New SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned 2024 first ride review – The wizard of light eMTBs?

Hocus pocus! With the new Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned, SCOTT have just pulled a massive rabbit out of their hat, releasing a new light eMTB with TQ-HPR50 motor. As if by magic, the shock has disappeared into the frame, generating 160/155 mm of travel (f/r). We tested it to find out whether it’s capable of putting a big grin on our faces on the trail!

The Voltage name has been an integral part of SCOTT’s portfolio for many years. However, most of us will associate the name with a beefy freeride rig with massive alloy tubes and chunky weld seams. Nothing stands still forever though, and SCOTT decided to move with the times, and gave their analogue Genius trail bike an electric sibling: the Voltage eRIDE. With 29” wheels and 160/155 mm of travel (f/r), the new bike is positioned right above the Lumen, their light eMTB which caused a stir last year with its high level of integration. SCOTT’s design team have continued with their mission to hide as many components as possible inside the frame, which is becoming something of a trademark design for the Swiss brand. Tipping the scales at 18.9 kg in size L, one thing it doesn’t have to hide is its weight. This is in part thanks to the lightweight TQ-HPR50 motor system and matching 360 Wh battery, which delivered an impressive performance in our motor comparison test with a very natural ride feel – but more on this later. That said, the fun doesn’t come cheap, with SCOTT charging an eye-watering 5-figure sum for the flagship model. We’ve already had the opportunity to test the new SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned variant.

Have fun guessing which one is the analogue model and which one is the eMTB.

The new SCOTT Voltage 2024 eRIDE 900 Tuned in detail

The new SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned 2024 looks as if cast from one mould. At first glance, you’ll wonder where the shock has gone, because SCOTT’s design team made it vanish inside the frame. Controlling 155 mm of suspension travel, it sits vertically inside the seat tube, right in front of the TQ motor. Trying to package a conventional piggyback shock into such a small space would lead to some challenges (and be impossible to adjust), so SCOTT worked closely with FOX to develop the FLOAT X Nude shock, with the aim of delivering the same excellent performance in a more compact package. To fit the integrated design, the shock was re-engineered so that the air valve and adjustment dials are easily accessible through the service port in the bottom bracket. The air valve extension required on the Lumen is no longer needed. Furthermore, a practical SAG indicator on the shock link makes it easy to check your setup, meaning that you don’t need another person to help you adjust the shock. The service port can be opened easily and without tools using a twist lock, and also doubles as a big skid plate that protects the motor from nasty impacts and stray rocks.

It wouldn’t be a SCOTT without some extra levers on the handlebars, and the Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned is no different, with their proprietary TracLoc remote vying for cockpit space. This allows you to switch the shock between three preconfigured modes: Climb, Ramp Control and Open. In Climb Mode, the compression circuit on the shock is closed, locking out the shock to prevent it from absorbing any of your pedalling input. Ramp Control mode closes one of the shock’s air chambers, making the shock more progressive – in essence, it’s like adding a volume spacer at the flick of a lever. Open mode is meant for the descents and corresponds to the shock’s normal open setting, as you’ll be familiar with from other shocks. It takes some time to get used to using the TracLoc remote at first: it’s easy to push the wrong lever and it isn’t always clear what mode you’re in while you’re riding. Moreover, the additional cables on the cockpit detract from the otherwise clean look.

The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the headset. A plastic guide carries them through the bottom bracket area, preventing them from rubbing against the moving shock and getting damaged. The guide also doubles as a clamp, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail. The only drawback is that both the plastic guide and the shock have to be removed to access the cables. A generously sized seat and chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips. If you get too excited on the trail and blow up a tire, you can use the tubeless repair kit hidden in the bar ends to get back on track. On the other hand, the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE doesn’t have a tool mount on the frame.

The TQ-HPR50 motor system of the 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned

Like its little sibling, the Lumen, the new SCOTT Voltage eRIDE relies on a TQ-HPR50 motor, which delivers 50 Nm of torque and 300 watts of peak power. The drive system’s compact design allows for near-seamless integration, and makes it possible to enclose the shock into the frame. The TQ-HPR50 drive draws its power from a permanently integrated 360 Wh battery, which can be complemented with an optional 160 Wh range extender. The frame features a specific mounting point for the extender, meaning that you don’t have to leave behind your water bottle on long rides. The range extender attaches to the mount via a special plate, which is also compatible with conventional bottle cages, meaning that you can carry two water bottles when riding without the extender.

The battery can be charged via an external charging port, positioned at the transition from the seat tube to the down tube, where it’s quick and easy to reach. This was developed specifically by TQ to fit into the fully packed down tube of the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE. If you’re using a range extender, you don’t have to disconnect it to charge the main battery – you can just plug the cable straight into the range extender. If you do so, the charger will fill up the main internal battery first and then top up the extender. The TQ display in the top tube shows the battery charge status, along with essential riding information. The three riding modes can be selected either via the button on the display or the handlebar remote, which provides good haptic feedback and is intuitive to use.

The spec of the 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned

We tested the 900 Tuned spec variant of the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE, which lines up right below the SL flagship model, and makes the fewest compromises in terms of downhill performance. Proof of this is the FOX 36 Factory fork, with its fancy Kashima coating and finely tunable GRIP2 damper, offering countless adjustment options and delivering a tremendous performance on the trail. The fork is paired with a FOX FLOAT X Nude shock, which offers the same excellent performance and countless adjustability options as the conventional FLOAT X model, in a more compact package.

Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM GX Transmission rear derailleur, which forgoes a mech hanger and is attached directly to the frame, ensuring a robust connection. If you hate charging batteries, you’ll be pleased to hear that the rear derailleur draws its power directly from the bike’s main battery. The drivetrain is paired with an older SRAM AXS paddle shifter rather than the new AXS pods. The shifter is attached to the brake levers with a Matchmaker clamp, which ensures a wider range of adjustment options for better cockpit ergonomics. The rear derailleur is paired with a GX cassette and matching chain, while e*thirteen supply the 175 mm e*spec Race carbon cranks (size L).

Four-piston SRAM CODE Silver Stealth brakes with big 200 mm brake rotors front and rear ensure reliable and powerful deceleration, even on long, steep descents. SCOTT’s in-house component brand Syncros supplies the dropper post, which offers 210 mm travel in frame size L but can’t be fully inserted into the frame, as well as the one-piece, 780 mm Hixon iC carbon cockpit. While the latter ensures a super clean look and perfectly suits the Voltage eRIDE’s design language, it doesn’t allow for fine tuning except for the stack height, which can be adjusted with spacers.

The 900 Tuned spec variant we tested comes standard with TyreWiz valves, which allow you to check the tire pressure directly from SRAM’s AXS app. This is a very practical feature, especially in combination with the expensive Syncros Revelstoke carbon wheelset. This is paired with a MAXXIS ASSEGAI tire at the front and DISSECTOR at the rear, both in the thin EXO+ casing. While this is still a reasonable option for light riders on flowing trails, we recommend upgrading to more robust tires with a tougher casing if you’re heavy and like to get rowdy. While you’re at it, you should replace the MaxxTerra rubber compound with the softer MaxxGrip rubber for more traction, at least at the front.

More spec variants of the 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE

The SCOTT Voltage eRIDE is available in a total of 6 spec variants, which are all based on the same carbon frame and retail between € 6,599 and € 12,999. These also include two female-specific Contessa models, which share a similar spec to the Voltage eRIDE 920 and 910.

The Voltage eRIDE 920 entry level model retails at € 6,599 and is the only model featuring a Marzocchi Z2 Air fork, which generates 150 mm of travel and is paired with a 155 mm FOX FLOAT air shock. SRAM DB8 four-piston brakes do stopping duties: these are SRAM’s entry level model and rely on olive oil and chilli flakes (aka mineral oil) instead of SRAM’s typical DOT braking fluid. However, this doesn’t affect the braking performance in any way. Shifting is taken care of by a mixed Shimano drivetrain, which combines an XT rear derailleur with some cheaper DEORE components.

Just above it sits the Voltage eRIDE 910, which costs € 7,199 and comes equipped with FOX suspension consisting of a 36 Rhythm fork and FOX Nude 6T air shock, generating 160/155 mm of travel at the front and rear, respectively. Like the Voltage eRIDE 920, it relies on a mixed drivetrain with a high-performance Shimano XT derailleur paired with cheaper DEORE components. Shimano DEORE four-piston brakes do stopping duties and deliver the same excellent braking performance as the XT model, though forgoing the tool-free lever reach adjustment.

The Voltage eRIDE 900 SL flagship model costs an insignificant € 12,999 and takes SCOTT’s lightweight concept even further. And while the spec list might look impressive on paper, it includes a few components that don’t do justice to the SCOTT’s trail potential. All of the spec variants except the 900 Tuned version we tested rely on the TwinLoc2 system, which allows you to lock out both the shock and fork without having to take your hands off the handlebars. As a result, the FOX 36 Factory fork comes with the lighter FIT4 damper rather than the superior GRIP2 model, because the latter isn’t compatible with the TwinLoc system. The FOX Nude 6T air shock forgoes a reservoir, which comes at the expense of performance. Shifting is taken care of by SRAM’s top-tier Transmission XX Eagle drivetrain, while SRAM CODE Stealth four-piston brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear provide reliable deceleration. To reduce weight and rolling resistance, SCOTT employ MAXXIS DISSECTOR tires in the puncture-prone EXO casing and harder MaxxTerra rubber compound. Like the Tuned variant, the Voltage eRIDE 900 SL rolls on a Syncros Revelstoke 1.0 carbon wheelset with TyreWiz sensors, which allow you to check your tire pressure on the fly. The flagship model comes standard with the range extender, while all other spec variants are delivered with just the mounting plate – extender sold separately.

The geometry of the 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned

The new SCOTT Voltage eRIDE is available in four sizes, S to XL, which allow you to squeeze both a water bottle and range extender into the main frame triangle. Chainstay length is 455 mm across the board and doesn’t grow with the frame size. Our test bike in size L combines a moderate 485 mm reach and rather long 450 mm seat tube, which doesn’t let you push the dropper post all the way into the frame, thus restricting freedom of movement on the bike. The head tube angle can be changed from 63.9° to 64.9° by rotating the stock headset cups by 180º, or to a 64.5° mid-setting by swapping the standard cups for the spare set included in the box.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	580 mm	600 mm	630 mm	660 mm
Seat tube	405	425mm	450 mm	480 mm
Head tube	110 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	63.9°	63.9°	63.9°	63.9°
Seat angle	77.1°	77.1°	77.1°	77.1°
Chainstay	455 mm	455 mm	455 mm	455 mm
BB Drop	27 mm	27 mm	27 mm	27 mm
Wheelbase	1,233 mm	1,253 mm	1,285 mm	1,317 mm
Reach	437 mm	457 mm	485 mm	513 mm
Stack	622 mm	622 mm	631 mm	640 mm

The 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned on the trail

But enough with the theory, let’s take it to the trails! The new SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned places you in a central pedalling position, which puts a slight pressure on your hands on level ground. As a result, you don’t have to actively weight the front wheel when the gradient rises, even on steeper, more technical climbs. That said, the long crank arms require you to time your pedal strokes carefully to avoid smashing them into obstacles. The rear suspension generates plenty of traction, making it easy to climb to the trailhead, even with the TracLoc in Open mode – even though the lever is quick and easy to reach on the handlebars. The assistance provided by the TQ-HPR50 motor is very natural but at the same time quite minimal, meaning that you won’t get that powerful shuttle feeling that is typical of full power ebikes. Instead, you’ll have to put some work in yourself – but this fits in perfectly with the sporty character of the Voltage eRIDE.

When gravity drags you back down into the valley, the Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned integrates you nicely between its wheels, making you feel at ease from the get-go. Handing is intuitive, making it easy to control the bike without having to think too much. The rather low front end prevents you from having to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking, even in flat and loose corners – the hard rubber compound on the front tire is the only limiting factor! The direct handling makes it easy to negotiate tight, twisting trails with extreme precision, with the Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned following steering input with clinical precision. If you still find it hard to swing the Voltage eRIDE around tight bends, you can rotate the headset cups to steepen up the head angle. On fast, rowdy trails, the SCOTT requires an experienced rider who can control the direct handling and react quickly to the bike’s impulses.

If the trail gods throw a few rollers at you, the firm suspension allows you to generate plenty of speed by pumping and makes it easy to pop off natural kickers without too much physical effort – you’ll have more air miles than a Lufthansa pilot. At the same time, the rear suspension provides enough support if you land a little harder than usual, or if you plough through nasty rock gardens at Mach 10.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned?

The SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned is a great choice if you’re looking for a futuristic ebike that stands out from the crowd. As a sporty light eMTB with great all-round potential, it requires significantly more effort than a full-fat eMTB, but rewards you with a natural riding experience. Overall, it’s a great option for both beginners and advanced riders, provided you don’t want to get too rowdy! That said, the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned doesn’t shy away from tough enduro trails, but rather requires an experienced hand.

Our conclusions about the 2024 SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned

The SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned 2024 stands out from the crowd with its mind-boggling level of integration and polarising look. On the trail, you hardly have to make any compromises, while clever features like the integrated SAG indicator will make your life a lot easier. Uphill, the SCOTT impresses with a natural ride feel and efficient climbing character, while on descents, the direct, intuitive handling make it easy to control. All this makes the new SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned a light eMTB with excellent all-round potential.

For more info, visit scott-sports.com

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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Mike Hunger, Daniel Geiger