2019 Scott Ransom 920 Review

[@Durin-Björnsson]

This review is very underrated. For all the people that are not fans of carbon bikes and I am considering buying one of these this review made me make up my mind and throw my money at it. Thank you for the video!

[@IslandBikeLife]

Glad I could help! Enjoy the bike it is a bomber.

[@danytheunicorn95]

nice job, great editing and complete review. 9.5/10. keep up the good work:)

[@IslandBikeLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@LetsTestDrive]

I'm wanting to buy this exact model and run the 29 wheels for enduro/downhill, but want to buy a set of 27.5 wheels spare for a more play full/fun/agile ride. Combined with the twin loc and the ability to swap out wheels I'm hoping it will be a really fun versatile bike that I can easily adjust for any situation. I've test ridden the Trek Slash and it was a confidence inspiring monster truck that could plow through anything, but I was more impressed after riding it's fun/playfull/agile baby brother the Remedy which runs 27.5 wheels. I'm hoping the Ransom will be like the Remedy and Slash in the one bike.

[@IslandBikeLife]

It definitely gives you versatility. I can say as a previous owner of a bike that could run both wheel sizes I ended up just running one so it never ended up working the way I thought when I got it. Just something to keep in mind.

[@LiveAeons]

@@IslandBikeLife , what wheel size was it?

[@IslandBikeLife]

I ended up just keeping it on 29 wheels and sold off the 27.5 set.

[@adamturner9363]

Have you got it yet I seem to be in a similar position?

[@dustybahlz6674]

Island Bike Life ... Great review Buddy.... Would you ay this bike is suited for most of Van Isles terrain?

[@andrewbambury8967]

Thanks for this review!

[@IslandBikeLife]

Thanks for watching

[@andrewbambury8967]

Have you ever tested the Cannondale Jekyll? If so, how does it compare to this?

[@ScbyPwr]

I don't think the 920 has the progression flip switch on the rear shock. I believe it is only available on the tuned and the 910.

[@IslandBikeLife]

You are correct, I misstated that.

[@ScbyPwr]

@@IslandBikeLife Did you get a chance to do any steep technical climbs, switchbacks, etc? Does the bike tend to wander or is it easy to hold a straight line? I am currently riding a Trek Stache with 29x3.0. Do you have any experience with comparing the 29x2.6 to something in a traditional plus size? I am 6'3", 230 lbs, 32 inch inseam. I was thinking XL since I am very comfortable on an XL and not so much on the L size.

[@IslandBikeLife]

I did and it held fine. Only in very steep sections did I find the front wheel wander a bit. Never got held up on footy uphills or similar environments.

[@matthew5172]

How tall are you? Trying to figure out my size. I’m 6ft-6ft1

[@redbull0311]

Any chance you'll be reviewing the Scott Genius? I've been trying to decide between that and the SB130

[@IslandBikeLife]

If I can get my hands on a demo it is on the list for this Spring. I have put a solid week on a Genius this past summer and it is a great bike, I loved it. Bit different than the SB130 for sure, either are great. If climbing is more important to you than the 130 might be the ticket. Going downhill they are pretty on par with each other. Genius has a bit more 'plush' feel in my experience.

[@redbull0311]

@@IslandBikeLife Thanks for the info. I live on the east coast so pedaling and climbing is a big part of MTB life here. I was looking at the Genius because of the twin lock. You saying the SB130 climbs better than the Genius even with the twin lock?

[@IslandBikeLife]

So much like the Ransom if you use the twin loc and keep your suspension setup plush then it would be pretty on par. I really like having my suspension setup so that I don’t have to play with lockouts if possible. The twin loc is good if you want that freedom to easily switch on/off but it adds more stuff to your bars etc. That is personal preference kind of stuff.

[@redbull0311]

@@IslandBikeLife Thanks. Good stuff. I'm going to demo both of them next week.

[@CHADOYCMTB]

is it really a 2019 or a 2020??

[@mikesgier]

Hi there: do you know how the brake hose for the back break is fixed inside the frame? Can I just pull it out and put a new one in without a problem? Or is this going to be an issue? Thank you an happy trails

[@IslandBikeLife]

I have not done it on the Ransom personally but it should be no problem. Easiest way will be to remove the hose from the lever and feed it from the rear to the front. The internal routing might be a bit tricky but not too bad.

[@mikesgier]

@@IslandBikeLife thanks mate!

[@LiveAeons]

The 920 is currently on my wishlist for 2019. I'm currently riding a Mondraker Foxy, with a rather long 475mm reach (size M), so I'm looking forward on getting an L Ransom. At 5'10 I'm in between M and L, but having ridden a long bike for 2 and a half seasons, really makes want to upgrade to a similar length bike. So I'm curious if you did experience any front wheel washouts, and how did the shorter offset fork influence cornering. Also, how did you find the bike in more twisty, slow speed tech where you need to be a bit more precise with line choice? Did the 36 fork perform ok? Any feedback on the brakes? The seattube length is a bit deterrent for me, but I might actually cut about 35mm from it to be able to fit the full 150mm dropper. Great review and thanks for the insight and feedback! Have a great day! Cheers!

[@IslandBikeLife]

I did not experience any washout with the front wheel and I think the L will fit you well if you like that Foxy. The 44mm fork requires you to be a bit more over the front end I find and once adjusted for that it rides the same if not a bit better perhaps than a 51 offset. I found the bike manageable in tighter sections thought if going to slow the front tire could get stuck a bit with some larger roots or rocks so take mind in those situations. The 36 performed well, the GRIP damper is nice for sure, pretty basic and easy to set up. The brakes are more than adequate, though I prefer the feel of Codes for a bike that can go as fast as this more stopping power the better, but the Shimanos worked very well. I wasn't overly bothered by the seat tube length. Rather than cutting your frame consider a longer dropper like the PNW Components or OneUp 170 mm dropper, I have a video on the OneUp and will have one on the PNW in short order.

[@LiveAeons]

@@IslandBikeLife , I am used to riding over the front, so no worries with that. Thanks again for the helpful info! I might consider a one up dropper too!

[@LiveAeons]

also, how does it compare to the Sentinel?

[@IslandBikeLife]

I would give the edge to climbing to the Sentinel for sure. Pretty even everywhere else. Both are bigger, heavier bikes. Dollar to dollar I think the build you can get on a Sentinel is a. It better, but barely.

[@LiveAeons]

@@IslandBikeLife , that's really surprising to hear. The Sentinel climbs better? In what way?

[@superboost1574]

nice vid, maybe invest in a mic soon?

[@sonkopresents5901]

Steve Ii think the room hes recording in is suboptimal

[@mikesgier]

Did you ride the Ransom 910 as well? I would be interested in your opinion on that model. What difference makes the cf-frame? Happy Trails!

[@IslandBikeLife]

I did not however in general the carbon frame will be a bit lighter and a bit more stiff. I did not find that the alloy frame had any real or noticeable flex in the frame etc.

[@mikesgier]

@@IslandBikeLife Thanks.

[@TheArsenalGoonship]

I have the 910 and the first thing I did was replace the damper to the Grip 2, thus eliminating the lock out for the front fork. The suspension and “rideability” of the bike is simply outstanding. I’ve climbed and cleared some of the most technical sections of trails that I’ve struggled on with other “big” bikes. And the feel of that rear shock on the way down is ridiculous. And the ability to switch to a more progressive feel with a quick flick of a switch is great. Overall, the versatility of the bike is just incredible!

[@seibukan6]

TheArsenalGoonship: Thank you so much! Did you have to buy a new fork (Grip2) or can the insides be changed?

[@TheArsenalGoonship]

seibukan6 I did not have to buy a new fork. Fox sells a Grip2 damper upgraded kit.

[@paulv.4742]

nice review ! i have ordered the 930 , i hope the susp setup will be good, do you have any experience of the 930?

[@IslandBikeLife]

No not directly. But have ridden the suspension kit it comes with on other bikes and it will perform for you. Just fewer adjustments and a few other little things. For the price of the 930 it is a well spec’d bike for sure.

[@paulv.4742]

Thanks for the feedback, keep riding :)

[@stevenjam7119]

Would you say the 930 is better or worse spec than the trek slash 8?