Scott’s hit plenty of bases with the Patron
steepest pitches, and without having to slam the comfy saddle forwards on the rails.
Compared to the Genius eride, the Patron gets a lower standover height and shorter seat tubes on all four sizes. This prevents knocking delicate knees when riding dynamically on any of the carbon, carbon/alloy or full aluminium models. Being 1.5kg heavier, you’ll definitely need more muscle to throw around the alloy frame compared to the carbon version, though.
Elsewhere there’s plenty of ownbrand integration, including a funky one-piece Syncros Hixon carbon bar and stem with cables piped inside the head tube. Its 780mm width should be enough for most and I liked the sweep, but not everyone will want the fixed 60mm (equivalent) stem length on the two bigger sizes. Swapping this combo for a traditional set-up will be expensive, too.
Even at over £8K, you don’t get the wireless variety of the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. There’s also a downgraded NX chain and relatively thin-skinned EXO+ Maxxis Dissector tyres front and rear in chunky 2.6in width. I’d rather see a more aggressive tread up front, paired with a sturdier Double Down casing at the rear, but having said that, I didn’t encounter any wheel issues during the launch on steep, rocky Spanish trails.
Scott was keen to point out that optimising weight distribution was a key goal with the Patron. It claims that 55% of the overall system weight is in the central portion of the bike, and that this, together with the shorter chainstays, means the new bike has a ride quality that defies its 24kg weight. So how did this futuristic-looking vehicle handle regular old mountain bike trails?
HOW IT RIDES
With Bosch’s latest system packing new drive modes, software and user interface, there’s a tight and sprightly pedalling