They've always been race / trail bikes depending on the build.
No. From 2017 - 2021 the Spark and Spark RC have been different frames. Spark was able to take a front derailleur because the first year several builds used one. It was heavier and had more travel. The lightest version of the RC is still the lightest real suspension frame I'm aware of.
Yeah, massive changes for marginal gains, in other words gains that do not offset the cost of r&d and economy of scale for the current models.Regarding the Scott Spark, I fail to see what customer issues and challanges this new design solves. I can imagine it to be a great XC bike, and I have to admit it looks beautiful. Still I'm only missing the point of the frame concept. I also fail to see why we need every year huge change in anything to evolve? I also don't beleive in any marketing but thats my shortcoming. There, tru internet comment 0 facts but bazillion opinions, I have to get a reward or sumting.
What do you want to see that doesn't rely on component manufacturers?
Ebike that is indistinguishable from MeBike.
Available in 33mm, 38mm, 42mm, and 48mm. 6000-series aluminum, but at least it says forged then shotpeen'ed.
The 2017 RC SL is so good there's not much to improve. However, geometry could use some tweaks and slight improvements in stiffness and weight are always welcome. As for brands besides Scott, how about building a frame that matches that 5 year old one's weight. I realize technology hasn't changed massively in that time and as bikes get better improvements get smaller, but NO improvement over 5 years (really 6 since Nino started racing it)? That seems either lazy or the companies are focusing on aspects that I don't think matter (hidden shock, 2 water bottles, in-frame storage).
We're complaining that 20lb XC bikes with good suspension and handling are still as good as it gets.
Since you mention it, component manufacturers are also to blame. Pros and many "expert" riders don't need a cog bigger than 42t. For that matter are "Sport" class riders even using their 50s while on a race course? I'm guessing not. The original XX1 is still the lightest drivetrain by nearly 1/2lb and came out in 2013! All those WC XC racers hauling around 50+t cogs because they're paid to is a joke. Also, because those same racers were so slow to adopt droppers we still don't have lighter integrated droppers on XC bikes. It seems there's some weight and durability improvements to be made there.
Yes.
watch closely, some of the tracks they are definitely being used. bear in mind they're also running larger chainrings than average riders too.
When Nino has that 38t mounted you know he's not using the 10t. He's doing it to improve chainline and efficiency by staying out of the smallest cogs since he has to run the 50t anyway. If given free reign I bet they'd all be on 11spd XX1.
i think part of that is that there aren't spots in XC tracks that let them get going fast enough to need it regardless of chainring size.
On my XC bike I run a 34t with 29" wheels. I very occassionally use the 10t. Yesterday there were two short sections I did but was far from winding it out. Even with their greater power I'd be surprised if WCers can use a 36x10 on course and I'm sure a 38x10 is useless. Remember back in the day when there were several different tooth options for cassettes? How come if you want to run a modern drivetrain you are forced to buy gearing designed for out of shape people? I just have an aversion to unsprung weight and long derailleur cages so this rubs me the wrong way.
Still produced, but not available.
Which part can't you get?
It doesn't fix the long cage (i think), but Shimano 12spd is available as a 10-45 11spd option.
Weird, cuz who's buying them?
I remember seeing that in the initial press release, along with a hub that took advantage of the narrower cassette, but I thought it never made it to market.
what, no speed holes?
To be fair, a small company giving people an option to deal with the bullshit foisted on them by the big players isn't exactly what's wrong with the industry.
I don't know about the hub, but I thought the cassette made it into the wild.
I don't think those new sylence hubs made it to market either.
