That is a good point. I also wanted XO1 AXS which the World Cup version has (and HMX frame). I guess I can get a similar result with the Pro XTR version and change rear derailleur to XO1 AXS. Just not sure about the complexity of replacing the shifter with Scott’s cockpit…
I’m getting the Pro and swapping all Shimano for XX1 AXS and Sram brakes. I already have the Sram stuff all on my current bike, 2018 Spark RC 900 WC, so I’ll just put all the Shimano gear on my 2018 and sell it. AXS is really easy to set up.
There is a half kilo difference in weight between the World Cup and the Pro. There must be something other than the HMX/HMF frame weight differential that contributes to the difference. Is the Pro wheelset carbon or alloy? I don’t know Syncros wheels and their website doesn’t seem to show this particular wheelset.
Are you keeping the dropper that will come with the Pro or switching to AXS?
I’m keeping the dropper that comes with it. I have my own wheel set so I’m not using what comes on the Pro. Not only is the AXS dropper too heavy but it doesn’t work well with a TwinLock at the handlebars.
Pro wheels are alloy so that’s probably a large part of the weight difference.
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Just dropped by my local dealer (Netherands) where I ordered my Spark. Was hoping they’d have an update. Some extra info, but no delivery date yet:
- Update on delivery date expected in roughly 2 weeks
- They expect to take delivery of sold bikes first, before a demo bike arrives
- Sold bikes take precedence over bikes that are ordered, but not sold yet. This means that if dealer A has ordered a bike that is not yet sold but dealer B has actually sold the bike, the bike will be shipped to dealer B instead of A. As a result it will be very unlikely we’ll see any physically available bikes at dealers for a looong time.
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I understand why, but what a tough time to buy a bike. It sucks to have to buy something you’ve never ridden. I just bought a new bike sight unseen because that’s what I was told I’d have to do if I wanted it. Luckily it’s awesome.
Ha, I have bought more bikes without a test ride than I have with a ride. 5 road/gravel bikes, 5 MTB’s, and every BMX & trials bike (6+) over the 25+ years riding. I’ve only test ridden a handful of bikes (roughly 5) before purchase. Various reasons but largely limited availability as the core reason.
I’ve only gotten burned with a “surprise” one time and am still hammering on that bike to dial it in. Generally speaking, good geometry research in light of past experience, and potentially testing similar but different bikes can help narrow down a selection. But I get the hesitation as I have dealt with it a ton from my OCD and worried ways 
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It’s funny, now that you mention it most of my bikes have been purchased sight unseen. Having worked at a bike shop I would just EP a new bike every few years and never rode them beforehand.
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Heads up. My bike shop sent email that a limited number of Sparks in on way and will be taking orders…
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Where?
Hey if anyone gets a bike and pulls off the new twinloc lever with the newly designed dropper lever I’ll buy it.
lol. I don’t think I’ve ever test ridden a bike I’ve bought. With perhaps my steel frame single that replaced the same frame that I broke. But that’s only because I had the frame before.
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My LBS is in NJ…but it seems the RC models are not in this delivery window. Only the 900s are being shipped.
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I read where the alloy wheels are 1850g. Going to a 1300g set would eliminate the majority of that weight gain
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The US is getting 200 model year 2022 Spark RCs for the entire country! That’s it, no more 2022 models will ship to the US. Ugh, this bike in the size and configuration you want will be next to impossible to find. 
What, that’s nuts. 200 max for this calendar year, or even longer?
Not really…
- massive shortages of components still exist.
- Scott isn’t really a major player in the US market
- You’d be surprised at how few high end bikes actually sell in the marketplace overall.
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Depends on who you ask. Generally speaking I like putting newer riders on a bike a bit more “safe” than “aggressive”. In this situation, I’d choose a more “Downcountry” bike like the 900 vs the more “XC Race” bike like the RC version.
I like having a new rider with a bike under them that can cover up and handle mistakes a bit better than a more race oriented bike with steeper angles and less suspension. Others have voiced the opposite thoughts in other threads when this basic topic came up.
In reality, if we are comparing bikes like the 900/RC or the Epic/Evo, etc. you are talking about relatively minor differences overall. It’s different at that level than a bigger step like old XC vs Trail selection we had before these newer Downcountry bikes filled the space between them.
You probably can’t go wrong with either, and consideration about exactly what you want from a bike will lead into a specific direction. Like a desire to race shorter stuff vs longer stuff (RC), or a pure focus on a snappy trail bike that can be raced on occasion (900).
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