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A revolution in cross country bikes, we hear from Kate Courtney and her trusty mechanic, Brad on what it takes to dial in the all-new SCOTT Contessa Spark RC.
After years of development and many months of testing with our elite athletes, SCOTT introduced the completely redesigned SCOTT Spark RC. This bike moves swiftly in a new direction, redefining what a cross-country mountain bike is capable of. In this episode of Rising, we hear from Kate on switching steeds and the characteristics of her new race machine.
RIDER & MECHANIC RELATIONSHIP
One of the greatest perks of being an elite athlete is riding the world’s best bikes and the equipment developments that comes alongside. However, changes can be difficult. Every millimeter of a rider's setup is precisely calculated and micro-adjusted for the optimal fit and predictable control. Luckily for Kate Courtney, she has Brad Copeland in her corner to co-navigate the transition with ease. The feedback loop between rider and mechanic must be efficient and effective when locking down the nuances of setting up an elite-level race machine.
NEW SCHOOL TRACKS
Over the last decade, cross-country tracks have evolved to be more technical and physically demanding of both rider and bike. With race times tighter than ever, every bit of energy the bike can spare for the rider can ultimately mean the difference between winning everything or taking home nothing but experience to feed into the next bid for glory. Always ahead of the curve, the SCOTT Spark RC has been developed to not only match today’s new school tracks but also to get ahead of the sport’s increasingly technical trajectory to give riders like Kate Courtney a competitive edge.
SET UP & ADJUSTABILITY
The new SCOTT Spark RC is designed to be incredibly efficient when you put the pedals down on a punchy climb. The increase to 120mm of front and rear travel allows Kate to charge harder than ever through the rough stuff. When combined with our TwinLoc Suspension System, Kate is instantly able to select the most efficient ride mode for whatever terrain lays before her. Despite a serious step up in the bike’s capabilities on rough terrain, this bike has remained lightweight and nimble, perfect for smaller riders like Kate.
BUILDING ON THE BEST – THE NEW SCOTT SPARK RC
The all-new SCOTT Spark RC is a cross country race bike in a league of its own. Kate first jumped on the Spark in 2019, a bike that has already proven itself on the World Cup circuit time and time again, boasting multiple World Cup victories and Championship titles to its name. But we knew we could do even better. With the help of Kate Courtney’s feedback, we have continued our hunt towards developing a bike of champions, one that is more capable and fiercer than ever before. Sound like someone you know?
Video: Susie Theis
Photography: Kifcat, Michal Cerveny, Remi Fabregue, Will Nelson & Jochen Haar
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