carbon fi nishing kit.Scott Spark is the
leading light when it
comes to sheer speed£2,999 £4,599SCOTT SPARK RC 900 COMP SCOTT SPARK RC 900 PRO
RANGE FINDERTEST
WINNER!
Its sheer sense of
urgency makes
the Scott Spark
the bike to beat
104 mbr MARCH 2018
BIKE TEST