SCOR 4060 ST GX XL 2022
Reviews / Trail Bikes
0
At a glance
The 4060 ST GX is the top specced short travel (140mm) bike of this new Swiss brand. The carbon frame is built for fun, and has nice smart design features like integrated tool storage compartments, adjustable geometry and customizable frame protectors.
Buy Trail Bikes on
About the brand
SCOR is the result of what happens when you work at the R&D department at one of the world's leading race oriented bicycle brands, but are more interested in having fun on the bike than being on the top of the podium. This was exactly the case with some of the people working at Swiss bike brand BMC.
While designing cutting edge technology for road and XC racers, they found themselves in their off time exploring the alps and sessioning the dirt jumps and bike parks and longing for a bike that was more suited to this type of riding.
In their free time they started playing around with BMC’s high tech tools, creating prototypes and testing out their ideas and eventually the daydreams turned into a real bike. Such a playful non race oriented bike didn’t fit under the BMC brand and so SCOR was born in the summer of 2021.
When it comes to the environment and sustainability, SCOR stays quiet like many other brands out there. Nothing on sustainable energy use, environmentally friendly packaging or goals they have for the future to make sure we have a planet to ride on.
The product
SCOR makes one frame that can be 140 or 160mm rear wheel travel, depending on the shock stroke used. We got our hands on an XL short travel bike, with their top of the line Sram GX build. Suspension duties are handled by a 150mm travel Rock Shox Pike Ultimate and a Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT in the rear.
Drivetrain is obviously GX with CODE RSC installed to slow you down. SCOR carbon bars are held in place by a Burgtec stem. Dropper post is by Bikeyoke and of course the travel is dependent on the frame size. To keep things rolling SCOR relies on the faithful DT Swiss with their XM1700 wheels. Grip is provided to you in the form of Maxxis Assegai in the front with EXO casing, and the Dissector with EXO+ casing.
Now the spec choice is one thing, but the beating heart of any bike is of course the frame, and here you can see again this bike is built by riders. The frames are painted in a plain single color, and decals are actually integrated with the Slicy frame protection stickers. Cool detail with this is that you can fully customize your decals for just a 35 Euro upcharge, or just get clear decals if you want to keep things undercover.
Customization is key, and this also reflects in the frame itself. With the flip chip you can alter the BB height by about 6mm and the angle set adjusts the head angle by 1.5 degrees. The website explains the base suspension setup properly, and all the options you can run with steeper/slacker higher/lower and even a Mullet setup is possible.
Basically if you buy yourself the 4060 ST, you can turn it into a LT by swapping over the rear shock and changing your forks. Not a 5 minute job done at the trailhead, but definitely handy if you want to get something beefier for the summer holidays in the Alps without buying a second bike.
Let’s talk some numbers! The head angle is 65.5 degrees for the ST, but you can slacken it to a relaxed 64 degrees in a second. Just undo the stem, rotate the spacer ring 180 degrees and whoosh, you got yourself a different beast. Where things get really interesting is with the rest of the geometry. The numbers on the angles, reach, bb drop and chainstay length are very similar to a Santa Cruz Hightower, only the SCOR has a slightly different sizing scale. The numbers of a size XL Hightower comes closest to a size L SCOR ST.
Chainstay length is a shortish 433mm, and with a BB height of 29 you know this ride will rail corners. Reach on the size L is a longish 485mm which sits you nice and firm in the center of the bike, but we talk more about that later. The effective seat tube angle sits at 70 degrees, which makes for very efficient pedalling in the saddle. Seat tube lengths are quite short too, which is great for those looking for a low standover height.
The suspension system has the rear shock mounted as low as possible to create a low center of gravity. This also results in a nice and stiff rear triangle, with a super clean look. To make sure there is no dirt entering the rear shock, they mounted a clever mud guard. This shock position makes adjusting it a little tricky, then again this is not something you do every ride.
Last but not least, let's talk about the details. On the downtube of the SCOR you will find a nicely engineered hatch that gives you access to a storage space. Great for an innertube, multitool and Cliff bar. Here you will also find the spare mech hanger (they use the Sram UDH system). There is space for a drink bottle on the downtube, and on the bottom of the top tube you find attachment points for other accessories.
You can order your SCOR from your local dealer, straight from the interwebs or do a combo with click and collect. Currently they have a long travel and a short travel model, both in two different price points available as well as a frame only option.
Out on the trail
Setting up the 4060 ST was a breeze with the setup guide provided. On the climbs the SCOR likes it best if you just sit down and spin. The position on the bike is very centered and the seat angle makes it easy to pedal, even up the really steep stuff. The stiff rear end really transfers the power straight to the rear wheel.
When pointing the SCOR down a hill, the first thing we noticed was how good the suspension worked. Small bump sensitivity is amazing and even when you hit the big stuff it is progressive enough to give you that bottomless feeling. The 140mm test bike definitely felt like it had more travel.
After trying out both options, we preferred the slacker head angle setup, as this gave you a bit more confidence on the steeps and at speed. Combined with the short rear end, it really creates a super playful feeling ride. Automatically you start to look for rocks and roots to launch from, and you pull a manual wherever you can.
Another thing I noticed is that this is one of the most silent bikes I have ridden in a long time. The frame protection is placed in all the right places, and made of a good quality material too. The overall feel of the build is very solid too. No cheap flimsy plastic, no crappy bolts that are easily rounded. If you have ever slammed a door of a Fiat Panda and a BMW, you know the feeling I am talking about.
Verdict
All in all this bike does exactly what it says on the tin. It is an extremely well manufactured frame with a very specific character that makes you want to pop, skrrt and broaap all day long. The versatility of turning it into a 160mm travel bike with an evening of spannering is an added bonus too.
Spec wise you know this is built by riders. Prioritising suspension and wheels over other parts, as those are the least likely things you wear out/upgrade. The SCOR has tons of smart features and well thought out details, even down to the EXO+ casing in the rear for added pinch flat protection where you need it. If you like a playful bike, this has your name all over it. Two thumbs up from me!
This review was in Issue 68 of IMB.
For more information visit SCORRelated
By Jarno Hoogland
Jarno's life has revolved around two wheels ever since he swung a leg over his first BMX at age 4. After a BMX and DH racing career, he moved on to work for bike shops, distributors and brands before ending up in the editors seat at IMB. Based in the ultimate testing ground in the Swiss mountains, he runs his guiding operation and makes sure every IMB issue is filled with top notch content.
