Scott relies on the TQ HPR50 for the new trail e-mtb Voltage eRide

Since TQ introduced the HPR50 a good two years ago, Scott has been a fan of this lightweight mid-motor. Meanwhile, the manufacturer has equipped three model series in its range with this drive system. Among these, the ratio has so far been balanced – with the Solace eRide as an e-road bike, the Solace Gravel eRide as an e-gravel bike and the Lumen eRide as an e-mountain bike. With the new Scott Voltage eRide, the focus is now shifting towards full-suspension e-MTBs.

Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Scott Voltage eRide

Traditionally, Scott clearly considers itself a sports-oriented manufacturer. Mountain bikes play a key role in the perception of the brand. As a result, the catalogue contains just about everything an ebike heart desires, from simple hardtails to enduro-ready premium bikes. Since the end of 2022, this has also included the Lumen eRide as a representative of the light e-MTB. The cross-country bike with its 130-millimetre chassis and weight-reduced carbon frame is a prime example of a mountain bike in which a power-reduced drive like the HPR50, which is also economical with the battery capacity, can show off its advantages over a heavier and more impressive full-power unit.

Far more than just a gap filler

If you look upwards from the Lumen in Scott’s product range, the next two categories are well filled with the Strike eRide trail bike and the Patron eRide enduro bike. It was therefore exciting to see where exactly the manufacturer would position a newcomer. In terms of suspension travel, the Voltage eRide is positioned between the Strike and Patron. At the same time, the TQ drive gives it another facet that provides additional differentiation. When choosing the right model, in addition to the terrain you want to ride, your preferred riding style plays a role as well.

Scott has designed the Voltage eRide in such a way that it can give you a lot, but also demands something in return. The suspension travel of 155 millimetres on the shock and (mostly) 160 millimetres on the fork open the door to riding on technically and physically demanding terrain. However, this is only possible if you show a certain amount of effort to get there or to cover longer distances on such terrain.

Two sides of the same coin

Don’t worry, we don’t want to put anyone off here 😉. But the maximum torque of 50 Newton metres is well below that of a Shimano EP801, a Brose Drive S Mag, a Giant SyncDrive Pro 2 or a Bosch Performance CX Line. The same applies to the dimensions of the battery. The 360 watt hours of the TQ energy storage unit falls far short of the 750 watt hours of a Bosch PowerTube 750.

TQ HPR50 motor on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — TQ HPR50 motor

What may appear to be a disadvantage turns into an advantage as soon as you take a different perspective. The lower mass resulting from the technical approach is an inseparable part of the TQ concept. The lightest version of the newcomer, the Scott Voltage eRide 900 SL, weighs in at around 17.9 kilograms. Comparable mountain bikes without motor assistance today weigh no more than two kilograms less. People who are switching from regular bikes to ebikes or perhaps switching between the two on a seasonal basis are likely to appreciate this.

Display integrated into the top tube on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Display integrated into the top tube

Charging socket on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Charging socket in the transition from the seat tube to the down tube

Another reason for the low overall weight of the model is the carbon frame. Scott has invested many hours in its development. The result is a frame that is characterised by a pleasantly low centre of gravity. The bottom bracket hovers 35 centimetres above the ground, which makes it easier for you to maintain control in any riding situation.

Frame of the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Depending on the load, various areas of the carbon frame are designed to be thicker or thinner.

Well looked after

As with the Lumen and the Patron, Scott has once again moved the shock to the inside of the frame. According to Scott, this design increases the rigidity of the frame around the bottom bracket. Unfavourable movements of the shock to the side of the suspension travel are thus reduced. Above all, however, neither dirt nor the weather can harm it when it is hidden in this way. Functionally, these arguments make sense. Visually, the decision results in the bottom bracket area and seat tube merging into a single unit that looks quite bulky. If you consider the small dimensions of the HPR50, you might have hoped for a sleeker solution. Especially as the silhouette of the Lumen eRide shows what might be possible.

The Voltage eRide has inherited the access to the shock from the Lumen. This is concealed on the underside of the down tube. To be able to handle it properly, you should either turn the bike upside down or lift it up accordingly on an assembly stand. Then you can easily reach the shock, adjust it at your leisure, route cables around it and remove it if necessary.

Access to the shock on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Access to the shock is hidden behind a small flap.

Fortunately, there is a shortcut for changing the settings while riding. Scott has integrated a display at the pivot point of the rear triangle on the seat tube. You can not only see how much your shock is currently sagging, but also adjust the sag.

Sag display on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Sag display on the seat tube

Specialist for all pros

Incidentally, the shock is a Fox Nude 6T shock. Thanks to the TwinLoc levers on the handlebars, you can adjust the shock and fork simultaneously at the touch of a button. There are three modes to choose from: Lockout, Traction Control and Descend. For the shock, for example, this means that the chambers are fully, partially or not opened at all. In Descend mode, for example, the shock and fork remain fully open.

TwinLoc lever on the handlebars of the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Partly because of the TwinLoc levers, there is a lot going on on the handlebars.

In the case of the Scott Voltage eRide 900 Tuned, this is slightly different. The manufacturer has fitted a Fox Float X Nude shock featuring a piggyback. Its riding modes are Climb, Ramp Control and Descend. You operate it independently of the suspension fork via the TracLoc remote system. This results in finer tuning options for both components of the suspension system. From the manufacturer’s point of view, this is primarily recommended for those who like to include long jumps in their rides and are travelling at high speeds on steep terrain.

A different flip-chip

The frame geometry also changes depending on the selected suspension mode. Additionally, you can achieve this by adjusting the steering angle. Scott has integrated special covers for the headset for this purpose. The covers can be inserted in two positions. To do this, simply loosen the stem, pull out the covers and rotate them 180 degrees. A groove in the frame then ensures correct insertion. Rotating by 180 degrees means that you can choose between two options. Unfortunately, Scott’s geometry data does not show how many degrees the steering angle changes in each case.

Adjustable steering angle on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Loosen the cockpit and remove the covers - that's how easy it is to adjust the steering angle.

Large selection

Scott will be launching a total of six models of the Voltage eRide on the market in the coming months. The press release does not give an exact date. It only mentions spring/summer 2024. The four frame sizes on offer – S, M, L and XL – use 29-inch wheels at the front and rear. The prices of the models vary between 6,599 euros and 11,999 euros.

Range extender on the Scott Voltage eRide 900 SL ebike — You can only use a range extender on the Scott Voltage eRide 900 SL.

As usual, the differences can be attributed to components such as gears, brakes, wheels, seat posts and cockpit. The spectrum ranges, for example, from a Shimano Deore XT derailleur to the latest wireless electronically controlled Sram XX Eagle AXS Transmission or from Sram DB8 brakes to the high-quality Sram Code Ultimate Stealth.

Sram XX Eagle AXS Transmission electronic gearing on the Scott Voltage eRide ebike — Electronic gearing is one of the features that distinguishes the more expensive models in the range from the cheaper ones.

Scott Voltage eRide 2024 at a glance

Variants: Voltage eRide 900 SL, Voltage eRide 900 Tuned, Voltage eRide 910, Voltage eRide 920, Contessa Voltage eRide 900, Contessa Voltage eRide 910
Frame: Carbon
Suspension fork: Fox 36 Float Factory Air, Fox 36 Float Factory Grip 2 Air, Fox 36 Float Rhythm Air Grip, Marzocchi Z2 Air Rail
Motor: TQ HPR50
Battery: TQ Internal 360 Wh, Range Extender 160 Wh
Display: TQ Display
Control unit: TQ Remote
Drivetrain: Sram XX Eagle AXS Transmission, Sram GX Eagle AXS Transmission, Shimano XT
Brakes: Sram Code Ultimate Stealth, Sram Code Silver Stealth, Shimano Deore M6120, Sram DB8
Weight: approx. 17.9 kg (Scott Voltage eRide 900 SL)
Maximum permitted total weight: 128 kg
Prices: from 6,599 euros

Scott Voltage eRide 900 SL

Scott Voltage eRide 910

Scott Voltage eRide 900 Tuned

Scott Voltage eRide 920

Contessa Voltage eRide just an appendage?

As has been the case several times with Scott, we are once again bothered by what feels like a disadvantage when it comes to the features of the Contessa models for women. This starts with the selection, which only includes two models compared to the four models for men. The top model for women, the Contessa Voltage eRide 900, doesn’t feature a Fox suspension fork with Kashima coating, electronic shifting or a range extender. The latter is reserved exclusively for the Voltage eRide 900 SL. And the fact that there is no frame for women in size XL is just as annoying. Especially as the Contessa models don’t seem to have much in the way of equipment specially designed for the female anatomy anyway. Saddle, handlebar width, crank length – everything is completely identical to the men’s models. It would probably have been easy to have at least a few of the XL frames produced in the Contessa-specific colours.