Scott unveils the Spark DC, a 138mm downcountry bike built off its XC race platform

Scott has pulled the wraps off the Spark DC, a new downcountry bike unveiled on 10 September that sits between its cross country race focused Spark RC and its longer travel trail bikes. It builds on the Spark RC platform, with the shock hidden low in the downtube behind a magnetic cover, but adds travel and slacker geometry to make it far more capable on technical descents without giving up much climbing speed.

More travel than the race bike

The Spark DC runs 138mm of rear travel through a flex stay rear end, matched to a 140mm fork, well beyond the Spark RC's 120mm front and rear. The frame is rated for forks up to 150mm if riders want to push it further, and an adjustable headset lets owners set the head angle anywhere between 64.5 and 65.5 degrees. Scott claims the flagship Spark DC Factory build weighs 25.35 pounds (about 11.5kg), which would make it one of the lightest bikes anywhere near this much travel.

Racy details carried over

The low slung shock keeps frame weight close to the bottom bracket, and the frame fits in-built tool storage plus two water bottles in the front triangle. The Factory build runs a wireless SRAM XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, RockShox Flight Attendant electronic suspension, four piston SRAM Motive Ultimate brakes and 2.4 inch Maxxis Forekaster and Rekon tyres. The cheaper DC 20, 30 and 40 builds use Scott's cable operated TwinLoc lockout system instead of electronic suspension control.

Pricing still to come for Australia

Scott had not published pricing when the bike launched. Early European coverage puts the range at roughly 3,599 euros for the entry level DC 40 up to 11,499 euros for the Factory, but Scott has not confirmed Australian pricing or a local release date, and euro figures rarely translate directly once exchange rates and local distribution are factored in.

What it means for buyers: the Spark DC targets riders who want one bike that can race cross country on the weekend and still handle a proper trail the rest of the time, a category that keeps growing as brands blur the line between XC and trail bikes. Once Australian pricing is confirmed, it is worth lining the Spark DC up against other short travel trail bikes on BikeFinder to see whether the extra travel over a pure XC race bike suits how you actually ride.