The Voltage FR started life in 2007, a modified Scott Nitrous frame that Timo Pritzel and Lance Mcdermott were hucking around Freeride comps all over the world. This bike was a test bed for the geometry and setup which was taken to the original Voltage, a bike with extensive adjustability to different situations, slope-style, park riding and even winning a World Cup DH piloted by Florian Pugin in 2010.

New Voltage

Improved frame stiffness
27.5″ wheels (compatible with 26″)
170-190mm travel
Adjustable wheelbase: 425mm only for 27.5″ 410-425mm for 26″
Adjustable head-angle: 62-66deg
IDSX dropouts

The new bike offers a massive boost in stiffness, which was a bugbear of the previous bike. Some people modified the old shock linkage to reduce flex and scissoring action in the swingarm. Scott have eliminated this, utilising a one-piece link, adding seatstay bridge, bigger bearings and axles. The bearings are shared with the Gambler, making it easier for shops to carry spares.

Dan Roberts another British Engineer at Scott designed the new Voltage. He says the bike boasts 40% improved stiffness at the BB and 30% at the headtube, impressive changes!

The bike can run 26 or 27.5″ wheels, has the same adjustable wheelbase, IDSX dropouts and Syncros angleset found on the Gambler, travel adjust between 170 and 190mm. It also shares frame sizing with its bigger brother.

This bike is a completely different animal on the trail to the Gambler. More playful and responsive, super low standover makes it easy to throw around in the air, and lighter weight makes it much easier to pick up and place than the Gambler which is a point and shoot destroyer.

I only tested this bike in 180mm mode and was easily capable of everything in Morgins. Dare I say it, it could make a great ‘UK Downhill bike’.

It was also clear to see that with some quick geometry changes and smaller wheels that this could be turned in to a sturdy park or slopestyle bike for the trick ferrets and the kids. The Voltage should be arriving in Autumn along with the Gambler.  Again at 3 price points, but a fair chunk of money less.