SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 in review – Goodbye knick-knacks, hello trail performance!

For SCOTT, the Ransom eRIDE 910 heralds a new era of sporty, trail-oriented eMTBs. The € 6,999 top-of-the-range model comes equipped with 180 mm FOX Performance Elite suspension, 29” wheels and a Bosch motor. But is it only interesting for bike park adrenaline junkies or is it a lot more versatile than we all initially expected?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review

**SCOTT** Ransom eRIDE 910 | Bosch Performance Line CX/625 Wh | 180/180 mm (f/r)
25.14 kg in size L | € 6,999 | Manufacturer’s website

The Ransom eRIDE 910 heralds the beginning of a new era for SCOTT. Gone are the days of loud paint finishes and – hooray! – the TwinLok system. The burly alloy eMTB comes in a cool black/silver camo finish and doesn’t have a lockout lever on the handlebars, leaving it looking a lot cleaner than all other SCOTT eMTBs. With the Ransom eRIDE 910, the Swiss brand has firmly focussed on downhill performance rather than saving weight – even with the top-of-the-range 910 model. Uphill, a Bosch Performance Line CX supports you with up to 85 Nm torque. The motor draws its power from an internal 625 Wh battery integrated into the down tube while the protective rubber battery cover extends right to its base, where it merges seamlessly into the robust skid plate. The undercarriage of the SCOTT is well protected against impacts, even on high-speed bike park laps. A ribbed chainstay protector and clever internal cable routing system with additional cable clamps reduce the background noise to a minimum. Unfortunately, the typical Bosch clunking noise is still there.

The fork and shock: The absolute highlight of the spec

With the € 6,999 Ransom eRIDE 910, SCOTT decided to invest in the components that matter most for riding performance and save in other areas instead. The 180 mm suspension is top-notch. On the trail, the FOX 38 Performance Elite fork with GRIP2 damper performs just as smoothly as its expensive Kashima-coated Factory counterpart. The FOX X2 Performance shock doesn’t have externally-adjustable high-speed rebound and compression settings, but the standard factory tune harmonises incredibly well with the rear end of the SCOTT. Parts like the in-house Syncros alloy cockpit or the Bosch Purion display help SCOTT to keep costs down – makes sense! However, what doesn’t make sense is the mongrel drivetrain combining a high-end SRAM X01 derailleur with cheaper NX/GX components: SCOTT have tried to be clever but only managed to fritter away their budget. Instead, they could have spent the extra money of the bling derailleur on a more robust set of tires with Doubledown casing or a stronger wheelset. The tire combo of a 2.6” MAXXIS EXO+ ASSEGAI at the front and a DISSECTOR at the rear offers good traction, but the thin casings struggle to keep up with the potential of the Ransom eRIDE.

**Excellent**
We’re not just impressed with the four-piston XT brakes! Like Moustache, SCOTT use a Shimano brake rotor with an integrated magnet and combine this with a Bosch speed sensor: naughty wins!

**Traction, support and reserves**
The rear end of the SCOTT harmonises extremely well with the shock. As expected, with its 180 mm travel, the rear is extremely responsive but still provides enough support for an aggressive riding style.

**Goodbye TwinLoc**
With the ransom eRIDE, Scott finally leave the TwinLoc system out, which is superfluous on most eMTBs anyway. The Syncros cockpit is functional, ergonomic and tidy.

SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910

€ 6,999

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh
Display Bosch Purion
Fork FOX 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 eMTB+ 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX X2 Performance 180 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer 125–170 mm
Brakes Shimano XT BR-MT8120-Vierkolbenbremse 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle 1x12
Stem Syncros XM1.5 50 mm
Handlebar Syncros Hixon 1.5 Rise 800 mm
Wheelset Syncros X-30S 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/DISSECTOR Exo+ 2.6"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 25.14 kg
Perm. total weight 128 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 102 kg
Trailer approval Yes
Kickstand mount Yes

**Practicality over looks**
While the cable ports are anything but elegant, they hold the cables in place securely and prevent them from rattling against the frame. The standard Bosch charge port cover doesn’t really do much and can easily break.

**Black is the new gold**
The FOX 38 Performance Elite fork is in no way inferior to the more expensive Factory models with Kashima coating. The performance is just as excellent and the stealth look suits the camouflage paintwork of the SCOTT a lot better.

**Bye-bye rim!**
With the SCOTT you can steam through the wildest rock gardens at full pelt. However, the MAXXIS tires with the thin-walled EXO+ casing won’t last long: at least get a Doubledown tire for the rear!

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	420 mm	440 mm	470 mm	500 mm
Top tube	568 mm	569.5 mm	595.5 mm	597.0 mm
Head tube	120 mm	120 mm	125 mm	125 mm
Head angle	64.0°	64.0°	64.0°	64.0°
Seat angle	76.5°	76.3°	76.1°	75.9°
Chainstays	465 mm	465 mm	465 mm	465 mm
BB Drop	22 mm	22 mm	22 mm	22 mm
Wheelbase	1,230.3 mm	1,255.3 mm	1,287.5 mm	1,317.5 mm
Reach	415 mm	440 mm	470 mm	500 mm
Stack	644.4 mm	644.4 mm	649 mm	649 mm

**Helmet** Giro Manifest Spherical | **Glasses** Smith Optics Wildcat | **Hippack** EVOC HIP POUCH 1l
**Jersey** ION Srub Mesh_ine | **Kneepad** ION K-Traze Amp | **Shoes** Specialized 2FO Roost Clipless

The geometry is modern but not extreme. The 470 mm reach (size L) paired with the high front end (649 mm stack in size L) and 175 mm FOX Transfer dropper ensure great freedom of movement. At 465 mm, the chainstays are relatively long and thus influence the handling of the SCOTT significantly. The steep 76.1° seat tube angle makes for a fairly central riding position while the high front helps to reduce the pressure on your hands, putting less strain on your wrists than other bikes with a similarly steep seat tube angle, like the Levo. While the SCOTT is anything but a touring bike, it’s still comfortable enough for long rides.

**A good reason to smile**
Despite its massive travel, test boss Felix is having a whale of a time climbing on the Ransom eRIDE 910. Even when pedalling out of the saddle, the low profile of the rear tire offers plenty of grip.

More than bike parks: The SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 on the trail

The central riding position is a particular advantage going uphill. Even on steep climbs, the rider is well integrated between the wheels and despite the massive 180 mm travel, the rear end always sits high in its travel. Thanks to the long chainstays and despite the high front, the front wheel sticks to the ground and implements steering input willingly. While the SCOTT masters extreme and technical uphills as well as flowing sections with flying colours, it’s not as lively and playful as the ROTWILD or Canyon. However, It excels on technical challenges. Despite the low profile of the DISSECTOR rear tire, the grip is excellent even on steep ramps and loose terrain.

The complicated TwinLoc system is finally gone! Despite the massive travel, there’s no need to activate the climb switch.

Tuning tip: tires with a more robust casing (e.g. MAXXIS Doubledown)

Drop the saddle, point your nose downhill, off you go! Whether you’re a beginner or advanced trail rocket, the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE inspires huge amounts of confidence. Only a handful of bikes in this test integrate the rider as snugly between the big 29″ wheels. This, combined with the high front end, makes threatening over the bar moments a thing of the past. Nonetheless, the front wheel always generates good traction, even in open corners and on loose terrain, making the Ransom eRIDE fun yet easy to control. The excellent suspension offers plenty of reserves to ride out messy lines and provides sufficient support on flowing trails with jumps and ledges. However, the long rear end makes it harder to perform playful manoeuvres. The composure of the SCOTT comes to life on fast bike park tracks, provided you’re rolling on robust tires. The faster you ride, the wider your grin.

**With speed comes fun**
The Ransom eRIDE is more stable than agile and requires some physical effort to pull manuals and wheelies. On the other hand, it allows you to ride super fast.

Riding Characteristics

Agility

sluggish
playful

Stability

nervous
stable

Handling

demanding
balanced

Riding fun

boring
lively

Motor feeling

digital
natural

Motor power

weak
strong

Value for money

poor
top

Application

Forest road

Flow trail uphill

Flow trail downhill

Technical single trail uphill

Technical single trail downhill

Downhill tracks

Conclusion

The SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 shines in all areas but prefers fast-paced laps on technical terrain over long days in the saddle! The huge reserves make it a hard-hitting trail machine for experienced riders and the intuitive handling a perfect option for beginners who are looking for a trusted companion. Not only the suspension but also the price/performance ratio are excellent: the Ransom eRIDE keeps pace with the best bikes in the test field but is also significantly cheaper. This makes it our undisputed Best Buy!

Tops

great value for money
intuitive handling
huge reserves on fast descents

Flops

cable routing at the front
weak standard cover of the Bosch charging port
puncture prone tires

You can find out more about this bike at scott-sports-com

The test field