August 22, 2005

MBR Reviews the Nitrous 10

Moutain Bike Rider Magazine

PERFORMANCE In my first installment I said that I was confident from the catalogue picture that the geometry on the Nitrous was sorted. My first run down the permanent downhill course at Cwmcam confirmed this. The top tube is short enough to make the bike maneuverable without feeling cramped, and the slack head angle proved a bonus for the Alpine speed of the Cwmcam track. Tight chainstays made the front easy to pop on drops and the oversized bolt-through main pivot guaranteed that the swingarm tracked true when cross-rutted or boosting a hip jump at full tilt. This bike is solid, considering its 36 lb weight. Obviously it’s not in the same league as a full-on downhill bike or some of the 45 lb freerider rigs, but the Nitrous 10 can hold its own on the downhills while also allowing you to ride it to the play area.

The suspension is very effective—the stock spring rate suits me fine and the low pivot means that there is no annoying suspension feedback into the drivetrain to interrupt your pedal motion. When you need improved pedaling efficiency for climbing or open flat sections you can simply reach down while riding and wind in the blue ProPedal dial—no pumps or charts required. Up front the Manitou Breakout fork worked like a treat.


COMPONENTS Part of the reason I felt instantly at home on the SCOTT Nitrous 10 is because it comes equipped with a regular action XT rear mech and finger and thumb shifter pods. Having spent the past two years riding Dual control shifters it was like catching up with an old friend. Hayes Mag brakes allowed me to get out of my depth, then reel it back in when everything started to go pear shaped. In fact the spec on the Nitrous 10 is pretty much on the money.