Scott Ransom Bike Review
The bike market is more vibrant and full of innovation than ever before. The multitude of styles and philosophies to draw from when conceptualizing a frame all but ensures that there is a bike out there for everyone.
I usually opt for a more “North American-style” practicality when it comes to mountain bikes—simple suspension designs, easy cable routing, utilitarian aesthetics. However, there is also the other side of the engineering spectrum available to enjoy: the busy, feature-packed, and tech-savvy envelope-pushing work of the team at Scott Sports. Look no further than the Scott Ransom 900, an incredibly techy bike designed to be the ultimate enduro machine, as an example of this approach to design.
With 170 millimeters of travel both front and rear, the Ransom is on the longer travel side of the enduro world. Though, it features a unique travel adjustment lever, which switches it between 170 millimeters and 130 millimeters of rear travel, making it much more versatile than more run-of-the-mill machines. With the Ransom, you get a hidden shock, in-frame storage, travel adjustment, six-bar linkage, flip chips, an integrated bar and stem combo, BB-concentric main pivot, adjustable geometry, room for a water bottle—must I go on? This all adds up to a bike that acts as a constant trailside conversation starter as fellow riders gawk at what looks like an e-bike, but is actually something much more intriguing.
Climbing aboard the Ransom is a surprisingly efficient experience. The 77.4-degree seat tube angle offers a forward position, though I did have to adjust the seat forward on the rails, as I usually do, to feel more centered. The 440-millimeter chainstay helps the front stay planted on ascents, while the ever-ready shock lockout climb lever sits conveniently near your left thumb. I must admit, however, that even after all the Scott bikes I’ve ridden and tested, I still end up pushing the middle lever expecting the dropper post to move. Even with beefy Maxxis Double Down casing tires and a downhill-focused build, the Ransom moves well uphill, especially with the climb lever engaged.
All the climbing features on the Ransom are there to support you in getting to the main attraction: the descent. First and foremost, the Scott Ransom 900 RC is a plush ride. Its intuitive handling and exceptional suspension make riding on fast and rocky trails a joy. The rear suspension linkage was honestly one of the best at eating trail chatter of any bike I’ve tested in recent memory. From my first sloppy, wet ride on Chuckanut Mountain near Bellingham, Washington, I was utterly blown away at how great the complex, six-link design worked. It rides deep into its travel but maintains a lively feel, allowing for aggressive riding without feeling cumbersome. The bike’s geometry, with a relaxed headtube angle and ideal wheelbase, ensures that it feels stable yet nimble on rough terrain.
The build spec on this Ransom 900 is not just fancy, it’s top-notch. Notably, the new SRAM Code Stealth Ultimate brakes offer great feel and power, providing control I don’t remember SRAM delivering in the past. The frame’s more compliant feeling stiffness profile strikes a perfect balance, and the rear Fox Float X Nude shock’s free-flowing, active response is a highlight. The bike’s design keeps everything clean and well-integrated, from the hidden shock to the various levers. Despite the potential nightmare situation when you have to replace a brake line or dig into the headset, I found myself quite blown away at the level of finish and thought that has gone into this complex bike. It’s a bike that’s as visually impressive as it is functional, designed for techy riders who appreciate high-end engineering and performance.
The Scott Ransom 900 RC is an intuitive bike that riders can hop on and quickly feel at home aboard. It’s perfect for riders who want to absolutely plow through exceptionally bumpy terrain. It’s also ideal for those who may want a bike with high-performing rear suspension without resorting to a high-pivot design. I find myself drawn to the Ransom as I feel like the perfect target rider who loves to be rewarded for pedaling hard and who’s always looking for the do-it-all super bike. However, I am left wondering what maintaining such a feature-packed bike would be like.
The Ransom is techie, well-thought-out, and impressively capable on the types of trails that would usually leave you shaking out your pumped forearms at the bottom. I highly recommend swinging a leg over one to see why for yourself.
Learn More: SCOTT Ransom 900 RC
