The most obvious change to the Sparks is in its appearance. Although the rear suspension is still based on a supported single-pivot link, the linkage and shock absorber are now integrated into the frame. The rocker link on the rear shock is barely visible around the seat tube and gives the bike an unmistakable look.

Modern racing geometry
However, the striking new features of the Spark are not immediately apparent. The bike is now based on a completely new geometry: the bottom bracket is lower, the chainstay has been shortened, the head angle has been slightly flattened and the riding position is slightly more upright overall. If you don't want to make friends with this modern riding position, you can turn the oval mount of the shock absorber and raise the bottom bracket by 8 millimeters. At the same time, this results in a 0.5° steeper head angle. Despite the refreshed geometry, the Spark remains a race bike with a focus on efficiency, weight and propulsion.

Existing carbon know-how implemented
When developing the frame, Scott incorporated the experience gained from the super-light Scale hardtail. The aim of the engineers was to no longer use any aluminum parts in the Spark (at least in the top model). Carbon is to be used exclusively as a construction material. The headset and bottom bracket are now pressed directly into the carbon frame, and the disc brake is screwed directly onto the carbon seat stay without an adapter. With many other changes, Scott has achieved a frame weight of 1790 grams including the rear shock (frame size M). The 29er frame is 100 grams heavier. The test bikes presented at the Spark presentation reached a total weight of 10.1 kilograms in the 26-inch version and 10.8 kilograms in the 29-inch version. Models with frame size L were measured.

Increased suspension travel and integration of the suspension fork
A striking change has been made to the suspension on the Spark. Together with DT Swiss, the previously used shock absorber has been further developed. The bike also has three suspension settings. In open mode, the bike has 120 millimeters of travel, in "Traction Mode" it is still 85 millimeters and with the third stage, the suspension is locked. The additional suspension travel is provided by an air chamber attached to the shock absorber. In contrast to the previous Sparks, the difference between open mode and "Traction Mode" has been increased.
The Rock-Shox fork now also has the same three spring settings and can therefore be precisely adapted to the rear triangle. The mode is set using the familiar lever on the handlebars.

Bigger brother with 29-inch wheels
The eye-catcher of the new Saprk generation is the model with 29-inch wheels. What is unusual is that the 29er version "only" has 100 millimetres of suspension travel. The reason for this is that the larger wheels mean that significantly fewer shocks have to be absorbed. The difference in suspension travel is absorbed by the larger wheels. "If we had given the bike 120 millimetres of suspension travel, it would no longer have been a Spark in terms of its range of use, but would have been in the range of a Genius," comments Product Manager René Krattiger on the reduction in suspension travel.

Scott emphasizes that the 29er version of the Spark will also be available in size S. This will also enable shorter mountain bikers and many women to enjoy the 29er experience. However, there will not be a 29er Contessa model, even though this was originally planned.