Scott Electric Bike Review: Is Scott A Good Brand?

When you start looking for a fast electric bike, you quickly discover the name Scott popping up. Scott. Many cycling fans will instantly associate the name with professional road cycling, and with the Swiss masters of engineering precision. In the e-bike world, Scott Sports has taken a while to find its stride but there’s no doubting the brand’s heritage and expertise. But the fundamental question you’re most likely asking is also simple: Do Scott e-Bikes actually cut the mustard and, secondly, are they the right bike for you? This review aims to sort through the marketing fluff and provide you with the relevant, real-world info. We’ll delve into their full range, go off-road and deep dive into the user experience of their more popular models, whilst not forgetting the other key areas you’ll need to take into consideration when deciding whether a Scott electric bike is a sound investment for your cycling goals.

Scott’s Broad E-Bike Fleet

Scott’s dedication to the electric bike genre is broad, as they have electric models in nearly every corner of cycling. Their fleet of bikes is an indication of their commitment to performance, integration and aesthetics. Here’s a handy breakdown of their current e-bike series:

Mountain (E-MTB):

Scott Strike eRIDE
Scott Lumen eRIDE
Scott Patron eRIDE
Scott Ransom eRIDE
Scott Genius eRIDE

Gravel:

Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE

Road:

Scott Solace eRIDE
Scott Addict eRIDE

Urban & Trekking:

Scott Axis eRIDE
Scott Sub eRIDE

Futuretro (Modern-Retro Styling):

Scott Contessa Metrix eRIDE
Scott Metrix eRIDE

The Scott Feeling: Trail and Urban Experiences

Hitting the trails with any one of the Scott electric mountain bikes, however, and it’s easy to see why the brand is so highly regarded. Let’s put the spec sheets aside and talk about the feeling on the trail and on the road. The Scott Patron eRIDE is a great benchmark here. The minute you swing a leg over it, the bike feels cohesive and purposeful. The first thing you’ll notice is what you don’t see: the shock is entirely nestled within the frame. This is not just for show: It lowers the center of gravity, and the bike feels incredibly planted and stable descending on fast, technical courses. Putting down the power with the Bosch Performance CX motor is monstrous yet manageable. On a steep, root-strewn climb that would be torture for an unassisted rider, the Patron gave me a wave of torque that doesn’t resemble a push so much as you suddenly have superhuman legs. You’re not just trying to survive the trail, you’re conquering the trail. You spot a tricky line, hit it and the bike’s geometry and its power combine to haul you over. The proprietary TwinLoc suspension, operated with a single bar-mounted lever, is also a total game changer. You throw that around with your thumb, click it into full travel, nudge it into traction mode, lock it out completely, and the bike would adapt to the terrain you have under your tires. It’s that feeling of pure control, pure capability. The Scott Sub eRIDE provides the perfect high-end urban luxury experience equal to the wild ride, but completely different. Here the mood is one of easy efficiency. The riding position is upright, comfortable and with a good view of city traffic. Its motor power is smooth and intuitive, and hills and headwinds vanish. What you don’t see and feel is the pure ease and convenience of four on-the-floor speeds; a connection-free way to get where you’re going; and the kind of simple, reliable, low-maintenance riding experience most bikes can’t match. It will change the way you look at your downtown commute and how you get around town. It turns a daily chore into a pleasant, stress-free trip.

Under the Hood: Scott's Engineering Philosophy

Further than the feel of the ride, customers are looking critically. A Scott e-bike is a major purchase, and grasping the brand identity is essential to validating whether it matches with your future requirements. The huge one is that Scott is all-in on systems integration. They don’t just bolt a motor and battery onto a frame that already exists. They do not do it this way, but they design the bike around the drive system. As a result, it has a cleaner look, better weight balance, and more frame protection as evidenced with the Patron’s internal shock and the Solace's compact TQ mid-drive motor. Another key aspect is their driving systems. Scott mainly uses Bosch for its mountain and trekking bikes, where it appreciates the power and dependability of the Performance Line CX motor in particular. With its best-in-class transfer of 60 Nm continuous power and 108 Nm maximum torque, it has proven to be the perfect complement for Scott’s featherweight road and gravel models such as the Addict and the Solace – and for good reason, as the hidden TQ HPR50 system is famed for its whisper-quiet operation and stunningly natural ride feel that won’t rob the pure enjoyment of cycling on the road. This is a good balance, picking the right tool for the job rather than just a jackhammer. And Scott’s know-how and experience with Carbon Fiber is an awesome bonus. Their HMX and HMF carbon layups, developed over decades of top-level racing, enable them to keep the e-bike frames they build impressively light, stiff and strong. The Lumen eRIDE, for instance, bridges the gap between electric and regular trail bike, largely owing to its high-end carbon build. This attention to detail with quality materials and smart design is part of the reason the brand sits at a higher price-point and a big win for riders that are chasing longevity and performance.

While Scott has the premium performance part nailed down, the electric bike market has also gone in every direction with amazing value and versatility at various entry points and styles. Yet here comes a brand like ENGWE, targeted at riders who are in need of a versatile commuting monster that will perform well on different surfaces. Consider the ENGWE EP-2 Boost, a collapsible e-bike for complete versatility. It’s powered by a strong 250W brushless motor, which is legal within EU limits, but has high torque— up to 55 Nm. The "Boost" Button provides the push needed to tackle those big hills. Power assist is smooth and responsive, thanks to the ability to vary the power level and also the inclusion of a high quality torque sensor (capable of providing assistance over a wide range of pedal forces). Its adaptability is its biggest asset; 20 x 4.0-inch fat tires and a front suspension fork enable it to float over cooled asphalt and even handle sand and loose dirt trails. Practicality abounds with a folding frame making it easy to store and transport, a 48v 13ah removable battery providing a large range of up to 120kms, and one-piece, spoke-less wheels which require less maintenance than traditional spoked wheels. Finishing off the package are must-have accessories including a rear rack, fenders and powerful 180mm dual disc brakes, making the EP-2 Boost one of the most well-outfitted and powerful options available for both city and off-road adventures.

To better illustrate how Scott’s different models suit different rides, here's a comparison chart for a few of their most popular models. This in-house comparison goes to show how much your decision depends on what kind of cycling you do.

Here, we answer five of some of the most commonly asked questions that potential buyers have about Scott e-bikes, in detail, so when it comes time to make a decision, you know exactly where you stand.

Answering Your Top 5 Questions

Are Scott electric bikes worth it?

Sure, if you care a lot about the best performance, engineering, and build quality. The investment that goes into your Scott e-bike operates far beyond the standard bike components. You are paying for a ton of research and development, cutting-edge frame tech (such as world-class carbon know-how and integrated suspension designs), premium components from the likes of Bosch, Shimano and Fox, and a degree of system integration that leads to better ride feel and ride handling. They’re engineered to last and to be ridden hard, and in general they retain their value better than those from smaller brands which can make them a good long-term investment for the serious cyclist.

What, exactly, is the Scott TwinLoc?

TwinLoc is the brand's own form of suspension control tech and it's one of the best things they offer on mountain bikes. It is what enables the rider to operate the front fork and the rear shock with one lever on the handlebar. There are three different modes: Descend (full open travel where you use full stroke for maximum traction and bump absorption), Traction Control (minimizing the rear shock’s travel, thus making the suspension stiffer to ride more efficiently on climbing and pedaling through rolling terrains), and Lockout (full rigid front and rear to achieve the maximum efficiency on smooth pavements or fire roads). It is effectively three bikes in one, with the ability to transform its geometry and suspension performance to the trail in an instant.

How heavy are Scott e-bikes?

Just like all electric bikes, Scott e-bike models are going to be heavier than their non-electric counterparts since they have a motor and battery, as well as a sturdier frame. A full-powered e-MTB, such as the Patron eRIDE, can weigh in at 25-26 kg. But Scott has worked hard to lose weight. Weight is centered low for great control while bombing it, so the bike feels a lot lighter and more responsive when you’re on the move. Plus, they have superlight models like the Lumen and Addict eRIDE series that come with lighter carbon fiber frames and smaller, more minimal drive systems (think TQ HPR50), making them only several pounds more than traditional, top-tier models and redefining what’s possible in an e-bike.

Can I ride my Scott e-bike in the rain?

Yes. Scott e-bikes are made for all conditions. The electric connections, such as for instance the motor and battery are sealed and very water resistant, able to be ridden in the rain and wet without issue. They're tough enough for commuter rides or slogging on snow-covered singletrack. Yet that doesn't make them waterproof. The bike also shouldn’t be immersed in water or blasted with a pressure jet (which could push water through the water seals and into the electronics). Mild soap and water or a couple of wipes with a damp cloth will do just fine!

What is the approximate real-world range of a Scott e-bike I can expect?

Range is always overestimated, as is top speed, as is response time. Real-world range is determined by a huge variety of factors: your weight, the level of assistance you choose, the grade of the hill you are riding up, wind conditions, and even the tire pressure. For other Scott e-mountain bikes running the Bosch system and a 750Wh battery, anything from 50 km of hard, higher-power riding in the mountains to over 100km of very leisurely cruising about undulating terrain can be a real possibility. One great advantage Scott has is the possibility of a Range Booster on most models. Meaning you can add a second, external battery increasing your range by up to 100% and banishing range anxiety for once and for all for epic all-day adventures.

In the end, a Scott eBike is a masterpiece of performance know-how, and it is definitely a thrilling and powerful ride for the demanding cyclist.