Best New Freeride Bike
Bike Magazine January 2010

The Voltage FR is a new bike designed to occupy the space between the company’s Voltage hardtail and its Gambler DH bike. It can be set up to deliver between 160 and 180 millimeters of rear-wheel travel, depending on shock-stroke length. Three chainstay-length options allow riders to further dial in fit and feel. The Voltage FR 10 shown here comes with a Fox 36 Vanilla R and a Fox DHX RC4 rear shock—combining for one buttery-smooth ride.



The Voltage FR features an ultra-low 118-mllimeter headtube with semi-integrated headset, 29.5-inch-wide bars, a low 30-inch standover height and short 16.7-inch chainstays. In this setup, it feels like a big BMX bike. It is fun and flickable over all sorts of jumps and obstacles—perfect for Whistler’s bike park.



The Voltage had no problem devouring technical terrain either. It was smooth over slow-speed drops and confident on steeper terrain, thanks to the short chainstays. The long cockpit added stability on wide-open, high-speed sections of trail. Change to the longer wheelbase setting and throw on a longer fork and the bike would be well-suited for old-shool steep-and-deep Freeride terrain.

Scott also makes two less-expensive models based on the same frame—a solid investment considering how adaptable and easy-to-upgrade the platform is. The Voltage FR series makes a great choice as a do-it-all freeride bike for anyone who wants to ride everything, but prefers to be airborne.