SCOTT LAUNCHES ALL-NEW FIFTH-GENERATION SPARK

SCOTT Sports has officially unveiled the all-new fifth-generation Spark, a completely redesigned cross-country race machine that builds on one of the most successful platforms in mountain biking history.

Far more than a refinement of its predecessor, the new Spark features an entirely new frame developed to be lighter, more agile and more seamlessly integrated, while retaining the innovative internal shock concept that has become synonymous with the model.

When SCOTT launched the fourth-generation Spark in 2021, it challenged conventional mountain bike design by relocating the rear shock inside the frame. The move was bold and controversial at the time, but it quickly proved its worth on the world stage.

The outgoing Spark leaves behind a remarkable legacy. Since its introduction, it has carried Nino Schurter to two UCI Mountain Bike World Championship titles, two overall UCI World Cup crowns and multiple record-breaking World Cup victories, including wins number 34, 35 and 36 that cemented his status as the most successful cross-country mountain biker of all time. The platform also powered Schurter and Filippo Colombo to victory at the 2025 Absa Cape Epic.

Now, SCOTT has taken the concept further.

DESIGNED AROUND THREE CORE OBJECTIVES

The development brief for the new Spark was built around three key objectives: lighter weight, improved ride dynamics and more seamless performance.

According to SCOTT, the goal was not only to make the bike faster, but to create a race bike that delivers greater efficiency, improved handling and a more intuitive ownership experience.

“Every gram has a purpose, every movement has an intention, and every detail has been designed to enhance performance,” is the philosophy that guided the project.

The result is a bike that stands apart in a category where many modern XC race bikes have begun to look increasingly similar.

A NEW APPROACH TO INTERNAL SUSPENSION

While the fifth-generation Spark retains 120mm of rear wheel travel and an internally mounted shock, the suspension system has been completely re-engineered.

The shock has been repositioned lower within the frame, helping centralise mass and lower the bike’s centre of gravity. The benefits include improved stability, more precise cornering and enhanced control under race conditions.

SCOTT’s engineers also redesigned the frame structure around the suspension layout, reducing weight while simultaneously improving ride responsiveness and suspension performance.

The new kinematic features SCOTT’s Flex Pivot suspension design, engineered to minimise unwanted flex while maintaining active suspension performance throughout the travel range and delivering a predictable feel at full compression.

LIGHTER THAN EVER

At the top of the range, the new Spark RC HMX SL frame kit weighs just 1 427g for a painted size Medium frame, including covers and pivot hardware.

This achievement was made possible through extensive refinement of the frame structure, carbon layup and component integration, resulting in one of the lightest full-suspension XC race frames ever produced.

EASIER TO LIVE WITH

One of the criticisms occasionally directed at integrated systems is service accessibility. SCOTT has addressed that directly with significantly improved shock access.

Magnetic and clip-mounted frame covers provide quick access to the shock and internal frame cavity, simplifying setup, maintenance and servicing. Both covers are fully sealed to protect the suspension from water and dirt ingress.

Durability has also been enhanced through the use of larger, double-sealed bearings designed to extend service intervals and improve long-term suspension performance.

REFINED INTEGRATION THROUGHOUT

The fifth-generation Spark introduces several noteworthy innovations aimed at improving both performance and usability.

The patented Syncros Octopus Cable-routing Technology uses the headset as a central routing hub, with dedicated colour-coded cable channels designed to simplify assembly and maintenance.

A specially designed bottle-cage mounting system allows unrestricted dropper-post insertion, enabling all frame sizes to accommodate at least a 150mm dropper post.

Built-in head angle adjustment of plus or minus 0.5 degrees allows riders to fine-tune handling characteristics to suit different terrain and racing conditions.

The frame also accommodates two water bottles, including a large bottle on the downtube, even on size Small models.

Additional features include a removable steering stopper to protect the frame and controls during crashes or transport, as well as SCOTT’s Save-the-Day integrated storage system on selected models.

PROVEN AT WORLD CUP LEVEL

The new Spark has already demonstrated its capabilities in elite competition.

Making its race debut with the SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Nové Město in May 2026, the bike immediately delivered front-running performances.

Filippo Colombo claimed third place in the Elite Men’s race, while Fabio Püntener finished fifth. American rider Bjorn Riley was also part of the lead group until a puncture on the penultimate lap ended his challenge.

The results provided immediate confirmation that the new Spark possesses the speed, efficiency and handling required at the highest level of international cross-country racing.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Over the past five years, the fourth-generation Spark established itself as arguably the most successful cross-country mountain bike platform ever created. It redefined what an XC race bike could be and helped deliver some of the most significant victories in modern mountain bike racing.

Now, with a lighter frame, enhanced suspension performance, improved integration and refined ride dynamics, the fifth-generation Spark is ready to write the next chapter.

Nino Schurter helped make the Spark the most successful XC mountain bike of all time. The all-new fifth-generation Spark now provides the platform for Schurter, Colombo and the SCOTT-SRAM team to continue building that legacy.