Scott Ransom Review

There are three different frame options for the Scott Ransom. At the top of the range, the 900 Tuned has a full carbon frame. Using HMX carbon fibre, which is 20% stiffer than conventional high modulus carbon, this frame is incredibly lightweight considering how stiff and strong it is. The Ransom 910 features the same mainframe as the Tuned model with a more affordable aluminium alloy swingarm. The other two bikes in the range all get a full custom-butted aluminium alloy frame. The geometry is the same on every frame option.

All bikes are 29ers, though there is a flip-chip on the rocker that adjusts the geometry to suit a 27.5" wheel if you wanted to try the frame with the smaller wheels. Whichever wheel size you choose, the low, long and slack geometry is ideal for aggressive trail riding on challenging enduro tracks. The seat tube is suitably steep for climbing and the Ransom’s uphill efficiency is further enhanced by the Twinloc suspension system.

The Ransom uses Scott’s Twinloc suspension system that has been used so successfully on the Genius. The Nude Shock has two positive air chambers and a remote switch system that gives you three distinct settings. In Descend mode both air chambers are fully open which gives you the full 170mm of suspension travel. Traction Control mode reduces the air volume of the shock by closing one of the air chambers. This reduces the amount of suspension travel and makes the bike sit up a little higher. The compression damping on the fork is also increased for a firmer feel. This makes the bike far more effective on technical climbs as well as feeling nimbler on less technical trails. Lockout mode firms the suspension up even more for those long fire road transitions.

Apart from the RockShox Yari on the Ransom 930, all the bikes get a Fox 36 fork offering 170mm of travel to match the rear. The 900 Tuned gets a Factory fork with Performance versions on the other bikes. The 910 and the 900 Tuned get the TR version of the Fox Nude shock. This has a ramp switch which allows you to make the suspension more or less progressive without the need to add or remove volume spacers. A great feature when you need more traction on wet rooty trails one day and then more bottom-out resistance on bike park tracks the next.

It is good to see SRAM’s 1x12 speed Eagle drivetrain on every model in the Ransom range. This means that you get the same gear range, a massive 500%, on every bike. As you would expect you get the slick performance of XO1 on the 900 tuned moving to GX then NX and SX on the more affordable models. The 900 Tuned, 910 and 920, also get powerful four-piston brakes with Shimano XTs or MT520s. The 930 has 4-piston Shimano stopping power too with MT420s.

Syncros components are great quality and a real highlight is the Hixon IC Rise carbon integrated handlebar and stem on the 900 Tuned. This shaves a significant amount of weight off as well as offering a unique look. The dropper post is size specific, with a 125mm drop on the Small sizes, 150mm on the mediums, and 170/175mm drop on the Large and Extra large frames.