SCOR 2030 VS. 4060

Images by Dominique Müller, Thomas Knecht & Ben Gerrish
Video by Ben Gerrish

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Today SCOR is launching their brand new 2030 trail machine, providing a fun platform for riders who seek out a little more pedaling efficiency for longer days in the saddle. However, their existing 4060 isn’t going anywhere, so we figured some people might be left with a dilemma when it came to choosing between the existing mainstay in the SCOR lineup or the new kid on the block. To help illustrate the different strengths of each of the choices, we made some head-to-head challenges to face the bikes against each other – some with a clock involved, and others based more on sensory elements – to hopefully aid in your decision for whether you are a 2030 or 4060 rider. Learn all about both machines and find out which one is for you in the latest episode of the Dissected series.

As with all of our Dissected Features, this is not intended to be a long term review or endorsement of a product but is instead a chance for our viewers and readers to get a deep dive look into some of the newest tech and products in the mountain bike space. We thank SCOR for the opportunity to create this feature and getting you some valuable beta on these two mountain bikes.

THE NEW SCOR 2030

The brand new 2030 follows SCOR’s naming convention by offering either 120mm or 130mm of rear travel, which is paired with a 140mm fork. As with the rest of their range it uses a full Carbon Fiber frame with the Lower Link driven Instant Center Suspension System, which their engineers chose to obtain a low effective pivot point to keep the wheels moving in the same plane for a playful and predictable feel.

2030 GEOMETRY AND SIZING

The 2030 keeps the spirit of the SCOR, but sizes it down to something you can pedal all day. They still feature relatively long front centers with a fairly slack 64.5-degree head angle, but keep the playful poppy nature thanks to the tight 429mm rear end. As on the 4060, you can flip the headset cups to switch between the stock 64.5 or a slightly steeper and more agile 65.5-degree position.

For the new 2030, SCOR has added a fifth frame size to the lineup. Their main engineer and product manager sit in the 175-185cm (5’9”-6’1”) size gap that so many of the riding population fits in, so they decided to add a “Medium Large” size to give riders tighter increments between sizes, with tight 20mm reach gaps between each size to really let each rider get their perfect fit.

Short chainstays are one of the defining features of SCOR bikes, helping to give the playful character that they value so much. The 2030 chainstays begin at 429mm for sizes Small to Medium-Large, and they’ve introduced size-specific chainstays to help to maintain the balance with the Large at 432mm and Extra Large at 434mm. Seat tube angles are also relatively steep and are size-specific to keep riders balanced between the wheels when pedaling.

2030 FRAME AND FEATURES

Retained from the 4060 is a lot of the hardware on the frame, with SCOR seeing no need to add more part numbers to the possible inventory for bike shops to carry spares should any issues happen. Both of the frames use internal cable routing which is fully guided within the frame to make maintenance easier and to reduce the chance of rattle; feature the same angle-adjustable headset to tailor the geometry to the trails on the menu of the day, and use a SRAM UDH for easy replacement sourcing or to obtain T-Type compatibility.

SCOR learned some lessons from the existing 4060 over the last couple of years, and implemented some changes and improvements to the 2030 frame to improve durability, maintenance ease and user friendliness. The frame is tested to the same levels as the 4060, obtaining ASTM Level 4 certification for enduro riding.

The first issue SCOR identified with the 4060 when being used in particularly muddy conditions was the impact of mud to the rear end, which in a few cases resulted in a drop in the longevity of the pivot bearings. They solved this with three modifications, opening up the frame in the problem area to allow for mud to clear easier, closing off the link and adding a larger fender to prevent it from entering as easily, and adding an extra o-ring into the frame hardware to help to keep water and dirt out better. All of these should combine to provide a longer service life for the pivot bearings.

SCOR also saw an opportunity to improve the functionality of their storage locker, by harnessing the larger gap below the water bottle cage. This led to some new engineering challenges to regain the frame stiffness after the large cutout was made in this area, but the improved storage was worth the hard work in their eyes. The new storage pouch that comes with the 2030 is waterproof with an extra protective flap over the zip, to protect it through bike washes and keep everything safe inside.

SCOR worked on the stiffness profile of the 2030 to deliver a more homogeneous overall frame flex between the front and rear. SCOR doesn’t believe that more stiffness is always better, so they tune it to deliver the right feel. The Instant Center suspension pivots are in line in the horizontal axis, which means it’s stiff under pedaling loads but allows for some torsional flex to keep the rear wheel tracking the ground and obtaining grip.

2030 BUILD OPTIONS

SCOR is offering the new 2030 in a choice of three build specs, from the $5200 NX build to the $9300 XO1 build, or as a frameset with Fox Factory shock for $3500. All of the bikes feature a sensible build that blends lightweight “trail-friendly” componentry with some more aggressive parts in key areas for hard hitting descending. All builds feature SRAM Code brakes, but with 180mm rotors as stock to shave some weight. The builds are equipped with Inline shocks as standard, but the 2030 frame is piggyback and coil shock compatible if you want to obtain the most aggressive descending capabilities.

For this Dissected feature we have tested the middle GX-level build at $7300, which is quite competitively priced with other premium brands. An Ultimate level RockShox Pike and Deluxe suspension combo offers plenty of adjustability to get the setup dialed in, without being overly heavy to impact the climbing performance. The drivetrain is SRAM GX Eagle as you may guess from the name, and the brakes are CODE RSC’s to offer the bite-point adjustment and plentiful stopping power. There’s a smartly chosen DT Swiss XM1700 wheelset to deliver a good blend of durability and weight, which are wrapped in a fast Maxxis Rekon / Dissector combo with EXO casings and Maxx Terra rubber. The cockpit is a SCOR carbon bar clamped with a Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem, and the WTB Silverado saddle is suspended by the ultra-reliable Bikeyoke Divine dropper.

THE LOWER LINK DRIVEN INSTANT CENTER LINKAGE SYSTEM

Unique to SCOR bikes, the Lower Link Driven Instant Center Linkage is a dual-link design that gives an Instant Center that is constantly moving through the travel, often known as a Virtual Pivot Point. SCOR opts to set this instant center very low, giving the wheel a near-vertical axle path. This is done in a bid to deliver a lot of pop from the suspension and prevent the geometry from extending under compression, and offers Anti Squat which drops off through the suspension travel to allow it to move freely towards the end of the stroke without sacrificing pedaling efficiency at sag. Anti Rise figures are quite low, letting the suspension work freely under braking and effectively “pushing” the rear wheel into the ground when the rear brake is applied, increasing braking traction at the expense of geometry preservation. The SCOR bikes are given enough Leverage Ratio progression to be compatible with an air or coil shock depending on the rider’s preferences.

THE 4060

The 4060 is the original bike that SCOR launched with two years ago, and remains unchanged other than the choice of four new colorways for this year, as SCOR still fully believes in its performance. While the 2030 can be modified between two slightly different rear travel numbers without modifying the geometry, the 4060 instead offers two much more distinct models – the 4060 ST and 4060 LT – to let riders tailor the bike to their preference between all-mountain versatility and enduro aggression.

The different 4060 versions are achieved through a flip chip on the lower linkage and angle adjustable headset, which is combined with a different shock stroke and fork travel. The 4060 ST delivers 140mm rear travel which is paired with a 150mm fork as standard, whereas the 4060 LT we are testing in this feature packs 160mm travel in the rear with a 170mm travel fork. Both bikes use the same main frame, letting riders switch between the two versions by changing these components and effectively offering up two bikes in one.

4060 GEOMETRY AND SIZING

Shared between the 4060 ST and 4060 LT are the Small to Extra Large four-size range that covers Reach numbers from 435mm to 515mm. We tested the size Large 4060 LT, which has a 485mm Reach and 626mm Stack in the Slack headset position. The rear end is a short 433mm on both machines to give that SCOR playful feel. The Head Angle goes from 63.8 to 65 degrees on the LT, or 65.5 degrees on the ST, and BB drop is 20mm on the LT or 28mm on the ST. Seat tube angles sit at an effective 78 degrees on both bikes, putting you in a well centered position for climbing.

4060 FRAME AND FEATURES

As with the 2030, the Full Carbon SCOR 4060 uses the same Lower Link Driven Instant Center linkage system to deliver its 140mm or 160mm of rear wheel travel. This lower link features the ST or LT flip chip to change frame travel and geometry. There’s the same fully guided internal cable routing; angle adjustable headset offering two geometry positions; SRAM UDH, and Integrated upper chain guide. The 4060 receives lower ISCG05 mounts to run a bash guard too, if the rider desires. There’s still a storage compartment present on the 4060, but it sits on the bottom of the downtube and only features space for a small tool or spares and the included spare SRAM UDH.

4060 BUILD OPTIONS

SCOR offers the 4060 in either its ST or LT version with two similar build specs from the $5199 NX ST to the $7299 LT GX we tested, as a ST LTD model with RockShox Flight Attendant suspension for $9,999, or as a frameset with a choice of shock from $3900.

The LT GX spec we tested features a sensible selection of top-end parts where it makes the biggest difference, with some slightly less flashy components in areas where durability and ease of replacement are preferable. There’s a Fox Factory level combination with the 170mm travel 38 up front and a Float X2 in the rear. The drivetrain and brakes are provided by SRAM with a full GX mechanical groupset with carbon crank and CODE RSC brakes with a pair of 200mm rotors. The wheelset is a DT Swiss EX1700, wrapped in a Maxxis Assegai EXO+ up front and Dissector Double Down in the rear. Rounding out the specs are a SCOR Carbon bar and Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem; and a Bikeyoke Divine topped with a WTB Silverado saddle.

INTERVIEW WITH ANTOINE LYARD (SCOR PRODUCT MANAGER)

TLW: What led SCOR to developing the new 2030?

Antoine Lyard (AL): Range expansion was for sure on the menu, and what we wanted to do was to look into what would have the most appeal for the style of riding we do…The 4060 was Mariano’s bike (SCOR Engineer) and this one (2030) is more my bike, but obviously it crosses with broad commercial potential. There’s a lot of people who do not have very high or steep mountains around, and this type of bike can just do a lot of things.

TLW: Where do you expect the start and the end of the capabilities of the 2030 to lie?

AL: Basically, it’s a bike that has two sides. One of them is for sure the long days in the saddle with a bit of exploring, but with a bit of an attitude…the descents should be kinda shreddy and enjoyable. You don’t put all the attributes of the bike on the climbing. And on the other side, there are maybe shorter rides, a lot of playful rides on maybe slightly flatter terrain, and you just find every excuse and opportunity to just boot everything.

TLW: Do you expect riders from more of a cross country background are going to be happy?

AL: We’re not stuck in a position in life… I would say our sister brand (BMC) may have other offerings that riders with a more cross-country spirit or background would be happy with… it’s more like a smaller bike for maybe people that used to ride bigger bikes.

TLW: When you’re designing and testing the bike, to what level is it tested. Is it as strong as the 4060?

AL: We test upon ASTM Level 4 for the 2030, the same as the 4060. Of course, the loads are a little different with the shorter fork but generally speaking it’s the same.

TLW: And 4 is the enduro category, right?

AL: Yes, downhill is 5 there is a huge gap between the two, four and five. You could say that four is not enough, but it is for sure good enough for the intended use of that bike (2030).

TLW: And I guess you’ve been testing it through riders like Josh Lewis, so it’s probably going to be enough for most people

AL: Should be!

TLW: Do you know if Josh has experimented with different setups? You have the option to change the rear travel…do you recommend or allow people to change wheelsize on the bike?

AL: It’s a free world, people can do whatever fits them. The bike is designed for a full 29er setup, it’s not supposed to be modified. If you do so then there are some consequences…you know, BB height will be right at the limit. It doesn’t really bother Josh, but the type of riding he is doing is very specific. This is a bike that unlike the 4060 which you can convert to a mullet setup, this one (2030) is meant to be a full 29er.

TLW: How do you think people are going to make the choice between the 4060 and 2030?

AL: The easiest way to get started with the thinking on where to go would be the terrain. If you live in more rolling terrain, not Alpine, maybe you don’t need that much travel. That’s one of the elements. There’s also your speed going down. The 2030 is very capable, but when it gets really rough you have to slow down a little bit because you don’t have the travel that the 4060 provides you. I’d say those two items are important when making your decision. I’d say it’s a very similar ride feel, just the 2030 is a bit more energetic, punchy. Maybe it’s the most turbulent child in the family.

TLW: You still have the 4060 in your lineup, are there any plans to change the direction with the 2030 now released?

AL: I think it will remain the cornerstone of the SCOR product offering. Of course, we have the new colors and specs, but we will push in that direction, it’s really the foundation of our brand. Today we expand in the shorter side of travel, maybe we will expand in the bigger side of the travel one day, who knows. The 4060 is still very important for us.

TLW: You’ve had the 4060 in the lineup for a couple of years now, you’ve maybe learned some things along the way, what updates have you brought onto the 2030 from that time?

AL: We learned that due to our frame layout and suspension configuration, we have a pocket where mud can collect, and people tend to hose their bikes quite intensively in that area. So what we’ve done is that from the back you have a very flush and flat surface surface so whatever material shoots from the rear tire does not collect below the shock, and then on the side we kept it a little more open, so there’s left stuff going in that area and if there is a little bit then it’s a lot easier to remove.

That’s one thing, and the other thing is the bearings are a bit better sealed. We’ve added flanges that are retained with an O-ring, so moisture does not penetrate through the bearing seal and inside the bearing too quick. So, we improved bearing life.

TLW: And you have the new in-frame storage, what led to the development of that?

AL: We always believed in storage…we have the tiny storage on the 4060. It was our first bike, so we wanted to keep it under control. We still had the very nicely integrated UDH, but there was really space for maybe plugs or a multitool, sometimes both depending on how good you are.

This one has full in-frame storage with a waterproof pouch. That was always a wish to execute on that, but of course cutting a big hole in the downtube comes with challenges when it comes to the whole structural integrity of the frame, so obviously we needed to come up with something like that. We started working on this before the 4060 came out.

JUMPING AND PUMPING
The 2030 is undoubtedly the easier bike to pop and maneuver in the air, making it the more fun machine for smaller hits and to make the most stylish shapes, with still quite impressive cushion when it comes to the harsh landings. Similarly, you can generate more speed through pumping the terrain, illustrated by the increased exit speed in the head-to-head roller test. But once the jumps get to a certain size and speed, the 4060 comes into play with improved stability in the air and larger reserves to keep it comfortable if you don’t quite hit the sweet spot, and it’s by no means a boring bike to pop and play on in the bike park.

CORNER RIPPING
The 2030 feels particularly sharp through tighter turns, changing direction incredibly easily and giving a great platform to push against to generate speed. The 4060 is slightly softer and more compliant, giving improved traction and confidence if the turns are less grippy or more blown out. Both bikes will happily carve a hard turn through a sculpted berm, leaving you screaming with excitement in the process.

MANUAL CHALLENGE
Both of these SCOR bikes are incredibly fun and easy to get onto the back wheel, but the reduced travel and slightly shorter rear end of the 2030 makes it even better than the 4060 here, giving a “full suspension BMX” kind of feel when manualing and jibbing your way around.

WHAT SCOR IS FOR YOU?

Overall, it’s safe to say that SCOR delivers on their fun-loving promises with their bike designs, with both the 2030 and 4060 providing a poppy and playful machine that stands out in their respective categories, while still retaining healthy capabilities to support hard charging in gnarly terrain.

The SCOR 2030 is unsurprisingly the bike we’d recommend for riders who are looking to spend longer days in the saddle covering more ground. It’ll also give those riders who wish to remain a little more connected with the trail a more engaging platform, whether they be looking to maximize excitement for some fairly technical trails or just looking for a bike that’ll still retain an element of fun in mellower trail sections. That said, with progressive suspension and aggressive geometry in the right places, the 2030’s capabilities are impressive, and it could make a killer mini park bike or light enduro rig with some burlier tires and some component upgrades here and there.

The SCOR 4060 on the other hand is the fun-loving enduro riders pick, where it can absolutely hang in an enduro racing scenario so long as the rider is willing to focus on keeping weight on the front wheel in flatter turns and doesn’t demand the most stable rig for the straighter sections of trail. In the bike park, there’s still healthy pop and agility to support some flamboyant riding, but it’ll prefer a faster average speed and slightly bigger and gnarlier terrain than the 2030.

We’re looking forward to logging many more miles on the SCOR 2030 for its long term review, to get to the bottom of its capabilities and see how it compares to other bikes in the trail category. Watch this space!