Scott Voltage eRide in the first test: Outstanding all-rounder for sporty e-mountain bikers

It's been a little over a year since Scott introduced their first light E-MTB, the Lumen eRIDE. Designed as a lightweight trail bike with a TQ HPR50 drive and a high level of system integration, the bike set a new record in terms of weight and is still one of the lightest representatives on the market today. Now the Swiss are introducing a second off-road lightweight: the Scott Voltage eRIDE. With more suspension travel, more robust components but the same sporty genes as the Lumen, the new addition is likely to find a lot of friends. The weight is also still good: all models are under 20 kg, the top model (according to Scott) weighs 17,6 kg.

Voltage eRIDE … or Genius eRIDE “light”?

Anyone who knows a little about Scott's portfolio might find the key data of the Voltage eRIDE quite familiar: 155 mm of travel at the rear, 160 at the front, 29 inch wheels and a sporty geometry somewhere between trail bike and enduro. All of this sounds suspiciously similar to the unmotorized Genius - and in fact, the press material also mentions that the two bikes have a lot in common.

Why did Scott choose a different name? Maybe it's because the name Voltage was already in the portfolio and could hardly be more suitable for an e-MTB. Maybe there are other plans for a future Genius eRIDE - only time will tell.

TQ HPR50: Slim, sporty drive

With the TQ HPR50, the Voltage eRIDE is powered by one of the lightest mid-motors on the market. Even though the drive with its rounded motor is often placed in a row with other light drives such as the Fazua Ride 60 or Bosch SX, it has its very own characteristics. No other motor feels so natural and remains so quiet even at high levels of assistance. The downer: When it comes to performance, the HPR50 has to clearly outpace its competitors.

The energy supply is provided by a (unfortunately) permanently installed battery with 360 Wh capacity in the down tube. Optionally, the total capacity can be increased by a further 160 Wh with the range extender. Scott put a lot of effort into assembling it: thanks to the internal shock, the frame triangle offers enough space for the range extender and a drinking bottle to fit at the same time - very nice!

In keeping with the sporty basic character of the drive, the control panel and display are minimalist and functional, but at the same time high-quality: the monochrome screen integrated in the top tube always shows the most important data in an easy-to-read manner, the small control panel with its rubberized buttons takes up hardly any space and appeals with its fixed pressure point . The drive can be customized using the TQ E-Bike app: In addition to your own settings for the support levels, this also applies to the display, for which the individual screens and their order can be set.

Striking look and elaborate rear structure

As with almost all (e-)MTBs in the portfolio, Scott also relies fully on system integration with the Voltage eRIDE. The damper is in the carbon frame, and the compact drive system with 360 Wh battery is hardly visually noticeable. This gives you an unmistakable, striking look that, although not everyone will like, definitely stands out from the crowd.

This is made possible in particular by the rear triangle: the outer linkage is connected and interlocked with a one-piece inner part, which in turn is connected to the damper via a special linkage. Sounds complicated? It is! In addition to the clean look, the damper and most bearings are also well protected from dirt and weather influences. On the other hand, maintenance is of course a bit more complex, even though Scott has attached great importance to making it as simple as possible.

A flap on the down tube gives you access to the shock, allows you to adjust the air pressure (without an extension like the Lumen eRIDE) and adjust the rebound and compression stages. Even for larger hands and thicker fingers, everything is easily accessible - at least not significantly worse than with many other e-MTBs whose shock is not in the frame. You can also loosen the damper bolt via a hole on the drive side of the seat tube in order to be able to remove it for service, for example.

Twinloc and Tracloc at the Scott Voltage eRIDE 2024

Even in 2024, a new e-MTB from Scott will of course not be missing the well-known TwinLoc system, which has proven itself over many years. You can use one (or two) levers on the handlebars to adjust your chassis and the conditions directly while driving. There are three modes: In addition to the “normal” Descend mode, the middle “Traction Control” position should be of particular interest to most drivers. Here the volume in the air chamber decreases and the pressure level is increased. The entire chassis becomes firmer, you automatically sit higher and gain more ground clearance. Ideal for longer or technical uphills. There is also a lockout that completely blocks the shock and fork - in the event of unexpected impacts, a pressure relief valve protects against damage to the components.

The Scott Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned, which is optimized for downhill riding, uses TracLoc instead of TwinLoc. Even though the lever on the handlebars is identical, there are some important differences: On the one hand, you only control the shock or rear triangle, not the fork. On the other hand, two of the three modes are different than their TwinLoc counterpart. In addition to the identical, open Descend position, there are also Ramp Control and Climb modes. Ramp Control is particularly exciting: In the special Fox Float X damper, one of two air chambers is closed, which noticeably increases progression. The spring travel remains the same, as does the response, but the counter-support becomes significantly stronger. The Climb mode, on the other hand, is similar to the Traction Control from the TwinLoc system and is used for more efficient progress and more comfortable uphills.

Sporty geometry with adjustable steering angle

The geometry of the Scott Voltage eRIDE 2024 is modern, quite progressive, but not extreme: somehow not quite a trail bike anymore, but not yet enduro. The steering angle can be quickly adjusted to your own needs using the included bearing shells. In the flat setting it is just under 64°, and there are also two bowls for 64,5° and 65°.

Scott Voltage eRIDE 2024: models, features and prices

The Scott Voltage eRIDE will be available in four basic configurations at launch. Two of these are also available as Contessa women's versions, which differ from their counterparts only in terms of frame design. All models share the drive system, frame, and battery: This means they all share the full carbon frame and, not surprisingly, the TQ HPR50 drive unit with a 360 Wh battery. The top-of-the-line model, the Voltage eRIDE 900 SL, also comes with the 160 Wh range extender included. Prices start at €6.599 for the Voltage eRIDE 920 and the Contessa Voltage eRIDE 910, with the price capping at €12.999 Euro for the SL version. The Tuned model is a bit of an exception: It features the TracLoc system instead of TwinLoc, a slightly more powerful shock absorber, and overall, significantly more downhill-oriented features.

The Scott Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned in the first test

Even before the release, we had the opportunity to extensively test the Scott Voltage eRIDE in the 900 Tuned version. Our test bike in frame size L weighed 18,8 kg, a few grams more than Scott stated - but the additional weight is still within limits and the bike is still a real lightweight for what it offers.

Consistent equipment with some special features

For the juicy almost 11.000 For the €36 you have to shell out for this luxury bike, you get a correspondingly high-quality equipment package, which also offers some exciting special features. But let's stick with the tried and tested for now: Fox Factory suspension with the 2 including Grip10.000 damping at the front and the Float X damper at the rear, which is specially adapted for the TracLoc system. Shifting is done electronically via the Sram GX Eagle transmission, which isn't entirely wireless here; for the power supply, the rear derailleur is connected to the e-bike battery via a cable. A good decision, in our opinion. It is a bit of a shame, however, that despite the over €01 cost, there wasn't enough money for the higher-quality XXNUMX transmission. The same applies to the brakes; here you get the new Code Stealth, also from Sram, but "only" in the Silver version.

However, we have absolutely nothing to complain about with the in-house Syncros wheels with 30 mm wide carbon rims and the tires installed on them. Depending on the area of ​​application, there is the Maxxis Assegai at the front and the Dissector at the rear, both in the more stable Exo+ version and 2,6 inches wide. Here we come to the first inconspicuous feature: The Scott Light E-MTB comes as standard with Quarq TyreWiz valves, which transmit the air pressure to the smartphone via Bluetooth if desired. LEDs directly on the valves also show in color whether the desired pressure is correct. Do you need that? Probably not. However, we are happy to include it as standard equipment.

The next special feature doesn't necessarily catch the eye: the new Syncros Duncan 1.5S Vario post. Great, you might think of a new vario support - but the model does have a few nice details. First of all, compliments to Scott that the stroke in the frame sizes L and XL measures a generous 210 mm - great! (M: 180mm / S: 140mm) However, if that's too much for you, the new Syncros support has the option of reducing the stroke by up to 5 mm in 25 mm increments without tools. In addition, the lever travel for operating the support is record-breakingly short.

In contrast to the other two, the third and final special feature is immediately noticeable: the Syncros Hixon iC Carbon Cockpit. What has been common practice on racing bikes for many years is still an absolute rarity on MTBs - namely a complete unit consisting of handlebars and stem made of carbon. This saves weight and looks stylish, but of course it also has disadvantages: If it doesn't work ergonomically, the effort involved in changing it is significantly higher. Not only do you need a new handlebar and stem, you also have to change the top cover of the headset so that the cables and cables can be inserted into the frame accordingly. So that this will hopefully only be necessary for a few drivers, Scott is installing two versions of the cockpit unit depending on the size.

The overall package is quite convincing, although a few cost-cutting measures, which are painful given the price, cloud the impression somewhat. However, we think it's completely okay that here and there you also kept an eye on the weight and, for example, installed a Fox 36 instead of a Fox 38 and there was no DoubleDown casing on the rear wheel.

The Scott Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned on the trail

We had the opportunity to extensively test the new Scott Voltage eRIDE on the enduro trails around Laces in Vinschgau a few days before the official release.

The bike impressed almost immediately with its enormous versatility, which we already knew and appreciated from the great “role model” Genius. From challenging, rocky enduro trails to flowing fun routes that wind endlessly along the slope: the new Light E-MTB from Scott feels at home everywhere.

At full throttle in demanding terrain, the excellent, easy-to-swallow chassis shines, but always provides enough feedback and never seems sluggish. The progressive geometry rewards an active driving style, but even less experienced pilots should find the Voltage eRIDE a suitable companion that conveys a lot of safety.

The equipment did its job excellently from A to Z. Even the Sram Code brakes, which we have occasionally criticized in the past, were always reliable and firm.

On the uphill, the TQ HPR50 showed its familiar face: after a few meters you forget you are sitting on an e-MTB. The compact motor provides such natural, whisper-quiet and reserved support. Of course, the whole truth also means that steep paths in particular demand a lot from the legs despite support. If you don't want to sweat while climbing, you probably won't be happy with the HPR50.

A really painful downside for us was the permanently installed and quite small battery. Especially in alpine terrain, you can maybe do one, maximum two runs before you have to plug in again. The range extender with 160 Wh would provide some relief, but would not completely solve the problem.