Scott Ransom 20 Downhill Freeride
The Ransom 20 bike from Scott offers a lightweight carbon frame, weighs in around 31 pounds, and is priced around $3,000 to $3,500. The bike produces mixed results, depending on your riding needs.First, if you are looking for a light bike full of technical advances, some people love the Ransom. Although it is pricey, it offers some technical features that you are not going to find anywhere else. The Ransom climbs well and offers a lock-out feature so you can stand up, which is unheard of on most full suspension bikes, and it handles great on downhills. While there may be better bikes for climbing, better ones for downhill, and better ones for cross-country, this offers the best combination of all three styles into one bike.
The Ransom does struggle on steep, technical climbs. Its weight and long front end make it less agile. When you are able to rush through the area, it performs fine, but a low speeds, it lacks finesse. The Ransom offers a custom air-sprung unit with seven adjustments. It is crucial to get this adjusted, because then it gives the perfect suspension travel, combining that bottomless feel with tight control. It will not bounce or wallow; it will just soak up those bumps.
The Ransom 20 is the least expensive way to get Scotts carbon all-mountain frame, which still offering good all-around components. It offers six inches of travel, an upright position, and big brakes for all-mountain use, but then it turns beautifully in single-track, making it a superb all-day bike.
On the other hand, some critics feel that, in an effort to reduce the weight of this bike, Scott sometimes go too far. While some riders will enjoy the lighter bikes and these will fit their riding style well, the Ransom has been highly criticized for its suspension design, with a high fail rate. Scott is not attempting to produce a durable all-mountain bike; their goal instead is a lightweight, high-end bike.
Overall, the Ransom 20 is a good bike for cross-country riders seeking to extend their skills. Scott has done a good job to reduce the price while maintaining decent specs. It is still an expensive bike, but it offers a lot in return. It handles great, possibly at the top of its class, and it reacts well to a variety of impacts. Rene Wildhaber used the Ransom 20 bike in 2008 to win his fourth Mega Avalanche Race at Alpe DHuez.