Scott Spark 940 review

Trail-bike versatility with race-bike speed

Our rating 
5.0 out of 5 star rating 5.0
GBP £2,899.00 RRP | AUD $4,200.00 | USD $3,199.00

Our review

A brilliant and unique balance of full-gas trail fun and flat-out, remote-controlled speed efficiency
Buy if, Power, speed, control and fun are your thing
Pros: Flat-out fun trail geometry and suspension on a stiff, relatively lightweight chassis; efficiency-enhancing triple-mode suspension; excellent kit for the price
Cons: Lacks pure race speed (for that, look to the Spark RC)
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Scott’s 940 isn’t the purest racing Spark, but it’s a brilliant balance of serious speed efficiency and flat-out trail fun.

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Scott Spark 940 frame

At around 3,000g (with shock and remote), the all-alloy frame is a kilo heavier than Scott’s flagship HMX carbon chassis. It weighs 500g more than the semi-carbon HMF Spark too. Stiffness is good, though, and it has some sweet detailing.

A Boost back-end and press-fit bottom bracket add stiffness, and you even get a minimal guide to keep the chain connected in crazier moments. Scott has always pushed aggressive trail geometry on short-travel bikes, and the Spark gets a 67-degree head angle and long wheelbase and reach.

Scott Spark 940 kit

The equipment is clearly trail-orientated. This starts with a relatively stout-legged Fox 34 fork that has 120mm of travel and is linked to the TwinLoc lever on the bar so that it syncs with the rear shock.

All-weather Maxxis Forekaster tyres on mid-width rims mean you’re not left tiptoeing around in the wet. A 180mm rotor adds more power to the back brake. You even get a short-stroke dropper post so you can throw your weight around. You also get 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle gearing, putting the 940 on point for value.

The frame and fork stiffness means any power you generate isn’t wasted
Mick Kirkman / Immediate Media

Scott Spark 940 ride experience

Even with a mid-width 740mm flat bar, the 67-degree head angle gives the Spark a reassuring amount of self-correcting stability. The 34mm fork is noticeably stiff  once you start loading it up in turns or under braking, and the trail-tough tyres on 25mm rims offer plenty of grip and low-pressure support.

While it’s not always so quick to turn, the 60mm stem keeps the Spark’s steering light and responsive enough to micro-manage lines and traction.

The rear end is just as trail-capable. Scott’s proprietary Fox Nude shock feels smooth and controlled right through the operating range, and longer travel leaves more in reserve to protect the tyres and keep you on-line when slapping through rocks, troughs and drops.

A low bottom-bracket means an impressively stable and confidently driftable high-speed ride to back up the suspension and tyre advantage. Add the dropper post, and the Spark can be pushed as hard as the best 120/130mm trail bikes.

The Spark’s Fox 34 fork and 67-degree head angle give it a significant control advantage when things get aggro
Mick Kirkman / Immediate Media

The Forekaster tyres roll well, so you’re not dreading every section of hardpack. Its enhanced grip and handling mean you can carry that speed more aggressively into and through corners and chunkier sections too.

Being able to instantly firm up or lock out the suspension at both ends gives a psychological and physical advantage when you hit a power climb or sprint. It also means you can run the rear end slightly softer to maximise smoothness and control, while keeping a firm power kick in reserve in case you need it.

The frame and fork stiffness means any power you generate isn’t wasted. Even the intricately profiled chain and X-SYNC 2 chainring of the Eagle transmission feel fast and efficient.

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The Scott Spark is still seriously quick, and what you gain in terms of excellent control and full-gas fun on tastier terrain will definitely be worth it for flat-out fast trail riders.

Product Specifications

Product

Name Name, 0, 10, Name, Spark 940
Brand Brand, 0, 20, Brand, Scott

Available Sizes Available Sizes, 2, 0, Available Sizes, S M L XL
Bottom Bracket Bottom Bracket, 2, 0, Bottom Bracket, SRAM GPX PF
Brakes Brakes, 2, 0, Brakes, Shimano MT500, 180mm rotors
Cassette Cassette, 2, 0, Cassette, SRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 10-50t
Chain Chain, 2, 0, Chain, SRAM GX Eagle
Cranks Cranks, 2, 0, Cranks, SRAM X1-1000 Eagle, 32t
Fork Fork, 2, 0, Fork, Fox 34 Float GRIP Performance w/ TwinLoc, 120mm (4.7in) travel
Frame Material Frame Material, 2, 0, Frame Material, 'Alloy SL' aluminium
Front Hub Front Hub, 2, 0, Front Hub, Formula CL811/CL14811 Boost
Front Tyre Front Tyre, 2, 0, Front Tyre, Maxxis Forekaster DC 29x2.35in (55mm)
Front Wheel Weight Front Wheel Weight, 2, 0, Front Wheel Weight, 2010
Grips/Tape Grips/Tape, 2, 0, Grips/Tape, Syncros Pro lock-on
Handlebar Handlebar, 2, 0, Handlebar, Syncros FL2.0, 740mm
Head Angle Head Angle, 2, 0, Head Angle, 67
Headset Type Headset Type, 2, 0, Headset Type, Syncros Comp tapered
Rear Derailleur Rear Derailleur, 2, 0, Rear Derailleur, SRAM GX Eagle
Rear Hub Rear Hub, 2, 0, Rear Hub, Formula CL811/CL14811 Boost
Rear Shock Rear Shock, 2, 0, Rear Shock, Fox Nude EVOL DPS w/ TwinLoc
Rear Tyre Rear Tyre, 2, 0, Rear Tyre, Maxxis Forekaster DC 29x2.35in (55mm)
Rear Wheel Weight Rear Wheel Weight, 2, 0, Rear Wheel Weight, 2580
Rims Rims, 2, 0, Rims, Syncros X-25S, 25mm
Saddle Saddle, 2, 0, Saddle, Syncros XR2.0
Seat Angle Seat Angle, 2, 0, Seat Angle, 74
Seatpost Seatpost, 2, 0, Seatpost, Syncros Dropper 2.0 120mm dropper
Shifters Shifters, 2, 0, Shifters, SRAM GX Eagle (1x12)
Stem Stem, 2, 0, Stem, Syncros FL2.0, 60mm
Spoke Type Spoke Type, 2, 0, Spoke Type, 32x 15G/1.8mm stainless
Bottom Bracket Height (in) Bottom Bracket Height (in), 2, 0, Bottom Bracket Height (in), 12.8
Chainstays (in) Chainstays (in), 2, 0, Chainstays (in), 17.32
Seat Tube (in) Seat Tube (in), 2, 0, Seat Tube (in), 17.32
Top Tube (in) Top Tube (in), 2, 0, Top Tube (in), 23.82
Wheelbase (in) Wheelbase (in), 2, 0, Wheelbase (in), 45.28
Frame size tested Frame size tested, 2, 0, Frame size tested, M