650 mm handlebars, "used" feel brakes, and customized Flight Attendant: A Closer Look at Bjorn Riley's New SCOTT Spark RC

Bjorn Riley is becoming one of the major revelations of the 2026 MTB World Cup season. After a complicated first year in the Elite category, the American has made a huge leap forward and has become, based on results, the standout rider of SCOTT-SRAM this season.

Details of Bjorn Riley's new SCOTT Spark RC: 650 mm handlebars, size M frame, and a very personal setup

His progression began even before the World Cup kicked off, when he achieved his first victory in the Elite category in Haiming, Austria. But his true explosion came in Leogang, where he finished third and climbed onto the podium of a World Cup XCO for the first time.

Far from being an isolated result, Riley again took third place in Lenzerheide and finished fourth in La Thuile after one of the most demanding races of the season. A consistency that has placed him among the best XCO specialists in the world.

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All of this is happening, moreover, in a season of significant changes for the American. Riley is competing with the new SCOTT Spark RC presented just a few weeks ago, and he himself has explained some of the most interesting details of his setup and configuration.

A size M SCOTT Spark RC despite his height

One of the first details that catches the eye of Bjorn Riley's bike is the choice of size. The American, who is 178 cm tall and weighs 65 kg, uses a carbon frame in size M despite acknowledging that most riders of his height would probably opt for a size L.

Riley prefers a slightly smaller and more manageable bike, a choice that he accompanies with one of the narrowest handlebars currently found in the World Cup. He explains this in a recent video for Rock Shox.

His handlebars measure only 650 mm wide. A particularly reduced figure considering that many current XCO setups are around 700 mm or even above.

Riley himself admits that he likes very compact handlebars and that he is even considering reducing the width of the handlebars even more, although he jokes that he will first have to get the approval of his mechanics.

SRAM Motive Ultimate brakes with a very particular feel

For braking, Riley's SCOTT Spark RC is equipped with SRAM Motive Ultimate. But more interesting than the model itself is the configuration that the American seeks.

Riley explains that he prefers brakes with a rather soft and smooth feel, as if they had been used for a while without recent maintenance. Achieving exactly those sensations has required some work between the rider and his mechanics to find the right adjustment.

He also has clear preferences regarding brake pads. He usually uses the metallic versions for their greater durability.

The explanation he offers is quite simple: during his training, he does not pay too much attention to bike maintenance and prefers components that he can use for a long time without needing to intervene constantly on them.

170 mm cranks and chainrings between 36 and 40 teeth

Another area where Bjorn Riley maintains a fairly traditional setup is the cranks. While many riders are currently experimenting with lengths of 165 mm or even shorter, the American continues to use 170 mm cranks.

Riley admits that different lengths may adapt better or worse to each cyclist's style, but he prefers to stick to a size he knows perfectly and feels comfortable with.

He makes more changes in the size of the chainring. His choice usually ranges between 36, 38, and 40 teeth depending on training or competition. For training, he prefers the 36-tooth chainring because he likes to maintain a high cadence during climbs.

His favorite terrain is precisely routes with ascents and good descents, so he does not need to develop high speeds on flat terrain during his training.

The situation changes completely in the Short Track. For XCC races, he tries to use the largest chainring possible due to the high speeds and the need for sufficient gearing throughout the circuit. In XCO events, however, his usual setup is a 38-tooth chainring.

A different distribution of SRAM shifters

The configuration of shifters on the handlebars is another of the most personalized points of Riley's bike.

On the left side of the handlebars, he uses a control with two buttons to operate the dropper post and the Flight Attendant system. The American explains that he likes to clearly separate these functions from those related to shifting.

On the right side, Riley explained to SRAM that he uses a Sprint Shifter type button with a small button and a larger one, but in Andorra, we saw him mount a normal new AXS shifter.

This distribution allows Riley to control the transmission, the dropper post, and the electronic suspensions from the handlebars while maintaining an organization of the controls adapted to his preferences.

This is how Bjorn Riley configures the Flight Attendant

The new SCOTT Spark RC of the American uses SRAM Flight Attendant electronic suspensions, but Riley also does not maintain the standard configuration of the system.

He usually competes with a neutral setting. During training, he can modify it to a more open and sensitive configuration to enjoy a more comfortable and fun behavior on descents, but in competition, he hardly makes changes to his basic setup.

Riley defines himself as a rider who likes to find a good initial setup and maintain it practically without modifications.

Even more interesting is the customization he makes of the modes available during races. The American usually eliminates the automatic lock mode so that the Flight Attendant focuses solely on alternating between the Open and Pedal positions. When he needs to completely lock the suspensions, he manually uses the Override function.

In this way, the electronic system decides when to keep the suspensions fully open or use the pedaling platform, while Riley retains direct control over the moments he wants to lock them. A very personal configuration for one of the riders of the year.

A philosophy that seems to be working. After a complicated debut in Elite during 2025, Bjorn Riley has established himself among the best riders in the World Cup and has become the main reference by results of SCOTT-SRAM this season.

Complete setup

• Frame: Spark RC HMX-SL Carbon Gen5 with ceramic bearings and titanium bolts
• Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant, 120mm, 44mm offset
• Rear shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant Custom
• Remote control: SRAM AXS POD Ultimate
• Handlebar: Syncros Fraser iC SL WC -40° / 80mm / 690mm
• Dropper post: RockShox Reverb AXS 100mm with titanium screws
• Saddle: Syncros Tofino V SL Cut Out
• Grips: Syncros Foam
• Pedals: HT Components Leopard M2T
• Rear derailleur: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission AXS 12-speed
• Shifter: SRAM AXS POD Rocker Controller
• Cranks: SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission Powermeter 170mm / 38T chainring
• Chain: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission Flattop
• Cassette: SRAM XX SL CS-1299 Eagle Transmission 10-52T
• Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate
• Wheels: Syncros carbon