Downcountry Showdown | Trek Top Fuel vs Scott Spark vs Specialized Epic Evo

Downcountry Showdown | Trek Top Fuel vs Scott Spark vs Specialized Epic Evo

A comparison video of the holy downcountry trinity, 2022 Trek Top Fuel vs 2022 Scott Spark vs 2021 Specialized Epic Evo. I go through the key differences between these amazing and capable MTBs!

0:00 Intro
0:43 Defining a downcountry bike
1:04 Overview of the bikes
2:53 Geometry of a downcountry bike
4:24 Key measurements and differences
6:42 The cockpits
7:40 Wheels and tyres
9:23 Weight
10:07 Conclusion

[DesertGuyAZ]

Major points in favor of Scott and Specialized: two water bottle mounts. Might not be a huge deal for all, but I live in the desert. I gotta carry electrolytes, and I like to keep that separate from the water in my hydration pack. For longer races, two bottle mounts can let me skip the hydration pack and let fill up at aid stations.

[macdaddy]

Great review and answered a lot of questions! Now it’s a matter what’s in stock! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[TheMBunk]

Thank you! I have been begging for these very bikes to be put head to head

[Kendubious]

Sparks have always had issues with low BB. Plan on using the twin lock to control this if you are pedaling up or down in the tech. If you dont want to use the twin lock get another bike or plan on lots of pedal strikes. As with looks, dont judge a bike by its tires but by how it rides.

[PATEKPHILLIPI]

I have scott spark 940 and after test ride and notice its very fast compare to my previous hardtail mountain bike (Ghost Lector WC 9 kgs) and my scott spark 940 weight 11.40 kg ( SRAM AXS XX1/mfck wheels/ DT180 hubs/ continental cross king ) that save approx. 2 kgs from factory spec weight 13.6 kgs and it doesn't feel heavy when you start pedals so it's very fast and fun mtb
but cons is 1 bottle can carry and for long ride need hyradtion pack and this video make me feels right to choose new scott spark 940 ( fit to my budget).

[Mowgliyk]

Super helpful. Thanks for the great comparison.

[cvdavis]

Need to add Santa Cruz Blur TR. I have one and it’s very similar to these.

[LeadMunitions]

all though its not a Downcountry...i love my Trek Fuel EX 9.8 👍🏼

[doubledirt]

The entry level Scott will weigh more than 15 kg ready to ride. That's more then what enduro bikes used to weigh.

[MYnextDIYbikePROJECT]

Damn you Olof, you make me want to buy a MTB, andI can’t afford it nor find time for it! 🤬 great vid! 👍

[marcalsamways]

Follower from Brasil here, congrats on your contents! I have a 2020 Scott Spark RC 900 team (great bike) and i'm considering selling it to buy another bike. I used to do specific training and run marathon/xc races, but now i want to have more fun and enjoy riding xc tracks and trails (occasionally i will do some mid/long rides with my friends and also marathon races for fun). The options that I have right now are: Trek Top Fuel 8 (new), Scott Spark RC comp 2022 (used) and Orbea OIZ M30 2023 (new). I checked both the Trek and Scott bikes yesterday in the local stores. Trek is a really pretty bike and felt really good (it did not felt heavy, as the numbers suggest, and there is a 20% discount on it), the Scott is with some minor marks on the frame/forks/cranks and the cassette is very worn out. Orbea is in another city, i would have to buy online with no chance to test it before (right now there is a 30%discount on it!). The price range is almost the same for these bikes. What would be the best option in this case?

[yengsabio]

I adore the look of that Scott Spark!

Great primer you did, Sir! Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #KeepBiking

[pedroduarte]

Hi, could you help me decide between Scott Spark RC comp, top fuel 9.7 or OIZ M10 TR. Thank you a lot

[DoubleYouBurrell]

I'm very interested in the Top Fuel 9.8, we have very mixed terrain here and usually are training for some form of marathon race. I prefer the idea of the Trek as it seems to be a more comfortable bike that will be more capable on technical terrain even if it is heavier to push up all the long climbs. Would you suggest to get the Trek or is it better to stick to one of the more XC oriented bikes?

[robp]

Maybe not possible, but rather than looking at spec's, better to get out and ride these bikes in conditions they are (mostly) intended for....head to head, compare speed/times, comfort and fun-level.

[Jmill-krcs]

In your opinion, would getting the Scott spark 970 (the orange aluminum framed model) and changing out the wheels to a more trail oriented style be a good idea if I primarily intend on using it as a trail bike? Or would it be more beneficial to commit to a true trail bike. I currently own a downhill bike and am in the market for something I can actually pedal for long distance but still crush some flowy downhill jump trails that are local to me

[BinManSays]

Funny I just picked up a fuel 9.8 the other day but I was looking at the epic Evo as well (black Friday at local bike shop) but I wanted an bike packing/xc rig and yeah the fuel may sound stupid for this but I used to build trails growing up and this is my first modern or carbon bike and the epic looked a little flimsy

[memo]

I am 48 years old and maybe I will participate in 4 or 5 cross country races. I want to choose between the Scott RC or the 910. Which do you think would be the ideal one for me? although I also really like the cannondale scalpel. thank you

[martinsero]

Good job. Nice work. Bravo bravissimo.

[ITSAMN]

Nice review
Do you know any nice track close to malmo?