23 Scott Aspect Eride 940 Bike 286716
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2023 Scott Aspect Eride 940 Bike 286716
The SCOTT Aspect eRIDE 940 features proven electric assist technology in a comfortable off-road package. With an integrated battery, and powered by a 500wh Bosch drive system, the Aspect eRIDE will give you hours of trail riding energy. Rack and fender available.
Bosch E-MTB DISPLAY AND ASSIST SWITCH
The Purion display from Bosch offers high-tech features and is perfectly integrated into the cockpit. Whilst the screen is now integrated into the body of the remote control to save space, the information displayed is still easy to read. Two buttons on the control panel allow you to choose the level of assistance, change the information displayed and control the walk assistance function. The e-mtb mode adjusts the motor assist automatically in regards to the torque without shifting mode.
- Eco
- Tour
- Turbo: 340% pedal assist
- e-mtb: 120% to 300% pedal assist
Thanks to their range, long service life, intelligent battery management system and easy handling, Bosch Power Tube lithium-ion batteries are among the most modern on the market. All those decades of Bosch experience has paid off! PowerTube: 400Wh, 500Wh, 625Wh, 750Wh
Feel free to install a rack and the corresponding fender set. The frame has dedicated fixation points for a clean and reliable solution. Racks and fenders are available on the Accessories page of the website.
With this new E-Bike generation, the design has been pushed further than ever before. than a battery integrated into the frame, we see the bike as a system where every part must be taken into consideration. Therefore, to improve the integration, we have worked a lot on the line continuity but also on the design balance from the headtube to the dropouts. Enjoy a bike with a unique character!
In order to mount a front or rear light, we have already routed the cables in the frame, and there is no need for an extra battery the power comes straight from the drive unit battery.
Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide
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A good e-bike battery should last for hundreds of cycles. With average use, this means several years. Eventually, electric bike batteries need to be replaced as their life cycle comes to an end.
You can tell when a battery is nearing the end of its life when it does not provide you with much range. Some high-quality batteries that come on the top e-bikes such as a Bosch battery have a battery management system (BMS) integrated into the battery that actually tells you the current capacity and also how many charge cycles it has gone through.
But no matter what type of battery you have you’ll sooner or later be asking yourself the all-important question: how can I replace my e-bike battery?
Down below Electric Bike Report dives into this question and more in greater detail.
Are E-bike Batteries Interchangeable?
In general, the answer is no – you should only replace a battery with one that comes from the same manufacturer and is of exactly the same spec.
The reason is that the original e-bike or kit manufacturer has the responsibility to ensure that the battery pack, charger, and e-bike all work safely together, and using a ‘non-original’ replacement pack potentially introduces all sorts of uncontrolled risks.
It’s a little more complicated than this in some situations. For example, some Bosch batteries of different capacities are explicitly made to be interchangeable and there will be many instances where an original supplier and/or manufacturer of the e-bike cannot be traced or has gone out of business – in such cases we look at your options below.
As an important side note: you should always, if possible, use a charger that comes from the original manufacturer too. The one that comes with your battery should sync up well and not overload the battery. Pairing your battery with a different charger adds in risk of malfunction during charging.
Let’s first look at the basics of getting a replacement battery for your e-bike, then we will look at some of the major manufacturers of e-bike batteries and some of the main e-bike manufacturers to see which common battery types are still replaceable. Let’s consider the options for replacement in terms of desirability.
Where Should I Go to Get a Replacement E-Bike Battery?
On this last point it may help to note that there are a couple of manufacturing standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes. Although it’s not a legal requirement, it may be that one of the standards is actually marked on the battery itself.
The standards are BS EN 50604‑1 and UN38.3, the latter required for lithium-ion battery transport by air, sea or land. Just because these standards are not marked on a battery doesn’t mean it does not comply with them – but it is a reassuring sign if a battery does bear one or both of these marks.
Note that using a replacement battery that does not come from the original manufacturer (whether a dealer is involved or not) may void the warranty of your electric bike or kit. Check with the e-bike or kit company to understand what their policy is regarding the use of aftermarket replacement batteries.
Replacement Batteries from Original Manufacturers
Bosch E-Bike Batteries
Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.
There have been four basic designs made by Bosch over the years (good online overview here):
- Rack mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions which are all interchangeable with each other.
- Down tube mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions, current versions of which are all interchangeable with each other.
- Frame integrated batteries: PowerTubes in 400, 500, and 625Wh versions, with the 400 and 500 units being interchangeable with each other. The 625Wh may be retrofittable but it needs a compatible frame with a big enough space to house it (400 and 500 units are the same physical dimensions but 625 is bigger). 500 and 625 Wh units are used on the Dual Battery system to give a capacity up to 1250Wh.
- Frame Integrated ‘Smart’ Option batteries: This is a new 750Wh option for 2022 and will be only compatible with 2022 e-bikes that feature the Bosch ‘Smart’ system and will not be compatible with other Bosch e-bikes that are ‘non-Smart’. Similarly, other types of PowerTube batteries (400, 500, and 625Wh versions) will not be compatible with e-bikes featuring Bosch’s ‘Smart’ system.
Some third-party batteries compatible with Bosch systems are available as detailed in the section below.
There are some suppliers of batteries that will fit older models, in some cases dating back to 2011 when the Bosch e-bikes first entered the market, for example, The Holland Bike Shop in Europe sells some batteries compatible with much older Bosch-powered models.
Shimano E-Bike Batteries
Shimano produces its own brand batteries for use on their systems, but you may also find new e-bikes powered by Shimano motor systems with batteries manufactured by their licensed partners Darfon and SMP. These third party batteries are not interchangeable with any Shimano batteries.
Shimano’s current range includes rack-mounted, downtube-mounted and frame-integrated batteries from 418Wh to 630Wh. You can see a brief overview with detailed links to each battery on offer here.
It’s important to note that each battery model has a limited number of specific battery mounts it will work with, so it is important to replace an old battery with one that is compatible with the mount on your e-bike. You can check out detailed compatibility info here and here.
Shimano says that ‘the oldest current battery we have is the BT-E6000 and the corresponding battery mount BM-E6000. These are compatible with all five of our current drive units (DU-EP8/E8000/E7000/E6100/E5000), but not earlier systems. For reference, DU-E8000 is the oldest in that list – it was introduced in 2016.’
Brose E-Bike Batteries
The only battery listed on Brose’s own website is a 630Wh frame-integrated option.
However, Brose systems are widely used by other manufacturers who also spec own-brand or third-party batteries. These include the likes of the widely respected battery manufacturer BMZ and well-known brands like Scott and BULLS.
For example, Specialized’s ‘full power’ range use Brose-based mid drives and a range of their own brand frame-integrated batteries. Although information on interchangeability is scarce, a Specialized FAQ page, in response to the question ‘Can I increase range by using the 604Wh aftermarket battery in any Turbo Vado/Como?’ says yes, all Vado batteries are cross-compatible as long as you are running the latest firmware (by implication so are Como and Turbo full power batteries are cross-compatible too).
The above appears only to address compatibility on current Specialized models and battery availability for older models appears a bit more complex with lots of debate online over the matter.
The fact that the latest Specialized e-bike batteries contain a Bluetooth chip to communicate with the latest Mission Control App certainly suggest both backward compatibility and availability of third party batteries will be very limited. Current e-bike batteries available from Specialized can be found here.
Yamaha E-Bike Batteries
Yamaha has integrated, rack-mounted and frame-mounted options ranging between 400Wh and 600Wh but information on backward compatibility is rather hard to find. Their systems appear on Haibike models and in the US on their own brand models too.
Giant use Yamaha motor systems but apparently have their own brand of battery – the EnergyPak range. The standard EnergyPak comes in rack-mounted and frame-integrated options whilst the Smart Compact variant allows for faster charging.
Finally, there is the Giant EnergyPak Plus, for use with the Smart Compact – a range extender style battery that fits onto the frame and effectively increases the capacity of the main Plus battery.
Giant’s Service web page states that there are EnergyPaks with 300, 360, 400, 500 and 625Wh capacities and also states ‘Giant EnergyPaks are interchangeable’.
Fazua E-Bike Batteries
This lightweight German-made system uses a frame-integrated 250Wh design and there have been two types of battery, Battery 250 and Battery 250X, the latter having the ability to be switched on and off remotely.
The latest Fazua Evation 250X battery is compatible with all Fazua electric bikes from 2019-22.
GRIN and Cytronex E-bike Kit Batteries
Canada’s GRIN is a true expert in producing a wide variety of e-bike kits. Whilst they do several designs of batteries, one of their best options from a replaceability point of view is their own brand LiGo batteries.
LiGo batteries are very unusual in being modular so that you can easily connect together as many as you like to increase or decrease battery capacity at will. They are particularly suitable for lightweight and folding bikes (I use them on a GRIN Brompton kit) and also for those who want to air travel with e-bikes as the individual battery units are only 98Wh and so are generally allowed on passenger aircraft (disconnect them from each other for travel and reconnect them on landing to make a useful e-bike battery).
The design has been around for several years and is backward compatible.
The UK’s Cytronex produces both European and US spec lightweight kits which use a unique own-design of ‘bottle battery’.
Cytronex says all their lithium bottles are compatible forwards and backward from the first version in 2017. They have different firmware for the new Bluetooth variant but both this and the non-Bluetooth version allow you to use the new 2-way – 5 level Boost Button or the previous one-way 3 level button.
In fact, if you have old and new kits on two bikes you can switch the bottle between both and it will recognize the two different button types automatically.
E-bike Manufacturers Own Brand Batteries
There are hundreds of e-bike manufacturers in the more budget space so it’s way beyond the scope of this guide to cover the options for each one; rather we’ll take a look at a couple of the market leaders.
Rad Power Bikes E-Bike Batteries
Rad Power Bikes first started producing e-bikes for the North American market in 2015 and now claims to be the US market leader. Their website lists several replacement batteries and their current lineup of bikes uses one of two battery designs.
There is the External Battery Pack (with the option for the smaller pack specific to the RadMission) which is compatible with all 2018 and newer model ebikes except the RadRover 6 Plus and RadCity 5 Plus, which use the Semi-Integrated Battery Pack.
Rad Power Bikes does offer legacy options for bikes older than that 2018 ‘cutoff’ and although some of these legacy batteries are currently out of stock Rad says they have plans to restock them.
The battery packs are consistent across their main sales areas of Canada, US and Europe.
The Rad Power website has a great filter system so you can track down the compatibility of what batteries are in stock against all current and previous models, right back to the original 2015 RadRover. All e-bike manufacturers’ websites should provide this service!
Pedego E-Bike Batteries
A longstanding US manufacturer with a clear set of battery specs for current models here. However, there doesn’t appear to be any info about legacy batteries or backward compatibility.
Interestingly, and it seems uniquely amongst the mainstream manufacturers, Pedego have recently introduced a serviceable battery (pictured above) – designed to be easily maintained at the local Pedego store. It features a rear light, brake light and indicators to boot.
Batteries for Out-Dated Motor Systems
There are a number of older motor and battery systems that are either not used or little used these days but there are still some suppliers out there who may be able to help out and if you are in this position a bit of internet research might just turn something up. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
BionX E-Bike Batteries
BionX operated between 1998 and 2018 and were once one of the leading e-bike system manufacturers in North America, with the likes of Trek and Kalkhoff using their systems.
There are still limited stocks of spare parts available here and there, including batteries, for example on this Ohm webpage.
Heinzmann E-Bike Batteries
German company Heinzmann had a great reputation for quality and produced the now obsolete Classic system and the newer Direct Power system. At various times both were available as kits or fitted to off-the-peg e-bikes.
In the UK Electric Vehicle Solutions are the main stockist of complete Direct Power kits and of spare parts for the Classic system.
What About Non-removable Frame Integrated Batteries?
A relatively small number of e-bike batteries are incorporated into the frame and not designed to be removed by the rider – they must be charged on the bike. Whilst perhaps inconvenient for some, the system has the benefit of a sleeker and simpler design and keeps the battery cells well-protected.
The Ebikemotion X35 system is one example of the most common lightweight systems out there to feature a frame-enclosed battery.
When it comes to replacing these batteries, to be clear, our official advice is that this is a job for the dealer, or expert shops to do only.
DIY in this area can get tricky in a hurry. Looking into service options to replace batteries in an integrated system is something to consider before purchasing the bike.
Third-Party Replacement E-Bike Batteries
For some older batteries – or even some current ones – there may be manufacturers other than the so-called OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) who made the original batteries. These third-party companies are not recognized by the original e-bike manufacturers so if possible it is always best to go back to your dealer or the manufacturer directly to source an original battery.
However, third-party batteries may be a solution where no original batteries appear to be available.
There are a growing number of companies that provide third-party batteries and here we take a look at a couple of the bigger operations.
Please note that on e-bikes that are still in their warranty period, replacing the battery with one from a third-party manufacturer will most likely void the warranty.
FTH Power has a good amount of experience in the electronics business and has diagnostics and assembly capabilities. They look to have good stocks of popular far eastern battery brands such as Reention (used by the likes of Juiced and Surface 604) and Hailong. They also have this handy battery/model finder to see if they have batteries for your particular model of e-bike.
Third-party battery provision (and recelling services) appear to be bigger business in mainland northern Europe than in the U.S. It makes sense, this is where e-bikes have been around much longer and where the average value of e-bikes is higher. The need to keep older bikes going longer is greater. For example, Heskon is a major supplier of replacement batteries to dealers and Fiets Accu Revisie is the part of Heskon that sells direct to customers.
The UK’s Electric Transport Shop network offers battery diagnosis (refundable against a replacement battery or recell if required). The ETS says they also have stocks of Battery Management System chips that can be used on certain packs, usually on older e-bikes.
The ETS also says ‘There are so many shapes of e-bike batteries now that we cannot guarantee that we have cell packs to fit them all and it is usually cheaper to buy a factory-built replacement than to hand-build a replacement pack in the UK so we usually recommend buying a battery from the original supplier if the diagnosis proves that’s what is needed. If their supplier is no longer available to supply a replacement pack in this instance we will help people find a suitable replacement or as a last resort we will offer to wire in an alternative pack which may be in a different position on the bike.’
What Should I Do With My Old E-bike Battery?
If at all possible the ideal solution is to take it back to the dealer you bought it from who will send it on for recycling.
In the US the industry is in the midst of setting up its own recycling scheme. It was organized by People for Bikes and will be directly coordinated under the auspices of Call2Recycle. There will be a network of battery drop-off locations from the nation’s roughly 3,000 independent bike shops. Manufacturers and retailers can sign up here.
The batteries will be sent on to ‘processing partners’, four of which are domestic and two of which are foreign—one in South Korea and one in Belgium.
The consortium brands are funding the recycling service, which will be free to riders; of course, consumers will still have to pay for replacement batteries. There are also plans for a consumer-direct mail-in recycling option in the summer – EBR will keep you posted on its development.
There are already such ready-made recycling networks in mainland Europe and the UK is just beginning to establish such a network.
This guide to replacement electric bike batteries hopefully covered the basics of what is out there for you. It’s certainly just the tip of the iceberg though. If there is anything else that wasn’t covered here, let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below and we’ll update this guide with the info our readers are looking for!
Scott E-Sub Tour electric bike review
Overall, the Scott E-Sub Tour electric bike is a good bike, and it is nice to ride on it. The BOSH system, even though not as good as the Shimano STEPS, is a plus of this bike. However, both the frame lenghts could be too long for somebody (and not 100 per cent comfortable) and few other specification keep the Scott a little lower than the other electric bikes we tested.
- – System doesn’t work well when start on big gears
- – No quick-adjustable saddle
- – Mud guards and racks are fragile
- –
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Unfortunately I didn’t have a smooth start with the Scott E-Sub Tour electric bike. As the rear mudguard stays were bent, the fender was completely stuck on the wheel and made it impossible to ride it. This things can happen of course (particularly after a long delivery) but the quality of the the mudguard mount certainly left a little bit to be desired. over, it took a bit of work to put it back in place and get the bike out for a ride
Frame
The Scott E-Sub Tour electric bike is a commuter (or as the name suggests, a touring bike). It comes in three different frames and shapes: a men’s version, a women’s one and also a unisex one. This is definitely a plus, as it shows Scott attention to both genders and the will to offer a complete product available for everyone. Not all brands can claim that for their best electric bikes.
The frame of this bike is in aluminum (E-SUB 6061 Alloy) and it features a rather long top tube despite its non-straight shape (57.7 cm on size M). I personally found it a little bit too long for my liking (although I do have long legs and a short torso. The seat tube angle, at the same time, is quite relaxed (66°), meaning that the saddle is quite far back from the handlebars. Great for touring, but in this case it is a little bit too much particularly because combined with the long top tube spec.
Consequently, my feelings when riding were mixed: good because of the up-right position (which it reminded me a bit of another bike we tested, the Juicy Roller), but also not super comfortable because I felt a little bit too stretched in the front. It is a personal feeling, though, and the best is always to test it yourself and decide. If you’re buying it through Rutland Cycling (who provided this bike for test), you can test for 30 days and return it if you’re not satisfied with it.
Both the battery and the motor (part of Bosch Active 250w System) are placed in the centre of the frame. This is very helpful when you lift and move the bike around (which it weights 24kg/53lb), and because it keeps all the weight and forces concentrated in the middle of the bike, which is good for handling.
Specification
In terms of specification there is always a lot to say about electric bikes, as they are generally really great and advanced piece of engineering. The main feature that this electric bike can claim is the full Bosch Active system, which is specifically designed for touring and commuters. It weights overall 4 kg and also features a rear derailleur (Shimano Deore RD-T610-SGS 10-Speed) that completes an already great specification.
The battery (a 400wH Li-on battery) is placed on the down tube, while the motor. which according to the UK and EU law cannot overpass the 250W of power while assisting pedalling. is placed within the bottom bracket area along with the torque sensor. The latter gives energy according to your pedal stroke force: the harder to pedal, the more energy it releases.
Watch: what’s it like to ride an electric bike?
The drive system features five different level of assistance (Eco, Tour, Sport and Turbo) and could also be driven just with the gears and without electric support at all (although this does make the ride much less fun). After testing, I can definitely say that the Bosch’s battery pack is the best on the market, both in terms of range and efficiency.
The Scott E-Sub Tour electric bike also has a very comfortable suspension fork, Shimano Deore shifters on the left of the bar, Continental Cruise Contact tyres on Rodi aluminium rims and a front and a rear lights both controlled by a button on the LCD screen. Both Shimano BR-M315 Disc wheels come with quick release screwers (not always a given on electric bike).
Ride
As the first impressions on the Scott E-Sub Tour were conflicting because of the geometry, so were my overall impressions after longer rides. The main issue I have experienced on the Bosch system is that if you start in a big gear at the back, it does not provide enough assistance. I felt this both when I was on the Eco mode and the more powerful ones. However, as soon as I dropped the gears down few notches on the back, the start was smooth and powerful as it is supposed to be.
When you reach cruising speed the ride become pleasant again and if you can find your perfect position in the saddle, you can actually have great fun with this bike. Just remember to switch down the gears if you slow down and have to start again. The up-right position reminded me both the Juicy Roller and the Volt Infinity One. However, the feeling of assistance you can get on the Scott (even if still at the maximum of the law’s indication) won’t match other models.
Watch: what’s it really like to ride a motorised bike?
At the same time, once you get used to this bike, and to the combination of gears and power assistance, the feeling in the saddle seems almost like on a light moped, as being able to switch the gears at the right time can really gives you the best of the Scott E-Sub can offer. Uphills, though, there will always be a limitation on the number of pedal strokes you will be able to maintain in order to get assistance from the system, that is 100rpm if you’re on Turbo, Sport and Tour modes, and 90rpm in Eco.
Also impressive are the quick release disc brake wheels, the great quality suspension that make the ride on unpaved road even more comfortable, and the simple-to-use screen, front computer. If other bikes are held back by this, the Bosch is a very well performing machine and so is its battery. The latter showed a greater range (probably because the system consumes less) and its charge level not as prone to fluctuating as other systems but actually quite steady and precise.
Value
Electric bikes are not cheap and they will generally cost more than road bikes because of their complexed and advanced specification. That said, for these manufacturers offer quite a lot of features and if you purchase locally from a good retailer, you can also get a good customer service.
The Scott E-Sub Tour electric bike costs £2,199 and it is in line with the market and the other models of the same category. Cheaper than the Volt 1 Infinity that features a Shimano Steps drive system, but more expensive than the great value-for-money the manufacturer Juicy has achieved with its Roller.
If you look at the specifications (particularly to the Bosch drive system), this price is definitely understandable. But if you look at how it works, its performances compared to the other ones, it is probably a bit less convenient always compared to other products out there. The Scott line of electric bikes, though, is still not limited to this model and it offers both cheaper and more expensive, powerful models.
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Does Scott’s new super sleek and super Smart long travel land yacht ride as good as it looks?
BikePerfect Verdict
Outstanding fully integrated design with seriously stiff and efficient, hardcore long haul character at a great price. Not for plush play fans though.
Pros
- Amazing integrated design
- Well balanced geometry
- Seriously stiff
- Great value
- Triple mode suspension
Cons
- – Suspension feels like it’s working hard
- – Scott’s Genius and Patron Carbon are much lighter
- – Potential stem/headset complications
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Last year Scott unveiled its striking new hidden shock aesthetic with the Scott Spark, but now the new Patron eMTB takes integration to a whole new level. We have previously had a go on the top of the range carbon Scott Patron E-Ride 900 Tuned, but now we have the alloy 910 for a test. It’s a properly unstoppable, long-distance trail machine for any terrain, and considering all the smarts, it’s impressive value too. Not the smoothest and most subtle in feel, though.
Read on for a full breakdown of how it performs, and whether it’s got the pedigree to compete against the best electric mountain bikes.
Design and aesthetics
It’s been said before: the new Patron looks more like a concept bike render than a real bike, but having ridden it, it’s impressively practical as well as sci-fi super yacht-slick. This starts with a monster 1.8in steerer compatible head tube and is topped with a stem that sucks the many, many cables down inside the headset. There’s even a power take-off cable coming in the other direction that you can use for a front light.
The big top ‘tube’ slopes down steeply towards the extended seat mast triangle and then kinks down again to just above the motor mount section. The really clever bit is the way it swells in the center to completely hide the Fox shock inside the ‘tube’, with a twist-lock plastic cover completely hiding it from the elements. Like the bikes from Swiss company Bold Cycles (who Scott bought a couple of years ago), the shock connects to the short external linkages by a bell crank rotating on big sealed bearings.
Sitting the shock up here not only looks slick but it leaves the massive downtube and bottom corner of the bike completely clear with plenty of space for a conventional bottle mount. Rather than hanging the Bosch motor underneath the frame, Scott cradles it from underneath and rotates it upwards. That makes it possible to position the bottom of the big 750Wh battery down the front of the motor to lower the center of gravity. It allows relatively simple slide-out removal/refit via a removable hatch at the base, although you will need to lift the big beast up to get enough clearance underneath.
The smarts aren’t done yet either. Super deep rectangular chainstays pivot ahead of the 3D-formed dropouts to create a true four-bar linkage with 160mm of travel. As hardcore as that sounds it’s the hidden kickstand mount on the offside and the short rear wheel fender with built-in main battery-powered LEDs on each side that will appeal as much to many potential Patron purchasers.
Dismounting and on-bike movement is helped by a lower standover height and shorter seat tube compared to the previous (and still available) 160/150mm Genius. Otherwise, dimensions are a mix between the high and low settings of its geometry adjustable predecessor. The 446mm reach is basically the same as the Genius in high setting, but otherwise, BB drop (-30mm), BB height 347mm, and 65-degree head angle mimic the Genius in low. Reach on the L and XL models is noticeably longer though and the 76.9-degree seat angle is significantly steeper too.
All that alloy perhaps inevitably makes the frame heavy though, and the carbon mainframe, slightly better spec (particularly the Fox 38 Performance Elite fork) Patron eRide 900 is nearly 2kg lighter for ‘only’ £900 more. It’s also worth noting that the 625wh battery, semi carbon, ‘exposed shock’ £5,699 Genius eRide 910 is 3kg lighter, even with a heavier, lower grade spec.
Specifications
The Patron eRide 910 spec is literally pretty strong though. The Fox 38 fork uses an oversized 1.8in steerer and the rear shock has a long 60mm stroke considering its 200mm length, which helps keep load and leverage low. Fork and shock are linked together with Scott’s unique TwinLoc system. This has a ‘Trail’ setting that puts the fork into a firmer compression mode and firms up the shock while dropping rear travel to 115mm, as well as a full lock mode for smooth sections.
The Syncros (Scott’s own brand) rims have 32 spokes front and rear to share the work too although they’re pinned rather than welded which isn’t the strongest construction method. The Formula rear hub is bike specific too.
Shimano XT gearing, shifter, and the super reliable SLX 4-pot brakes are a definite win too and you get a 34T chainring to add some extra top-end speed to the relatively fast-rolling Maxxis Dissector tires. They aren’t as aggressively grippy as Minions though and both are Exo carcass, not DD reinforced at the rear. You have to remember that Scott also has the 180mm travel Ransom eRide option for properly hardcore riders though so a slightly more softcore/trail spec is forgivable. The fact it still uses that same tire on the Ransom is less so, but anyway.
Back to the Patron, the medium gets a reasonable length 50mm stem (L and XL get 60mm) but those two lengths are the only ones available so if you want to go shorter managing that integrated cabling is going to get really complicated. The seat mast design also means you’re slightly limited in seatpost stroke with the medium getting a 150mm drop. We were surprised how easy the very busy triple lever cluster below the left-hand bar was to navigate and operate straight away though so respect for whoever sorted the ergonomics on that.
The new Bosch Smart System multi-button remote and high definition, multi-mode Kiox 3 head unit make controlling, viewing, and tuning the motor, battery, and ride data metrics really easy too. Considering how clever and complicated the frame is, it’s very well priced as well.
Performance
While the obvious gains of enclosing the shock and battery inside oversized frame sections are aesthetic, they also add a lot of stiffness compared to thinner pipes, especially the open ‘tubes’ used on most removable battery bikes. The shock driving bell crank linkage is apparently 45 percent stiffer than the setup on the Genius eRide and the 1.8in fork, monster head tube and boxy seat mast all add rigidity too. Add the 26.4kg weight and it’s no surprise that the Patron feels like a proper anvil in terms of on-trail presence and rock-solid precision.
The FIT damper in the fork in the long stroke, inline shock is also initially stiffer in feel than a GRIP damper 38 or a higher leveraged shock with a supplementary piggyback damper. The FIT damper is essential for the TwinLoc system too and there’s no space for a piggyback shock with the cover in place. The four-bar suspension setup is also tuned to pedal efficiently even before you engage the shorter/stiffer shock mode. The mid-length stem and 65-degree head angle mean the steering is stable and balanced rather than tweaky and steezy.
That creates a very tight and efficient feel to the Patron even when running fully open. Add the faster rolling, high volume 29er Dissector tires, and extra charge capacity to make the most of the powerful assistance from the Bosch motor means the Patron loved romping across the open fells of the Lake District. Precise rather than sucked down feel, dropped battery and deliberately centralized weight dynamic of Scott’s design means it still feels pretty agile in terms of switching lines or popping the front wheel off surprise drops.
The forward rider position from the steep seat angle syncs with the balanced stem length and head angle to stop the wander and wobble that can trip up fully gravity optimized bikes on really vert climbs. Add accurate rear tire feedback, the option to stiffen the kick, raise the BB for pedal clearance, and push the nose down slightly with the ‘Trail’ lever even for just a few meters at a time, and the Patron is an impressively sporting and tenacious climber considering its high weight. The big 2.6in tires and the wise decision to keep with slimmer 31.8mm bars and fit a particularly comfortable saddle keep it comfortable in terms of vibration and rattle too so you won’t be numb in your palms or nethers before you run out of battery range.
Despite looking like a tank from the future, the stiffness and fork choices do impact its outright descending ability. It still thunders down sight unseen singletrack, twisting narrow ruts and loose rocky run-outs with precise and surefooted confidence and certainly never gave us any nervous moments on our Lakes demo ride. It definitely doesn’t feel as plush, sucked down, and ready to really push on as other e-MTBs we’ve tested with similar travel though, and ultimately felt more like a 140/150mm travel bike when things got really rowdy. The hidden shock and side arrow sag indicator make accurate suspension setup more awkward too.
Verdict
Scott’s Patron looks amazing and apart from the internal routing which makes headset maintenance and stem swaps a pain, it’s impressively practical too. Sleek looks are matched by an equally tight, efficient, and well-balanced ride feel and very comprehensive Smart System electronics. The bigger battery, multi-mode suspension efficiency, and a well-judged spec make the Patron a stand-out big capability, long haul trail bike.
It’s well priced for such a complicated bike too and we’ve scored it very high accordingly. If you could potentially stretch your purse it’s hard to ignore the better spec and much lower weight of the carbon mainframe Patron eRide 900 though. Plus if you want a plusher, more playful machine that feels like it’s got more travel rather than less, the Patron family isn’t for you either.
The new 2023 SCOTT Solace (Gravel) eRIDE – A gravel ebike with soul?
With the Solace eRIDE and the Solace Gravel eRIDE, SCOTT present two drop bar ebikes based on the same frame and a TQ motor. The e-system is so discreet that nobody will realise you’re “cheating” until you’ve passed them on the climbs. We’ll tell you who the bikes are for and whether the new Solace can bring the cheer it promises.
The big multisport brand SCOTT have plenty of expertise when it comes to ebikes. It’s predominantly the eMTBs of the Swiss brand that are on the rise, including the super light SCOTT Lumen eRIDE that was introduced by our sister magazine E-MOUNTAINBIKE. That said, SCOTT have already added an electric option to their drop bar portfolio, too, with the SCOTT Addict eRIDE. While the Addict eRIDE relies on a hub motor from MAHLE, the all-new SCOTT Solace models feature a mid-mounted motor supplied by German brand TQ. From our experience, mid-mounted motors have less of an impact on the handling compared to a hub motor, which increases the rear wheel’s rotating mass. Both systems fare well in terms of how well they’re hidden: the MAHLE hub motor is barely visible behind the cassette and the mid-mounted TQ motor is inconspicuously integrated into the bottom bracket.
SCOTT even opt against the use of a handlebar remote on the Solace in favour of cleaner integration. As such, the TQ system can only be operated via a button on the display in the top tube: double click to switch between the support modes, and a single click to turn the system on and off.
We tested whether the SCOTT Solace Gravel eRIDE can only perform on rough paths or whether it’s a viable option as an everyday commuter, highlighting who this new e-gravel bike and the all-road alternative are for.
The SCOTT Solace eRIDE in detail – An all-rounder in disguise?
The new SCOTT Solace eRIDE is available in a gravel and an all-road configuration, relying on a beautifully finished carbon frame and fork made with SCOTTs high-end HMX fibres, which promise to make for a somewhat lighter layup than the HMF fibres. The frame can accommodate two water bottles in the front triangle, and it has two mounting points on the top tube for a frame bag, allowing you to carry all your essentials on the bike, and thanks to the wide and flared drop bar, you also have the option of attaching a large bar bag for multi-day rides. Unfortunately, the thin chainstay protector on the gravel variant couldn’t keep the chain entirely quiet. The cockpit is nice and tidy with all cables routed internally throughout. Further underlining this is the lack of a remote on the handlebar, which also makes for fewer distractions while you ride. It’s only upon closer inspection that you’ll spot the motor hidden in the bottom bracket and discover that this is in fact an ebike. You’ll find two mounting points on the bottom of the handlebar/stem combination to attach a mount for your bike computer, or a dual-sided option for a bike computer and a headlight (powered by the on-board battery), which is great for commuters.
The speed sensor for the motor has been integrated into the frame to such an extent that it’s basically invisible, with its counterpart hidden in the axle. All models come equipped with an equally discreet mount for a kickstand on the bottom of the left chainstay. Combined with the mudguard mounts, the otherwise very sporty bike can be turned into a practical everyday vehicle. You can get a matching kickstand and mudguards from Syncros.
The motor integration on the 2023 SCOTT Solace eRIDE
Based near Munich, Germany, tech company TQ have been mixing up the ebike market since the start of this year. The TQ HPR 50 showed great potential from the moment it hit the market and immediately garnered interest from the bike industry, in particular with regard to light eMTBs. In the drop bar segment, the HPR 50 has, until now, been reserved for the TREK Domane and the BMC Roadmachine 01 AMP X. Thanks to its patented Harmonic Pin Ring technology, the TQ HPR 50 can combine the transmission and motor into one compact unit, doing away with the traditional cogs and planetary gears of classic transmissions. As a result, the unit is quieter and more efficient since it has fewer cogs, thereby reducing both friction and noise. Its 50 Nm nominal output doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough to provide the rider with a decent amount of support.
The motor gets powered by a 360 Wh battery, which you can extend by another 160 Wh with the external Range Extender. On the 2023 SCOTT Solace eRIDE, the Range Extender gets attached to the down tube in place of the water bottle, using a clip mechanism that was developed in house. You can easily switch between the water bottle and the Range Extender by simply clipping in whichever option the tour calls for.
The bracket on the Range Extender is compact and bombproof. With the Range Extender plugged in, the display indicates a total battery capacity of 150 %. The discharge sequence is set so that the Range Extender always gets drained first, followed by the internal battery. When the Range Extender nears the end of its charge, the SCOTT Solace doesn’t stop. Instead, the motor keeps assisting without flinching as its power source transitions seamlessly from the auxiliary to the main battery. You can charge the bike with the Range Extender plugged in. In that case, the discharging sequence is reversed, first charging the internal battery and then the auxiliary. The 160 Wh TQ Range Extender weighs 900 g.
In the e-road bike market, the TQ HPR 50 faces its biggest competition from hub motors made by brands such as MAHLE. There’s the MAHLE X20 in the BMC Roadmachine AMP ONE, for example. Hub motors are more widely spread in the road segment than on gravel bikes. In general, however, the selection of electric drop bar bikes on the market is rather limited.
Road and gravel – The different model variants of the SCOTT Solace
The all-road and gravel variants of the bike are based on the same frame and fork combination as well as the same wheels. Theoretically, that means you could fit 50 mm wide gravel tires to the all-road version and head off-road. The only differences are the handlebar and groupset.
There are two different models of the 2023 SCOTT Solace eRIDE all-road variant available: the flagship Solace eRIDE 10 and the more affordable Solace eRIDE 20. Both come equipped with a Shimano groupset and extra wide 38C Pro ONE EVO tires from Schwalbe. With clearances for up to 50 mm tires, skinnier tires would look somewhat lost in the frame.
SCOTT Solace eRIDE 10 20 – The components of the e-all-roaders
The top-end SCOTT Solace eRIDE 10 features Shimano’s DURA-ACE Di2 groupset and high-end Zipp 303 wheels. For € 11,999, the Range Extender comes as standard on this model. As is, the bike tips the scales at 11.75 kg, excluding the Range Extender. The second all-road model, the SCOTT Solace eRIDE 20, also relies on electronic shifting thanks to the Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 groupset and, together with the Syncros Capital wheels, it will set you back by € 7,999. According to the manufacturer, it weighs 12.45 kg.
SCOTT Solace Gravel eRIDE 10, 20, 30 CONTESSA – The spec of the e-gravel machine
There are four models of the SCOTT Solace e-gravel bike available. All of them come with a SRAM groupset and super wide 50 mm Schwalbe G-ONE Overland tires. The SCOTT Solace Gravel eRIDE 10 is the top of the line and, like the premium all-road model, it rolls on Zipp 303 wheels and comes with the Range Extender as standard. SRAM’s Force XPLR AXS groupset takes care of the gears. Despite the 1×12 gearing, it offers a decent gear range. In this guise, the size M bike weighs 12.6 kg. The SCOTT Solace Gravel eRIDE 20 features the SRAM Rival AXS groupset. In this case, the lower-end electric model in the SRAM portfolio also relies on a 1x setup, as is typical for gravel bikes. The Solace Gravel eRIDE 20 is priced at €7,599 and weighs in at 13.35 kg, according to SCOTT. Along with that, there’s the Solace Gravel eRIDE 30 and the women’s specific CONTESSA edition. The only difference between these two is the colour. For the gears, you’ve got to make do with the mechanical SRAM Rival 1×11 drivetrain, offering a smaller range and bigger jumps between gears. Both models are priced at € 5,999 and weigh 13.5 kg according to the manufacturer’s specs.
Specifications
Motor TQ HPR 50 50 NmBattery TQ HPR Battery V01 360 WhDisplay TQ 0-LED Seatpost Syncros Duncan SL AeroBrakes SRAM Force 160/160 mmDrivetrain SRAM Force AXS 1x12Stem Syncros integrated 100 mmHandlebar Syncros Creston iC SL 400 mmWheelset Zipp 303 700CTires Schwalbe G-ONE Overland 50 mm
Technical Data
Size XS S M L XLWeight 12.6 kg
The geometry of the SCOTT Solace eRIDE – An eAddict or what?
The geometry of the SCOTT Solace eRIDE leans heavily on that of the aggressive SCOTT Addict Gravel. It’s meant to be fast, which is why it relies on the same head and seat tube angles as well as the same reach measurement as the Addict. It’s only the chainstay length that differs on the e-gravel bike, which is 1 cm longer and probably due to the motor. Whether this will allow you to set record times, you’ll find out in the first ride review below. The bike is available in five sizes, ranging from 49 to 58 cm. The CONTESSA variant for women relies on the same geometry, though the biggest size available is 56 cm.
| Seat tube | 477 mm | 507 mm | 528 mm | 546 mm | 566 mm |
| Top tube | 518 mm | 534 mm | 554.5 mm | 578.4 mm | 592.5 mm |
| Head tube | 85 mm | 119 mm | 128 mm | 154 mm | 175 mm |
| Head angle | 69.5° | 70° | 71° | 71° | 71° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74° | 73.5° | 73° | 73° |
| Chainstay | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
| BB Height Road/Gravel | 283/294 mm | 283/294 mm | 283/294 mm | 283/294 mm | 283/294 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,021.5 mm | 1,030.1 mm | 1,036.8 mm | 1,056.2 mm | 1,071.1 mm |
| Reach | 374 mm | 378 mm | 387 mm | 398 mm | 406 mm |
| Stack | 519 mm | 544 mm | 565 mm | 590 mm | 610 mm |
Riding the SCOTT Solace Gravel eRIDE 10 and its all-road pendant
The SCOTT Solace eRIDE isn’t just hard to distinguish from an analogue road bike, the support it offers is very inconspicuous, too. The engagement and disengagement of the motor is hardly perceptible even in the highest support mode, though it offers a decent amount of assistance with a maximum support of 50 Nm. It certainly takes a load off on the climbs, making you feel like you’ve had a nutritious breakfast and your legs have been well rested. If the highest support mode feels like a little too much, you can try one of the two lower support modes, or no support at all. While you can ride without support, you can’t ride with the system switched off, at least not with the electronic SRAM drivetrain since it gets powered by the on-board battery. However, there’s no need to worry about getting stranded when the battery runs out since it always keeps a reserve charge, enough to shift 300 times. With the support deactivated, the motor produces no noticeable drag when pedalling, barring the fact that you’ve got to pedal a 12.5 kg bike. You’ll hardly notice when you cross the 25 km/h threshold either, which is a common occurrence on drop bar ebikes. When riding above the 25 km/h limit, the motor cuts out smoothly, saving the battery and thereby increasing your range. So, you better keep up the pace ;).
Now let’s get to the Gravel counterpart: riding it on bumpy terrain, the 50 mm wide tires have a significant effect. Thanks to their high volume, you can run them at low pressures without having to fear for the rims. Doing so adds comfort and grip. On loose and dusty gravel, however, the wheels can still spin out when you put the hammer down and you underestimate the power of the motor. The bike can do with the added comfort of high-volume tires since the one-piece stem and handlebar combination together with the burly fork are on the stiffer end of the spectrum, again resembling the Addict’s sporty character. It’s only by getting into the drops that you get some level of compliance from the otherwise stiff and precise front end.
Tuning-Tipp: knobby tires on the all-road variant for improved off-road capability on the way home
Overall, the bike’s handling feels very well-adjusted, offering a nicely balanced riding position that strikes a good compromise between long-distance suitability and performance. The added weight of the motor doesn’t affect the handling negatively due to its low centre of gravity. Both the Gravel and the all-road model implement the rider’s steering input willingly and without delay, and the rear wheel follows suit. We were particularly impressed with the 38 mm tires on the all-road model, which were developed exclusively for SCOTT together with Schwalbe. They feel very planted on the road and generate plenty of comfort without giving the impression that riding into a headwind. On the descents, they offer enough cornering grip to make you feel like you’re riding a MotoGP bike – as long as you resist the temptation to stick your knee out and slide it on the ground. The Shimano DURA-ACE groupset functions flawlessly, providing top notch ergonomics on the hoods.
Who is the new SCOTT Solace (Gravel) eRIDE for?
SCOTT market the Solace as a bike for all Addict fans that are new to the scene. Indeed, newcomers who want to keep up with fitter, more seasoned riders could be one potential target group. In case that’s you, you’ve got to be careful not to overestimate your riding skill just cause the motor makes you feel unstoppable. We can also imagine the bike as a good option for everyday commuters. The options to mount a kickstand, an integrated headlight, and mudguards increase the bike’s versatility and practicality enormously, and together with the frame and/or handlebar bag, you’ve also got added luggage carrying capacity. You could ride to work in the mornings without breaking a sweat thanks to the motor, getting in some cardio on the way back home in the evenings – both the Solace Gravel and the all-road version would fare brilliantly doing so.
Our conclusion on the new 2023 SCOTT Solace (Gravel) eRIDE
With the 2023 SCOTT Solace (Gravel) eRIDE, SCOTT present two successful interpretations of a drop bar ebike featuring a high level of integration, as you’d expect from the Swiss brand. It’s an incredibly inconspicuous ebike with a lot of standout features. Both the all-road and Gravel variants are well-specced with components that are fit for purpose. If needed, they can be equipped with a range of practical everyday accessories for commuting, too, making the most of the electric support.
Tops
- high level of integration
- purpose specced components
- high-quality workmanship
Flops
For more information visit scott-sports.com.
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Michal Červený, Julian Schwede