Just in time for Labor Day weekend, SCOTT announced their 2019 Ransom on Friday, August 31, 2018.
First introduced in 2006, the Ransom was always SCOTT’s all mountain bike that could climb as well as descend, so when they went to redesign the bike for 2019, speed was a topic that was always at the forefront of discussion. In addition to carbon construction in the top end models, several details were put into place to make sure that you can forget about the bike as you fly down the mountain.
Similar to the Genius, the Ransom can fit both wheel sizes on the same frame. Switching from 29″ to 27.5″ is easy, just flip a chip on the linkage, swap the wheels and you’re good to go.
The Ransom also has 170mm of travel front and rear, modern, progressive geometry and weighs in at only 2650g/5.84 lbs for frame, shock and hardware- a leader in its class.
There are 5Â models of Ransom available. At the top is the Full Carbon Tuned in both 27.5″ and 29″ options, a Hybrid version with a Carbon Front Triangle and alloy rear end – the 910, and two full alloy models, the 920/720 and the 930. Laterally stiff? Vertically compliant? Light? Sure, the Ransom checks all of the boxes.
“Having ridden the Ransom extensively for some time now, I have to admit that I am surprised day after day by how capable it is,” said Andrew Neethling, a SCOTT Ambassador. “I raced downhill for nearly 15 years, and never thought that I would be able to reach similar speeds on a 170mm Enduro bike. This thing is just pure speed, pure fun.”
The Ransom gets the latest evolution of SCOTT’s TwinLoc suspension system. Not just a suspension lockout, TwinLoc activates a Traction Control mode that changes the entire geometry of the bike, making climbing as fast and easy as you’ll find on a bike offering 170mm of travel.
Certain models of the Ransom also get the new Fox Nude TR Evol shock in the rear that offers on bike adjustment of compression from a linear ramp to one that is more progressive.
Cable routing is internal on the Ransom and there’s plenty of tire clearance as well – room for up to 2.6″ tires in 29er mode and a whopping 2.8″ when running 27.5 wheels.
The Ransom goes all in with 12 speed SRAM Eagle groups in all builds. That means X01 Eagle on the top of the line Ransom 900/700 Tuned model (€7499) to NX Eagle on the alloy-framed 930 model (€2999).
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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