The bike

There are many technological solutions present on this model. The first concerns the new path that Scott has taken starting from the Spark, model we tested earlier, which provides for the shock absorber to be housed in the frame. A choice which, in addition to giving more cleanliness to the lines, allows for a different design, with the possibility of making the structure that orbits the linkages more rigid and consequently more precise. An easy-to-replace cover allows easy access to the shock absorber housing for shock setting operations.
Even the battery, now 750Wh, is easy to remove, in fact three simple actions are enough without the use of special keys. For the explanation I refer you to this video.
The engine is the Bosh performance cx, rotated by 46° in order to position it at the top, a situation that guarantees greater protection from shocks.
The solutions used for the construction of the frame are not very visible but important. Scott takes advantage of the use of the FEA software, capable of simulating any sort of stress it may undergo. This allows engineers to design frames that have maximum stiffness while reducing overall weight.
The series of Scott's personal solutions are completed by the integrated cables, now a trademark, the presence of fixed lights and the well-tested twin loc system.

Aquascape
The components are of a high standard. Fox 38 Float Factory Kashima e-MTB with Fit4 cartridge and 44mm offset, Fox Nude e-ride evol mono, customized for Scott. Shimano xt brakes, while the traction sector is from Sram, with an x01 gx mix.
The wheels are from Syncros, precisely the Revelstoke model with 30mm channel and 2.6-inch Dissector tires from Maxxis.

The test
A month of riding trying to bring this patron in all typical off-road conditions. As already mentioned, the most stimulating challenge was uphill. In fact, the real evolution of the e-bike sector is precisely in that direction. So no longer just a means that reduces transfer times between one descent and the next, but something more that is able to make us tackle unthinkable slopes with a muscle bike even for Shurter.

The climb
So let's start right from this segment; how does this Patron handle uphill? The engine drives very well, I rarely had to insert the tour, the support was sustained even in the eco function for a long time. The riding position is effective and well balanced. As already noted on Scott's muscular bikes, the support given by the twin lock in trail mode is such that you don't feel the need to completely lock the suspension. Choosing a crankset with 165mm cranks may be appropriate to help maintain agile pedaling, a fact which, in addition to guaranteeing greater autonomy, also allows you to force the engine less.

The impossible climbs
As mentioned in the introduction, the focus that I wanted to keep with this e-bike was on a positive gradient, so on with the impossible climbs, those full of steps and difficult riding sections, which I mentioned in a previous article.
Here the chassis helped a lot, it was necessary to make a fine adjustment of the saddle position to find the correct balance, but after a few tests this bike proved to be truly exciting. I wanted to test it on a test climb in my area, Il Fontegno. A mule track with a difference in height of 600 meters that climbs the face of the mountain. A compact pavement, with narrow and steep hairpin bends. The first aspect that surprised me was the fact that I had to go up in echo, as with the tour level the bike became a bit restless and difficult to steer. However, this has highlighted the excellent copy already present with this support. A push that allowed me to turn on the first go even on hairpin bends where I often struggled. Thanks to the possibility of climbing with little engine support I was able to manage the traction as well as the guide in the most trialistic situations.

After this first approach I wanted to be more daring, going to turn on the Centrale climb. Here it is also difficult to go down, both due to the slope and the degree of roughness present. The bike handled well; Also in this case I spent most of the period in eco mode, to go up to tour mode it was necessary to study the trajectories as speed was starting to be important.
To better test the thrust of the engine even in tour and e-mtb mode, I had to head towards smoother climbs. Here the engine was able to give its best.
Downhill
Once I reached the summit, with the over-revs of my heart closer to an enduro PS than to an e-mtb ride; it was time to turn it and direct the handlebars to the maximum slope . What a surprise to find an excellently balanced and intuitive medium. From the very first moments I had the sensation of having in my hands a vehicle that has been driven for a long time. The general weight is partially canceled by an excellent hydraulic system which allows the rebound to be released quite well, thus giving it the necessary reactivity to float on the roughest sections. The gap between the legs and the distribution of the masses also allow excellent mobility to correct the driving to make it fluid and effective.
I found the optimal handlebar angle for my riding, this allowed me to appreciate the greater stiffness and precision of the stem+handlebar assembly. Not being able to adjust its position, this solution could be seen as a bit of a gamble, since if a biker does not find the handlebar angle correct, he could run into some problems and pain in the wrists

To verify the effective stiffness of the assembly due to the boxed mono, I tried to significantly reduce my usual sag, bringing it around 20%. The bike continues to behave very well, even if you perceive the greater shock discharge on your feet, as well as you have the clear sensation of having to work more when you need to pump the vehicle in the compressions. This is because the rigidity of the assembly considerably limits the twisting and bending of the linkages.
Very stable when cornering and driving. At the output, the good response of the hydraulics allows you to have a valid thrust even by pumping on the pedals.
I found the covers a bit limiting. I admit that I don't really like tires with 2.6 sections, in my opinion they are a bit too bulky especially in sections with bumpy stones. Rear grip was slightly affected by the relatively low lugs for the type of bike. While a similar choice on a muscular all-mountain bike is understandable, in my humble opinion on an e-mtb with 160mm of front and rear travel you could be a little more daring.

As already mentioned, the shock-absorbing compartment is good, with the 38 in electric mode which maintains excellent support and a range of adjustments that allow you to optimize its operation.
Even the mono works well, also supported by the greater rigidity given by the construction philosophy. During the test, the downside of the boxed solution was a loss of sensitivity of the shock on long descents, where a greater work on the legs and a lower sensitivity of the same was gradually perceived. This inconvenience could be overcome with an open grill that allows better regulation of the temperature

Conclusions
A vehicle that raises the bar of performance in this market segment. A project with many original solutions that give a precise identity to the project. Absolutely clean lines, thanks to having hidden the mono and the cable passage system that make the Patron a vehicle with an elegant and minimalist line. A few details to review, such as the choice of tires and shock absorber cooling which should be taken into consideration on an e-bike born to face large differences in altitude.
