I decided it was time for a new MTB, and I fancied a proper XC HT so I went and bought myself a new Scott Scale 930, decent enough components with a Fox 32 Rhythm fork, a mix of Deore and XT 12 speed, Shimano brakes, Syncros wheels and a set of Schwalbe Ray / Ron Performance TLR tyres which for £1700 is pretty good.
But I had my previous 29er XC FS adorned with much nicer kit, so I've stripped that down and now the Scott has 12 speed M9100 XTR group set, including brakes & rotors - bar the cranks as they're that funky 174mm QR / 55mm chain line combo so the XTR 9100 didn't fit 😥 - Fox Factory SC 34's, Hunt Proven XC Carbon hoops, Prime carbon bars and a pair of Spesh Fast Trak 2Bliss T5's and a whole chunk of weight reduced too.
It really does ride very well indeed, very smooth - for a HT - even on Cannock's somewhat pebbly trails, its very quiet, very responsive and is just, well nice, and as to be expected with the likes of Scott the finish on the frame is excellent.
I'd like to change a couple of things, get a nice carbon post - probably a USE Duro or Alien - to replace the alloy one and also a Syncros XC stem with negative rise as the 930 comes with a 0 rise Syncros DC stem and the bars are a smidge high. You can't alter them by removing the spacers under the stem as you'd need to trim the fork steerer to match the drop and I don't want to do that.
So here's a link to a couple of pics on Instagram
Very nice, I've been eyeing up the Fairlight holt, but some of the scales are a bargain at the moment.
Absolutely love that. Posted on here a couple of years ago when I bought mine after they had just done the big refresh on the frame and geometry. Its had a few iterations since and some of my nicer parts, factory forks and dropper, and Zipp carbon wheels which are like a cheat code for extra speed. The only thing its missing is some nice, lightweight brakes. I could be tempted to go full XTR across the board for the full race bike tart spec too.
It really does ride very well indeed, very smooth - for a HT - even on Cannock's somewhat pebbly trails, its very quiet, very responsive and is just, well nice, and as to be expected with the likes of Scott the finish on the frame is excellent.
My thoughts too. Its lightning quick, absolutely silent, and beautifully made. Now that my 'other' MTB is an ebike too, its making more and more sense. Now that the geometry doesnt make them terrifying, these light weight hardtails are so much fun. My Gravel bike has (literally) not been off the turbo trainer since I bought this bike - no point. Not ridden it much over the deepest of winter but its my go to for warm summer evenings and the odd spot of racing.
Ref the stem - WestBrookCycles (no affiliation) always seem to have really good stock of the Scott bits and bobs and list all the stems and spacers etc. I've got a spare 70mm DC stem but its 0 rise, you want the XC version. I now have the full Hixon one piece cockpit on mine.
What size have you got and how tall are you?
Phwoar 😘 😘
Wot no dropper?
Nope, umm'd and ahh'd about fitting one, rode it at Cannock and Llandegla (Reds & Blacks) and thought I can't really bothered with one if I'm honest for the way I'm riding at the moment. The only racing it'll see will be the XCNPS XCC this summer and a bit of marathoning.
So I bought a USE Duro Carbon post from Tweeks at the weekend and that's going on in place of the "boat anchor" of a Syncros alloy one that on there.
Very odd seeing any mountainbike without a dropper these days.
Very odd seeing any mountainbike without a dropper these days.
True, but to be honest at the moment I don't "need" one.