Scott Ransom Bike Check: Hidden Shock, Six-Link Suspension and a Pro-Level Build

Introduction

The new Scott Ransom applies an idea Scott first introduced on the Spark, then carried to the Genius, and now brings to its long-travel enduro platform: the rear shock is hidden inside the frame. The result is a very clean silhouette, a shock that sits low in the chassis, and a six-link rear end that separates axle path from shock actuation. This bike check covers the frame design, the geometry, and the full component build sitting on top of it.

Who the Scott Ransom Is For

The Ransom sits at the big-hit end of the Scott range. The rider behind this build keeps a Spark for cross-country and trail riding, a Genius for everything in between, and treats the Ransom as the bike for enduro racing, Mega Avalanche and Trans Madeira style events, and big jump lines. That makes it a natural fit for riders who already own a shorter-travel bike and want a dedicated descender, or for anyone who wants one bike that climbs well enough and descends with real confidence.

Because the shock is carried inside the frame, weight sits low in the bike. That is a deliberate choice aimed at cornering and overall handling, and it is the detail most people notice first when they see the Ransom in person.

Riders who spend their time on steep, rocky descents and long alpine days will get the most from that layout. The setup described here is a working configuration that has already seen a few weeks of riding rather than a show build.

Hidden Shock and Six-Link Suspension

Hiding the shock inside the frame is not new for Scott, but the Ransom is the first time the approach has appeared on this platform. The payoff is a tidy front triangle with no exposed shock body and a center of gravity that sits noticeably lower than a conventional layout allows.

The hidden shock is driven by a different linkage than the previous Ransom. It is a six-link design, which lets the designers separate the axle path and the shock actuation completely. Every linkage runs on bearings, and that carries across the whole Ransom range rather than only the top model, so the supple feel is not reserved for the most expensive build.

The bike comes with a Fox Float X shock with twin lock, adjustable for climbing, descending, or trail riding. The shock is trunnion mounted on bearings, and a coil can be fitted instead, along with other shocks entirely, although staying within the Fox family is the recommendation here.

There is also a new track lock system. A handlebar mounted remote closes a valve between two chambers to make the shock more progressive, which optimizes the bike for climbing. Riders who already own a dedicated climbing bike may never need it, and this build runs without the lockout because the Ransom climbs well on its own.

Build Kit and Component Choices

Suspension starts with a Fox 38 fork up front running four volume tokens for a progressive feel. At the rear, the stock Float X has been swapped for a Fox Float X2 air shock, the burlier freeride and downhill oriented option, with a coil still possible for riders who prefer that character.

The cockpit uses a Deity BF 800 handlebar cut to 780mm, paired with a Deity Copperhead stem with 42mm reach. The bar is aluminium with a 31.8mm clamp rather than carbon, a deliberate choice for a little more compliance and feel through the hands. Grips are the white, thicker version of the DMR Death Grips.

Braking comes from Hayes Dominion brakes in a limited purple edition with the older Hayes logo on the body. The lever runs on a bearing, which gives it a very light action, and that light but strong feel is the main reason they stay on the bike through long descents.

Contact points continue with a Deity Speed Trap saddle and DMR Vault pedals in the ice finish. The pedals use taller King pins, with a sharper moto pin in the middle and a slightly taller pin on the outer edge, creating a concave platform that keeps the foot planted. Cranks are DMR AX in a 165mm length, chosen for clearance over rocks rather than pedaling efficiency.

The drivetrain is a wireless SRAM T-Type AXS setup with the newer shifter, a 12-speed system that can be positioned and adjusted in almost any way. That adjustability is the highlight, since it makes shifting comfortable for riders managing hand or thumb injuries.

Wheels are a prototype from ENVE, part of a new M Series and specifically the new M9. The rim section is shallower than before, which adds compliance and feel over off-camber terrain while keeping the stiff, poppy character the wheels are known for. A new ENVE hub is also on the way. Tyres are Pirelli: an M series up front in a downhill casing, and a T type at the rear, also in a downhill casing, with a more open tread pattern aimed at braking traction.

Taken together, the kit is built around control on steep terrain rather than weight saving, and every choice here can be replicated or adapted on a stock Ransom.

Geometry, Flip Chip, and Wheel Setup

Compared with the previous Ransom, the new bike is slightly slacker and slightly lower. The bigger story is the flip chip, which allows full 29-inch wheels, full 27.5, or a mullet setup, and raises or lowers the bottom bracket to suit the chosen configuration.

This build is heading for a mullet setup, with a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear. That is the preferred combination for riders who want the front wheel to roll over obstacles easily while keeping the rear end clear on steeper terrain and bigger jumps.

Paint, Finish, and What Carries Across the Range

The finish on this bike is an off-white grey with fluorescent yellow accents. It is the paint job that comes with the RC version of the Ransom, and the same treatment appears across the top RC models in the range, from the Gambler to the Spark.

The detail worth noting for anyone shopping further down the range is the bearing setup. Every linkage on every Ransom model runs on bearings, so the suspension feel that defines the bike is not limited to the most expensive build.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The hidden shock divides opinion, and the trade-offs are worth weighing honestly. The layout looks clean and keeps weight low, but the shock is tucked inside the frame rather than easy to reach, so riders who like to adjust shock setup on the trail should think about whether that suits them.

Shock choice is another consideration. The bike comes with a Fox Float X and twin lock, but this build runs an X2 air shock and a coil is also possible. Riders who want the lockout for climbing will use the track lock remote, while riders who already own a lighter trail bike may find they rarely touch it.

Wheel configuration is a real decision point rather than a marketing line. The flip chip makes full 29, full 27.5, and mullet all possible, and each changes how the bike sits and how it rides.

Buying Advice

For riders who want a long-travel bike that climbs well enough to earn its descents, the Ransom makes a strong case, particularly if the low, hidden shock layout appeals. The suspension platform and bearings are shared across the range, so the main decisions come down to model, shock, and wheel size.

Component choices on this build are worth using as a reference point. A 780mm aluminium bar, short 165mm cranks, a light-lever brake, and a pedal with a concave platform all point to a setup built around control on steep terrain rather than outright pedaling efficiency.

If the Ransom will be your only bike, think carefully about whether its descending focus matches how you actually ride, and whether you want the climbing lockout or can live without it.

Conclusion

The new Scott Ransom takes the hidden shock concept from the Spark and the Genius and scales it up for long-travel enduro riding, with a six-link rear end, bearings throughout the range, and a flip chip that covers full 29, full 27.5, and mullet setups. The build shown here leans hard into descending, with a Fox 38, an X2 air shock, prototype ENVE M9 wheels, and Pirelli downhill-casing tyres. For riders whose idea of a good day involves steep trails and long descents, it is a coherent and convincing package.