VOLTAGE eRide 2024, SCOTT opens the door to the future of electric Trail bikes

With the new SCOTT VOLTAGE eRide, the brand inaugurates a category within its catalog. It is a lightweight eMTB oriented towards Trail with extreme integration, 160mm/155mm travel, compact and lightweight TQ HPR50 motor, and is full of innovative details and solutions. The price of the VOLTAGE eRide 2024 ranges from €7,210 to €13,220, its lightest model weighs less than 18 kg and here we tell you all about it.

Keys and prices of the SCOTT Voltage eRide 2024

• Maximum integration: motor, battery, shock absorber, and wiring completely hidden in the frame
• 160mm front and 155mm rear travel
• Versatile and adjustable geometry
• TQ HPR50 motor with 50Nm maximum torque
• 360 Wh battery with the possibility of adding a 160 Wh extender
• 2 bottle cages (or 1 bottle cage plus extender)
• Less than 18 kg weight in its lightest version
• Prices from €7,210 to €13,220

New SCOTT Voltage eRide 2024: an electric Genius?

Approximately a year after the launch of the Scott Lumen, the first lightweight eBike from Scott, a bike with a focus on the border between XC and lightweight Trail, it's now the turn of the brand's quintessential Trail model. It doesn't share the name with the Genius model, to differentiate concepts, but the base and focus are the same, only that in the new Scott Voltage we have the help of the TQ HPR50 motor which, with its 50Nm of maximum torque, is the lightest and least invasive motor we have tested.

But what does this mean for lightweight eBikes? Until recently, users valued electric bikes based on the power of their motor and, above all, the capacity of their battery. It seemed that more always meant better. Until some bikes appeared on the market that, with a slightly lighter motor and a smaller battery, achieved a lighter weight and a more natural bike feel. And the best part is that autonomy doesn't have to be greatly affected, as a lighter and slightly less powerful motor consumes less energy.

Well, the TQ HPR50 motor mounted on the new Scott Voltage offers up to 50 Nm of maximum torque and has a 360Wh internal battery, with the possibility of adding an extender, with another 160 Wh, on one of the bottle cage mounts, resulting in a bike with a significant autonomy, sufficient assistance for most users, and very natural sensations both in pedaling and in handling.

And how have they managed to combine a 155mm suspension with integrated shock, a motor, and a battery in the same frame? Well, with a really meticulous design work that the engineers at Scott explained to us firsthand and we will show you below.

Scott Voltage takes integration to the extreme

Scott has been accustomed to the concept of integration for some years now. Several models in their catalog have the shock absorber inside the frame, since the first Spark appeared in 2021. Also, the wiring has been hidden inside, involving even the stem in the integration system.

Now, in addition to the above, in the new Scott Voltage they have managed to integrate an electric motor that provides up to 50Nm of assistance, with a spectacular visual result. For this, the design work has been truly exhaustive.

We had the opportunity to attend the presentation of the new Voltage where the engineers responsible for its design offered us all kinds of explanations and we were able to manipulate models and separate parts to understand the operation and details of each part of the frame.

The heart of the system is the rocker arm that transmits the movement of the swingarm between the outside and inside of the frame. The internal part is a single piece and the connection between this and the rocker arm we see on the outside is made through a straight spline, unlike the Spark, because in the Voltage, due to its greater travel and capabilities, it must be prepared to withstand greater loads.

Special emphasis has been placed on not increasing the volume of the frame more than necessary, and for this, some technical solutions have been adopted. For example, to accommodate shock absorbers with an external reservoir or "Piggyback," they needed to lower their position even further, and for this, they added a small extender between the upper anchor and the inner rocker arm.

Another detail that shows how refined they have been in this aspect is in the bottle cage mounts on the vertical tube. To prevent the small space needed for each thread on the inside from interfering with the movement of the shock absorber, they have increased the distance between mounts. But they have taken advantage of this fact, designing a base plate to attach the battery range extender using a quick attachment mechanism. The same system is used for the bottle cage, so we can switch between two bottles or a bottle and the extender in just a few seconds.

With such limited interior space and having to accommodate the wiring of the bike itself, as well as the motor and battery, they had to design a series of internal parts that facilitate routing and separate the free space needed for the shock absorber. Some of these parts seemed really ingenious to us, like the one that serves as a guide for the seatpost cable and passes through the inner rocker arm of the suspension. They also serve a dual purpose, as these additions serve as a bridge to attach external elements such as dust seals or protectors, so there is no need for metal inserts in the frame to accommodate threads, which adds weight and complicates manufacturing. In this way, in the bare frame we had in our hands, there is practically nothing that is not carbon, only the bottle cage mounts and very little else.

The result is a frame with clean lines, allowing for the use of two bottles, or a bottle and an extender for the battery.

Of course, the shock absorber is accessed through a window located in the protector at the bottom, allowing us to make the necessary adjustments. Once again, Scott has emphasized that the opening mechanism is clear and easy at the same time, and that it is not a source of play or noise of any kind.

We also find at the pivot point of the upper rocker arm an indicator of the used travel that records the maximum compression reached, which allows us to check if we are using the suspension travel and also makes adjusting the sag on the Voltage extremely easy.

Another striking detail is that the motor is open at the rear, where it is not expected to receive any impact, and in this way, they dissipate the heat it can generate.

The TQ HPR50 motor is a safe bet to reduce weight without sacrificing power

The German company TQ seems to have hit the mark with the HPR50 motor and is on its way to leading the market for lightweight eBikes.

The TQ engineers were also present at the Voltage presentation to show us the hidden details of their motor.

Normally, motors have several pivot axes and an internal belt drive. TQ has broken with this and has managed to design a motor with a single pivot axis, thanks to a precise gear reduction system that they showed us.

This way, the motor is really compact and very light, at 1800 grams, for the 50 Nm it offers. Another interesting detail is that, thanks to this type of design, the main axis measures 135mm, making the resulting Q factor very small, equivalent to a normal bike.

It is also really quiet. As a curiosity, they told us that not only does it emit very little noise, but also the tone of that sound is less audible to people.

As we mentioned earlier, the bike has an internal 360Wh battery. But in the downtube, instead of the second bottle cage, we can place the range extender that gives us an extra 160Wh, resulting in a total of 520Wh. This extender has a quick attachment system and in seconds we can switch from changing the bottle cage for the extender, or vice versa.

An interesting detail is that, with the extender mounted, the motor consumes the energy from it without using the internal battery, when the extender is depleted, then it starts drawing from the main battery.

In the Scott Voltage models that have electronic shifting, these are powered by the bike's battery, avoiding the need to keep track of another battery. And they assured us that after completely depleting the assistance on the bike, there is still energy for hundreds of shifts, so we can finish the route without any problems.

The TQ ecosystem is completed with a discreet display integrated in the top tube, which provides us with very useful information, and a minimalist remote control next to the grip to control the different modes. 

Voltage geometry: versatility on any terrain

Integration aside, the Voltage is a bike that promises great versatility.

We have a 4 Bar type rear suspension, with horst link pivot point at the rear, which provides 155mm of travel, with Scott specific Fox NUDE shocks that, as many of you know, offer 3 modes of operation and whose main peculiarity is that in the intermediate mode one of the two positive air chambers is closed, thus varying the progressivity. This leads to a small variation in the sag point and in our position on the bike, favoring the climbs and pedaling in general.

5 of the 6 models that are part of the new Voltage range are equipped with the TwinLoc remote control that simultaneously controls the three positions offered by both the shock and the fork. But the TUNED model has a configuration that prioritizes downhill performance, mounting a FOX Float X NUDE shock with external reservoir that is controlled by a TracLoc control also with three positions, but in the fork it mounts a Fox 36 with Grip2 cartridge, with multiple adjustments to obtain the best performance, but without control or lockout levers.

NUDE shocks make the Voltage a chameleon-like bike, giving it a very high absorption capacity and, at the same time, the versatility needed to pedal without energy loss until the next trail.

The design of the Voltage also allows the mounting of long travel seatposts, such as the Syncros Duncan that all models mount, with 140mm travel in size S, 180mm in size M and 210mm in size L and XL, so that we will have no problems in this regard when facing very steep areas.

The entire range is equipped with Syncros components, which we have already tested on previous occasions, highlighting the integration achieved in terms of cabling with the cockpits, either in the stem and handlebar version, as with the integrated Hixon IC Carbon handlebars that mount the top of the range and we find it spectacular.

In terms of geometry, it follows the current trend and replicates with slight differences the geometry of the Genius. Of course it has the cups in the steering that allow us to adjust the launch at +6º or -6º, or to mount the neutral cups, so we have three options.

 

The standard configuration is with maximum launch in the steering, so we find an angle of 63.9º.

In the down tube we have a virtual angle of 77.1° which is very favorable for the position for ascents.

The reach in size M is 457mm and, with 455mm chainstays, we have a total length of 1253mm.

 

In addition to the latest geometry, the Scott Voltage has a really low center of gravity. In the top of the range version the weight is 17.9kg, but this weight is concentrated around the bottom bracket as, of course, the motor, but also the shock and linkages are very close to the bottom bracket. This detail promises a great balance between stability and maneuverability.

 

SCOTT Voltage eRide 2024: models and prices

The SCOTT Voltage 2024 range consists of 6 setups, 2 of which are women's specific Contessa models.

SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 SL - 13,220€

• Frame: Voltage Carbon HMF, virtual 4 link, 155mm
• Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory Kashima Fit4 160mm, 3 modes
• Shock Absorber: Fox NUDE 6T Factory EVOL, 3 modes
• Remote: TwinLoc
• Motor: TQ HPR50
• Battery: TQ 360Wh + Range Extender 160 Wh
• Rear derailleur: Sram XX AXS Eagle Transmission
• Shifter: Sram AXS Pod Ultimate
• Crankset: FSA Carbon
• Chainring: Sram Eagle Transmission 34T
• Chain: Sram CN XX Eagle Transmission
• Cassette: Sram XX Eagle Transmission XS1297 10-52
• Brakes: Sram Code Ultimate Stealth, 200mm discs
• Handlebar: Syncros Hixon IC Carbon, 15mm rise S/M, 25mm rise L/XL
• Seatpost: Syncros Duncan, 140mm S, 180mm M, 210mm L/XL
• Saddle: Syncros Tofino SL 1.0 Carbon rails
• Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke 1.0S-30
• Tyres: Maxxis Dissector 2,6” EXO 3C MaxxTerra
• Approx. weight: 17.9kg
• Price:13,220€

SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 TUNED - 11,190€

• Frames: Voltage Carbon HMF, virtual 4 link, 155mm
• Horquilla: Fox 36 Float Factory Kashima Grip2, 160mm
• Shock Absorber: Fox Float X NUDE Factory Kashima EVOL, Piggy Back, 3 modes
• Remote: TracLoc
• Motor: TQ HPR50
• Battery: TQ 360Wh
• Rear derailleur: Sram GX AXS Eagle Transmission
• Shifter: Sram GX AXS Rocker
• Crankset: E*Thirteen Carbon
• Chainring: Sram Eagle Transmission 34T
• Chain: Sram CN GX Eagle Transmission
• Cassette: Sram GX Eagle Transmission XS-1275 10-52
• Brakes: Sram Code Silver Stealth, 200mm discs
• Handlebar: Syncros Hixon IC Carbon, 15mm rise S/M, 25mm rise L/XL
• Seatpost: Syncros Duncan, 140mm S, 180mm M, 210mm L/XL
• Sillin: Syncros Tofino 1.5 Titanium rails
• Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke 1.0-30
• Front tyre: Maxxis Assegai 2,6” EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra
• Rear tyre: Maxxis Dissector 2,6” EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra
• Approx. weight: 18.6kg
• Price: 11,190€

SCOTT Voltage eRide 910 - 7,320€

• Frame: Voltage Carbon HMF, virtual 4 link, 155mm
• Fork: Fox 36 Float Rhythm Air Grip, 160mm, 3 modes
• Shock Absorber: Fox NUDE 6T EVOL, 3 modes
• Remote: TwinLoc
• Motor: TQ HPR50
• Battery: TQ 360Wh
• Rear derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M8100 SGS
• Shifter: Shimano Deore SL-M6100
• Crankset: FSA Alloy
• Chainring: FSA 34T
• Chain: Shimano CN-M6100
• Cassette: Shimano CS-M6100 10-51
• Brakes: Shimano Deore M6120, 203mm discs
• Handlebar: Syncros Hixon 1.5 Alloy, 15mm rise S/M, 25mm rise L/XL
• Stem: Syncros AM 1.5
• Seatpost: Syncros Duncan, 140mm S, 180mm M, 210mm L/XL
• Saddle: Syncros Tofino 1.5 Titanium rails
• Wheels: Formula / Syncros X-30S
• Tyres: Maxxis Dissector 2,6” EXO 3C MaxxTerra
• Approx. weight: 19.5kg
• Price: 7,320€

SCOTT Voltage eRide 920 - 6,710€

• Frame: Voltage Carbon HMF, virtual 4 link, 155mm
• Fork: Marzocchi Z2 Air Rail, 160mm, 3 modes
• Shock Absorber: Fox Float Custom EVOL Performance, 3 modes
• Remote: TwinLoc
• Motor: TQ HPR50
• Battery: TQ 360Wh
• Rear derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M8100 SGS
• Shifter: Shimano Deore SL-M6100
• Crankset: FSA Alloy
• Chainring: FSA 34T
• Chain: Shimano CN-M6100
• Cassette: Shimano CS-M6100 10-51
• Brakes: Sram DB8, 200mm discs
• Handlebar: Syncros Hixon 2.0 Alloy, 12mm rise
• Stem: Syncros AM 2.0
• Seatpost: Syncros Duncan, 140mm S, 180mm M, 210mm L/XL
• Saddle: Syncros Tofino 2.0
• Wheels: Formula / Syncros X-30S
• Tyres: Maxxis Dissector 2,6”, 60tpi, wire bead, EXO
• Approx. weight: 19.3kg
• Price: 6,710€

SCOTT Contessa Voltage eRide 900 - 7,320€

• Frame: Voltage Carbon HMF, virtual 4 link, 155mm
• Fork: Fox36 Float Rythm Air Grip, 160mm, 3 modes
• Shock Absorber: Fox NUDE 6T EVOL, 3 modes
• Remote: TwinLoc
• Motor: TQ HPR50
• Battery: TQ 360Wh
• Rear derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M8100 SGS
• Shifter: Shimano Deore SL-M6100
• Crankset: FSA Alloy
• Chainring: FSA 34T
• Chain: Shimano CN-M6100
• Cassette: Shimano CS-M6100 10-51
• Brakes: Shimano M-6120, 203mm discs
• Handlebar: sYncros Hixon 1.5 Alloy, 15mm rise S/M, 25mm rise L/XL
• Stem: Syncros AM 1.5
• Seatpost: Syncros Duncan, 140mm S, 180mm M, 210mm L
• Saddle: Syncros Tofino 1.5
• Wheels: Formula / Syncros X-30S
• Tyres: Maxxis Dissector 2,6” EXO 3C MaxxTerra
• Approx. weight: 19.5kg
• Price: 7,320€

SCOTT Contessa Voltage eRide 910 - 6,710€

• Frame: Voltage Carbon HMF, virtual 4 link, 155mm
• Fork: Marzocchi Z2 Air Rail, 160mm, 3 modes
• Shock Absorber: Fox Float Custom EVOL Performance, 3 modes
• Remote: TwinLoc
• Motor: TQ HPR50
• Battery: TQ 360Wh
• Rear derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M8100 SGS
• Shifter: Shimano Deore SL-M6100
• Crankset: FSA Alloy
• Chainring: FSA 34T
• Chain: Shimano CN-M6100
• Cassette: Shimano CS-M6100 10-51
• Brakes: Sram DB8, 200mm discs
• Handlebar: Syncros Hixon 2.0 Alloy, 12mm rise
• Stem: Syncros AM 2.0
• Seatpost: Syncros Duncan, 125mm S, 150mm M, 170mm L
• Saddle: Syncros Savona 2.0
• Wheels: Formula / Syncros X-30S
• Tyres: Maxxis Dissector 2,6”, 60tpi, wire bead, EXO
• Price: 6,710€

Further information on the official SCOTT website.