Scott Patron ST eRide 900 Tuned on test: The new Scott - the ultimate all-mountain E-MTB?

The egg-laying woolly milk sow has a long history at Scott. The latest E-MTB Scott Patron ST with Bosch's exclusive CX Race motor strikes the same chord. While competitors like to focus their bikes on clear core virtues such as downhill strength or touring quality, the Swiss have always tried to combine seemingly contradictory aspects in their bikes. Models like the cult all-mountain Scott Genius are still almost synonymous with the widest possible range of applications.

The Patron also incorporates traditional Scott features such as the suspension lockout on the handlebars. This system allows the rear suspension to be adjusted in three stages: Rigid, firm 115 millimetres or fluffy 160 millimetres of travel. This should make the bike's balancing act between uphill and downhill, casual touring and fiery trail riding at least a little easier. Speaking of trails: A long fork with 170 millimetres of suspension travel characterises the ST model and should also equip the Patron for demanding enduro tours. More a question of looks: In addition to the battery, Scott also hides the shock in the frame. No other manufacturer does this.

You have chosen which bikes we should test: Readers most wanted - the most popular E-MTBs of the year! Under this motto, we have selected the most exciting e-mountainbikes from our readers' suggestions. Exotic specialists, absolute blockbusters or cheap discounter bikes? All of them had to undergo objective EMTB testing in the lab and in practice. So here they come: The results of your favourites from Alutech, Bulls, Cube, Haibike, Husqvarna, Olympia, Rockrider and Scott. The following have already been published:

• Test of the Alutech eFanes Nextgen AXS: Brushed e-bike jewel
• The Bulls Sonic EVO AM SL1 on test: How good is the affordable lightweight after the update?
• The Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 SLT on test - Cube e-mountainbike with Bosch CX on a diet course
• The Haibike Nduro 8 Freeride on test: A clear edge for rough daredevils
• The Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 on test: Stylish all-mountain bike with motorbike DNA?
• Testing the Olympia Hammer CC04: Italo underdog as an e-bike high-flyer?
• Rockrider E-EXPL 520S test: Does Decathlon build the best e-bike fully for under 3000 euros?
• An overview of the test of our readers' dream bikes can be found here

The facts about the Scott Patron ST eRide 900 Tuned

• Motor: Bosch CX Race, 85 Nm max. torque
• Battery: 750 Wh (removable)
• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 170 /160 millimetres
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Price: 10,999 euros
• Weight: 24.2 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement)
• Permissible total weight (manufacturer's specification): 128 kilograms

Bosch CX Race: The e-bike drive in the Scott Patron ST

The Patron ST is fitted with Bosch's top Performance CX Race motor. It offers the same performance data as the classic CX, but is slightly lighter and has a special race mode with a higher level of support and particularly long overtravel. This helps when climbing technically demanding terrain. The Kiox display offers a wealth of information on a clear screen, and the system is operated via a classic LED remote.

The proven 750 watt-hour battery gives the Scott a great range of just under 1850 metres in our standard test scenario with a 90-kilo rider on a steep asphalt climb. This is slightly less than with a classic CX drive, as the CX Race is exceptionally fast in full throttle mode and therefore uses up the battery more quickly. Still rather unusual for a Bosch bike: the battery is pulled out of the frame at the bottom of the Scott. Scott have solved the integration and removal really well. Nothing hitches or jerks, the battery can be inserted and removed smoothly. The cables are well organised and Scott has also developed an additional safety device to prevent the battery from accidentally rushing out. Top!

The geometry of the Scott Patron ST - also for beginners

The Patron is a bike with a wide range of uses and a broad target group, which even less experienced bikers will get their money's worth. The slack head angle and high stack support downhill confidence, while the reach of 458 millimetres is rather conservative for a modern bike. Relatively long chainstays of 455 millimetres ensure a smooth ride and prevent the front end from climbing too early. The slack seat angle doesn't put the body's centre of gravity too far forward, which takes the strain off the wrists on long rides with little climbing.

EMTB measurements at a glance (frame size L)

• Seat tube length: 462 mm
• Wheelbase: 1275 mm
• Reach: 458 mm
• Stack: 662 mm
• Steering angle: 64.3 degrees
• Seat angle: 75.7 degrees
• Chainstay length: 455 mm

The equipment of the Scott Patron ST eRide 900 Tuned

With its proud price of 11,000 euros, the eRide 900 Tuned is only the second most expensive model in the Patron line-up. The top model, the 900 Ultimate, costs another 2,000 euros more. The equipment of the Tuned model is of course of correspondingly high quality, but Scott does not go all out here. Only the Fox 38 Factory Grip2 cannot be topped. Due to the system, a shock without a reservoir is used at the rear, as there is no more space with the integrated solution. The aluminium wheels from Syncros, Sram's new GX transmission and Shimano XT brakes, on the other hand, are upper mid-range and functionally top, but the bike's proud price doesn't inspire any real euphoria.

• Fork / Shock: Fox 38 Factory Grip2 / Nude T Factory
• Gear system: Sram GX Eagle Transmission
• Brakes: Shimano XT
• Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke E 1.5 CL
• Front / rear tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+, 29x2.6 inch / Dissector Exo+, 29x2.6 inch

Practical test: How the Scott Patron ST rides

We already know from our last test with Scott's entry-level Patron eRide 920: The Patron scores particularly well as an uncomplicated tourer. At least when rolling up to the trail, the ST model gives a similar impression. On the Scott, you sit comfortably behind the high front end and the moderate seat angle takes the strain off your wrists. This makes it easy to imagine tours with longer flat sections. Nevertheless, the Patron climbs excellently even on steep terrain. The suspension responds sensitively without bottoming out unpleasantly. The rear tyre almost always finds good traction, the front hardly climbs at all. Even beginners can cope well with demanding climbs. The powerful race motor pushes the Patron up even nasty steps with ease. The only disadvantage is that the high front end and the slack seat angle make you more of a passenger than a pilot on the climbs.

A trend that also continues on the Patron downhill. Although the long fork and high front end provide a lot of security here, the short reach forces the rider into a less active riding position and restricts freedom of movement somewhat. The high centre of gravity means you don't always feel well integrated into the bike. Safely mastering steep trails - yes. Braking on downhill trails - rather no. The Patron ST doesn't have the full-throttle urge of some other E-MTBs of this travel. So it makes perfect sense that the manufacturer itself does not classify the Patron ST as an enduro bike, despite the 170 mm fork. The narrow handlebars for this travel class and the wide 2.6-inch tyres also swing the pendulum towards comfort and safety rather than high speed.

A special feature of the Supertrail model, in addition to the long fork, is that the rear suspension is designed to be more progressive and firmer than that of the other Patrons. In practice, this leads to a very defined ride feel with good feedback from the ground. In combination with the light wheels, the defined rear end also supports a light-footed riding experience. On shallow trails, the Patron surprises with its pleasant handling. It never feels cumbersome or sluggish.

EMTB review of the Scott Patron ST

Strengths

• suitable for beginners
• Wide range of applications
• conveys a lot of security
• Bosch Race mode brings fun on extreme uphills

Weaknesses

• Little enduro feeling, despite 170 millimetres of travel
• High price

The EMTB review of the Scott Patron ST Tuned

Even as an ST model, the Patron is a typical Scott in the best sense of the word. The handling is uncomplicated and suitable for beginners, the bike proves itself on long tours and also cuts a fine figure in difficult terrain. Both uphill and downhill! Somewhat surprisingly, despite 170 millimetres of travel and a top fork, there are better bikes for tough downhill riding. More of a powerful all-rounder than a real downhill bruiser. - Adrian Kaether, editor of EMTB Magazine.