If you are rider who likes to munch through the miles, a 29" hardtail has always been the go-to machine for the job. Efficient, fast and easy rolling, they are ideally set up for purpose. This also lends them well to racing, and that is the background of the Scale 960. A lightweight aluminium frame is hung with 100mm travel RockShox TK30 Solo Air forks and largely Shimano Deore components. Fast rolling 2.2" Maxxis Ikon tyres and Syncros hardware complete the picture.
As soon as you sit on the Scale 960 you know it is a speed machine. The light and spritely build just demands to be ridden fast, and there are some nice touches to efficient riding tagged on too. A remote lockout for the RockShox allows bob free sprints and climbs when you want that extra edge, while we are pleased to see full length outer cable routing for the rear mech - always the best option for long term clean shifting in our gritty and wet UK climate. The rest of the cabling is internally routed for a sleek look.
Maxxis Ikon tyres are one of our favourites for fast riding too, rolling well while retaining a good amount of grip in the small blocks.
Scott haven't turned their back on more technical trail riding however, with respectably wide 720mm bars and a reasonably relaxed 69.5 degree head angle adding up to a bike that can not only go fast, but feels confident when the going gets rougher.
So if you enjoy big miles with the occasional foray into more technical ground the Scott Scale 960 is a lot of fun, but brutally efficient at the same time. Reliable Deore equipment should keep the show rolling for some time, but the light and versatile frame would also be worth spending money upgrading components on when the time comes.
