Scott Voltage FR 710 review
Fun-loving mini-downhill rig with mouthwatering potential
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Scott’s Voltage FR straddles that somewhat awkward middle ground between full-on downhill rig and long-travel trail bike. But where does it differ exactly and what type of rider does it suit?
Tweakable setup
Just like its longer-travel brother, the Gambler DH bike, the Voltage FR is highly adjustable – Scott wanted to make it as versatile as possible. This burly little beast will accept a single or dual-crown fork, and angled headset cups (provided) can be used to adjust the head angle between 62 and 66 degrees.
Related: Scott Gambler 730 review
Rear travel can be extended from 170 to 190mm in a matter of minutes via a flippable shock mount, and chainstay length can be switched from the standard 425mm to a stumpy 410mm (though this shorter setting can only be used with 26in wheels, not the 650b hoops the complete bike comes with). To help keep things stiff at the rear, the Voltage FR uses a chunky one-piece link to drive the shock.
Ready for some hammer time
It’s clear from the outset that the Voltage FR is here to be hammered. Though we’re in the realms of full-on downhill bike weight, it pedals relatively well and will – if you have the strength and patience – winch its way up fireroad climbs if you miss the uplift. But it’s when you start working with, rather than against, gravity that the Scott comes into its own.
It may not be the monster of a bike that the Gambler is, but at no point did we feel like we were out of our depth aboard the 710. Thump it into rocks, drops or root-riddled holes and you’ll come out the other side laughing.
With up to 190mm out back, the Voltage FR is approaching full-on DH bike levels of travel
The Fox 36 up front sucks up the hits with control and composure, while the progressive and predictable rear end tracks the terrain impressively and boosts confidence as the trail gets uglier. Though the Magic Marys are pretty hefty we had no issues with punctures and they simply claw their treads into just about everything they touch.
The Voltage’s more flickable, bike-park-friendly nature compared with the Gambler and its reasonably low BB height (340mm in the shorter travel setting) make it a lot of fun on mellower trails too. Hit the jumps and things remain stable and easy to anticipate, and, should you misjudge things a little, the Voltage won’t shy away from blatting into a flat landing. In short then, this is a great mini-downhill bike – and a slightly lighter build would unleash even more of its mouthwatering potential.
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Product Specifications
Product
| Name | Name, 0, 10, Name, Voltage FR 710 |
| Brand | Brand, 0, 20, Brand, Scott |
| Brakes | Brakes, 2, 0, Brakes, Shimano Deore XT |
| Cranks | Cranks, 2, 0, Cranks, Truvativ Descendant |
| Fork | Fork, 2, 0, Fork, Fox 36 Float FIT RC2 |
| Frame Material | Frame Material, 2, 0, Frame Material, 6061 aluminium |
| Front Derailleur | Front Derailleur, 2, 0, Front Derailleur, e*thirteen LG1 |
| Front Hub | Front Hub, 2, 0, Front Hub, Formula |
| Front Tyre | Front Tyre, 2, 0, Front Tyre, Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Gravity EVO VertStar 27.5x2.35in |
| Handlebar | Handlebar, 2, 0, Handlebar, Syncros FR1.5, 780mm |
| Rear Derailleur | Rear Derailleur, 2, 0, Rear Derailleur, SRAM X9 |
| Rear Hub | Rear Hub, 2, 0, Rear Hub, Formula |
| Rear Shock | Rear Shock, 2, 0, Rear Shock, Fox DHX RC4 |
| Rear Tyre | Rear Tyre, 2, 0, Rear Tyre, Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Gravity EVO VertStar 27.5x2.35in |
| Rims | Rims, 2, 0, Rims, Syncros MD25 |
| Saddle | Saddle, 2, 0, Saddle, Syncros XM2.0 |
| Seatpost | Seatpost, 2, 0, Seatpost, Syncros FR2.0 |
| Shifters | Shifters, 2, 0, Shifters, SRAM X7 |
| Stem | Stem, 2, 0, Stem, Syncros XM1.5, 50mm |
| Weight (kg) | Weight (kg), 2, 0, Weight (kg), 16.45 |
| Frame size tested | Frame size tested, 2, 0, Frame size tested, S |
Authors
Rob Weaver is BikeRadar's technical editor-in-chief. Rob manages all of the testing here at BikeRadar and across our magazines, Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus. Rob first graced the pages of MBUK back in 2001 when working as a freelance writer and went on to start testing bikes for the title in 2007. In 2010 he joined the team full-time and has been keeping a close eye on all things test-related ever since. Rob’s expansive knowledge of bikes comes courtesy of his passion for racing. He cut his teeth racing cross-country mountain bikes in the early 90s before finding his feet in downhill. After many years competing on the UK national circuit (including a year attempting to race UCI DH World Cups), Rob realised his know-how and passion for bike setup, tech and writing clearly outweighed his racing ability. A degree in sports technology and decades of riding experience all help to give Rob a thorough understanding of what’s needed to create a great bike or product. While Rob’s a mountain biker at heart and never happier than when he’s sliding down a Welsh hillside, he’s more than happy to put the miles in on the road or gravel bike, too.
