Combining lighter framesets with adjustable geometry, the Spark 40 is primed to take on fast and flowing singletrack.
Scotts Spark has been a racer and fast trail riders favourite for years. The all – new 2012 bikes combine tighter and lighter framesets with adjustable aggressive terrain geometry. The rear end isnt the smoothest, but gives twin remote lockout sprintability that the target market will love. The top alloy framed 40 model gives an impressively rapid and responsive ride in both 26 and 29in wheel formats.

The facts

Welcome to the future on two knobby – tyred wheels. The Scott Spark 29RC is, for the next 12 months the bike that will define the new school, trail capable crosscountry bikes.
Ready to race, ready to ride and definitely ready to rumble, the top of the line null carbon 29RC model is peppered with every worthwhile new technology, concept and idea, to give the rider every possible advantage, on any given trail.
Unlike almost all other 29er full suspension bikes that largely continue to look steep and timid – a hangover from the thought that 29ers are for lumbering technically incompetent riders – the lOOmm travel 29RC by comparison looks long, low and slammed.
Its obvious that experienced riders had a hand in the design, the 69.5 – degree head angle encourages a sit behind the bar, steer from the hip carving style of cornering. You could call it aggressive; wed opt for engaging, fun even. Traits that we want in any bike we ride.

Santa Cruzs new genre busting fun bike is a low slung, fast iingletrack gun slinger that radical riders will love.
Having translated all their existing models into lighter, stiffer carbon fibre versions Santa Cruzs designers decided to treat hemselves to the playbike they really wanted. The result is the unorthodox, orderline mental, Marmite trail missile hat theyre calling the Blur TRc.

The facts
Vhile it follows the classic Santa Cruz;
tapered head, curved tube asymmetric swingarm outline of its other carbon bikes, the TRail Carbon has no direct ancestor. Its got the same travel and 68 – degree head angle as the Nickel 125mm alloy bike. Its 0.5in lower in the bottom bracket and nearly 1kg lighter in the frame. In fact at 2.26kg for the frameset its only 0.22kg heavier than the Blur cross – country race bike. Despite its deviant intentions its the same length as the XC bikes rather than downright short like the Nomad and Santa Cruzs other nutters. Its relatively short compared to most other trail bikes, although low overall stance and standover clearance means sizing up isnt an issue.

WHICH GRDUPSET?
Im considering buying a Cube Reaction GTC Pro to replace a Cannondaie F700 that I sold. I want to upgrade the bike to a similar spec as the Cannondaie was. Should I go for a SRAM X9 set – up or stick with XT ? Dyfan Williams, Wrexham
WMB says: Wed stick with XT: theres not that much to choose between XT and X9 in terms of configurations, as both come in double and triple options you should be able to get your preferred set – up and gear ratios. However, Shimano gets the nod for overall performance and slickness of shifting – we rate XT as the best buy drivetrain available in our buyers guide.
If you go down the 2×10 route get a cassette with 11 – 36T sprockets – the 36T sprocket helps maximise climbing ability – a 34T can be too big for steep or sustained efforts but the 36T option is spot on.