Mountainbiking for 1000 €?
Scott Aspect 920 im Test
Scott Aspect 920 review – How much mountain bike do you get for 1000 €?
The Scott Aspect 920 in this test costs 1200 € (RRP) and is therefore in an interesting price range. Anyone who invested €1000 in a new bike could be sure in the last decades: The new bike can also cope with sporty use. Does the Scotts Aspect 920 confirm this rule of thumb even after the price increases of the Corona crisis?
Mountain biking is expensive. At least that’s the feeling creeping over you when you think about buying a new mountain bike. Five-figure price tags on the top models of the trendy manufacturers are no longer an exception. And even if the abundance of high-priced bikes makes you think this is the norm, the reality in the bike shops and on the trails is quite different. The vast majority of bikes that you actually see off-road cost less than €4,000. If you are just starting out in mountain biking or only ride trails occasionally, the price range will be much narrower. For 1000 € you can buy a current iPhone 14. You can spend that amount on a 4-day holiday in a swanky hotel on Lake Garda. But can you also start mountain biking with 1000 €?
The Scott Aspect model range – Between everyday use and trail shreddage
The price limit of €1000 is where it gets interesting. Because mountain bikes for 500 to 800 € mostly fall into the category of “lookalike” mountain bikes. In other words: they look like mountain bikes, but are not really suitable for sporty use. With steel suspension forks, somewhat clumsy gears and small braking systems, the intention is more for everyday use. A look at the Scott Aspect model family also confirms this theory. Models that are cheaper than the Aspect 950 have a cheaper frame with an externally routed brake line and make clear cutbacks in off-road capability. The question remains: Have the increased prices due to Corona and inflation also degraded the Aspect 920 for 1200 € to an everyday bike?
That’s how much sportyness is in the Scott Aspect 920
With the SR Suntour XCR 32 fork, the Aspect 920 has a weighty argument that distinguishes it from its cheaper brothers. The suspension fork in the Aspect 920 can be adjusted perfectly to your body weight via an air chamber and that is the basis for sporty off-road rides. Only when the suspension fork smoothes out the roughest impacts and controls the rebound speed (rebound damping), you start enjoying yourself at higher speeds. And with the Aspect 920 it also becomes clear that the bicycle industry has not raised prices out of pure greed in recent years. Because piece by piece, the progress developed in the expensive price classes is seeping through into the cheaper price regions. So the Aspect 920 not only rolls on large 29er wheels, but is also convincing in terms of geometry. Both are features that until a few years ago were reserved for mountain bike World Cup bikes.
Advances in geometry and the large 29er wheels are the great technical achievements of recent years. Once, these features were only reserved for the expensive top models. In the meantime, progress has also arrived in the entry-level class.
The advantages of the large 29er wheels in the Aspect 920
The large 29er wheels not only have a lower rolling resistance than the formerly common 26 inch wheels. Above all, they also have significantly better rollover behaviour. In other words: they roll over small roots or other bumps without getting stuck and slowing down the ride significantly. The geometry with a low bottom bracket and 68.5 degree flat steering angle almost mirrors the data of current top bikes like the Scott Scale RC. (Don’t worry, the riding position is less sporty, but more on that later.) The combination of geometry, big wheels, well-functioning suspension fork and fat 2.4 tyres gives you a really confident, secure ride feeling off-road.This puts the basis for riding fun on the single trails in price regions where it has not been before. So mountain bikes have not only become more expensive in recent years, they have above all become better. Thank you progress!
Is the 2×11 shifting on the Scott Aspect still up to date?
However, one point immediately catches the eye when looking at the Aspect 920. The bike still has two chainrings on the crank. The more expensive Scott Aspect 910 has the currently popular 1×12 drive. Should you still buy a high-quality bike with 2×11 gears? At this point it becomes clear that the product managers cannot draw from the full range for the RRP of €1200. Even the 1×12 Sram drivetrain on the more expensive Aspect 910 has a relatively low gear spread of 455%. This is the difference between the highest and lowest gear. On our test bike, the Scott Aspect 920, this value is significantly better at 529%. So you have both a very small gear for steep ramps and a heavy gear for fast rides on tarred or gravel roads. The disadvantage of the 2×11 drive is the somewhat more complex operation of two shift levers, which you have to manage off-road. However, you always have to live with drawbacks in this price range when it comes to shifting. Scott opts for the higher range to give the Aspect 920 the widest possible use. From our point of view, this is fine and a very good argument why you can still buy gears with 2 levers. Especially if they are as smooth to operate and shift precisely as the Shimano ensemble on the Scott Aspect 920.
Its all uphill from here – this is how the Scott Aspect 920 rides uphill
Can you really do sporty mountain biking with this mountain bike for just over €1000? We got in the saddle and tried it out. One fact comes to light relatively quickly: at 14.2 kilos including pedals, the weight is relatively high in an absolute view of the market. For comparison: the Scott Scale RC from this test weighs in at 8.9 kilos and thus demonstrates what is currently possible. Provided money is no object! (The test bike cost 14000 €). If you stay in the price range around 1000 €, the bikes of the competition weigh in at a similar amount. And of course you feel this weight. Especially during fast starts. For example, when the bike wants to accelerate out of a bend, you need strong calves. On longer climbs, the small climbing gear helps to conceal the weight well. If you pedal comfortably towards the trail head, you still have to carry the extra kilos upwards. But the Scott Aspect doesn’t limit you here. In short: it’s easy to get up the mountain. The balanced (and not too sporty) riding position ensures a comfortable feeling, even for untrained bikers. The suspension fork, which can be locked from the handlebars, makes the uphill ride particularly efficient.
Trail denier or fun machine – this is how the Scott Aspect 920 rides downhill
. The big question remains, of course, whether you can also descend the mountain with a bike like this? Unlike more expensive bikes, you still have to lower the saddle with a quick-release handle for crisp descents. Useful telescopic supports are usually only available on bikes from 1500 € upwards. If you do this, the Aspect is surprising, because the theoretical 29er effect, which we have already explained above, actually occurs. The interplay of big wheels, wide 2.4 tyres and good geometry creates a safe riding feeling. And that in turn tempts you to go to your personal limit. With every trail we completed with the bike, our confidence in the Aspect increased – and with it our speed. After more than 150 kilometres in the saddle, we know: Yes, you can still start biking in 2023 with a bike for just over €1000! Of course, in this price range you also have to accept certain compromises when going downhill. Above all, we would have liked a somewhat stronger brake system with ergonomic levers. A point of criticism that comes to light especially at a very sporty pace. Other brake pads or larger brake discs (especially at the rear) can be game changers here.
What is the difference to the more expensive Scott Scale models?
Of course you ask yourself: What do I get if I spend more? A look at the higher-quality Scott Scale models reveals this very clearly. Above all, the bikes are getting lighter. For as little as €2000, you can expect weights of around 12 kilos. This is made possible not only by the use of carbon as frame material, but also by higher-quality components. The cable routing through the headset and the design is even more stylish. The Scale also already runs thru axles at the front and rear. These not only increase the stiffness of the frame, but also make it easier to install and remove wheels in conjunction with disc brakes. If you spend more money, you get better bikes. And with a bigger budget you have more options. From 2000 € and up, you are no longer limited to a hardtail, but can also play with the idea of a fully. Here we explain the general differences between the two systems. This allows you to take on extreme downhill trails. Even a trip to the bike park is not out of the question. These are things where the limit of the Scott Aspect is definitely reached. Even if you are thinking about competing in one or two regional cross country races or marathons, it is worth digging a little deeper into your pocket beforehand.
All standards on the Scott Aspect
- Bottom bracket: Pressfit
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Rear wheel installation dimension: 100×9 mm quick-release
- Line routing:through the down tube .
- Bottle holder: Space for two bottles
