At the beginning of the year, the integration gurus at SCOTT launched the new Ransom 900 RC, which sports a brand-new look with an enclosed shock. Now the Swiss manufacturer enters our 2024 enduro group test with their new enduro bruiser, which relies on 170/160 mm of travel and their TracLoc remote lockout system. How did it fare against the competition?

SCOTT Ransom 900 RC | 170/160 mm (f/r)
15.7 kg in size L | € 9,999 | Manufacturer’s website

After redesigning several of their MTB and eMTB models from the ground up, skilfully hiding the shock into the frames of the Spark, Genius, Lumen, Patron and Voltage, the Swiss bike manufacturer gave the same radical facelift to their popular enduro bike. The result is the new SCOTT Ransom 900 RC, which doesn’t have much in common with its predecessor. Retailing at a juicy € 9,999, it’s nearly € 2,000 above the average price in this test field. Our test bike in size L tips the scales at 15.7 kg, which is slightly below average.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test

The 2024 SCOTT Ransom 900 RC in detail

With its beefy bottom bracket area, the SCOTT Ransom 900 RC could be – and often is – mistaken for an ebike. However, like its trail and XC counterparts, the carbon frame doesn’t conceal a motor, but rather a shock. A service port in the down tube allows you to access the shock’s dials and air valve – though the easiest way to do this is to turn the bike upside down. A SAG indicator on the rocker link makes it easier to see the percentage of SAG externally – assuming the indicator is clean! When it’s covered in mud, reading the sag can be challenging. The opening in the down tube also doubles as a storage compartment, which comes standard with SCOTT’s practical Save The Day kit. This includes a spare inner tube, tire levers and a spoke key, allowing you to carry out all basic trailside repairs. SCOTT also hide a mini tool under the cover, which is extremely practical, but difficult to reach, especially when the service port is covered in mud. Tire plugs and a small cutter are hidden in the bar ends, complementing SCOTT’s extensive emergency pack – awesome!

Thanks to the tire plugs and cutters in the bar ends, you’re prepared for all eventualities – awesome!

The downtube features a cage mount, while a generously sized seat and chainstay protector prevents paint chips and chain slap! The service port doubles as a skid plate. The cable routing proves that SCOTT’s integration game is next level: all cables disappear into the frame through the headset and only reappear shortly before the component where they’re needed. While this might not be the most practical system, it’s next-level integration!

Almost perfect!
The practical external sag indicator on the main pivot makes shock setup easier. However, when riding in muddy conditions, it’s harder to read the sag.
Pandora’s box
The service port allows you to access the FOX FLOAT X Nude shock’s dials and air valve, and also doubles as a down tube protector.
A feast for the eyes
SCOTT’s knack for integration is also evident on the Ransom 900 RC, which hides all the cables discreetly inside the headset.

The spec of the 2024 SCOTT Ransom 900 RC

The SCOTT Ransom 900 RC relies on a top tier spec, including a bling FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork and matching FOX FLOAT X Nude shock, which is the result of a collaboration between SCOTT and FOX, developed specifically to fit into the Ransom’s frame (in such a way that the dials and air valve are easily accessible through the service port). That said, the shock still requires a little extra effort to set up. SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear do stopping duties, providing reliable, powerful deceleration. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic 12-speed SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur and delivers butter-smooth shifting, even under load. A chain guide prevents the chain from falling off, while an additional bash guard protects the chainring from nasty impacts.

Not ideal!
Although the one-piece Syncros Hixon IC SL carbon cockpit matches the clean look of the Ransom, it offers virtually no adjustment options.
For all eventualities
The tire plugs and cutters in the bar ends round off the Ransom’s emergency kit – top!

For the cockpit, SCOTT rely on their in-house component brand Syncros, which supplies the one-piece, 780 mm Hixon IC SL carbon handlebar/stem unit. However, the one-piece design doesn’t allow for fine-tuning, except for the handlebar width, which can be (irreversibly) adapted to your needs by cutting the bars. Syncros also provide the 200 mm Duncan 1.5 S dropper post, which allows you to reduce the travel, but can’t be slammed all the way into the frame. For the wheels, SCOTT combine a 29” Race Face alloy wheelset with a pair of MAXXIS tires. Up front, you’ll find an ASSEGAI in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and EXO+ casing, and at the rear there’s a DISSECTOR in the soft MaxxGrip compound and robust Doubledown casing. After all, front wheel traction doesn’t matter, right? We’re still wondering to this day why the rubber compounds were the wrong way round on our test bike. However, production bikes should always be delivered with a softer compound at the front. Moreover, we would recommend upgrading to the robust Doubledown casing at the front for more puncture protection.

SCOTT Ransom 900 RC

€ 9,999

Specifications

Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Nude 160 mm
Seatpost Syncros Duncan 1.5 S 200 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Syncros Onepiece 45 mm
Handlebar Syncros Hixon IC SL Carbon Onepiece 780 mm
Wheelset Race Face Turbine Alu 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, EXO+, MaxxTerra/MAXXIS Dissector, Doubledown, MaxxGrip 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 15.7 kg

Specific Features

Storage compartment
Height adjustable dropper
Tool in handlebar
Flip-Chip

Tuning tip: Upgrade to the tougher Doubledown casing for a bomb-proof tire setup.

Helmet Troy Lee Designs D4 Carbon | Goggle Scott Prospect | Shirt Troy Lee Designs Sprint Ultra Jersey Sequence Quarry | Pants Troy Lee Designs Sprint Ultra | Shoes Crankbrothers Mallet Speedlace | Watch Casio G-Shock GA-2100

The geometry of the 2024 SCOTT Ransom 900 RC

The SCOTT Ransom 900 RC is available in five sizes, S to XL. Our test bike in size L combines 483 mm reach and a 440 mm seat tube, which are both quite typical for a modern enduro bike. The seat tube angle steepens up with the growing frame size, while the head angle can be adjusted from 63.8° to 64.9° by rotating the headset cups. SCOTT also throw a second headset cup into the box, which can be used for an intermediate head angle setting, altering the angle by just 0.6°. A flip chip in the chainstay allows you to convert the Ransom to a mullet bike with a smaller 27.5” wheel at the rear.

Size S M L XL
Reach 428 mm 458 mm 483 mm 508 mm
Stack 614.8 mm 619.3 mm 632.8 mm 641.7 mm
Chainstay Length 440 mm 440 mm 440 mm 440 mm
BB Drop 25 mm 25 mm 25 mm 25 mm
Seat Tube 184.5 mm 214.6 mm 244.7 mm 274.6 mm
Head Angle 63.8° 63.8° 63.8° 63.8°
Seat Angle 77° 77.2° 77.4° 77.6°
Horizontal Top Tube 569.9 mm 598.7 mm 624.4 mm 649.1 mm
Head Tube 95 mm 100 mm 115 mm 125 mm
Wheelbase 1206.6 mm 1238.8 mm 1270.4 mm 1299.8 mm

The 2024 SCOTT Ransom 900 RC 2024 on the trail

When you swing your leg over the saddle, the SCOTT Ransom 900 RC places you in a comfortable pedalling position. When riding uphill, it’s worth reaching for the TracLoc lever on the handlebars, which lets you select from three different modes: Climb, Ramp Control and Open. In Climb mode, the compression damping on the shock is closed, locking out the shock to avoid any of your pedalling input getting absorbed by the suspension – ideal for long, tortuous climbs on tarmac and gravel. Ramp Control mode opens up the damping, but closes one of the shock’s air chambers. As a result, the suspension sits higher in its travel, allowing you to tackle technical climbs with more confidence. As the name suggests, Open mode is for ripping, and corresponds to a conventional shock’s open setting. It takes some time to get used to using the remote at first, as it’s easy to push the wrong lever. Thanks to the comfortable pedalling position and TracLoc system, the Swiss enduro bruiser proves the best climber in the analogue test field – only the Orbea WILD performs better uphill, but the Orbea has an electric motor, so it’s not really a fair comparison.

If you flick the remote to Open mode and turn your nose into the valley, the first thing you’ll notice is the Ransom’s firm handling. When bombing through rock gardens at full blast, the Ransom is rather demanding to ride and not very forgiving of mistakes, while the stiff cockpit quickly leads to arm pump after a long day in the saddle. Overall, the Ransom requires strong skills and a vigilant riding style in technical trail sections, although the weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear wheel. The high front end integrates you nicely with the bike, inspiring huge amounts of confidence in the process. The Ransom comes to life on tight, twisting trails with fast, consecutive berms, where the agile character makes it easy to flick the bike from one side of the trail to another and to negotiate tight hairpin switchbacks, changing direction willingly whenever you want it to. Only bikes like the YT CAPRA, Yeti SB 160 and Ibis HD6 are even more agile. The Ransom’s suspension sucks up small trail chatter with great sensitivity, but it’s more on the progressive side, which contributes heavily to the bike’s demanding handling. However, this also makes it easy to pump through rollers and berms, allowing you to gain speed quickly on flowing trails.

With its direct, sharp handling, the Ransom isn’t particularly forgiving of riding mistakes, requiring good skills and a vigilant riding style.
The SCOTT Ransom 900 RC really comes to life on winding flow trails, where it makes it easy to generate speed.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 SCOTT Ransom 900 RC?

The SCOTT Ransom 900 RC is a great option for integration junkies who want an elegant-looking bike with countless detail solutions. With its direct handling and firm suspension, the Ransom feels at home on fast, flowing trails, while the TracLoc system also makes it suitable for anyone who wants an enduro bike with excellent climbing performance.

Our conclusions about the 2024 SCOTT Ransom 900 RC

With the latest iteration of the Ransom 900 RC, SCOTT delivered a well thought-out enduro bruiser with next-level integration, clever detail solutions and excellent trail performance. The Ransom also impresses with great climbing qualities thanks to the TracLoc system. If you’re out to set some new (uphill) PRs and can handle its demanding character, the Ransom is an agile, albeit not particularly composed riding companion.

Tops

  • Best climber in the analogue test field
  • Clever detail solutions
  • Next-level integration

Flops

  • Very demanding to ride
  • Enclosed shock adds complexity and makes it harder to service the bike

For more info, visit SCOTT’s website.


The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test

All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review) | Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review) | GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review) | Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review) | Norco Sight C1 (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review) | RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review) | Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review) | Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)


Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker