Scott Strike E Ride Review

Developed to offer a straighter or more upright riding position the Strike eRide electric bike features a tall head tube which means that you don’t need to lean forward so much to reach the handlebars. This means that you will be more comfortable on those long pedalling sections of trail. This is still a proper mountain bike though, so the difference isn’t extreme. You can still ride rough technical trails; it’s just the emphasis is skewed a little more towards easy cross-country riding rather than singletrack shredding.

There are two frame options for the Strike eRide. Most models have an aluminium alloy frame, but the top-of-the-range 900 Premium has a carbon fibre main frame combined with an alloy rear end. The geometry is identical on all models.

The battery pack is neatly integrated into the downtube while still being easy to remove for off-the-bike charging. A neat feature of the Strike is the mount for a kickstand which can bolt onto the chainstays for easy parking. There are also mounts on the frame for fitting a rear rack and mudguards.

The Strike eRide electric bike offers 140mm of suspension travel front and rear. The four-bar suspension system on the rear keeps things active even while pedalling and braking. This is the same type of system that Specialized pioneered and many other brands now use it as it’s so simple and effective.

The 940, 930 and Contessa 920 have a custom X-Fusion rear shock with Fox Float shocks through the rest of the range. Up front the forks are supplied by either RockShox, Marzocchi or Fox. The performance of the forks improves as you move through the range with more fine-tuning options combined with a slicker ride feel.

TwinLoc is a unique way of adjusting the suspension remotely that is only found on Scott bikes. This clever system uses a lever on the handlebars to adjusts the damping and spring curve on both the front and rear at the same time. With three modes to cycle through you can lock out the suspension for riding on smooth surfaces, make it firm but compliant for efficient off-road climbing and then open it up fully for those rough downhill sections.

Bosch are the main player in eMTB drive units and this fourth generation Performance CX motor takes things to the next level. Quieter and lighter than previous models, this motor offers the same maximum torque but offers more support and delivers it in a much more usable way. You can adjust the level of support that the motor offers from between 60% of your natural peddling power in ECO mode all the way up to 340% in TURBO mode.

Offering variable assistance, eMTB mode gives you maximum support when you pedal hard but reduces the amount of assistance when you ease off. This is the most usable mode as it only gives you maximum power when you need it. This makes the bike easier to ride as well as extending the battery range.

A PowerTube battery pack slots very neatly into the downtube of the bike and is easy to remove if you want to charge the battery off-the-bike instead of while it is still in place. Most of the models in the Strike eRide range feature the larger 625Wh battery pack which offers a range of up to 80Km in ECO mode. It is also possible to add a range extender battery pack that clips onto the frame and doubles your range.

Each bike in the Strike eRide range features a SRAM Eagle 12 speed drivetrain. This is a real plus point as Eagle is reliable, intuitive to use and gives you a wide range of gears for tackling all the ups and downs on your route. Shimano four-piston disc brakes with large disc rotors give you plenty of stopping power for confident speed control on even the very steepest terrain.

Scott have enhanced the comfort features of the Strike eRide by fitting ergonomic handlebar grips and saddle. Each bike also has a dropper post with a remote lever. This allows you to drop the saddle out of the way for confident descending then move it back up again for efficient climbing. The Syncros Duncan seatpost on the first couple of models is a great performer and the top models take it a step further with the smooth operating Fox Transfer post.

The 29” wheels are ideal for this type of bike. Scott chose this wheel size as they roll quickly over both rough and smooth terrain alike. The Syncros wheels feature wide 30mm rims which offer good support for wide tyres. They are also tubeless-ready which means that they are easy to convert to tubeless, so you can take advantage of this great puncture reducing technology.

It’s great to see that each bike in the range is fitted with quality rubber. The 2.6” wide Maxxis Recon tyres are fast-rolling on smooth terrain while still offering decent levels of grip on loose and bumpy off-road trails.