The Best E-Mountain Bike of 2025? Scott Patron ST 900 Tuned On Test

With the Scott Patron ST 900 Tuned, Scott present an e-MTB that’s caused a stir with its radical approach to integration – dividing opinion among our testers, too! Shock, rear light, and fender are all seamlessly integrated into the frame. The result: a clean, futuristic design language that still has to prove itself on the trail. But is the bold integration enough to outshine 28 other eMTBs in our group test? Find out here!

This bike is part of our big group test: The Best E-Mountainbike of 2025 – Featuring the 30 Most Exciting E-MTBs of the Year. Click here for the full intro, key takeaways, and all the bikes we tested.

Scott have been synonymous with innovation for decades – whether on bikes, motocross gear, or skis. Apart from producing bikesski equipment, clothing and protective gear, the Swiss brand has also become one of the leading forces in the cycling world. With Nino Schurter, Scott have long dominated the elite cross-country scene, but they’ve also made serious moves in the e-mountainbike segment. Scott entered the e-bike market as early as 2011, and since 2017, they’ve consistently expanded their eMTB range. They were early adopters of fully integrated batteries, and even took it a step further with the Scott Voltage eRide, which featured a partially recessed shock. Now, with the latest Scott Patron ST 900 Tuned – which tips the scales at 24.4 kg – they’re pushing integration even further, introducing Bosch ABS Pro for maximum braking control. But was Scott’s this €10,999 eMTB able to fight its way straight to the top of the test field?

What Sets the SCOTT Patron ST900 Tuned Apart From the Competition?

In purely visual terms, the Scott is easily one of the most eye-catching e-mountainbikes in this test – and no other bike polarised the test crew quite as much. The paint job is reminiscent of graffiti under a railway bridge, and all the tubes are notably chunky – though that does give the frame a certain proportional consistency. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor is neatly integrated into the bottom bracket area, while the 800 Wh battery hides inside the downtube. It can be easily removed from the bottom of the frame using a key and a magnetic plastic cover – handy if you want to charge it outside the bike. Alternatively, the bike can be charged directly via the charging port in the frame, which is well-protected by a high-quality dust cover.

Instead of a display, the Scott relies solely on the Bosch System Controller in the top tube, which uses multicoloured LEDs to show the battery charge status in 10% increments. On the left side of the bars, you’ll find the wireless Bosch Mini Remote for switching support modes. Also on the left is the TracLoc lever, which controls both the dropper post and the suspension lockout. That means three levers and two cables on one side of the bar – but anyone expecting a tangled mess is in for a surprise: all cables are neatly routed under the one-piece carbon cockpit and disappear into the headset and frame. Another showcase of Scott’s next-level integration.

The only visual compromise: the Bosch ABS Pro control unit is mounted externally on the fork, resulting in a noticeably bulkier left fork leg. The Bosch ABS Pro is paired with a Magura MT7 brake, delivering powerful braking performance with 220 mm rotors up front and 200 mm at the rear. The ABS system effectively prevents the front wheel from locking up under heavy braking. On top of that, a rear light integrated into the fender ensures good visibility at night, acting as an extra passive safety feature. There’s also space for a bottle cage on the downtube, and the generously sized, cleanly integrated chainstay protector ensures a quiet ride on the trail. The Scott Patron ST 900 Tuned features a FOX Factory suspension along with several in-house components from Scott’s in-house Syncros brand – but let’s take it from the top. At the front, the FOX 38 Factory GRIP X2 fork offers 170 mm of travel and full adjustability across all settings: high- and low-speed compression and rebound. At the rear, a custom-made FOX Float X Nude Factory shock, which was developed specifically for Scott, manages 150 mm of travel. The shock is mounted vertically, and is partially recessed into the seat tube, with only the piggyback visible. All adjustment dials and the air valve are easily accessible, meaning that the high level of integration doesn’t compromise ease of setup. Quite the opposite: the rear linkage also features a magnetic SAG indicator to assist with setup. The shock can be adjusted in three modes – Open, Pedal, and Lock – controlled via the TracLoc remote on the bars. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear-derailleur. Wheels, cockpit, and dropper post all come from Scott’s in-house Syncros line. The Duncan dropper offers 180 mm of travel, while the one-piece Syncros Hixon iC carbon cockpit boasts 780 mm handlebars. The Revelstoke E 1.5 alloy wheelset is paired with Schwalbe’s new Radial tires, with a Magic Mary up front and Albert Trail at the rear, both in the softest Ultra Soft compound with robust Super Gravity casing. While this setup is ideal for wet and aggressive trail riding, we recommend switching to the more durable, harder Soft compound at the rear.

Tuning Tip: Swap the one-piece cockpit for a two-piece setup to gain more adjustability up front – though it comes at the cost of the clean integration.

How Did the SCOTT Patron ST900 Tuned fare in our test?

When you start pedalling to tackle the first climb, the Patron ST 900 Tuned immediately shows its welcoming side. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor pushes powerfully with its 85 Nm, requiring little effort from the rider. The seating position is as comfortable as on our Best Buy pick, the Focus Jam²: upright, with minimal pressure on the hands and a sensitive, supple rear end. With the TracLoc lever, you can quickly stiffen up the rear suspension, both partially and all the wayto generate more forward drive for spontaneous sprints. While the usefulness of such a system on an eMTB can be debated, it works reliably in practice. As the gradient increases, the front end stays planted, delivering a calm and efficient climbing performance – even on steep gravel ramps.

Thanks to features like the Bosch ABS Pro and the integrated tail light, the Scott Patron ST impresses with a well-thought-out spec that goes far beyond the norm.

On technical climbs, the Patron remains composed but lands more in the middle of the test field. Thanks to the central riding position and balanced suspension, the bike is easy to control, and the grippy rear end keeps things steady on the way up. On very steep sections, the front does have a tendency to lift slightly – but again, that’s what the TracLoc system is there for. In the middle pedal mode, the rear sits higher in the travel while still generating enough traction. However, the left-hand controls can be a bit of a handful: with TracLoc, the dropper remote, and the Mini Remote all in the same space, you’ll likely end up pressing the wrong lever at some point – like unintentionally activating the dropper and taking a saddle hit when you least expect it. Overall, the Patron sits at a mid-level in technical climbing, between the Thömus Lightrider and the Orbea Rise.

Once the trail points downhill into flowy terrain, it takes some body input to get the Patron up to speed. While it maintains momentum well, the bike feels a bit sluggish and needs active riding to generate speed through rollers and berms. Popping off small lips or switching direction quickly in tight turns requires plenty of physical effort – much of your input gets swallowed up by the plush suspension. If you want a firmer, more responsive rear end, you can engage the middle TracLoc mode even on descents to gain more support for pumping – though you’ll want to switch it off again in rough terrain. That requires some mental engagement on the trail. 😉

The Scott Patron ST demands plenty of input to truly come alive on the trail – but in return, it always delivers a strong sense of security, both while riding and under braking.

As the ground gets rougher, the Patron is a bit of a mixed bag. While it generally sits well on the trail, it becomes unsettled in rock gardens, requiring more frequent braking to keep it in control. In terms of composure, some of the burlier Bosch-powered bikes – like the Santa Cruz Vala and the Focus Jam² – clearly pull ahead. On the other hand, the Patron scores points with the Bosch ABS Pro system, which adds a significant layer of braking safety – especially for less experienced riders. It shines on loose gravel and rubble, offering noticeably more control. What’s annoying, however, is the noise: the battery cover rattles loudly on descents, which can be distracting on rough trails.

Who Should Take a Closer Look at the Scott Patron ST900 Tuned?

The new Scott Patron truly shines when it comes to comfort and feels most at home on mellow and familiar trails. It maintains traction at all times – whether climbing technical sections or braking hard on fast descents, thanks to the ABS system. That gives the bike a real sense of safety. However, if you want to ride this eMTB in a more active and aggressive way, you’ll need to put in plenty of rider input and really push it to get the most out of it. The bold looks and high level of integration may divide opinion, but they’re undoubtedly a unique selling point – and a real eye-catcher, too! Thanks to the large removable battery and practical extras like the tail light, the Scott Patron is also a great choice for touring enthusiasts.

Conclusions about the Scott Patron ST 900 Tuned

The Scott Patron comes to a halt with great confidence – but doesn’t make it to the top of our big eMTB group test. It’s not one of the sportiest bikes in the test field, but it makes up for that with outstanding everyday usability and a strong sense of safety. The removable battery, Bosch ABS Pro, integrated rear light and fender, along with the high level of comfort, make it a top pick for touring and daily rides – showing just how practical integration can be.

Tops

• Bold, futuristic design
• High touring comfort
• Integrated rear light and fender

Flops

• TracLoc lever can be overwhelming
• Limited suspension feedback in Open mode
• Suspension lacks feedback on the trail

More info at scott-sports.com

The test field

For an overview of the test field head to our “Best E-Mountainbike of 2025” comparison test – 30 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2025 group test

All bikes in test: AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro, Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, FOCUS JAM² 6.0, GHOST E-RIOT LTD, Haibike HYBE CF 11, MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL 10K, Orbea WILD M-LTD, Orbea Rise LT M-Team, R RAYMON Tarok Ultra, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL, Santa Cruz Vala X0 AXS RSV, SCOTT Patron ST 900 Tuned, Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4, Transition Regulator CX XT, UNNO Mith Pro, YT DECOY SN MX CORE 3.

Words & Photos: Julian Schwede