In our 2023 Light-eMTB group test, the new SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL stands out from the crowd, taking on the competition with a unique, futuristic look. It’s also the lightest and most expensive bike in the entire test field as well as the one boosting the highest level of integration. Does this make it the sportiest contestant?

SCOTT Lumen eRIDE 900 SL | TQ HPR 50/360 Wh | 130/130 mm (f/r)
16 kg in size L | 29″ | € 15,999 | Manufacturer’s website

Over the past few years, SCOTT focused not only on building light bikes, but also on achieving the highest possible level of integration. With their latest generation of mountain bikes, the shock is fully enclosed in the frame – and the Lumen eRide 900 SL is no exception. Generating 130 mm of travel front and rear, the Lumen resembles SCOTT’s downcountry bike, the Spark, which employs the same linkage-driven single pivot with flex stays. Tipping the scales at 16 kg, the Lumen is lighter than many analogue bikes, but at € 15,999, it’s also more expensive than some cars.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best Light-E-MTB 2023 – 8 bikes in review

The Light-eMTB SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL 2023 in detail

The TQ HPR 50 motor is integrated discreetly into the frame, emphasising the Lumen’s elegant design language. The drive is combined with a TQ display in the top tube, a minimalist remote on the left-hand side of the handlebars and a 360 Wh battery. The latter is permanently integrated into the frame, meaning that off-bike charging isn’t an option, but can be expanded with an optional 160 Wh range extender, which can be attached to the down tube in place of the bottle cage. SCOTT seem to be taking integration extremely seriously, hiding minitools all over the frame: there’s one in the rear thru axle, another one in the bottle cage and two more in the bar ends. The Lumen relies on SCOTT’s proprietary TwinLoc system, which lets you switch between three suspension settings – Lockout, Traction Control and Descent – using two bar-mounted levers. While the system makes perfect sense on the Lumen, it takes some getting used to, and the additional cables and remotes spoil the otherwise clean look of the bike.

Leg power required
With its sporty pedalling position, the Lumen conveys a true XC feeling when riding uphill, proving an excellent climber despite its weak TQ motor.

The spec of the Light-eMTB SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL 2023

The spec of the SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL was chosen to ensure the lowest possible system weight which, unfortunately, comes at the expense of the bike’s trail performance. The most blatant example is the FOX 34 Factory fork with FIT4 damper, which is light and can be locked out from the handlebars using the TwinLoc system, but lacks the excellent small-bump compliance and support of the superior GRIP2 version. The FOX Nude 5T air shock was developed specifically for SCOTT and is accessible through a service port in the down tube. FOX also supply the 150 mm Transfer Factory dropper post, which has the least travel in the entire test field, restricting freedom of movement on the bike. Shimano XTR four-piston brakes with 180 mm rotors front and rear do stopping duties. For heavy riders and steep trails, we recommend upgrading to bigger 200 mm rotors for more braking power and better modulation. Shifting is taken care of by a wireless SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain. For the cockpit, SCOTT rely on their in-house, 760 mm Syncros Fraser iC carbon handlebar/stem unit, which comes standard with a holder for a light, a GPS device or a GoPro. However, the one-piece construction doesn’t allow for fine tuning. Syncros also supply the Silverton SL2 carbon wheelset, which adds to the stylish look of the bike but, at € 4,800, is sinfully expensive to replace in case of damage. This is particularly nerve-wracking given the choice of tires, because the Lumen comes standard with Schwalbe Wicked Will tires in the paper-thin Super Race casing, both front and rear. This is paired with the ADDIX Speedgrip compound at the rear and ADDIX SpeedSoft rubber compound at the front, which was developed specifically for SCOTT. While the tires perfectly suit the Lumen’s lightweight concept, we can’t help but ask ourselves: why would you risk forking out another € 2,000 for a new wheel rather than just using a tire with the tougher Super Trail casing, which only weighs 200 g more? We also recommend upgrading to a softer rubber compound for more traction.

With a Little help…
The external sag indicator facilitates the shock setup.
Incognito
Hiding right under the bottle cage, the mini tool isn’t too easy to access… but at least it’s there.
Range booster
To expand the range of the SCOTT, you can replace one of the bottle cages with the optional 160 Wh range extender.
Little helper
The TyreWiz valves allow you to check the tire pressure directly from your smartphone.
Lever cluster
The two TwinLoc levers under the dropper remote let you switch between Lockout, Traction Control and Descent modes to adjust your suspension.

SCOTT Lumen eRIDE 900 SL

€ 15,999

Specifications

Motor TQ HPR 50 50 Nm
Battery TQ HPR Battery V01 360 Wh
Display TQ 0-LED
Fork FOX 34 Factory FIT4 130 mm
Rear Shock FOX Nude 5T 130 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR 180/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem Syncros Fraser iC 70 mm
Handlebar Syncros Fraser iC Carbon 760 mm
Wheelset Syncros Silverton SL2 Carbon 29"
Tires Schwalbe Wicked Will Super Race ADDIX Soft/Schwalbe Wicked Will Super Race ADDIX Speed Grip 2.4/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 16 kg
Perm. total weight 128 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 112 kg
Trailer approval nein
Kickstand mount nein

Specific Features

incl. 160 Wh Range-Extender
TyreWiz

Tuning TipS: More robust tires like Schwalbe Super Trail front and rear | Tires with softer rubber compound for more trail performance

The geometry of the Light-eMTB SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL 2023

Despite being the only e-Downcountry bike in this group test, the SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL shares a similar geometry with the rest of the test field. That being said, at 480 mm, it has the longest seat tube in the entire test field, paired with 476 mm reach. On top of that, the short-travel, 150 mm dropper post can’t be fully inserted into the frame, restricting freedom of movement even further. Chainstays are 450 mm across the board, which makes them the longest in this test. An external sag indicator on the frame facilitates shock setup while a service port in the down tube allows you to access the shock easily. Compared to bikes with a conventional shock, however, the shock of the SCOTT takes a little more effort to set up.

Size S M L XL
Seat tube 415 mm 440 mm 480 mm 520 mm
Top tube 562 mm 589 mm 620 mm 645 mm
Head tube 110 mm 110 mm 120 mm 135 mm
Head angle 65.5° 65.5° 65.5° 65.5°
Seat angle 76.8° 77° 77.2° 77.5°
Chainstay 450 mm 450 mm 450 mm 450 mm
BB Drop 38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 38 mm
Wheelbase 1.176 mm 1.206 mm 1.240 mm 1.270 mm
Reach 416 mm 446 mm 476 mm 501 mm
Stack 615 mm 615 mm 625 mm 638 mm
Helmet SMITH Forefront | Glasses Melon Optics Kingpin | Jersey POC Resistance | Pants POC Resistance | Shoes Crankbrothers Mallet BOA | Socks Stance

The Light-eMTB SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL 2023 on the trail

With its smooth character, the TQ motor is a perfect match for the SCOTT, providing minimal support, and only when pedalling at high cadences. Moreover, the drive unit is compact, light and discreetly integrated into the frame. Unsurprisingly, the Lumen puts you into a sporty pedalling position, which is comfortable even on longer rides. The long riding position makes it easy to negotiate steep climbs without having to actively weight the front wheel. Overall, the Lumen is a good climber despite providing only minimal support – and at 16 kg, it’s light enough to carry on your shoulders in unrideable sections ;). Even in open mode, the rear suspension is pleasantly firm and only requires you to reach for the TwinLoc remote when trying to crush KOMs or sprinting past your mates. Traction Control mode is far too stiff on technical climbs, which comes at the expense of traction.

The SCOTT Lumen is extremely elegant and the undisputed master of integration

Narrow spectrum
The Lumen is good fun on flowy trails, but quickly reaches its limits on technical terrain.

Downhill, the SCOTT impresses with nimble, direct handling and offers tons of support, which makes it good fun on flat, flowing trails. Only the Pivot Shuttle SL makes it easier to pump through rollers and flick the rear end from one corner into the next. When the going gets rough, you’ll be surprised at what SCOTT’s scrawny little downcountry rig is capable of, provided you can ignore the tremendous rattling noise coming from the Syncros front mudguard, which gets increasingly louder as the trail gets rougher. When things get really wild, the SCOTT’s performance is heavily limited by its components. The peculiar shape of the narrow Syncros handlebars pushes your elbows inwards, making it hard to control the bike and robbing you of confidence on most descents. The paper-thin tire casings and hard rubber compounds force you to run high air pressures to prevent the expensive rims from exploding with nasty impacts. As a result, the SCOTT doesn’t generate enough traction and struggles to inspire confidence. Although the Lumen is still relatively easy to control, it lacks reserves, blowing through the 130 mm of travel far too easily and quickly pushing you beyond your limits.

While the Lumen has a lot more trail potential than you would assume, the spec holds it back from unfolding it.

Riding Characteristics

12

Uphill

1
  1. sluggish
  2. efficient

Agility

2
  1. cumbersome
  2. playful

Stability

3
  1. nervous
  2. confident

Handling

4
  1. demanding
  2. balanced

Suspension

5
  1. harsh
  2. plush

Fun Factor

6
  1. planted
  2. poppy

Value for money

7
  1. terrible
  2. very good

Intended Use

XC

8

Trail

9

Enduro

10

Downhill

11

Conclusion

Without doubt, the SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL is an exceptional bike. The level of integration is mind-boggling, making the Lumen a real head turner. Unfortunately, the bike is sinfully expensive and only covers a rather narrow range of applications. The Lumen is an efficient climber and delivers tons of fun on flowing trails. But while the frame platform per-se has good trail potential, the spec holds it back on rougher trails, where the Lumen quickly reaches its limits.

Tops

  • Impressive level of integration
  • Efficient climber
  • High fun factor on flowing trails

Flops

  • Eye-watering price and narrow range of applications
  • Spec prevents it from reaching its true trail potential

You can find out more about at scott-ports.com

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The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best Light-E-MTB 2023 – 8 models in review

All bikes in test: Focus Jam² SL 9.9 2023 (Click for review) | Forestal Siryon Diode (Click for review) | Haibike LYKE CF SE (Click for review) | Orbea Rise M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle SL Pro X01(Click for review) | SCOTT Lumen eRIDE 900 | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax TQ (Click for review) | Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS (Click for review)


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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker, Mike Hunger