s-works or Scott scale?

miff
miff Posts: 5
edited July 2008 in MTB buying advice
Morning, having just finally broken my mtb frame I need to get a new one, but stuck with the final choice....I think I have narrowed it down to the Specialized S-Works or the Scott Scale Team Edition but wanted to see if anyone has any feedback before I commit.

I want a hardtail so not considering any full bouncers.

The S-Works has the plus of being a little more robust (I think), a lifetime guarantee and a little cheaper than the Scott, however, the Scott is slightly lighter and a 'better looking' frame (plus integral seatpost) but only has a 3 year guarantee and I have heard they may be weak where the ally joins the carbon at the crank.

To give you the full picture I ride probably twice a week and occasionally race when I can get the time, though will probably commit more when I get the new frame.

Any comments to help the decision will be appreciated, including alternative suggestions.

Cheers.

Comments

  • xtremedash
    xtremedash Posts: 182
    Not much help to the two you're looking at, but the new GT Zaskar frame looks really good, although no idea what the pricing or availability is like on it.
    If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!
  • SDK2007
    SDK2007 Posts: 782
    The 2009 S-Works Stumpjumper HT looks awesome; not available until roughly September though.
  • Kiwi Kranker
    Kiwi Kranker Posts: 416
    I used to have the sworks hard tail and my flatmate has a scott scale.

    Had an ex trials rider bouncing around on the scale last night and it was getting a pretty hard time but was fine. Fortunately for my flatmate who was looking on with a look of horror on his face.

    The s works defiinitely has more material in the frame than the scale and my flatmate thought it was a bit 'stiffer' than his scale...I couldnt tell the difference though.

    Hope that helps...though probably not... :lol:
    Scott Ransom 10

    Stumpy FSR Comp

    Wilier Izoard

    1994 Shogun Prairie Breaker Expert...ahhh yesssss

    'I didnt need those front teeth anyway..'
  • miff
    miff Posts: 5
    All useful, the GT option was a bit of a curve ball, hadn't even given it a thought....the frame does look good, seems to be a good weight and obviously a trusted design (plus about £300 - £400 cheaper than the others!).

    Whilst I really do like the scale, the pure racer design is concerning me re: durablilty...will have to give it a little more thought.

    Have managed to borrow an epic in the meantime so no immediate panic to decide!
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Cotic soda, Ti'll last longer.

    As for durability, I'm pretty sure the scale was done by Denk (IIRC) the scott CF wizard so I really would worry about it too much.
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    S-works bikes seem to be the preserve of middle aged balding blokes in dodgy lyrca if trail centre car parks are anything to go by..

    The scott got a short top tube ain't it..so that migh be an issue. As above some Ti lovely ness would be my choice
  • Kiwi Kranker
    Kiwi Kranker Posts: 416
    papasmurf. wrote:
    S-works bikes seem to be the preserve of middle aged balding blokes in dodgy lyrca if trail centre car parks are anything to go by..

    The scott got a short top tube ain't it..so that migh be an issue. As above some Ti lovely ness would be my choice

    Porbably because they used to be the only ones who could afford them!

    Glad I dont have mine anymore as I am far from middle aged, fat and balding....dont wont to be part of that s work owning crew!
    Scott Ransom 10

    Stumpy FSR Comp

    Wilier Izoard

    1994 Shogun Prairie Breaker Expert...ahhh yesssss

    'I didnt need those front teeth anyway..'
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    Not denying the dodgy Lycra though I see :D
  • Kiwi Kranker
    Kiwi Kranker Posts: 416
    papasmurf. wrote:
    Not denying the dodgy Lycra though I see :D

    :lol: Freudian slip of me perhaps?! Never worn Lycra (except under baggies) so maybe I have an underlying desire to kit myself out and display everything to all!

    I saw a guy the other day riding in NOTHING but speedos in Richmond park.

    I felt ill. That sort of thing should be banned.
    Scott Ransom 10

    Stumpy FSR Comp

    Wilier Izoard

    1994 Shogun Prairie Breaker Expert...ahhh yesssss

    'I didnt need those front teeth anyway..'
  • miff
    miff Posts: 5
    I thought the speedos suited me!! :lol

    Fortunately I still have my hair but had steered away from the S-Works already.

    Cotic Soda looks superb, as does Ti 456, downside at mo is I only have 80mm travel on my forks, wasn't planning on changing them yet and both of these sound like they will be too radical unless I change to 100mm +............might be worth biting the bullet though!

    Appreciate the feedback...certainly got me thinking.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    I'd go Ti if I was looking at this end of the HT market.

    So much more durable and won't blow up at the first impact.
  • mellex
    mellex Posts: 214
    Love the look of that Ti 456.
  • glen4
    glen4 Posts: 250
    Surf-Matt wrote:
    I'd go Ti if I was looking at this end of the HT market.

    So much more durable and won't blow up at the first impact.


    Litespeed Ocoee or cove hummer springs to mind, would be on my wishlist for a top spec HT build
    2009 Cove Handjob
    2009 Cove Hummer
  • miff
    miff Posts: 5
    Well after some research and thought....and thanks to all your input Ti is indeed the way forward, there are some really good frames out there, but kept coming back to the Cotic Soda.

    Frame now purchased and forks being modified to give me 100mm travel.........hopefully will have it all built for next weekend and back on the trail.

    Cheers for the input.