Let’s examine the Scott Spark RC to the Santa Cruz Blur TR, which was introduced at the very same time as the Spark and has related travel and geometry. Apparently, equally Santa Cruz and Scott launched a purebred cross-region version of their new bike and a much more aggressive model that utilizes the exact frame the Blur is just a more conservative iteration.
The race edition of the Spark with 120mm of vacation front and rear in fact has much more travel than the 115mm/120mm Blur TR and the geometry numbers are extra identical to it than the 100mm Blur XC so it appears like the much more truthful comparison, even though so significantly we’ve viewed Santa Cruz’s Environment Cup XC racers pick out the shorter-vacation bike for XC racing, while their endurance racers like Keegan Swenson experience on the TR.
On the Blur, the variations in the two designs are achieved by using a for a longer period stroke shock and a extended fork, whilst on the Spark, the variances in geometry are manufactured working with adjustable headset cups to tweak the head angle independently from the rest of the body together with a for a longer time fork.
I rode the medium-sized Blur TR previous summer time with its 438mm attain, 67.1 diploma head tube angle, 75° seat tube angle, 1157mm wheelbase, and 433mm chainstays. The Spark RC in a measurement medium has an just about identical achieve, head tube angle, and wheelbase at 441mm, 67.2°, and 1,159mm respectively, a a person degree steeper seat tube angle at 76.1°, and lengthier 437.5mm chainstays.
Whilst the figures may perhaps be extremely related, there are variations out on the path. On the climbs, both have an amazing quantity of traction and allow you to grind up the least forgiving of technical climbs. On the other hand, they both gain from a lock out on prolonged paved or gravel climbs, anything that the Spark RC with TwinLoc will get points for. It would seem like a little bit of an oversight that the Blur TR doesn’t get a remote lockout. While both are supremely able on restricted switchbacks, here I most well-liked the Spark RC as effectively, with its a little bit much more upright riding situation.
On the descents, the Spark RC felt extra composed than the Blur TR and less twitchy. Mike Levy may possibly delight in that experience of generally being on the edge of manage, but when you happen to be already completely exhausted in a cross-state race, I believe it really is preferable to have a bicycle that will work with you rather of towards you. You will need to shell out notice descending on both bikes, but I felt a lot less probably to go head above heels on the Spark RC.
Where by the Blur TR receives points is for its more classic handlebar set up and much less cables to contend with. The Spark RC will never be the most inexpensive bike to retain given that not absolutely everyone can get that shock out to assistance and it can be tougher to reroute cables or swap out parts.