SCOTT GAMBLER 900 TUNED

£7,199 Race-ready downhill rig that’s worth betting on

Scott had a tight brief for their new DH rig – it needed to be lighter and have better suspension performance under braking. The result is a bike that’s visually a massive departure from the outgoing model, with the complex linkage of old replaced with a four-bar layout, but one that still boasts plenty of user-adjustability.

The frame

The new Ransom has a choice of shock positions (linear or more progressive) and two bottom bracket height options (high or low). You can adjust the chainstay length by 15mm, and alter the head angle between 60 and 64 degrees by swapping headset cups. The large size we tested had a 460mm reach and 1,270mm wheelbase.

Scott have tried to create a bike with just the right balance of flex and stiffness, by putting more (or less) material in the frame walls where appropriate. Alongside this fullcarbon range-topper, they’re offering a carbon/alloy ‘hybrid’ Gambler and an all-alloy bike, each with their own personality and ride feel.

The kit

The 900 Tuned’s spec should leave you wanting for nothing. Fox’s toptier Factory 49 fork and DHX2 coil shock are both present, along with a full complement of SRAM parts, from Code RSC brakes to an X01 DH drivetrain. One unusual touch is the integrated bar and stem from Scott-owned Syncros. You also get a bespoke Scott chain guide and ‘29erspecific’ Syncros Comox saddle.

The ride

Our first descent left indelible impressions of the Scott being a surefooted, confidence-inspiring ride, and particularly speed-focused. This overarching feeling is strongest when the intensity of the terrain picks up – roots, rocks, steep sections and big jumps are eaten up by the Gambler, which has an insatiable appetite for tackling gnarly terrain at high speed.

The bike’s fantastically balanced geometry gives plenty of room to move around and means it gets pitched back and forth less by the terrain. Even in the ‘high’ setting, the handling in corners is excellent.

The damping remains particularly calm and composed when you’re going fast, with no surprise kicks or bottom-outs, making it possible to consistently push the bike hard. Its impressively low weight (for a DH bike) means it picks up speed well even on flat, rough terrain and makes it easy to pick lines, without causing it to be buffetted around.

Scott’s new suspension design doesn’t feel especially active under braking. Aside from that, our only criticism is the amount of trail buzz through the front end. We put this down to a combination of the stiff Fox fork, an aggressive compression damping tune and the Hixon bar/ stem, and reckon it could be fixed with some set-up changes, such as fitting softer grips and lowering frontwheel spoke tension. ALEX www.scott-sports.com