2023 Scott

Scale RC Team

A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with high-end components.

MSRP$3,499
Weight23.4 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionHardtail, 100mm
ForkRockShox SID
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetXT
BrakesHydraulic Disc
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Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Scale RC Team
Other Crosscountry bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

28 mph

Scale RC Team

27 mph

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Highest gear

(descending)

Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Sizing
SM

5'2" – 5'8"

MD

5'6" – 5'11"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'1" – 6'7"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews
Velo
Dangerholm’s Super Gravel Concept: A Scott Scale Hardtail Made for Gravel

Oct 2023 · Gustav Gullholm

Modern gravel bikes are becoming so capable that they’re starting to resemble 90’s mountain bikes. But would it really be such a bad thing?

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Bike Perfect
Scott Scale RC World Cup review – is twice as expensive twice as good?

Sep 2023 · Sean Fishpool

Our midpack XC tester sees the light – in every sense – as he hits the trails on the high-end RC World Cup model of Scott's legendary Scale

Highs
  • Laugh out loud fast

  • Smooth, assured front end

  • Well-balanced back end

  • Climbs like a demon

  • Adjustable geometry

Lows
  • 100mm travel is conservative

  • No UDH

  • No dropper post

  • Fast is its only speed

Read Review

MBR
Scott Scale 965 hardtail review - MBR

Feb 2023 · Seanwhite

Log onto Scott’s website, search for hardtails, and you’ll see the XC focused Scale dominates the options. With no long, low and slack hardcore hardtail in sight, it’s apparent that once you tip over the £1k mark, Scott hangs its hat firmly on the Scale range, with all models running 100mm travel forks. And the spread of options is nothing short of gargantuan. At the top end sits the flagship carbon RC World Cup AXS bike at £7,099. A bike that’s been a pedigree XC hardtail for years and under Nino Schurter has dominated XC racing like no other bike. And just like Nino, the Scale itself has dabbled with different wheel sizes, with Scott eventually settling on 29in wheels across all frame sizes, including the women’s specific Contessa options. So with years of evolution behind it, how’s the current Scale shaping up? Take a quick glance from a distance and you may feel a little underwhelmed; the tall seat tube and flatter top tube giving the look of a more conservative, almost dated frame. But under closer inspection, you’ll spot a raft of neat details blended in with well-honed and proven geometry numbers – the Scale’s frame is understated but elegant. With a frame design steeped in racing pedigree, you’d expect the alloy Scale 965 tested here to mirror the dimensions and geometry of the premium carbon bikes. And in many ways it does, but there are some key differences that aren’t immediately obvious. The head angle (we measured this bike at 68.5º), 29in wheels and 100mm fork travel are a constant for both frame materials, as are seat tube measurements. The BB drop is also consistent on both the carbon and aluminium Scale frames, consistently high that is. At 320mm the BB height on the Scott is inline with the Giant and just a hair taller than the Trek. And while 320mm sounds really tall for a hardtail with a 100mm travel fork, it’s been designed that way so that riders can keep the longer 175mm crankarms spinning in all situations, delivering maximum power to the rear tyre without having to worry about clipping a pedal on a root or rock and getting ejected over the bars. Where the frames depart is in chainstay length, the aluminium bikes get 15mm longer chainstays, measuring in at 438mm. There’s also a XXL size on the aluminium frame, so if you’re approaching 2m in height Scott definitely has you covered. You’d expect to see some performance-oriented details too and for a bike at this price the Scale 965 doesn’t disappoint. The tidy cowled dropouts not only allow the rear hub to drop effortlessly into place, but the 148mm thru-axle frame spacing opens up numerous options when it’s time for a wheel upgrade. The bridge-less seat stays are curved and long, increasing compliance but we did occasionally clip our heals on the equally wide chainstays. All cables and the rear brake hose are internally routed, with securely clamped frame ports for a …Continue reading »

Highs
  • Fast, quiet, composed ride

Lows
  • No tubeless-ready tyres

Read Review

Pinkbike
First Look: Scott Release Latest Generation of Scale RC Hardtail

Dec 2022 · Henry Quinney

The top-end HMX-SL frame sheds 22 grams compared to the outgoing model, to achieve a claimed weight of 847 g.

Read Review

Bikerumor
2023 Scott Scale RC hardtail MTB takes weight reduction to new extremes

Dec 2022

The new Scott Scale HMX SL sheds as many metal inserts and parts as possible to save grams, and reinvents how a frame is made in the process.

Read Review

BikeRadar
Scott Scale RC SL first ride review

Dec 2022 · Alex Evans

The Scale is a fast-paced XC hardtail with performance that reaches beyond the traditional racing remit

Highs
  • Light weight

  • Loaded-up spec

  • Fun, fast and agile

  • Impressive frame construction

Lows
  • Lack of dropper post limits scope

  • Very costly

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Scale Carbon HMF; Adjustable head angle / Syncros Cable Integration System; Advanced Shock & Standing Damping System; BB92 / UDH Interface / 12x148mm with 55mm Chainline

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Hanger StandardUDH

Fork

RockShox SID SL RL Air; 15x110mm Maxle Stealth / 44mm offset / Tapered steerer; Lockout / Reb. Adj. / 100mm travel

Travel100mm

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

Shimano SM-BB71-41A / shell 41x92mm

Headset

Syncros - Acros Angle adjust & Cable Routing HS System; +-0.6° head angle adjustment; ZS56/28.6 – ZS56/40 MTB

Stem

Syncros XC 1.5; Syncros Cable Integration System; -12° rise / 7050 Alloy / 31.8mm / 1 1/8"

Handlebar

Syncros Fraser 1.5 XC Alloy 7075 D.B.; Flat Bar / 8° / 740mm; Syncros Performance XC lock-on grips

Saddle

Syncros Belcarra Regular 2.0; CrMo rails

Seatpost

Syncros Duncan 2.0; 31.6x400mm

TypeRigid

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano XT RD-M8100 SGS; Shadow Plus / 12 Speed

Crank

Shimano XT FC-M8120-1 / Hollowtech 2; 32T

Shifters

Shimano XT SL-M8100-IR / Rapidfire Plus; Ispec EV clamp

Cassette

Shimano XT CS-M8100-12 / 10-51 T

Chain

Shimano CN-M7100

Brakes

Shimano XT M8100 Disc

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Syncros Silverton 2.0-30 6 Bolt; F: 15x110mm, R: 12x148mm; 30mm Tubeless ready rim / 28H / XD Driver; Syncros Axle w/Removable Lever; with 6mm Allen, T30 and T25 Tools

Tires

Front: Schwalbe Racing Ray 29x2.35" EVO; Super Ground / TLE / 67EPI / Addix Speed Grip, Rear: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.35" EVO; Super Ground / TLE / 67EPI / Addix Speed Grip

Disc Rotors

Shimano SM-RT76 / 6 Bolt / 180/F and 160/R

Rider Notes
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Last updated March 25