Strengths: its light. if you have the legs its unbelively fast. going up hill is so fast it takes a while to get used to. the spec on the 07 20 model is superb for the price. the bike is very aggressive & it inspires you to go to your limits on every ride. it is comfortable & it looks the muts. this bike has to be ridden to be believed. this bike ALWAYS makes me smile from ear to ear.
Weaknesses: the only weakness i would say is the diameter of the 34.9 seat tube. you are restricted to u.s.e(british)or ritchey. the are good posts but a bit more choice would be nice.
Overall: i wont be changing this bike in a hurry. i have almost completly changed every component on this bike bar the shifters & front & rear mechs & frame. i didnt need to change anything on the 20 model i just wanted to as we all do with our steeds. i would say that i have had dale's treks konas spesh. this scale 20 is in a league of its own. if you owned a scale you would understand. i havent ridden anything to match this bike. carbon scales are outstanding bikes. im not a lightweight at 15.2 st (weight now dropping) this bike has never let me down even when i was 16.2 st.
Strengths: Speed - the power transfer is superb and makes you get out of the saddle and stomp (haven't yet used my small ring!). Rolls very fast on good surfaces, inc road sections. Handling is good, predictable and stable - as long as you pick a reasonable line and remember its not a full on trail bike. Kit choices are all good and works very well together. And it is a very light bike, an ideal base for any bling kit!
Weaknesses: The tyres are poor on loose, sandy surfaces - definitely a race and hard pack tyre. For me the top tube is a bit short so necessitates a long stem (on an XL frame).
Overall: Great bike for either racing on or using for fast rides. You wouldn't want it as an only bike for big mountain all day epics but as a partner to a long travel trail bike its superb. And for racing its ideally spec'd, totally suited to longer enduro and/or technical courses and ready for the podium out of the box - all at a very good price considering the spec.
Strengths: Light weight (lightest MTB frame out there?), sharp handling - quick through the trees, damping properties of frame, accelerates well. Great fork. XT has been faultless so far. Looks great-sounds silly but really looks like how a XC hardtail should.
Weaknesses: Non replacable mech hanger. BB maybe a tad low? original tyre hard/dry only.
Overall: Absolutely excellent bike. Comfortable all day thanks to supple Fox fork with good directional stiffness and a lovely damped feel from the carbon frame - flexes where you want it, super stiff where you don't. Riding this bike through local singletrack was fun and comfortable in the granny ring. After a descent in the middle ring I refrained from my usual downshift back to the granny ring for climbing and instead pushed the middle ring - Oh My God! This bike just came alive. All power directed instantly to back wheel, weight forward and really working the fork this thing just flew. If you've got the legs then this bike will take all you can give, the faster you ride it the better it gets, would make fantastic bike for XC racing. Ride position is fine for what I like to ride - medium to fast general/ technical singletrack, fire road & tarmac to get to woods. A bit to long for the gnarly stuff/jumps etc. but thats not what I'm into. The only negatives I have are the non replaceable derailleur hanger, Scott claims their design is strong enough (Yeah Right!-2007 models have a replacable one) but I havn't had any trouble so far myself. I was told that if it was to break then the new '07 dropout hanger asembly could be fitted. (They're only bonded to carbon frame)I fitted a Middleburn breakaway derailleur bolt just to be safe. The Scott tyres supplied roll fast and are very light but I don't know how tough they are although I havn't punctured yet but I only use them in the dry, I bought a pair of Panaracer Fire XC Pro for my main tyres. Overall I cannot rate this bike highly enough, it really is excellent and the frame is worthy of upgrading to the best components out there. I've never raced but am considering it just to try to do the bike justice!
Strengths: All of it. The whole bike bike works well together, XTR rear and XT front are perfect with the dual controls. Fork does what it should and tracks well in mud and dry alike. I've had it 4 months and love it.
Weaknesses: None yet. Maybe the price
Overall: Great overal package and very fast A to B in all conditions. I took to Cannock 'follow the dog' and it performed better than expected. Weighs 23.2lb with the SPD's
Average Rating: 5 out of 5
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