Fast But Flawed | 2023 Scott Spark 940 Review

The Scott Spark is one of the most successful cross-country mountain bikes of all time. The Spark 900 series features a boost in fork travel and burlier components, to give a solid dose of extra downcountry attitude

With the range-topping Sparks now touching close to £15,000, can the cheapest carbon-frame version, this Spark 940, live up to its tempting £4,299 price tag? Tom Law has been putting it through its paces to find out.

What do you think of the Scott Spark? Let us know in the comments 👇

#scottspark #crosscountry #2023bikes

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:40 Frame Details
02:49 Geometry
03:57 Specification
05:42 Ride Impressions
07:22 Climbing Performance
08:58 Descending Performance
11:10 Scott Spark Vs Transition Spur
12:21 Final Thoughts

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[guilhermemedeiros]

I got myself 2 years ago the Scott Spark 970 for 2800 USD. 1 year later I upgraded the brakes for M6100 (mt201 before), recently the derailleur for the Sram GX AXS (NX before), and now I am upgrading the fork for Fox 34 fit4. Spent 1200USD on upgrades. With a little more I could have got the Spark 940...but despite the weight 14.4kg, after the upgrades, I am quite happy with the bike. Thinking on next upgrade...lol Syncros carbon handlebar ... maybe!! I could just sell it and buy the 910 but I enjoy doing the upgrades... lol

[kinvart]

I bought a Spark 930 two months ago and could not be happier! The fox/shimano combo with 4 piston brakes really make a better value than the set on the 940. An amazing bike both up and downhill 🤘😎

[ferencvarju]

Nice review! As a 910 owner, I can confirm that the stem can be lowered temporarily without cutting the steerer. Don’t put the plastic cover back pn, and use normal headset spacers on top. Once you’re done with dialling in the fit, you can make the final cut and put the plastic cap back on. I’m still not saying it’s user friendly though :D

[IIISentorIII]

I think the 930er is the way to go with this bike in the "trail" version.
In fact I just saw someone ride it and had a talk with him today.

And the "dream" version is the SCOTT Spark 910 :). A year ago I test rode those bikes for a couple of weeks including the RC Versions and I honestly loved the 930er and the 910er.

But I was never fully happy with the cost and components ( over 6k for the 930, and alloy triangle for the 930 for 3'700Euro).

In the end I did buy a new Stumpjumper Carbon Comp on sale for 2900 Euro ( SLX Groupset, full Carbon factory 11, Internal frame storage, 13.5kg stock, 170mm Dropper post. 140mm x 130mm travel, 4 piston brakes, internal frame cabelrouting and the Bike is dead quiet!).


I Installed a XT-Shifter and Chain guide and did go tubless and had a blast riding it the the last 10 months in Switzerland

Cheers

[tateflanagan]

As someone who owns a new Scott genius and has changed the brakes and dropper cable the headset routing is honestly about the same as any other bike with internal routing. the most annoying part was the chainstay to front triangle but still wasn't as bad as other bikes due to the easy access with the opening. To go between the HTA setting is super easy too. The most annoying thing is you can't lower your stem without cutting the head tube that's a bummer. Also you don't need the 3 mm housing but you can get it from jagwire and quite nice for alot of bikes with tight dropper posts routing.

[stuarthawkins]

Did I just hear him say the £4299 price tag was tempting? The bike world’s gone mad.

[Loneranger]

I own the Spark 950. I’m an intermediate MTB rider ( Total of 100km / 1200m climb per week, jeep and single track mixture ) and this bike is amazing to ride.

[Bonky-wonky]

Thanks for the honest review, calling out that headset cable routing bs.

[colingryms]

I have a Santa Cruz Tallboy and my friend just purchased a Spark (disclaimer: we're old). I find the Spark much better for the riding we do with one exception, downhill. The dropper and lockouts will become second nature after riding for a time.

[qwertycycles]

If you are unsure about stem height you can use standard spacers on top of the stem like standard stem. No issues with this and its actually easier to do than standard spacers as you do not need to remove the stem to remove the lower spacers. Typically something you do once in the bikes life.

[cedricbethea]

My experience is that it comes down to the frame because most if not all components can be replaced and upgraded to fit each individual's taste.

[headstashmusic]

When I try and switch my Spark in full lockout it just pops back into the middle setting. Wont stay in lockout mode.

[Calboy]

Personally, vanity over tried and true functionality is not a good idea. Great review btw….Reminds me of the old days when a money biased media wasn’t as common.

[ThunderStruckMTB]

They hide the shock and route the cables through the headset to look "klean and kool", then they have a mess on the left handlebar that Edward Scissorhands would be proud of.... Good ol' bike industry.

[hjfcoco]

Will this frame accept 29x2.6 tires like the RC?

[pedrotrigueira]

Got one and the front tire feeling on lose gravel is scaring!!!.. but then again i’m a road cyclist and MTB is something mew to me ;))

[soulcaliburbra]

Can I transforme this bike in a spark RC version?

[psullivan]

Had my 930 2022 for ten months and while loving the looks, suspension and short stingy, loose climbing ability the spectre of my good old Felt Edict Pro follows me around on EVERY ride. The higher overall weight of this bike has clipped my wings in so many ways and i question my choice of bike regularly. Ive zero memorable fast rides to recall from having the 930. The Felt? Dozens.

[frienduro]

Hidden shock with that cable mess. It’s a Butter Face.

[fusionwp]

I have owned countless carbon bikes from Scott, Trek, CUBE etc and would never bother paying a premium for it again. Owned alu bikes - Giant Trance etc - and never felt the difference. Save a few grams, stiffness is debatable. They don’t make any difference in the real world. I’d put the savings towards other important considerations in life, such as paying monthly bills.