Scott Spark 960

The Scott Spark 960 is an alloy short-travel trail bike with 120mm of rear travel, a 130mm fork and 29in wheels.

It's built for riders who want to climb quickly and cover long distances, but still have a bike that is fun and capable on rough, technical descents. Some call it "downcountry": a bike that sits between a cross-country racer and a trail bike.

Three bikes in one with TwinLoc

The Spark's TwinLoc 2 remote is a lever on the handlebar that changes the fork and shock together. It has three modes, and on the Spark each one changes how the bike rides, not just how firm it feels:

• Descend: fully open, with the full 120mm at the rear.
• Traction Control: the rear shock drops to 80mm of travel and firms up. The bike sits higher and pedals like a cross-country race bike, while still keeping the rear tyre in contact with roots and rocks on technical climbs.
• Lockout: fork and shock locked, for fire roads and sealed climbs.

That middle mode is what makes the Spark different.

Most short-travel bikes ask you to choose between efficiency and control.

The Spark lets you switch between them with your thumb as the trail changes. The same remote also controls the dropper post.

The shock lives inside the frame

Scott's Integrated Suspension Technology puts the rear shock inside the frame, out of the spray of mud and grit off the rear wheel. It keeps the shock cleaner and the frame's lines clean.

The rear end uses Scott's Flex Pivot design. Instead of a bearing pivot near the rear axle, the seatstays are built to flex slightly as the suspension moves. There are fewer bearings to wear out and service, and less weight.

Alloy frame, adjustable head angle

The frame is Spark Alloy SL 6011, with a UDH derailleur hanger and Boost 148 rear spacing. The Syncros headset cups let you adjust the head angle by 0.6 degrees either way from a published 65.8 degrees. Go slacker for more stability on steep descents, or steeper for quicker steering on tight, twisty trails.

Suspension

Up front is a RockShox Judy Silver TK Solo Air fork with 130mm of travel.

The Solo Air spring is set with a shock pump to suit your weight. At the rear is an X-Fusion Nude 5 RLX trunnion shock, custom-made for Scott's TwinLoc system.

The fork gives the Spark 10mm more travel at the front than the rear, which adds a little extra confidence on descents.

Shimano XT and Deore 12-speed

Shifting is Shimano 12-speed, with an XT rear derailleur, a Deore shifter and a Deore 10-51T cassette. The derailleur decides how crisp and reliable each shift feels, which is why the higher-tier XT goes there. The Shimano crank has a 32T chainring, and with the 51T cassette that gives a low gear for long, steep climbs.

Brakes, wheels and tyres

Braking is Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc, with 180mm rotors front and rear.

That suits the Spark's short-travel, all-day riding focus. Riders who spend a lot of time on long, steep descents may want a larger front rotor, which our workshop can fit.

The wheels are Syncros X-30SE rims with a 30mm internal width on Shimano hubs.

The tyres are Schwalbe Wicked Will 29 x 2.4in, tubeless ready with Addix rubber.

The Wicked Will is a fast-rolling trail tyre with enough grip for dry and loose conditions. The 30mm rims support the 2.4in width well, so the tyre holds a good shape when you lean into corners.

Dropper post and cockpit

A Syncros Duncan dropper post is fitted, with 125mm of travel on Small and Medium and 150mm on Large and X-Large.

The cockpit is a 760mm Syncros Fraser alloy bar on a Syncros DC stem, with the cables routed through the stem and headset for a clean front end.

Spark 960 or Genius 930?

Both bikes share the same Shimano XT and Deore drivetrain, the Syncros dropper, the TwinLoc remote and the adjustable headset. The differences are what each bike is built for:

• Spark 960: 120mm rear and 130mm front, 14.95kg, 2.4in tyres and 180mm rotors. Lighter and quicker on climbs and long days.
• Genius 930: 150mm rear and 160mm front, a Fox 36 fork, SRAM DB8 4-piston brakes with a 200mm front rotor and 2.6in tyres. Better for steeper, rougher trails.

If most of your riding is flowing singletrack, climbs and big days out, the Spark is the better fit. If you ride steep, technical trails and uplift days, look at the Scott Genius 930.

Scott Spark 960 FAQs

How much travel does the Spark 960 have?

120mm at the rear and 130mm at the front. In TwinLoc's Traction Control mode, rear travel drops to 80mm for more efficient climbing.

What does TwinLoc Traction Control do?

It firms the rear shock and reduces its travel from 120mm to 80mm, so the bike sits higher and pedals more efficiently while still keeping traction on rough climbs. It's the middle of TwinLoc's three modes.

What is the difference between the Scott Spark 960 and Genius 930?

The Spark 960 is a lighter, 120mm short-travel trail bike for climbing and long rides.

The Genius 930 has 150mm rear travel, a 160mm Fox 36 fork, 4-piston brakes and 2.6in tyres for steeper, rougher trails. Both share the same drivetrain, dropper, TwinLoc remote and adjustable headset.

Is the Spark 960 a cross-country bike?

It sits between cross-country and trail. With Traction Control engaged it pedals like a cross-country bike, and with the suspension open it handles technical trail riding.

Is the Spark 960 tubeless ready?

The Schwalbe Wicked Will tyres are tubeless ready. Our workshop can convert them when you buy.