When the World XC Champion and steadfast 27.5″ rider Nino Schurter suddenly admits he’s considering the full suspension 29er SCOTT Spark for this year’s Olympics in Rio, then of course we’re going to sit up and pay attention. But what’s led to this sudden change of heart? Keep reading to find out.
At their 2016 press camp in Lenzerheide, a top destination in Switzerland for skiing and riding, SCOTT seized the chance to present a host of brand new XC bikes, including the SCOTT Spark, whose three model versions come with varying travel and wheel sizes but all share the a super lightweight, all-new carbon frame with a novel rear suspension design.


Details of the lightweight SCOTT Spark
The Spark’s frame kit including rear shock and other bits of hardware tips the scale at just 1,749 g – a figure that massively undercuts comparable bikes from other brands by several hundred grams. This potentially record-breaking weight is largely thanks to the new HMX SL carbon fibers in an optimized layup as well the new rear suspension design, which sees the rear shock lined up behind the seat tube – plus a list of other intelligent design features on this brand new engineered carbon frame. And even despite this massive reduction in weight, the bike is reputed to boast the same outstanding durability and comfort.




But it isn’t just its weight that has been reduced. The suspension has had an overhaul as well, featuring a new design and therefore new shock curve, which we hear should mean the new Spark is more responsive and still able to deliver more feedback without bottoming out.





More models, more choice.
No longer just two wheel size options, the new SCOTT Spark boasts three different frame concepts with varying travel, diverse geometry and availability in a different wheel sizes.
SCOTT Spark 700/900 RC

The new SCOTT RC models are thoroughbred racing bikes, uniting an ultra low weight and maximal efficiency. With 100 mm travel at the front and rear, the all-new Spark RC is optimized to exclusively work with 1x drivetrains, and it’s available with both 27.5″ and 29″ wheels. The top-of-the-range SCOTT Spark RC SL features the new HMX SL carbon fibres to give it an even lower weight. Not only does the new Spark RC come in four build specs, with two wheel size options for each, there’s also a female-specific Contessa model.
SCOTT Spark 700/900

Alongside the race-primed RC models, the Spark also comes in a more modest version with 10 different versions all offering 120 mm travel, and all available with either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. Unlike the RC model, this 120 mm travel bike is also compatible with 2x drivetrains and gives a less aggressive riding position thanks to its geometry.
SCOTT Spark 700 Plus

Coming in seven build specs (5 unisex and 2 Contessa models), the brand new SCOTT Spark Plus features 130 mm of travel at the front and 120 mm at the rear.
The geometry of the SCOTT Spark models
Compared to its predecessor, the new Spark has a steeper seat angle, slacker head angle, shorter chainstays and a longer frame. Depending on the model you choose, the geometry does vary slightly: the RC models value a smaller stack to ensure that the XC riders still get a performance-orientated position despite having bigger wheels. Here’s an overview of all the bikes and their geometry:
SCOTT SPARK 900 RC: SL, ULTIMATE, WORLD CUP, PRO
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
Top tube length | 570 mm | 600 mm | 630 mm | 650 mm |
Head tube length | 95 mm | 95 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm |
Head tube angle | 68,5° | 68,5° | 68,5° | 68,5° |
Seat tube angle | 73,8° | 73,8° | 73,8° | 73,8° |
Chainstay length | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
Bottom bracket offset | – 50,5 mm | – 50,5 mm | – 50,5 mm | – 50,5 mm |
Wheel base | 1,097,7 mm | 1,127,7 mm | 1,158,6 mm | 1,179,6 mm |
Reach | 399,5 mm | 429,5 mm | 456,8 mm | 474,1 mm |
SCOTT SPARK 700 RC: SL, ULTIMATE, WORLD CUP, PRO
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | – |
Top tube length | 570 mm | 600 mm | 625 mm | – |
Head tube length | 95 mm | 100 mm | 110 mm | – |
Head tube angle | 68.5° | 68.5° | 68.5° | – |
Seat tube angle | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | – |
Chainstay length | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | – |
Bottom bracket offset | – 34 mm | – 34 mm | – 34 mm | – |
Wheel base | 1,082.3 mm | 1,112.8 mm | 1,138.7 mm | – |
Reach | 403.9 mm | 432.5 mm | 454.8 mm | – |
SCOTT SPARK: 900 ULTIMATE, 900 PREMIUM, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 945, 950, 960
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
Top tube length | 575 mm | 605 mm | 635 mm | 655 mm |
Head tube length | 95 mm | 95 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm |
Head tube angle | 67.2° | 67.2° | 67.2° | 67.2° |
Seat tube angle | 73.8° | 73.8° | 73.8° | 73.8° |
Chainstay length | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
Bottom bracket offset | – 43 mm | – 43 mm | – 43 mm | – 43 mm |
Wheel base | 1,121.6 mm | 1,151.6 mm | 1,182.8 mm | 1,203.9 mm |
Reach | 402.7 mm | 432.7 mm | 460.0 mm | 477.3 mm |
SCOTT SPARK: 700 ULTIMATE, 700 PREMIUM, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 745, 750, 760
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | – |
Top tube length | 575 mm | 605 mm | 635 mm | – |
Head tube length | 100 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | – |
Head tube angle | 67° | 67° | 67° | – |
Seat tube angle | 73.8° | 73.8° | 73.8° | – |
Chainstay length | 428 mm | 428 mm | 428 mm | – |
Bottom bracket offset | – 26 mm | – 26 mm | – 26 mm | – |
Wheel base | 1,115.2 mm | 1,145.8 mm | 1,177.0 mm | – |
Reach | 409.7 mm | 438.4 mm | 465.7 mm | – |
SCOTT SPARK PLUS: 700 TUNED, 710, 720, 730
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
Top tube length | 577 mm | 607 mm | 637 mm | 657 mm |
Head tube length | 95 mm | 95 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm |
Head tube angle | 66.9° | 66.9° | 66.9° | 66.9° |
Seat tube angle | 73.2° | 73.2° | 73.2° | 73.2° |
Chainstay length | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
Bottom bracket offset | – 36 mm | – 36 mm | – 36 mm | – 36 mm |
Wheel base | 1,128.1 mm | 1,158.1 mm | 1,189.3 mm | 1,210.5 mm |
Reach | 396.3 mm | 426.4 mm | 453.6 mm | 470.9 mm |
SCOTT CONTESSA SPARK: 700 RC
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | – |
Top tube length | 570 mm | 600 mm | 625 mm | – |
Head tube length | 95 mm | 100 mm | 110 mm | – |
Head tube angle | 68.5° | 68.5° | 68.5° | – |
Seat tube angle | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | – |
Chainstay length | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | – |
Bottom bracket offset | – 34 mm | – 34 mm | – 34 mm | – |
Wheel base | 1,082.3 mm | 1,112.8 mm | 1,138.7 mm | – |
Reach | 403.9 mm | 432.5 mm | 454.8 mm | – |
SCOTT CONTESSA SPARK: 700, 710, 720, 730
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | – |
Top tube length | 575 mm | 605 mm | 635 mm | – |
Head tube length | 100 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | – |
Head tube angle | 67° | 67° | 67° | – |
Seat tube angle | 73.8° | 73.8° | 73.8° | – |
Chainstay length | 428 mm | 428 mm | 428 mm | – |
Bottom bracket offset | – 26 mm | – 26 mm | – 26 mm | – |
Wheel base | 1,115.2 mm | 1,145.8 mm | 1,177.0 mm | – |
Reach | 409.7 mm | 438.4 mm | 465.7 mm | – |
SCOTT CONTESSA SPARK PLUS: 710, 720
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
Top tube length | 577 mm | 607 mm | 637 mm | 657 mm |
Head tube length | 95 mm | 95 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm |
Head tube angle | 66.9° | 66.9° | 66.9° | 66.9° |
Seat tube angle | 73.2° | 73.2° | 73.2° | 73.2° |
Chainstay length | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
Bottom bracket offset | – 36 mm | – 36 mm | – 36 mm | – 36 mm |
Wheel base | 1,128.1 mm | 1,158.1 mm | 1,189.3 mm | 1,210.5 mm |
Reach | 396.3 mm | 426.4 mm | 453.6 mm | 470.9 mm |
Which Spark for what sort of rider?
While there’s little diversion when it comes to the travel and frame of the three lines, their intended playgrounds couldn’t be more different: with 100 mm travel, an aggressive position and matching spec, the RC model is aimed at athletes for whom maximum efficiency and a race-ready kick are a priority.

Alternatively, for those who spend longer days in the saddle and appreciate comfort, the 120 mm Spark model is your best bet. The Spark Plus doesn’t just have more travel, but also a substantially bigger dose of stability and smoothness thanks to its chunkier tires and slacker geometry. Put it this way: if you aren’t averse to riding uphills and won’t accept any compromises on descents, then the Spark Plus is worth considering.


Prices and availability
We are still in the dark when it comes to the final prices for the new Spark models, but SCOTT have assured us that these bikes will be in shops by the end of the year.
Our first impression of the new Spark
SCOTT have cut no corners in their attempt to create the ultimate workhorse to escort Nino Schurter to the Olympics. Not only does its new low weight set a precedent, but the Spark also features a number of other mega intelligent and stylish features. We warn you though: expect a bit of a headache when it comes to choosing which model and which wheel size. SCOTT have covered all bases.
For more information check the official website!
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Martin Bissig