This is Swiss cross-country legend Nino Schurter’s new Scott Spark RC for 2022.
The nine-time world champion, who rides for the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing team, earned his most recent rainbow jersey in Val di Sole, Italy, in August.
Working in collaboration with Scott, Schurter’s 2022 Spark RC references all of his past world titles from 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
"Earning myself the rainbow [jersey] for the ninth time still feels like a dream," says Schurter.
"Picking my favourite one is impossible though, as each one holds many special memories. I'm really stoked that all of these titles found their way onto my new special edition Spark, so there is absolutely no need to choose a favourite at all."
Will the Swiss rider be able to achieve a 10th title this year aboard this decked-out machine? Let's take a closer look at Schurter’s bike ahead of the 2022 cross-county racing season.
A frame fit for a cross-country king
The latest version of the Scott Spark RC is easily identified by its hidden, integrated rear suspension design.
Scott acquired fellow Swiss neighbours Bold Cycles in 2019 and the move has led to the brand incorporating some of Bold's design features, most notably the internal shock layout.
The new Spark also shows just how far cross-country bikes have evolved over the past decade, combining elements of the best XC bikes with a pinch of downcountry.
Schurter’s frame is, as you'd expect, the lightest RC variant of the Spark, composed of the company's featherweight ‘HMX SL’ carbon fibre.
But the real beauty here is in the custom finish on Schurter’s bike.
The front triangle is largely raw carbon with a matt finish. This flows into a gloss black as the Scott graphic begins on the down tube, and is sustained throughout the rear triangle.
The gloss black is infused with sparkles of a rainbow fleck. The graphics are in silver, again with a rainbow-infused colour and appear to be a foil-type application.
Nods are paid to Schurter’s title wins, with details of them in lettered graphics running along the central strip of the top of the down tube.
He can also look at his name whenever he's in need of motivation, with a ‘N1NO’ graphic on the top of the top tube.
The chain suck plate is interesting in that it looks to be a raw-carbon finish as opposed to the silver, hardier affair on production models.
Perhaps this is in a bid to shave some weight, albeit just a few grams? There is also a chain guide to stop the chain from dropping off.
And specs to match…
Schurter’s Spark RC is equipped with a RockShox SID Ultimate RD3 Air fork with 120mm of travel.
Interestingly, the fork is listed as containing a Blackbox Race Day Damper 3. We know that Blackbox denotes an unreleased product in SRAM’s testing stage (RockShox is one of its subsidiary brands), so it looks as if Schurter is testing a new damper before it heads to production.
The hidden rear shock is a RockShox Nude 5 RLC3, again sporting 120mm of suspension travel. Schurter is using Scott’s TwinLoc 2 remote lockout system.
Schurter is using the Fraser IC SL WC integrated bar-stem from Scott’s in-house component brand, Syncros, with a negative 40-degree angle. The stem is 90mm in length and the handlebar is 700mm wide.
The striking integrated bar stem, in a particularly aggressive position, swallows the rear brake hose and rear-suspension TwinLoc cable.
The team mechanics are spared some sympathy, with two fewer cables to route because Schurter is using a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS groupset and RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post.
The top-flight wireless groupset includes a power meter, and the rainbow chain and cassette are selected to match the visually arresting paint scheme.
Further weight is shaved on the wireless dropper post by using titanium bolts.
SRAM's Level Ultimate brakes are Schurter's stoppers of choice on this build.
On wheel duty are the Syncros Silverton SL2s with a wide 30mm internal rim width. They are shod with Maxxis Aspen tyres, with their EXO casing in a 2.4in width.
Finally, Nino’s perch is a weight-weenie version of Syncros’ already lightweight Tofino saddle, shaving another 50g.
Nino Schurter's custom Scott Spark 900 RC full specification
- Frame: Scott Spark RC Carbon HMX SL Custom
- Fork: Rockshox SID Ultimate RD3 Air/ BlackBox Race Day Damper 3 Mode, 120mm travel, 44mm offset
- Rear shock: Rockshox Nude 5 RLC3 Trunnion
- Remote: Scott TwinLoc 2 Technology, 3 Suspension Modes
- Handlebar: Syncros Fraser IC SL WC / -40° / 90mm / 700mm
- Seatpost: Rockshox Reverb AXS 100mm, titanium bolts
- Saddle: Syncros Tofino, regular SL channel
- Grips: Syncros foam
- Pedals: HT Components M2
- Rear derailleur: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS / 12-speed
- Shifter: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS
- Chainset: SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter, 175mm/ 36t chainring
- Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle Chain
- Cassette: SRAM XG-1299 eagle/ 10-50t
- Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate
- Wheels: Syncros Silverton SL2-30mm, 29"
- Tyres: Maxxis Aspen 29x2.40-in 170tpi EXO/TR
- Bottle Cage: Topeak Shuttle Cage Carbon
- Tyre sealant: OKO Magic Milk High Fibre
