With the third round of the World Cup heading to Fort William in a month's time, many teams are using this weekend's British Downhill Series race to try new equipment in preparation for the big show. We spotted Brendan Fairclough taking practice laps aboard a Scott Gambler that, from a distance, looks similar to the bike he's been riding, but a closer examination reveals a number of changes to the frame design. The Floating Linkage suspension configuration remains, but the rear shock is now mounted much lower on the seat tube, and the seat tube itself looks to be at a slacker angle than the previous version. There is also more room around the linkage assembly itself, suggesting that Scott may have gone with a shorter shock than the 10.5" X 3.5" one previously spec'd. The rear swingarm's shape has been altered slightly as well, no doubt to make it better fit the 27.5" wheels the bike is outfitted with. As far as the bike's geometry goes, Scott wasn't willing to comment, but we doubt the head angle would get any slacker than the 62 degree angle it was already at. If anything, slightly steeper would make sense given the bike's larger wheel size.
Spot the differences? The prototype is on the left, a 2013 model is on the right.
What? Someone had to say it.
Oh Scott Bikes, how could you have been so stupid to design a bike that was not "working at all" (to quote mtbrider71)! Well done, moving that pivot point a couple of inches now means you have a "top level DH bike". Kudos Scott!
You don't have to be an expert to understand the simple concept.
"redrook implied that because there is just one pivot point change it is pointless to post the new design. This isn't true at all. If you have ever designed a suspension set up or even played around on the Linkage program you would realize how big of a difference a small change in pivot placement can make."
Look at the top tube where it meets the seat post
Look at the linkage
As they are crossed it looks messy but actually its quite simple
thats my thought.
I like the DW Delta system better, but I wonder how this contends vs other similar single pivots like Foes.
I start to enjoy something and the factory decide to show me the 2015 models and his prototipes
Who cares?
How does it ride? Actually, not theoretically.
Am a fan of Brendon but as a racer hes done!
Maybe Bdawg should become a Rampage freerider, going backwards faster than 29ers
Bike proto looks good always liked the Gambler