2018 Scott Scale 950/960 REVIEW

Scott has brought quality machines to the market for years, and 2018 is no different. Today we will be highlighting the 29er 2018 Scott Scale 950 and 960. These bikes bring a well rounded approach to mountain biking that make even casual, hobbyist riders feel like the pros. Let’s take a look “under the hood.”

Frame

The frame is Scott’s Aluminum Alloy 6061 Boost Frame. In 2018, Scott has given this frame a significant overhaul. A brand new frame geometry and the lightweight alloy material make for a smoother ride than ever before. The rear triangle has been built considerably rigid, providing built in support for power breaking. This ensures unbeatable stopping power even in the stickiest of situations. The downtube has been constructed to be substantially thicker, allowing for each stroke of the pedal to be more powerful and overall ride quality to be greatly improved. Additionally, the curved seat tube offers an increase in comfort on your ride as well as an increase in pedaling efficiency. All of these things together make for a ride so smooth and controlled, you will forget you have bought an aluminum bike and instead will enjoy a ride quality comparable to Scott’s carbon frames.

Suspension

The Scale’s shocks absorb mighty blows while being able to lock out in a hurry. On the 950, a Fox 32 Float Rhythm Fork with 100mm in travel eat up rocks, roots, and anything else getting in the way to slow you down on a descent. It is coupled with the Scott RideLoc 3-mode remote, which will allow you to make smooth transitions from full travel all the way to a lockout at lightning speed. On the 960, you won’t be sacrificing much. It is equipped with the Rock Shox Recon Silver RL Solo Air Fork with 100mm of travel. Although it is only set up with the RideLoc 2-mode remote, you will still find the same fast, seamless transitions when you need them the most.

Specs

These two bikes are very similar, aside from a few small differences in the components. Let’s take a closer look at the side-by-side comparison:

 Scale 950                                                        Scale 960

Frame: Aluminum Alloy 6061 Boost              Frame: Aluminum Alloy 6061 Boost

Fork: Fox 32 Float Rhythm 100mm                Fork: Rock Shox Recon Silver RL Solo Air 100mm

          Scott RideLoc 3-mode remote                       Scott RideLoc 2-mode remote

Brakes: Shimano MT500 Disc Brakes             Brakes: Shimano M425 Disc Brakes

Approximate weight: 26.23 lbs                      Approximate weight: 28 lbs

Conclusion

The Scale is a great all around ride. Scott paid special attention this time around to offer a ride that is equal parts agile, powerful, and comfortable across a variety of terrains. The high quality components make you feel just like one of the pros. Going with the 29er option will get you over any rough terrain with absolute ease. For being 29ers, and a hardtail at that, these bikes holds its own on even advanced decents.

If you would like to come check out these bikes for a test ride, come into our store and we'll be sure to take care of you!