SeanvR

Big mods to the rear triangle. I think the brand is evolving each year. The bike is a true stage racer with steeper head angle so might not be for everyone. Very keen to hear the 'unbiased' review like the one done on the Epic. Big ups to Bikehub.

Have a look at the new 2017 KTM range... Not sure what factory they make them in but they are amazing. In general, you will find that the higher the grade of carbon, the more difficult it is to work with so there might be a few imperfections after fairing (Not sure if this was the case from what you had seen). Areas that use high modulus carbon are tricky to lay up. Have a look at the Cervelo P5X. People were moaning about the bad finish. Unfortunately if it is for pure performance, clear coat & high mod carbon, it wont look pretty.

I knew that would come... Scott claims there are multiple benefits to the new design, including a higher initial leverage ratio improves small-bump sensitivity and offers better support while pedaling (less bobbing) in the middle of the shock stroke; a lighter top tube, since it no longer needs shock mount reinforcement; and more drivetrain stiffness, thanks to the upside-down shock orientation. The rocker-link design also freed Scott up to redesign and dramatically lighten the rear triangle. The old version had four distinct pieces with a rear axle pivot and a ton of hardware bolting it all together. The new, pivotless version has two swingarm pieces (in either carbon or aluminum) and dramatically less hardware (some of it moves to the rocker link, but there’s generally less of it, and it’s not as heavy). (http://www.bicycling.co.za/bikes-gear/bike-reviews/2017-scott-spark/) ....Throwing in a lower COG, reinforcing BB area (Hitting 2 birds with one stone here) and capacity for an extra bottle makes sense to me. It just looks a bit funny (The upside down shock) and probably a Bi@#ch to clean.

I still think that it makes no sense to still have a brain... Haha . On a serious note, from a mechanical point of view, there are simpler linkage designs to improve efficiency which is lighter overall. Scotts bold move to move from a single-pivot suspension with the shock mounted horizontally to the top tube to a rocker design made complete sense and the benifits are tangible. My theory is that spez will not suggest (or most if any spez riders) that any other rear suspension is more efficient. Spez wont change their suspension design. Having the brain clearly defines a unique technology (Regardless of its performance) that splits itself from the rest which is why people will buy it (we all want a perceived cutting edge advantage). Secondly, the servicing of the brain is also good revenue. If I were the CEO of spez, I would not change a thing purely from a sales prospective. Beyond this, Spez do make a hell of a good finished product. The carbon work is like no other. I love the new Scott but the finishing touches are not quite spez if you have a good eye. Pricing seems high but your mates with the fat bonuses will still give into it.

I'm reporting this pornographic material!

Shorts look bomb! Kudos for the price point! If they shorts were made in RSA that would be a ++ from my side...