Scott Ransom 900 RC first ride review

The new Scott Ransom is the Swiss brand’s 170mm-travel enduro bike, boasting the hidden-shock design seen on its Spark and Genius bikes.

However, the Ransom uses an all-new 6-bar linkage, damped by a custom-developed Fox Float X Nude EVOL shock. 

This £8,599 / $9,999 / €9,999 Ransom 900 RC tops out the model’s range, boasting a drool-worthy spec.

On the trails, the 2024 Scott Ransom feels surefooted and confident. Its super-stiff chassis provides direct handling and near-zero flex when charging through rock gardens or landing large drops.

Its speed-focused nature doesn’t reduce its playfulness, with the bike feeling easy to pop and jump down the trail.

If you’re looking for a race-focused, precise enduro bike with the latest integrated tech, the Ransom 900 RC should be on your shortlist.

Scott Ransom 900 RC frame and suspension

The high-end Ransom 900 RC and Contessa 910’s front and rear triangles are built from carbon fibre to save weight, with the RC using Scott’s HMX layup.

Running on 29in wheels, a chainstay flip chip accommodates the switch to mixed hoops.

Like the Spark and Genius, the new Ransom gets an integrated rear shock hidden within the down tube.

Moving to an integrated rear shock is claimed to improve frame stiffness, concentrating forces around the bottom bracket.

It’s also claimed to improve handling characteristics by lowering the centre of gravity and increasing maintenance intervals because the shock is protected from dirt and water.

Unlike the Spark and Genius, the Ransom uses a 6-bar suspension linkage with a concentric bottom bracket main pivot.

This design, Scott says, increases suspension kinematic tuning options, such as leverage rate, anti-squat and anti-rise.

Scott has partnered with Fox, co-developing a Float X Nude EVOL shock for the bike. It uses the brand’s TracLoc bar remote to switch between three modes; Climb, Ramp Control and Descend.

Damper adjustments are made via a door in the down tube.

The frame is compatible with other shocks, too, including Fox’s Float X2 and DHX2, and the RockShox Super Deluxe Air.

The shock is accessed via a port on the underside of the down tube, enabling riders to adjust the suspension settings as well as access the internal frame storage.

Dubbed the Syncros Matchbox IS Kit, it slides into the down tube and contains a spare tube and other trail-side repair items.

The handlebars also feature in-built trail tools, with one bar end doubling up as tubeless plug applicators and the other featuring a multi-tool.

Scott Ransom 900 RC geometry

The Ransom is available in four frame sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, with geometry befitting of a modern enduro bike.

The medium has a 458mm reach and 440mm chainstays, while the head angle is 63.8 degrees and can be adjusted by 0.6 degrees using offset headset cups.

Seat tube angles range from 77 degrees to 77.6 degrees through the sizes.

The head angle and effective seat tube angle remain the same for all sizes.

Scott Ransom 900 RC specifications

This range-topping Ransom 900 RC features a 170mm Fox Factory 38 fork and Float X Nude Factory rear shock.

Shifting is taken care of by SRAM’s X01 Eagle AXS Transmission, and is paired with SRAM’s Code Ultimate Stealth brakes. 

A Syncros Hixon iC Carbon handlebar and stem combo is fitted.

Race Face Turbine R 30 wheels are booted in Maxxis tyres, with an Assegai at the front and a Dissector on the rear.

Scott’s in-house Syncros Duncan Dropper post is bolted to a Tofini 1.5 titanium railed saddle.

I didn’t have a chance to weigh the bike, but Scott claims an approximate weight of 15.2kg for the medium size, set up tubeless without the Matchbox IS.

Scott Ransom 900 RC ride impressions

I tested the Scott Ransom 900 RC over two days in Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain on some flowy blue to rocky black enduro trails, all of which included plenty of dust and an almost cat-litter-like surface.

Setup

I set the rear suspension sag to Scott's 30 per cent recommendation, with the in-built sag meter serving its purpose well.

I adjusted the fork’s spring to Fox’s recommended 82psi for my 70kg weight and ran the compression dials fully open.

Scott Ransom 900 RC climbing performance

On the climbs, the Ransom is at the racier end of the enduro bike performance spectrum, with the frame proving responsive, especially when the Nude X shock is set to Climb mode.

It was easy to switch between modes using the bar-mounted TracLoc lever, with the remote system also making dropper-post actuation simple.

Ramp Control mode – which firms the shock up, but doesn’t lock it out – provides the best balance on technical ascents, with the extra squish (overlock) generating grip, while remaining composed under power.

The steep 77.2-degree seat tube angle created a comfortable climbing position, centring my weight over the bottom bracket. Pedal strokes were efficient and my weight was balanced on steep inclines. 

The front wheel didn’t wander on tricky sections, fending off fatigue. Supple, ground-tracking suspension helped me focus on line choice.

SRAM’s X0 Eagle AXS Transmission can feel resistant when changing gears, but its on-power shifting comes in handy when tackling steep trail features.

Scott Ransom 900 RC descending performance

Soon after dropping into the trail, the Ransom is quick to demonstrate its direct and stiff handling, and endless suspension feel.

Even when challenged with janky lines, its suspension is composed and ready to continue charging.

Its supple feel helps smooth out the trail’s imperfections without getting wallowy and it aids in finding traction with a ground-hugging nature.

Deeper into the travel, it feels almost infinite, with the Fox Nude X shock offering impressive support in the mid-stroke, helping you pump and maintain momentum on flatter trails.

It remained active under braking, helping me enter corners with plenty of speed.

The frame’s stiffness stands out on gnarly trails; it feels taught around high-compression corners and almost surgical when picking lines through bolder-infested tech.

Scott’s choice of a Maxxis Assegai and Dissector combo flattered the Ransom’s downhill ability, fending off punctures while providing plenty of grip.

It’s near-silent when riding hard-hitting trails, with only whispers from the suspension dampers and tyre noise noticeable on drops and corners.

Scott Ransom 900 RC early verdict

Scott’s Ransom 900 RC has a stiff feel, which helps you plough through rock gardens and pick technical lines.

Riders who appreciate refined accuracy will love its rewarding flat-out performance. The supple suspension means it doesn’t punish poor line choice.

While some may shun the integrated shock, the Ransom feels a step ahead of other enduro bikes I have tested thanks to its direct handling and hill-climbing prowess.