Scott Aspect 670 (2016) : ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

The 6061 custom-butted alloy frame in the Scott Aspect 670 2016 is stiff and responsive, and the geometry makes for an agile MTB that is strong enough to tackle any trail, up or down. The MA-45 90mm stem matches good reach in the frame to the generously wide handlebar. Also, although the frame has a tapered head tube, the HL Zoom fork uses a non-tapered steerer tube, so you don't fully benefit from the extra front-end stiffness offered by the frame.

On paper the HL Zoom front suspension fork provides 80mm of travel, but the dust marks on the upper tubes revealed that we were only getting about 60mm out of the fork. Despite this suspension travel deficit, it is a smooth and supple fork, though it has a tendency to be a bit bouncy and out of control on harder trails.

Although the Scott Aspect 670 2016 is the cheapest adult MTB in the 2016 range in India, the looks of it don't tell the same story. As much as the Scott's Aspect series is known for its trail performance expertise, it is also known for its vibrant colours and graphics. This is very evident in the Aspect 670 which we test rode, which came in a primary black colour with green and white secondary colours. A simple and functional hardtail MTB frame geometry design with colour coded handlebar grips, saddle and cables, all put together makes this bicycle a guaranteed eye turner.

Specification wise, the Scott is not quite the smart balance between performance and value. The entry level Shimano Tourney mechs and shifters that can be pushed or pulled to shift up were smooth with a slight lag at the rear. Still, a 3’ã7 Shimano Tourney isn't the race potential drivetrain one would expect at this price. The Scott Aspect 670 does stumble on this component performance as it isn't a flawless groupset. The placement of the shifters were straightforward and no real discomfort was felt during the test ride.

The ProMax V-brakes on the Scott Aspect 670 2016 wasn't real a surprise. A disc brake on a hardtail MTB at this price from Scott would be a far reach to expect. Coming to the braking performance, the Promax V-brakes did decelerate smoothly during the test ride. One thing which was quite evident was that jamming the brakes did cause some skidding at the back which is one thing to watch out for while riding along with fast traffic on city roads.

The HL MTB handlebar on the Aspect 670 is 640mm wide and has a minimal 18mm raise which felt perfect for quick maneuvering and ride balance. Scott does score well with the handlebar by not settling for less when it comes to the all-important handlebar length.

The 26'' x 2.1'' Kenda Slant 6 tires on the Scott Aspect 670 2016 helped reduce the rotating mass, giving this MTB plenty of zip. The rounded profile, smooth edged knobs and cheap, hard rubber compound combine to deliver minimal lateral grip on off-road surfaces and a slight lack of braking grip on wet trails and tarmacs. The Syncros M3.0 saddle on the Aspect 670 is on par with what you would find on the Aspect 800/900 series. Ergonomically shaped with just enough padding makes this saddle a perfect fit for a hardtail MTB such as this. The over-all ride quality wasn't the smoothest even on tarmacs and needs more suspension power for the trails.