Scott has done a great job of integration on the new Spark model year 2022. The rear shock is now located inside the seat tube and is controlled via an axle with an integrated rocker arm. The integration of the shock allows Scott to design stiffer frames without having to increase weight. The position of the shock inside the frame should also increase the reliability of the suspension, as it is protected from external influences such as scratches and dirt in this way.

In Switzerland, the technology of the fully integrated shock absorber is known from the Bold brand (owned by Scott since 2019). According to the Scott engineers, the new Spark is a further development of the Bold technology, which has been developed completely independently. This can be seen, for example, in the new integration of the cables and lines. These now disappear inside the frame directly by the stem and ride directly to the rear brake, the gears, the shock and the telescopic seat post. This has the advantage that the frames are produced more seamlessly and are therefore lighter. Above all, however, it simply looks better. Access to the Spark internals is via an opening in the down tube, which is closed with a lid.

More suspension travel for the racetracks

With the new Spark, Scott is also setting a new benchmark in terms of suspension travel on the racetrack. Schurter, Forster and Frischknecht will be racing with 120 millimeters of travel in future. This is a small palace revolution for cross-country sport, but at the same time the logical consequence of the increasingly demanding race tracks. It also fits in with this picture that the Spark is specified almost exclusively with Vario seat posts. Schurter will also only ride lowerable seatposts in future races.

The new Scott Spark is available in the RC version with the race genes, as used by the team for the first time at the World Cup race in Leogang. But not everyone is called Schurter and earns their living with UCI points. That's why Scott has made provisions for us with the Spark: by turning down the headset, a slacker steering angle is created, which in turn is combined with a 130-millimeter suspension fork and four-piston brakes. This turns Schurter's racing machine into a real trail banger.

The Scott Spark is already available in individual specifications from specialist dealers, and the individual model variations will be permanently added over the course of summer 2021. And: On July 26, the bike will celebrate its baptism of fire at the Olympic mountain bike race in Tokyo.

Facts about the Spark in brief

Frame weight: 1870g-2150g incl. shock
Steering angle: 67.2° (Spark RC), 65.8° (Spark)
Rear suspension travel: 120 mm
Front suspension travel: 120 mm (Spark RC), 130 mm (Spark)
Seat angle: 76.1° (Spark RC), 75.9° (Spark)
Top tube length: 590 mm (Spark RC), 589 mm (Spark)
Wheelbase: 1159 mm (Spark RC), 1174 mm (Spark)
Details about the bike including geometry data: PDF folder from Sott


www.scott-sports.com