Cycle Care/Scott USA Demo Day

11th May 2005, Aston Hill

Having mainly focused on the Treks at the Buckingham Bikes demo day, we decided to leave most of the Scott's to ride at Cycle Cares demo on Wednesday 11th May.

First of all we picked up the carbon fibre top spec MC and RC limited Genius. The weight was minimal between the two, and both rode extremely well over most terrain. I found the MC version with full travel up front and full travel available at the back made it climb a lot easier than in traction mode. The geometry has been tweaked from last years range we rode, and they felt a lot more balanced and controlled, and loved open single-track. Both were kitted out with XT/XTR and Fox Forx and overall the spec was pretty damn good for the money. The handlebar mounted control for the rear sus is also an added bonus, with full travel, lockout and traction control features available.

^The carbon fibre MC Genius

^Singletrack magic on the Genius RC Carbon Limited

^Uphill struggle

The Nitrous SL11 had caught our eye on the Sunday before, and we couldn't wait to get them out. First we tried a swoopy DH run - the red run, and the bikes rode extremely well. They were light and agile enough to take on the technical stuff, but felt planted and quick and speed and over the rough stuff. The great added bonus on them was the Manitou Nixon forks with a handlebar mounted control to raise and drop the fork travel - you could lock it down to a mere 40mm for up hilling, and then the full wack of super plush travel for shooting back down. There sweet looking bikes as well, with the graphics finishing them off a treat too. They had a great overall spec too, making them a very capable all-rounder. A definite "freerider". I had a go on the 4x with, and even with my limited jumping capability it was a fun bike to chuck about. This bike just loved the berms....

^One of the new Nitrous SL bikes, this the SL11

^The Nitrous cornered brilliantly.

^Jumping the Nitrous on the 4X

The new Scott Scale range is their new carbon fibre Hardtails. Chris took this out and loved it, I found it a very sweet bike to ride, but the stem was far too long - an easy thing to sort though. These bikes are stupidly light and shift off the line incredibly. the fox forks and XT kit proved superb for a few laps of the XC. It proved rather quick in action up hills and along fast technical singletrack.
 

^One of life's pondering moments whilst on the Scott Scale

I had to wait a fair old while for the High Octane to be free, but boy was the wait worth it. The bottom spec high octane is equipped with Manitou Stance forks, hayes discs, raceface and shimano shifting kit, and a twin ring to get you back up the hills. The new Manitou Metal shock proved easy to set up and was plush from the off. The bike was swift off the mark and made mincemeat of the jumps and bumps down the DH runs. It was an actual fun bike to ride - it put a smile on my face. With a price tag of £1800 its a bargain too.

The Scott staff were a great laugh and very extremely helpful for setting up the bikes and shock pressures etc. The barbeque was up and running once again too...

Just before the end of the day we swiped the Nitrous's again for another trounce about. Sadly team mate Chris came off on DH3 and had to be whisked off the the BIG H with a broken finger and the need for a few stitches. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Just like to give a shout out to Cycle Care and Scott USA for laying on the event, and for Aston Hill for hosting it. Its good that these events take place, so if you've missed this one, make sure your around for the next one.

See you next year...

Photos copyright of S.Camber 2005. All rights reserved