Scott has started with a blank canvas in the design of its new Patron eRide, which features 160mm of travel, a huge 750Wh battery and puts integration at the forefront. Scott claims that the new Patron sets the 'integration benchmark' for the best electric mountain bikes.
Designed to be ridden on any trail the Patron eRIDE should be able to take on everything from technical enduro trails to cross-country trails. Scott says that the Patron eRIDE will sit between its current Genius eRide and Ransom eRide platforms and offers a little extra support on challenging trails that the Genius e-Ride. The head angle is actually roughly the same as the Genius sitting at 65-degrees although unlike other Scott models it doesn't have any geometry adjustment. The seat angle sits at 77-degrees and the reach of 445.8mm for a medium is in the same ballpark as the Ransom eRide. The Patron eRide is designed for 29er wheels rather than the mullet 29er from and 27.5-inch rear that has gained popularity recently.
Aesthetically striking with its clean yet industrial aesthetic, it's obvious that Scott has put a huge amount of work into the design of the new bike. "The Patron eRide is probably the biggest challenge we've ever worked on at Scott, the elements to take into consideration and the level of details to achieve that integration raises the bar yet again. A new chapter has begun," says Andreas Ziegler (Scott's product manager for eRide MTB).
The design takes some inspiration from the recently released Scott Spark cross-country bike and integrates the shock into the top tube to keep it out of reach from dirt and grime but still accessible for tuning and servicing through a removable plastic cover. The suspension system is controlled using Scott's TwinLoc system which offers three positions of suspension control - fully open, a 115mm trail mode with an altered spring curve and full lockout. The 160mm fork is also controlled by the TwinLoc inline with the shock. That said, the lowest-priced Patron model gets a more basic version with only two positions on the fork (open or locked out) and no travel adjustment on the rear shock (open, a traction control setting and locked out).
Other than keeping suspension components clean, the integration of the shock in the top tube frees up more space in the main triangle allowing a water bottle to be mounted on the frame and for Scott to get creative with the motor placement.
Repositioned motor
Without needing to consider shock mounting points around the bottom bracket has allowed Scott to reconsider the best method to mount the motor. The result is rotating the orientation of the motor by 45-degrees so it's cradled in the frame rather than hung from the underside of the downtube. This not only helps protect the motor from debris and ground strikes but Scott says also enhances cooling.
The motor is a Bosch Performance CX unit that is capable of pumping out 85Nm of torque and 340 percent of assistance. This is controlled by a Bosch Kiox 300 display and is enhanced with Bosch's new software which aims to deliver more customization and a natural ride feel.
The motor is powered by Bosch's huge 750Wh battery pack which Scott expects to deliver around 100km or 2000m of elevation on eco mode and half that if you are a Turbo junkie. The battery itself is mounted in the downtube and features tool-less removal, sliding out the flat section at the bottom of the downtube.
Complete integration
As previously mentioned, integration was key in the design criteria for the Patron and, beyond the most obvious integration design considerations for the suspension and motor, Scott has paid close attention to smaller details as well.
Electric mountain bikes are notorious for being a mess of cables around the cockpit area as brake hoses, shifter cables, motor wiring, dropper cables and lockout switches all try and route themselves to their required locations. Scott has addressed this with a new one-piece carbon handlebar and stem which routes the cables along the underside of the bar and into internal routing ports on the side of the stem. To further beaten up the cockpit and improve usability the head unit is mounted above the stem and controls have been integrated. In order to fit all the required mid-ride controls within finger reach, Scott has combined the TwinLoc lever with the dropper lever which is mounted underneath the bar on the right side along with the Bosch remote.
There is further integration around the Patron eRide specific fenders which feature integrated LED lights powered by the motor battery so you can be easily seen as you ride home after one too many trails during an evening ride.
Scott Patron eRide e-MTB range and pricing
Scott will offer the Patron eRide in seven different build options: two women's versions with the Contessa Patron eRIDE 900 (€7.699) and the 910 (€6.599), followed by five men's models starting with the Patron eRide 920 (€5.999 / $6,499.99), 910 (€6.599), 900 (€7.699 / $7,999.99), 900 Tuned (€8.699 / $8,999.99) and finishing with the Patron eRIDE 900 Ultimate (€10.999). Pricing might vary according to currency so it's worth contacting your local Scott dealer for full details. The Patron eRide 920, 900 and 900 Tuned are expected to be available from November with the full range due in 2022.
Scott has only so far confirmed the specs of the three models due later this year. The 900 and 900 Tuned feature the same frame, motor and battery and come equipped with a Fox 38 fork, Fox Nude T eRide EVO shock and Fox dropper post. The 900 is equipped with the full compliments of Shimano's XT 12-speed groupset while the 900 Tuned gets a SRAM X01-GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Shimano XT brakes. Wheelset differs too with the 900 Tuned getting a Syncros Revelstoke-E 1.5 CL instead of the 900's Syncros MD30 although both are equipped with Maxxis Dissector 29x2.6-inch tires.
The cheaper Patron eRide 920 gets the same motor and battery but uses an alloy main triangle rather than carbon, you also don't get the top-spec carbon integrated bar and stem. Suspension is handled by a RockShox Domain Air and FOX Float EVOL eRIDE shock. You get a Shimano XT 12-speed derailleur which is paired with an FSA crankset and basic Shimano BR-MT520 four-piston brakes. Wheels are Syncros MD30 which are shod with Maxxis Dissector 29x2.6-inch tires. The finishing kit comes from Syncros including the alloy handlebar, stem, saddle and dropper post.
