Spotted: Is This A New Scott Gambler?

Mar 26, 2018 at 10:03
by Paul Aston  
Scott Gambler Protoype

The third round of the Portuguese National Series took place over the weekend in Lousa. There were a host of pro riders at the event looking for some early season time-checks as well as what appears to be a whole bunch of 29" wheeled bikes from Commencal, Cube, Saracen and more. Clearly visible in this RAW video from Jorge Barbosa is a Scott prototype.

It would come as no surprise if Scott decided to make a new platform to replace the long-lived Gambler, and it would make sense to model it on the latest Scott Spark or Genius. But this could purely be a mule made from bits and pieces from the workshop; the front triangle looks very similar to last year's bike and colorway, and the raw rocker link suggests it is not a finished product.

Scott Gambler Protoype

What we can gather from these screenshots is that the bike no longer has the Gambler's trademark "floating" scissor link. It's running the new BOS Obsys upside-down fork that is reputed to have 220mm travel even in 29" wheel length. We can't be certain, but it looks like a 29er in the pictures, and developing a small-wheeled racing machine in 2018 would surely be short-sighted.

You can see all the raw mud-filled action in the following video:


Brendan managed a respectable 5th place against some strong competition. Full results can be found here.

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163 Comments
  • 114 5
 1,2...looks like a...
  • 58 76
flag Mavic101 (Mar 26, 2018 at 10:35) (Below Threshold)
 SESSION!!!
  • 210 2
 Kona Stab Supreme?
  • 48 2
 Operession.
  • 55 2
 It's harder to name the bikes that don't look like a Session these days.
  • 27 1
 GT?
  • 7 1
 @rlaws: i'm in agreement with you...stab for sure.
  • 4 6
 a0.amlimg.com/ZDU4OGI4N2EwMWMzM2YxZWE5OGU2OWEzM2E1YTNjYjEV2HIPmc_W451lj-jaxCa6aHR0cDovL21lZGlhLmFkc2ltZy5jb20vYWRhNzU2NThiZjc4ZWIzNmQxYTNjMmQ3NTFlN2Q3NDJkMDZmMWRhNzBjYmI4NGM0ZjA2MjlkOTQ1MDcwNzI0Ni5qcGd8fHx8fHw3MDB4NTI1fGh0dHA6Ly93d3cuYWR2ZXJ0cy5pZS9zdGF0aWMvaS93YXRlcm1hcmsucG5nfHx8.jpg
  • 10 12
 @RobyBenetin: Yeah it resembles the latest Kona Procession

@fartymarty - yes the process of designing new bikes these days is like this movie Session of the Christ www.instagram.com/p/BfwfShwBS8W/?taken-by=wakidesigns
  • 5 1
 Sunday
  • 12 0
 Looks like another four bar linked full suspension mountain terrain cycle... I guess that works then
  • 4 0
 Oppression
  • 2 8
flag markg1150 (Mar 26, 2018 at 13:54) (Below Threshold)
 Worse part is it doesn't even need space for a water bottle yet still gets the same old bottle friendly layout zzzzzzzzz
Having said that I slated the last one of for having more pivots/bearings than needed.
Hhhhm so I want less bearings but in crazy places is what I'm saying I think...
  • 9 2
 @pinkbike @mikelevy can’t you please do an article on the Turner Afterburner then onto Kona and so on so we can school anyone leaving comments saying it looks like a session as we all know a session for it’s looks from a Turner/Kona
  • 8 1
 @heavyp: SHHHH!!! We don't want the young kids to know about the "Sessions before Sessions"
  • 4 0
 @ibishreddin: depression
  • 2 0
 @rlaws: The turner burner looks more like a session than the first session haha silly young people wait I'm 34 does that make me old ?
  • 1 0
 forums.mtbr.com/attachments/turner/446751d1239337866-how-my-afterburner-into-hl-5-spot-mail_2.jpeg
  • 1 0
 goo.gl/images/6KVhMp
  • 4 1
 They should rename it "The Downgrade"
  • 2 0
 It looks like the new GT without an idler pulley. The old gambler looked like a Sinister Splinter MX anyway.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: wow dude. Thought you died.
  • 1 0
 @heavyp: No, it doesn't. Old is someone who witnessed Giovanna Bonnazzi and Tommy Misser pinning it down a hill (I'm 45) Wink
  • 5 0
 The way I see it is that considering how many bikes look the same, Trek has officially established a new standard.

Also it is time for Specialized to bring back 2008 looks to their Enduro,
i.ytimg.com/vi/xwg-H5BYdj0/maxresdefault.jpg
  • 1 0
 @srhrider07: you may that sound like a bad thing?
  • 3 5
 1,2 ... looks like a better design than the piece of junk it replaces lmao
  • 1 0
 looks like a bike
  • 1 0
 that was the best setup ever
  • 55 3
 Looks like a GT
  • 13 6
 ...which looks like a Session
  • 18 1
 @karoliusz: Which looks like a kona
  • 8 2
 @Roguee: which looks like a turner
  • 9 0
 @deadbeat: which looks like a GT. Does this vortex circle end?? AAAAAAAAGH
  • 22 0
 Looks like my ex but most likely rides better
  • 2 0
 @Ryanrobinson1984: it's probably just another intense m1, aren't they all?
  • 2 0
 @deadbeat: Turner built the 1st few. for Kona.
  • 2 0
 @cheetamike: True. Tomi Misser had a turner built frame on the Volvo Kona team which they used for the first Stab
www.dhclassicmtb.com/bicicletas/sagas/kona%20turner%201997.jpg

www.dhclassicmtb.com/bicicletas/sagas/Kona%20Stab%20del%2098%20catalogo.jpg
  • 2 0
 @wavetrance: any chance of a test ride to compare? They all look like sessions after enough drinks.
  • 1 0
 Thief!
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Boot'R to me!!
  • 44 2
 I’m really starting to dislike that most bikes are looking so similar. If this design is truly superior, then I can see the point in going this direction but it’s just so strange how companies are ditching their old silhouette in favor of the traditional rocker design. This is purely a judgement on looks, not performance, but I’ve always liked variety. Just my two cents.
  • 16 5
 Maybe one day they will all figure it out like MX has - swingarm with linkage driven shock.
  • 25 0
 You mean like the Rocky Mtn RMs from like 14 years ago? @fartymarty:
  • 30 1
 We're now finding out how many companies were pushing sub-standard designs just to get around patents. Now that they've expired these companies are confessing that they can't really beat a four-bar.
  • 17 4
 @fartymarty: I dont understand the assumption that the MX industry is ahead of the bike industry in terms of suspension performance/design...
  • 16 1
 @NebulousNate: Assumption based on the fact they have been doing it longer and have a bigger market (and budgets).
  • 16 0
 @fartymarty: You have to consider the dimensions and issues with packing in a damper, linkages as well as an engine and associated accessories, MX bikes are a product of years of development with a specific set of constraints. Yes it works for them but MTB have different constraints/ more freedom and space to work with less weight and different set of kinematics to deal with. Not saying MX style suspension cant work just that what the industry have obviously found is that the 4 Bar system is probably the most effective setup given that a large majority of bikes these days are of this design and its not just a coincidence.

*Please note that I'm a huge fan of the single pivot linkage driven system, I've lusted after the old Ancillotti DHY for as long as i can remember.

** Also please not that I have no interest of replacing my old 2013 gambler as its everything i have wanted in a bike and never felt more comfortable with a bike.
  • 3 0
 @fartymarty: And greater velocities, greater physical forces, etc etc.

I've long held the belief that if a moto is doing it, it's probably gonna work well for MTBs. I started to formulate this generality ages ago when bike shop customers would ask about the usefulness and reliability of then-new disc brake systems. You can apply this thinking for those of us in the gravity set with regard to lower saddles, wider bars, wider rims, tire design (UST, and trends in greater width as well as tread patterns), greater (vs lesser) oil volumes for suspension components, lock-on or wired grips, thru-axles, and, yes, even gearboxes.
  • 4 0
 @sngltrkmnd: Suspension is not one of those things tho due to the weight distribution. Everything has its own resonating frequency and mx and mtb bikes dont have the same. The rider on a mtb can change the centre of mas of the system on a much larger scale and even absorb some frequencies. This is what makes the difference go and watch the suspension guy who makes tech videos here on pinkbike he had a video about that
  • 2 0
 @steve45: I think @sngltrkmnd summed up my thoughts on it quite well. Sure there are differences between MX and mtb but they are both 2 wheel off road vehicles so share a similar goal hence the similarities we see.
  • 5 0
 I am sorry but even though some principles like frame flex might apply moto suspension is a completely different game... A dirt bike has 200-300 pounds more to deal with and and engine that puts out 30-50kW. Besides the effects of that power on rear suspension 4 or 5 pounds more is not such a big deal so you can build designs that would not offer adequate stiffens otherwise and just beef them up till they work... what this industry could learn from moto is designing brakes that don't require you to have 4 hands holding 7 syringes each to bleed them every 5 hours... Yes looking at you SRAM...
  • 4 1
 @AMGoran: I think you're right. I don't think moto suspension design translates directly to our sport like other components, which is why I did not list it. I have owned 2 RM7s over the years, and I can safely say that an unsupported swingarm driving a moto link (in turn connected to an over-leveraged damper) is not durable enough for MTB. The materials needed to make it stout enough eclipse the acceptable weight limits for a bicycle.
  • 1 0
 Or the chumba f5... literally Moto linkage @judgerider348:
  • 2 1
 @michibretz: that's where it's at, a Moto damper might be different but the overall construction techniques and technology are very appropriate for mountain bikes.

Also, KTM dealerships are the place to get socket/wrench sets, all the right size, torque wrench set in the right range and a whole lot nicer for less than bicycle specific tools
  • 2 0
 @michibretz: get some hope brakes
  • 2 0
 @judgerider348:
  • 1 0
 @sngltrkmnd: how hard could it be to make a lightweight 3 speed gearbox that fits in a regular bottom bracket?
  • 2 0
 @samgoat: Not sure of the need for a 3sp gearbox. Maybe reach out to Sturmey-Archer.
  • 1 0
 Actually in terms of units sold annually, mtn biking is a much bigger market than motocross.
  • 1 0
 @srhrider07: Still racing an F5!
  • 1 0
 @Lastpikd: i have hopes Smile just tired of getting guides on every bike i buy and throwing them in the bin right away...
  • 1 0
 @srhrider07: www.pinkbike.com/photo/11151032

Basically the same layout too.

only by splitting the rear up in to a triangle instead of using a straight arm you create stiffness without adding weight.
  • 1 0
 @BryceBorlick: Hmm. Count me very skeptical. You mean total units sold? Have you taken average unit price in your calculation? Some quick google-fu indicates that about 480,000 motos were sold in the US in 2014 at an average price of $5000. That's $2.5Bn USD. Bikes? 1.9 million sold x $200 average sales price = $380 million USD. (Mtn bikes are a subset of the ~2 million so that total is going to still be pretty small.)
No need for us to get into the weeds here. Suffice it to say that the # of support vehicles, dealerships, wages for moto mechanics, and big-name sponsors on all the various motorcycle events anywhere in North America and beyond STRONGLY demonstrates how much bigger motos are than all of the various kinds of bikes in the world.
  • 1 0
 @sngltrkmnd: huh? 200$ average? just curious where did that number come from?

i know there's a lot of huffies an hypers sold at walmart but 200 cant be right.
It has to be a little higher than.
  • 1 0
 @sngltrkmnd: up. flat. down. thats all i need. so done with all this flappy unsprung weight picking up every stick at the back. gotta be soon right?
  • 2 0
 @samgoat: 3 speed BB mounted would be perfect. I would love to ditch my rear mech as well.
  • 2 0
 @samgoat: road.cc/content/review/227796-efneo-gtro-3-speed-front-gearbox looks interesting.
  • 19 0
 "
... developing a small-wheeled racing machine in 2018 would surely be short-sighted.
"

Attempting to trigger an exciting comment section again?
  • 4 0
 Fine by me! I get to buy all of the 26ers and 27.5's that ya'll will be giving away to jump on the 29er train.
  • 6 0
 Race results for two seasons didnt pan out the way the industry hoped/intended so now its up to media to pick up the slack, selling bullshit to the masses to move the next product cycle.
  • 1 0
 @leviatanouroboro: boulder.craigslist.org/bik/6542155350.html
  • 1 0
 @atrokz: Its actually crazy that most companies are back pushing the 29 thing again after last years WC season. By the end of last season everyone except the tall riders were jumping ship to get back to 27.5. Seems like this year that might not even be an option with a alot teams going fully into 29.
  • 1 0
 Is there any word already on releasing the ban on ridding dissimilar diameter front and rear wheels in UCI races? Last year I thought there was an UCI representative who suggested that they would drop that (pretty pointless) rule so that the potential advantages of a larger front wheel would become available also for those (shorter) riders who can't ride with a big rear wheel (or whose sponsor simply doesn't have a 29" downhill bike available). But they couldn't drop the rule for 2018 for... reasons. But if they don't say anything about it now they won't be able to drop it for 2019 either. I don't get why they're waiting so long. The ban is pretty pointless (especially as it doesn't cover dissimilar tire widths) so there is no reason to not drop it.
  • 1 0
 @nismo325: imo its down to the rider. Some dudes will like one and some the other. It may just be coincidence but both wc dh and ewd has shown no clear advantage.
  • 22 2
 Too bad. I thought the Gamblers were different and therefore, cool.
  • 5 8
 I just think its ugly and looks like a pain to service...however when i see people like Vink rip on em no denying it works!!
  • 10 1
 @rockin-itis agree, I really liked the old design, it was unique, it had a "character" which made it stand out from the rest
  • 1 0
 Yes, they definitely did appear unattractive to some. People either liked them or didnt. I always thought that Adam Brayton’s success aboard a Gambler frame was an indicator of the performance that the design could deliver. Having said that, I doubt Brayton would have trouble making any frame perform at it’s maximum potential. @chadchandler7:
  • 1 1
 V1 Gambler is still different, still cool and its the last overbuilt frame that should last 100 years. But it weighs almost as much as an ebike.
  • 2 0
 @Boardlife69: actually the recent gambler frames themselves are pretty light so built with the right spec they're not particularly heavy at all
  • 2 0
 I'm sad, the old linkage was awesome...especially in polished form.
  • 11 0
 Why are the Scott riders still using a Fox X2 on the rear? Does Boss not have a rear shock for them to use?
  • 2 3
 It's a BOS just the spring is an orangey red.
  • 3 1
 @lindblomxc: It appears to be an X2 p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2018/03/25/6203/s1200_shox.jpg
  • 10 1
 Looks to be just another Horst link bike. Nothing against Horst link, but when the majority of companies use it because its cheap to produce, it becomes vanilla and I look elsewhere.
  • 13 2
 BORING
  • 4 0
 I find it amazing that they can fit a completely different rear end to the same front triangle and make it work. I would have thought that a bike designed for a linkage drive single pivot could not be made to work as a horst linkage but here we are.... I always liked the "new" old gambler design - so moto. I has 2013, 2015 and 2016 and they were great bikes. Shame but I bet it works better or they wouldn't be doing it.
  • 1 0
 Sure the Khs dh bike and the Vitus Dominer share the same front end but use different suspension layouts, its not uncommon.
  • 1 0
 @doe222: Name another that does it besides the KHS/Vitus example you gave.
  • 1 2
 @mgs781HD: the identiti mogul is the same as the vitus

Intense were fairly identical to Santa Cruz for a few years due to intense using SC's patented VPP
  • 6 2
 Please no...the old gambler looked incredible. And it has proven to be a very good dh bike. Why do what everyone else is doing? The old scott genius looked 10000 times better before they did what kona also did to their process platform...the bike industry has taken a step back. It's like they lack new ideas. Maybe they all are using german engineering. "Let's take a few outdated ideas( that worked back in the day) from others and refine them a little bit, then people will think: oh this bike uses german engineering so it is the shit, nothing can go wrong. And maybe they are right? But, what about every brand having its own soul? The gambler was an icon in dh. Personally, I liked the old gt dh bike better. Now it looks like a norco. so it does the new process. So it does every fff++()& bike nowadays. Glad i still have my unique single pivot steel 26 inch trail bike...
  • 5 0
 Bring back the 10" travel V10, but with 29" wheels and a 220mm fork, and 220mm disc brakes, and 2.6" tires...I may just be 5ft10...but I can be over 6ft tall with platform shoes.
  • 1 0
 That's the bike I want.
  • 1 0
 Nah get the 12" travel single crown boxxer gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb885274/p4pb885274.jpg
  • 4 0
 @steve45: Wait untl the split pivot/active brake pivot patents expire it's going to be 4 bar concentric axle pivots for everyone.
Though Norcos new dh bike is very different and appears very very fast.
  • 2 0
 The front triangel is the same as the current one, even the pivot point is the same, I think even the chainstays is taken from the production line. Clearly a prototype, we will see a lot of changes before this sees production.
  • 4 0
 People debating design on a test mule. Oh yeah we're on Pinkbike... I'll grab some pop corn.
  • 7 3
 Is this the new Scott Sessler?
  • 3 2
 Why a conventional four link rear with a shock actuated with a rocker link?
Because it works very well!
I would put the shock deep in the down tube as well as keep the linkage low to keep the weight near the BB.
  • 3 0
 Old glory ...
  • 4 1
 The floating moose knuckle was gangbusters. Now it just looks like a glory hole.
  • 1 0
 Hmmm I'm confused. Seems like a downgrade to their old design. I have a 2015 and it looks more modern/techy than this new design. Look at my custom gambler in my gallery and tell me which bike you'd rather have.
  • 2 0
 Are you sure this is Portugal? Looks more like Britain in the summer. Looks like a hell of a fun track though.
  • 1 0
 Rated world cup level by the pros. We got it good here.
  • 2 0
 Every bike is going to be Horst/FSR eventually. Especially with the patent expired.
  • 2 0
 It's not a 29er, it's a 650b.
  • 2 0
 This trail looks great, in wet too.
  • 2 0
 Brendan was 5th not 6th??
  • 2 0
 The results list shows he is 5th
  • 1 0
 Yeah, the writer should correct the mistake. He placed 5th not 6th.
  • 1 0
 Is this built to bos specs to match the fork as mentioned in the recent survey Jones interview?
  • 2 0
 It's like every new dh bike is just asking for you know what to be said.
  • 3 0
 220mm with 29"? wow
  • 1 0
 As much as I liked the old Gambler, looks like it was not as good as it looked ?
  • 1 2
 I would like to comment how i think its funny how a lot of suspension designs are moving to this linkage GT, Devinci, Scott, any others? and IMO I think the the gambler linkage is one of the ugliest
  • 2 0
 I would bet money that it's not the 2019.
  • 1 0
 Scott is too hung up on nino, bros. And i dont see brendog taken the checkers either. Sorry. So yeah vibny t should dipppp
  • 2 0
 RIP old gambler, sick as fuck frame!
  • 2 0
 these new gamblers are meant to be savagely fast
  • 1 0
 So... now 99% of DH bikes look the same Smile
  • 1 0
 They change, they change and I still have my Banshee Scream .....????
  • 1 0
 0:31 and 1:27, pretty sure it's just mirror images.
  • 1 0
 I wonder If it will be Fairclough approved?
  • 3 6
 the gambler was so sick!! now it looks like a session so i am not a fan anymore, really disappointed because my next bike would've been a gambler but now it looks like a session so screw that. demo 8 is really the best one now
  • 14 0
 im pretty sure you can still buy 2018 gambler
  • 1 0
 Can't they just put another rocker arm on the old gambler?
  • 1 0
 Track and conditions look superb!
  • 1 0
 Awesome suspension new Scott) wait new photo)
  • 1 0
 You gotta know when to hold em'
  • 3 2
 Kill it before it lays eggs!!!
  • 1 0
 One more excuse to not buy a SESSION!
  • 1 0
 Legendary linkage is gone ? hello...
  • 1 1
 What did Capitan bikes say 9 years ago about 29ers
That they are the F1 of MTBs __o^o__ __ O^O___ speed .
  • 1 0
 220mm why Eek and it looks like a Session lol
  • 1 0
 This suspension system reaplied on the voltage l would approve.
  • 1 0
 It ain‘t gonna happen
  • 4 5
 This is why I purchased an Intense M16C. It doesn’t look like a Session.
  • 35 0
 Nope but it looks a dead ringer for a V10
  • 2 0
 Shame the new Norco isn’t available - that looks good and different too!

The commy V4 also looks great.

I’d still own an Ancilloti too. My.
  • 4 0
 @cunning-linguist: Did someone say....COMMIE?!?
  • 2 0
 @AnthonyQDJ: media.giphy.com/media/xTcnSPpiTnnvizsouc/giphy.gif
  • 2 1
 Just get an Orange. At worst people may confuse it with that other Trek. But more likely, if you'd ride a Trek Diesel people may say it looks like a 224 or so. Now that's a nice change.
  • 1 1
 Dont know but its looks like the same main frame just a different back end
  • 1 0
 Recession
  • 2 2
 looks cool
  • 3 3
 session?
  • 1 1
 GT is the new Session.
  • 1 1
 looks like fun!
  • 1 2
 Maybe it's a new High Octane?
  • 1 1
 Trolling the Session!
  • 1 1
 depressions
  • 1 1
 polygon.
  • 1 1
 Looks like a new bike
  • 2 3
 looks like a session
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