SCOTT Contessa Spark – more models, more choice, more fun

FAO female riders! SCOTT have firmly turned their attention to the market by launching 10 more female-specific bikes for the coming season, with the three new Contessa Spark models commanding our attention. Naturally, we wanted in on the new entrants so headed to the equally commanding surroundings of Switzerland’s St. Moritz to test rides SCOTT’s latest rigs to see which bikes are best suited to which riders.

Things have been busy at SCOTT over the past season, and they left Rio with a pair of pretty majestic Olympic victories to their name from Nino Schurter and Jenny Rissveds. Both world-class athletes were out in force on the SCOTT Spark RC, a bike that we presented in all its glory a while back.

More models, more choice, more confusion: Which Spark is best for your ride?

Jenny Rissveds rode the new SCOTT Spark not just to World U23 title but also to a gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

Aside from its name, the new Spark has very little in common with its predecessor. Built around a super lightweight carbon frame, it comes in three models with various size travel and wheels. Unlike the previous generation, these models all feature a steeper seat angle, slacker head angle, shorter chain stays, longer frame and SCOTT’s now familiar TwinLoc technology. Given the trio of models that cover the spectrum, we test rode them all to discover where their strengths and weaknesses lie – and how yours might patch up theirs to make the ultimate pairing.

Keeping to SCOTT’s style guide, all the models feature the TwinLoc technology, which adjusts the suspension between three compression settings.

The rear shock mount is a break from tradition, seeing it placed above the seattube and kitted out with the more compact Trunnion shock mount.

Any SCOTT full-suspension bike basically has a unisex frame, and the differences are found in the spec and contact points – so when it comes to the Contessa, the bars, grips and saddle are female-specific too. The rear shock is another key area for female riders, and has been duly optimized for lighter riders. Bar widths and saddles are always going to be contestable, and it’s just a case of personal taste. Fortunately, SCOTT can’t be far off the mark with their wisely chosen choice of Syncros components that form a good foundation for a female-specific spec. The bars are between 700 mm (RC) and 740 mm (Spark/Spark plus). The saddle bears female-specific ergonomics and our test riders found it comfortable on all the bikes.

On the Contessa models, the saddle, bars and suspension have all been tuned to suit female riders.

Setting up suspension properly is crucial before hitting the trails.

Alongside dialing the suspension elements to suit your personal weight, you’ve got to tune in the right tire pressure – particularly if you’re riding plus-size tires. We’d recommend around 1.1 bar in the wide 2.8″ tires.

The three new SCOTT Contessa Spark models: an overview

SCOTT Contessa Spark RC – the race-ready whip

The racing machine: the super lightweight SCOTT Contessa Spark RC 700 with 100 mm travel.

If your objective is to win an XC race then the SCOTT Contessa Spark RC is the ultimate choice – a fact proven emphatically by Jenny Rissveds’ gold medal at the Rio Olympics. With its single chainring and 100 mm front and rear travel, the Spark RC teams a super low weight with the ultimate efficiency. However, take note: this race-ready whip asks for a strong hand and naturally isn’t the more comfort-primed bike around.

Designed to shave off seconds on XC race circuits, the SCOTT Contessa Spark RC is a competitive rig that’s best suited for experienced riders.

SCOTT Contessa Spark 700 – the speedy trail bike

The SCOTT Contessa Spark 700 is a speedy all-rounder for those who value superb handling and great acceleration.

A featherweight amongst the full-suspension crowd, the Contessa Spark 700 is made for women who like to grind their way up climbs with aplomb. The Spark 700/710 comes with the brand’s tried-and-tested TwinLoc technology, which is super practical thanks to its bar-mounted lever. The TwinLoc system from SCOTT lets you adjust the firmness of the forks and the rear shock with one simple movement.
The 120 mm travel has sufficient comfort on flow trails and on descents. The FOX 34 FLOAT Performance Elite Air forks smooths out trail chatter and bigger hits too. The FOX Nude Trunnion rear shock is sublimely adjustable for lighter riders (up to max 80 kg). It offers balanced geometry, which makes the handling agile and playful.

Take note though: if you’re more into throwing yourself down trails and giving full gas, then SCOTT have another Spark to ‘spark’ your interest.

With 120 mm travel, a light weight and brilliant handling, the SCOTT Contessa Spark 700 is the perfect companion for epic bike rides in the mountains and forests.

SCOTT Contessa Spark 710 Plus – the do-all

The new benchmark when it comes to performance on the trails: the SCOTT Contessa Spark 710 Plus and its 130 mm travel is the veritable do-all in their new line-up.

This bike is intended for female riders who won’t cut any crap and won’t compromise on climbing or descending – the Spark Plus has 130 mm travel at the front and 120 mm at the rear, giving it more comfort and more aptitude for fun on trails. Flow, rooty or technical, climbing or descending, the Contessa Spark Plus rolls – and damn well too. With wide 2.8″ MAXXIS tires, the bike is a bit less nimble and a bit more burly than the other two models, but there’s very little tangible rolling resistance to note. The gains in comfort, stability and confidence are huge, largely thanks to the grip from the MAXXIS Rekon+ tires. For the Spark 710 Plus, SCOTT have also relied on the FOX Nude Trunnion rear shock and its optimized female-specific tuning setup. At 12.8 kg in total, we reckon this is the ultimate buttery smooth trail bike that knows no limits.

The SCOTT Contessa Spark 710 Plus dishes up limitless fun. ENDURO test rider Antonia was stoked!

Our thoughts on the new SCOTT Contessa Spark models

The new Contessa Spark marks a massive step for SCOTT and the lightweight carbon frame sets serious new standards for female riders. Perhaps contrary to opinion, the most exciting bike of the new line-up isn’t the Olympic gold medal-winning RC, but the Contessa Spark Plus. Thanks to its chunkier tires, the additional travel and superbly designed geometry, this is THE bike that’ll spark 95% of all female riders to remain super stoked on riding. We’d have loved to have seen front single chain rings on all the models, as women – just like men – have grown out of the reliance on a rear derailleur.

Takes you places – the SCOTT Contessa Spark models cover the spectrum to suit all female riders!

All the new models and more information can be found at scott-sports.com.

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Words: Antonia Buckenlei Photos: Markus Greber