The spec sheet of the SCOTT Ransom hints at a love for speed: 29″ wheels, 170 mm travel, and a 64.5° head angle. However, on the trail this bike turned out to be one of the most versatile of the test field. Why that is, our test reveals.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2020
Last year, SCOTT celebrated the revival of an iconic bike with the Ransom. However, this reincarnation has nothing in common with its predecessor, except for the name. The pull-shock has given way to a FOX Nude with TwinLoc technology. A small lever on the shock allows you to adjust its progression on the fly. Up front, you’ve got a FOX 36 Factory FIT4, which can also be locked out via the TwinLoc remote. Unfortunately, the FIT4 is less adjustable and slightly less sensitive than the GRIP2 damper. The top of the range € 7,599 model features SCOTT’s idiosyncratic and futuristic looking Syncros Hixon iC Rise cockpit, matching the colour of the frame – a nice touch, we think. The componentry is rounded off by a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, a 150 mm FOX Transfer dropper post and Syncros Revelstoke 1.5 wheels. We were also immediately struck by the 29 x 2.6″ wide MAXXIS Minion DHF tires. Thanks to a flip chip in the rocker link, the Ransom is available with either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. Weighing in at 13.42 kg, it was one of the lightest bikes in the group test.
The Syncros Hixon iC Rise cockpit looks super futuristic and if the dimensions suit your preferences, it’s awesome. However, some of our test riders prefer less backsweep and would fit a different stem and handlebar.
SCOTT have managed to visually integrate all the levers. Unfortunately, the dropper post, which is the one we used most often, is difficult to reach.
The chainstay guard effectively absorbs impacts from the chain, keeping the bike very quiet.
The progression on the Ransom’s shock can be adjusted via a small lever. We liked the more progressive setup most. It offers more support and ensures a balanced weight distribution.
Scott Ransom 900 Tuned
€ 7,599
Specifications
Fork FOX 36 Factory FIT4 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX NUDE TR EVOL 170 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 175 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 4-Kolben 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle 32 - 10/50
Stem Syncros Hixon iC Rise Carbon 50 mm
Handlebar 800 mm
Wheelset Syncros Revelstoke 1.5 29
Technical Data
Size S, M, L, XL
Weight 13.42 kg
The 2.6″ wide MAXXIS Minion DHF tires lack puncture protection. We would rather resort to the slightly narrower 2.5 WT variant. If you want to ride hard, we would also recommend fitting tires with a thicker casing, such as MAXXIS’ Doubledown options.
Unfortunately, the FOX 36 fork doesn’t have the GRIP2 damper in it because of the TwinLoc system. The GRIP2 model performs better and gives you more tuning options to adjust the fork to suit your preferences – too bad.
The plug at the cable inlet on the chainstay kept on coming loose and dangling on the cable.
Geometry and size of the SCOTT
At first glance, the geometry of the SCOTT Ransom is geared fully towards downhill performance. The head angle is slack and the reach is generous. However, the bottom bracket is rather high, which is a shame since the TwinLoc system allows you to raise the BB for the climbs anyway. The long seat tube isn’t up to date either. A flip chip in the rocker arm makes it possible to ride the bike with both 29” and 27.5” wheels.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 420 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube | 571 mm | 602 mm | 635 mm | 671 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 100 mm | 115 mm | 130 mm |
| Head angle | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° |
| Seat angle | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.0° |
| Chainstays | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 22 mm | 22 mm | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,183 mm | 1,216 mm | 1,249 mm | 1,289 mm |
| Reach | 406 mm | 440 mm | 467 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 614 mm | 614 mm | 628 mm | 641 mm |
The SCOTT Ransom 900 Tuned on the trail
The light weight is immediately noticeable as soon as you start riding the Ransom. It feels extremely spritely, jumping forwards as you get on the pedals. The slightly stretched out pedalling position suits the bike’s character well. With the TwinLoc remote in Descend mode, you sit a little too far over the rear wheel, but as soon as you activate Traction Control mode the sag reduces, lifting you up and making the Ransom climb better than most trail bikes. We would prefer it if the locking mechanism were only connected to the shock, leaving the fork open. This would result in more comfort on very steep and technical climbs and more sag on the fork would steepen the seat tube angle, both of which would have been welcome. Open the suspension and the rear end feels very sensitive and plush on the trail. So much so that we actually preferred the more progressive setting. The rear suspension stays higher in its travel that way, providing more support and resulting in a better balanced bike overall.
Home trail today, Alpine epic tomorrow – the SCOTT Ransom is a super efficient and versatile bike
The SCOTT changes direction with speed and precision. Unfortunately, in corners and on demanding terrain you feel like you’re perched on top of the bike rather than at one with it. This could be because of the relatively high bottom bracket, which also results in a lack of composure and makes it harder to generate grip in open corners. That’s a shame, especially given that the TwinLoc system could have allowed SCOTT to lower the bottom bracket without consequences for pedalling. Heavier and more robust tires wouldn’t only increase the bike’s composure with their higher rotating mass, but also significantly reduce the risk of punctures. However, with heavier tires, the Ransom wouldn’t be as quick up the climbs.
On very rough terrain, the Ransom falls behind – despite 29″ wheels, you don’t feel well integrated with the bike
How does the SCOTT Ransom compare to the competition?
Thanks to its TwinLoc system and low weight, the SCOTT Ransom is the most efficient climber in the test field. Its sensitive and defined rear suspension is reminiscent of the RAAW or Nukeproof Mega. However, it lags behind these in demanding terrain due to the high bottom bracket, which leaves you feeling like you’re perched on top of the bike.
Tuning tip: deactivate the TwinLoc on the fork | heavier, more robust tires | if necessary, buy a new handlebar and stem
Conclusion
The SCOTT Ransom 900 Tuned is a bike for those who are looking for an extremely efficient and stylish enduro bike who prefer to ride in technical alpine terrain. It climbs very well and offers a lot of comfort on the descents but it lacks composure at high speeds and on rough trails.
Tops
- very versatile
- efficient climber
- intuitive and good-natured on the descents
Flops
- lacks composure
- high centre of gravity
- no GRIP2 damper in the fork
You can find out more about the SCOTT Ransom 900 Tuned at scott-sports.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2020
All bikes in test: Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 LTD | CUBE Stereo 170 SL 29 | Giant Reign Advanced 29 0 | Ibis Mojo HD5 | Norco Sight C1 29 | Nukeproof Mega 275C RS | Nukeproof Mega 290C Pro | Orbea Rallon M-LTD | Pole Stamina 180 LE | RAAW Madonna V2 FOX Factory Built | Rocky Mountain Slayer Carbon 90 29 | Santa Cruz Megatower CC X01 Reserve | SCOTT Ransom 900 Tuned | Specialized S-Works Enduro 2020 | Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert | Trek Slash 9.9 X01 AXS | Yeti SB150 T2 | YT CAPRA 29 CF Pro Race
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer / Finlay Anderson / Markus Frühmann
