New SCOTT Patron eRIDE 900 Tuned first ride review – Next-level integration?

With the brand new Patron eRIDE, SCOTT have taken integration and design language to a whole new level. The shock, Bosch Smart System motor and big 750 Wh battery are neatly integrated into the frame, making SCOTT’s super-clean eMTB allrounder a real eye-catcher. But what’s the Patron capable of on the trail? Read our first ride review to find out.

With its distinctive design, the new SCOTT Patron eRIDE 2022 is a real eye-catcher and stands out from the crowd of modern eMTBs. Paradoxically, SCOTT have achieved the futuristic look not by adding fancy little details to the frame but rather by hiding things, integrating the shock into the top tube and the long 750 Wh battery of the Bosch Smart System into the downtube of their 29″ eMTB with 160 mm travel. Alongside the carbon version (carbon frame with alloy chainstays) and hybrid frame (carbon front triangle with alloy rear end), SCOTT also offer an aluminum version of the new Patron eRIDE. The highlight of the alloy model: in purely visual terms, it’s hard to tell apart from its more expensive carbon counterpart despite the elaborate design! Integration is the leitmotif of the Patron, with the futuristic rear light, kickstand and internal cable routing as well as the one-piece cockpit perfectly complementing the futuristic look of the frame with its hidden shock and motor.

The world Bosch motor is upside down

The Patron eRIDE is SCOTT’s first eMTB with the new Bosch Smart System. The Performance Line CX motor churns out 85 Nm torque and draws its power from a big PowerTube 750 battery. For the display, SCOTT rely on the latest Bosch technology, combining a LED remote and Kiox 300 display. Long, heavy batteries pose major challenges for eMTB manufacturers when developing new bikes, particularly when it comes to smaller frame sizes, frame stiffness and the position of the center of gravity. In order to keep the latter as central and low as possible, SCOTT have tilted the Bosch motor by 46°, which makes it look as if it were lying upside down. This creates extra room in the down tube, allowing engineers to integrate the long battery deep into the downtube. The battery can be charged either directly on the bike via the charge port on the seat tube or off the bike. While the second option doesn’t require tools, you’ll have to turn the bike upside down to pull out the battery from the downtube.

The hidden suspension of the Patron relies on SCOTT’s proprietary TwinLoc system

While the Patron may look like a hardtail, its rear suspension generates a proud 160 mm travel. The FOX Nude T shock, which was developed specifically for SCOTT’s TwinLoc system, is hidden inside the top tube, where it’s protected from dirt, grit and water and accessible via a small service flap in the top tube. A small SAG indicator is meant to facilitate setting up the internal shock but, unfortunately, isn’t visible from above, which means that you still have to rely on someone else to measure the sag while you’re sitting on the bike.
The TwinLoc remote on the handlebars lets you simultaneously adjust the shock and fork between the three riding modes, Descend, Traction-Control and Lockout. In the fully-open Descend mode, the fork and shock work very sensitively, while in Lockout the suspension stiffens up significantly and only releases its travel with hard impacts. However, the special feature of the TwinLocsystem is the “Traction-Control” mode, which increases the compression damping in the fork and stiffens it up. At the same time, it reduces the shock’s air chamber volume, allowing the rear suspension to sit higher in its travel and reducing rear travel to 115 mm. Not only does this affect traction and climbing efficiency, but also changes the geometry of the bike. Unfortunately, there’s a downside to the system: the TwinLoc remote, dropper lever and LED remote for the Bosch motor are all operated with the left thumb, which can be confusing at first. Until you get used to the many levers, you might accidentally drop the saddle instead of activating the climb switch.

The geometry of the new SCOTT Patron eRIDE

Whether alloy, hybrid or carbon frames, all Patron models are available in four sizes and share the same geometry. Surprisingly, SCOTT managed to squeeze the huge battery into the S size, which is meant to cater to riders from 1.65 m tall – awesome! As a true allrounder, the Patron eRIDE relies on a balanced geometry rather than exploring the extremes. In size L, the Patron combines a rather conservative 474 mm reach and a fairly high front with 651 mm stack height. Unlike the unusual tilted position of the Bosch motor suggests, the chainstays of the Patron are rather long at 454 mm, which should ensure balanced handling, at least on paper! Unfortunately, at 470 mm in size L, the seat tube is extremely long, significantly restricting freedom of movement although the long insertion depth allows you to insert the dropper fully into the frame. Moreover, the long seat tube makes it hard to choose the frame size based on your desired reach.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	411 mm	441 mm	470 mm	500 mm
Top tube	579 mm	595 mm	626 mm	656 mm
Head tube	120 mm	125 mm	135 mm	145 mm
Head angle	64.5°	65°	65°	65°
Seat angle	77°	76.9°	76.9°	76.8°
Chainstays	454 mm	454 mm	454 mm	454 mm
BB drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1,222 mm	1,232 mm	1,264 mm	1,295 mm
Reach	433 mm	446 mm	474 mm	501 mm
Stack	635 mm	642 mm	651 mm	660 mm

The spec variants of the SCOTT Patron eRIDE

The Patron eRIDE model range includes 6 unisex models and 2 female-specific Contessa models. The women’s models are available in different elegant colors and rely on a different shock tune and contact points designed specifically to suit the female anatomy. Retailing at € 6,299 and sharing the same alloy frame, the Contessa Patron eRIDE 910 and SCOTT Patron eRIDE 920 are the two entry-level models, while at € 11,999, the Patron eRIDE 900 Ultimate is the flagship model in the Patron eRIDE range.

Regardless of the price, all models rely on the same low-profiled MAXXIS DISSECTOR tires with puncture-prone EXO + casing, both front and rear – which is a big mistake in our opinion! Here’s why: while in theory a low-profiled tire improves rolling resistance, it doesn’t have a noticeable effect on the range of an eMTB, and this is especially true for the front wheel. That’s why we recommend using a (front) tire with a more aggressive tread pattern like the MAXXIS Minion, ideally with soft MaxxGrip rubber compound, as this will generate even more traction and thus inspire more confidence. Across the entire Patron range, SCOTT rely on a slim FOX shock, mainly because a piggyback shock wouldn’t fit inside the top tube. However, only the high-end models with FOX Nude T shock benefit from the full range of functions of the TwinLoc’s “Traction Control” mode (reduced travel, more ground clearance).

The spec of the SCOTT Patron eRIDE 900 Tuned in detail

At € 8,999, the SCOTT Patron eRIDE 900 Tuned is a sensible alternative to the 900 Ultimate flagship model, which comes equipped with an electronic drivetrain and carbon wheels. The 900 Tuned rolls on a Syncros Revelstoke E 1.5 alloy wheelset built in-house by SCOTT and relies on a mechanical 12-speed SRAM Eagle drivetrain. Unfortunately, SCOTT combine an expensive SRAM X01 rear derailleur with cheaper GX components (shifter and cassette) and even cheaper (read heavier) NX chain. Shimano XT four-piston brakes with 200 mm Ice-Tech rotors front and rear provide powerful and reliable deceleration, even on long descents. The suspension consists of a FOX 38 Factory fork and FOX Nude T shock, which was developed specifically for the TwinLoc system. Travel is 160 mm front and rear. Unfortunately, the TwinLoc system isn’t compatible with the superior GRIP2 damper, so the FOX 38 fork has to make do with the more basic FIT4 damper. Up front we would happily trade in the three riding modes for better damping performance.

The SCOTT Patron eRIDE 900 Tuned on the trail

Comfort is the mantra of the SCOTT Patron eRIDE 900 Tuned. The upright pedaling position and plush suspension ensure a comfortable ride, allowing you to enjoy the 750 Wh of the Bosch battery in total relaxation. The Patron eRIDE is the ideal companion for long rides and exciting backcountry expeditions but doesn’t shy away from technical climbs, where the “Traction-Control” mode of the TwinLoc system proves to be both a necessity and powerful tool, because in fully-open mode (Descend), the rear suspension sinks deep into its travel. As a result, the Patron gets stuck easily on obstacles and the front wheel tends to lift off the ground. However, by activating “Traction Control” you can reduce the shock’s travel, which increases ground clearance and ensures a more central pedaling position. Needless to say, this generates more traction on the front wheel and makes it easier to negotiate technical climbs and tricky trail sections, regardless of your riding skills. Only the low-profiled rear tire puts an end to your ambitious climbing objectives!

“Traction-Control” mode changes the geometry of the bike and increases ground clearance. With the TwinLoc in “Traction-Control” mode, the Patron allows you to negotiate technical climbs playfully and without smashing into obstacles with the pedals or motor.

Drop the saddle of the Patron, and you’re nicely integrated into the bike, safely tucked away between the big 29 ”wheels. Although the long virtual stem and high seat tube restrict freedom of movement, the SCOTT is playful, intuitive and easy to maneuver. This allows beginners to lift the front wheel over obstacles with ease and experienced riders to pull manuals and surf out of berms on the rear wheel. As far as weight distribution, center of gravity and handling go, the concept around the tilted Bosch motor and deeply-integrated battery works a treat, ensuring excellent handling even in wide, open corners. Unfortunately, the suspension and spec of the Patron eRIDE 900 Tuned, in particular the low-profiled tires, don’t do justice to the potential of the bike. The FIT4 fork lacks mid-stroke support and final progression, sinking deep into its travel on steep trail sections and blowing through its travel with big hits. At the same time, the rear suspension lacks reserves, causing the shock to bottom out even with small jumps and medium-sized hits.

The handling of the SCOTT Patron eRIDE is awesome! However, the spec and suspension heavily limit its performance on the trail.

Conclusions

This is what the future looks like: SCOTT’s engineers dug deep into their bag of tricks to integrate the long battery into the downtube of the Patron eRIDE. The result is a success and revolutionizes the form and design language of SCOTT’s eMTBS. Handling is excellent, but the suspension and tires of the SCOTT Patron eRIDE 900 prevent it from unlocking its full potential on the trail. Nevertheless, the comfortable riding position and plush suspension make it a great companion for long rides and exciting backcountry adventures.

More information at scott-sports.com

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Photos: Daniel Geiger, Felix Stix