August 22, 2005

SCOTT High Octane 2

Decline

After a long hiatus SCOTT has finally come back to the States, bringing a full range of models that have a European touch. The High Octane is available in two model variations with the High Octane 2 being equipped with a dual chainring setup intended for freeriding. Both models use the frame, one which could quite possibly be described as the world’s most adjustable downhill or freeride frame.

The 7005 double-butted frame comes with separate adjustments for head and seat angle as well as independent bottom bracket height and travel setup ranging from 180 to 240 mm. The frame accommodates 1-1/8" steerer tubes with the option of swapping the head tube inset in the head tube 180 degrees inside the CNC-machined head tube. The High Octane comes with a custom fender that can be attached to specific mounts on the down tube. The frame is equipped with Manitou’s new Metel RP rear shock with adjustable rebound and Platform Plus damping.

Up front is the Manitou Stance Kingpin, equipped with TPC+ damping, 20mm Hex Lock thru-axle, 32 mm stanchions and adjustable air assist and rebound damping.

The geometry of the High Octane can only be described as perfect, as it allows you to adjust the bike in any way that you prefer. If you can’t find a setting that feels just right for you, then you don’t prefer a very normal bike. The High Octane allows you to pin it on any trail, letting you nail corners like a wide-open Travis Pastrana. Strangely enough, the High Octane has a tendency to lose traction in the rear when you slam on the brakes hard. With the location of the main pivot and shock, hard braking causes the bike to extend in the travel making the rear end buck a bit. Once we learned of the benefits of the massive travel in the rear, we shifted our body weight further over the rear end in those situations, which helped take care of the situation.

With the pivot location being optimized for a large chainring, the single pivot design naturally causes some pedal feedback in the small chainring while pedaling over bigger obstacles. Since the medium chainring is closer to the position of the pivot, you’ll notice less influence in rough sections. When dialing in the Platform Plus setting on the Manitou Metal shock, the bike stays relatively resistant to bobing. Paired with a reasonable weight of 42 pounds, you won’t puke your guts out even on steeper climbs.

On the 240 mm travel setting the rear end feels bottomless even on the hardest of hits even though the leverage ratio is rather high. You’ll be hard-pressed to ever bottom the suspension out. To get the most balanced feel of the chassis, we ran the High Octane on the 180 mm travel setting to match the 170mm of travel up front.

The mix of Maxxis Super Tacky rubber on the front and the harder compound on the rear for less rolling resistance worked out quite well. The Minion tires hook up in corners while keeping the rolling resistance bearable.

While the Manitou Stance fork can’t keep up with the maximum travel on the rear end and is slightly over damped in its stock setup, the multiple adjustments of the frame are simply amazing. Since they are all independently adjustable, the bike will feel custom tailored, providing you with the right chassis to go big on major drops and jumps.