Head-to-head: biketest downcountry duel

Two contemporary short-travel steeds pitted against one another to see which is fastest and most fun

- By Mick Kirkman

MICK KIRKMAN TESTER/PHOTOGRAPHER

With a background in BMX, 4X, dual slalom and Elite DH racing, as well as bike development, Mick's ridden and documented MTBing for 20 years and is one of only a few bike testers to have hundreds of reviews in print.

The 'downcountry' category has been around a while, with brands aiming to blend the descending capability of a trail bike with the pedalling efficiency and climbing ability of a cross-country (XC) race rig, by combining slack-and-long geometry with light weight and limited suspension travel.

Achieved with minimal compromises in either direction, it's a great formula for a versatile UK all-rounder. Most models lean more towards either trail/enduro or XC, though.

That's clearly the case with the two bikes here. While both the FlareMAX and the Spark claim downcountry credentials, it's obvious that each grew up on different sides of the tracks the carbon fibre, featherweight Scott born out of multiple world and Olympic-level XC wins, and the steel-and-alloy Cotic having more in common with the brand's do-it-all Jeht trail bike.

Designed in Switzerland with all the latest technological advancements, Scott's full-carbon rig is also more typical of a 'big brand' approach, compared to Cotic's more down-to-earth gritty, UK attitude. You can almost smell the R&D hours (and cash) put into the cutting-edge Spark, with its hidden Fox shock, three-position remote lockout and integrated everything else.