Suitability for a Scott Spark 910 vs Spark RC World Cup

joah

Hi all,

I'm considering either a Scott Spark 910 or World Cup RC model (can get both heavily discounted from new rrp).

Unfortunately I can't seem to try them easily - any shops I've asked will only order from Scott and they're not keen on ordering one of each for me to try out.

I'm aware of the differences between them on paper. I'm a more casual trail/'downcountry' rider (mostly Swinley Forest trails) but I'm wondering whether I'd prefer to sacrifice the 10mm extra travel of the 910 (130/120) (RC is 120/120) for the lighter weight of the RC (11kg vs 12.5kg for the 910). The other major difference is the handlebar rise which is 0 deg for the 910 and -12 deg for the RC.

Would the RC be too uncomfortable for me as a more casual and not super fit rider? I don't know how great the difference between them is in reality.

Thanks,

Josh

MidlandsGrimpeur2

I ride a Spark team issue which is the same as the RC in terms of travel and stem rise. These are just my personal opinions but hopefully still helpful.

• 120mm travel will be fine, I ride Cannock Chase red trails which are technical and have a lot of steep downhills/rock paths/roots/drop offs. For casual trails and XC 120mm is plenty IME.
• The stem rise is personal preference really. I don't find -12 too low. However, I am primarily a road cyclist and am used to a much lower position. The only way to know for certain is to sit on one and see if possible.
• The weight won't be an issue, my model is circa 12.5kg. It is an incredibly stiff frame, I can get up 20% gradients on it no problem as the power transmission through the pedals is pretty noticeable.

Scott MTB are hard to get hold of unfortunately, the UK doesn't seem to get a massive allocation, hence the dealer reluctance to get one in.

How far are you prepared to travel? Cycle Division in Barton-Under-Needwood (Staffordshire) is one of the biggest Scott dealers. They will have bikes in stock and Daryl/Simon are very knowledgeable.

Closer to home for you would be Balfe's bikes who have a number of stores across SE England. @daniel_b has several Scott bikes and I believe has purchased from them and would recommend them highly.

The Spark series are great bikes, really good fun to ride. I doubt there is much performance difference between the two, it is perhaps more a choice of which one fits you better.

joah

Thanks very much, that was helpful.

Cycle Division is a little way away (I'm based in N London) although if they have both models available to try, it's worth the travel considering the spend. I'll give them a call.

I came across Balfe recently, who do have some shops close to me (are they new? Don't recall seeing them when I last bought a bike c.5 years ago). I spoke to their online agent/bot who said they'd have to order in from Scott. I'll try giving them a call too though.

It does seem like the differences are slight and tbh I'd normally just settle for one - but even at a discount they're still quite an expensive purchase, so I think I should really try them both out if I can.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21089788#Comment_21089788

Yeah, trying them out is definitely the best option. I would both of them a call as you say, and confirm what they have in stock.

daniel_b

Balfe's would almost certainly be your closest, although if you look on the Scott website you might be able to locate a closer retailer to you.

Having said that, I'm presuming you would for sure end up not buying from them, so I don't know how comfortable you are using up their time if you have no intention of buying from them - I guess you could buy some clothing or a pair of shoes or something you need to offset their time.

I had the best service from Balfe's - they were brilliant beginning to end, and even when there was an issue which was mine really, and not of their making, they went out of their way to resolve it for me, I'd shop there again in a heartbeat.

They do take a number of C2W vouchers as well if that is an option.

Another retailer of Scott who have a great rep, but are only a single store, is Pedalon, but that's a fair way for you to travel.

If you get bet them heavily discounted, do you know someone who works for them or something, and it would be delivered direct to your house?

Another option, if you are confident, and you can do it, would be to order one of each, and sell the one on you don't want - presumably if the discount is hefty enough, you'd not lose any money on it, and do someone else a decent favour - or even sell it to one of the 2nd hand bike places, cycle exchange or whatever they are called.

joah

Thanks v much Daniel.

Yes I'll try Balfe's first. Don't want to waste anyone's time. Although as it happens, I did find a closer dealer on Scott's website who I contacted already - it's a bit annoying though, they don't seem to be familiar with these bikes (I get the impression they're more a road bike shop) and all they've done is talk to the distributor and pass info back and forth, but I sort of feel obligated to go with them at this point. The distributor seems to be pushing me firmly towards the RC model (says I won't notice the -12 degree stem, etc.) but I'm a bit wary as it's the more expensive model and she's an XC racer apparently, so may have some bias.

I'm holding firm though and asking if they can send a demo model of each (I don't need the exact 910/RC WC models I guess, anything from those ranges should do, to get a feel of the fit).

Regardless I guess if I end up going to Balfe's and they end up speaking to her, she'll probably not be much more helpful then!

I don't feel confident in buying both and selling on, so don't really want to try that. Hopefully though between my current place, Balfe's and Pedalon (it's not too far if needs be - it's near Reading right?) I can find a model of each to try out!