I share some of these concerns. I’m glad I have a 2020 for the ease of maintenance. I’m sure the 2022 is faster though, and I drool over it, much to the delight of their marketing dept.
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I know they specifically called out that the cable routing was designed so that the headset could be removed, flipped and cleaned without interfering with the cable routing. To fully replace would probably require disconnecting the brake hose though.
I’m all for it, there is nothing worse on XC bikes than the 6 cables run out front that look like crap, rattle around or get caught as the bar spins.
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I do wonder how many people actually service their shocks themselves.
It appears (grain of salt as from Scott affiliated athletes/mechanics etc) that it’s actually been designed to be extremely easy to access when the time comes. It looks to me to be easier to adjust/maintain than the current Spark given the way the cable and dial etc sit within the concave shape at the bottom of the downtube.
We will see, the proof is in the pudding, and noone has had their hands on the thing yet to tell us honestly.
(I’m not suggesting you don’t do your own servicing at all, just thinking/waffling aloud)
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That’s a more flattering angle.
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Well, I bit the bullet. After much consideration I placed an order for the RC Team Issue AXS version:
https://www.scott-sports.com/nl/en/product/scott-spark-rc-team-issue-axs-bike
While I do think the Pro looks better, as in hang it on the wall in your living room and never get it dirty better, the Team AXS feels like it would be much easier to live with and actually ride. It will also leave me with plenty room to upgrade to shorter cranks/oval ring/lighter wheels and have cheaper replacement parts as opposed to the full XTR on the Pro model. AXS on a 5k full suspension bike feels like a great deal to me. Also, the Team AXS color scheme looks much better on the vids I’ve seen than it does on the website photo.
I sure hope the dealer was right and it arrives later this year 
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Probably the first Scott bike I like, although I wonder what the weight penalty is for all that carbon down there surrounding that shock, then again I’m sure it adds a good bit of stiffness to the BB as well
Where, how did you order it?
My local Scott Dealer in the Netherlands.
He’s already ordered several versions of the Spark (RC) and expects them somewhere in Q4 this year.
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Can I suggest investing in a bike stand? No need to flip anything upside down.
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I used to be a shock tech, that’s old school bad advice.
Lubrication comes from within grasshopper.
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The new bike didn’t perform too well in the XCC (short track) race. Maybe 120mm suspension, all the levers on the bars, and the extra weight doesn’t help for an all out 20 minute race.
That’s the same excuse I use when I’m having a bad day. Surely it must be the bike 
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I compared the XT team on the Scott Website with my 2018 GX Eagle team and its 2.5lbs heavier. I could shave 1lb by changing to my wheels, but the then integration stops me going much further. Then its about £1000/$1300 more expensive RRP.
So I would spend $5000 on a new, heavier bike.
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My 2021 fuel ex with a 34 fork and 2.4 tires weighs pretty much 27 even. That’s including a heavier AXS dropper as well. I can’t seem to find a comparable bike on Scott site to compare
Thanks! 
Good to know
Also, please no World Cup Spoilers out of the World Cup thread lol. That way I only have one thread to avoid until I can watch it later 
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Concerningly, it looks like the lower model RC’s don’t come with a dropper too
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I think there must be more models coming to the website, I assume there will be carbon Trail models too, but it looks like only Alloy on there at the moment.
I am really more and more stoked with my bike to be honest. It’s basically an RC now but I have an Alloy rear triangle (I prefer), shorter wheelbase (should prefer). I am definitely envious of the hidden shock, one piece bar and stem, and whilst I’m still torn on having the cables enter the frame via an opening, I really like the clean cable lines compared.
.
ETA - the super sexy black and white with kashima fox fork and dropper doesn’t show up yet which makes me feel there has to be more models to come.
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My last FUEL had the chainstay Aluminum and the seatstays and frame carbon. I HEARD the alum rides rougher and isn’t as strong as far as being used in the back end, curious why you prefer it aside from a cost savings
Purely robustness, my last bike got some really gnarly gouges from a trailer based shuttle that I don’t think carbon would have been safe with after.
I might be completely misguided in that regard, I’ve been told the main frame is just as strong/stronger than alloy from an impact perspective anyway.
I’d definitely prefer carbon front and rear purely for riding etc. I doubt there’s any justification performance wise for alloy. It’s the one thing making my bike “heavier” than bikes I compare it with.