Scott Gambler 720 – First Look
We’ve got our hands on a shiny Scott Gambler 720. Rob Lewis takes a quick look at this Downhill beast.
It’s no secret, we have been eager to jump on the new Gambler since we first set our eyes on it. It’s intriguing looking linkage draws in uncertainty of its design and looks, but take a step back and it just looks right somehow. Low, long, slack, the geometry chart doesn’t lie.
On review we have the 2015 Scott Gamber 720, which sits slap bang middle of the range below the all singing all dancing 710 and the more economical priced 730.
Spec:
Frame – Scott Gambler 720
Shock – Fox Van RC Coil
Fork – Fox 40 O/V Performance
Headset – Syncros DH adjustable
Rear Derailleur – Shimano Zee
Shifter – Shimano Zee
Brakes – Shimano Deore
Cranks – Shimano Zee
Chain Device – E 13 LS1
Bars – Syncros DH1.5 35mm (800 wide, 20mm rise)
Stem – Syncros DH1.5 35mm Direct Mount (42-47mm)
Saddle – Syncros MTB Trail
Seat Post – Syncros FL2.0
Wheels – Formula DHL hubs on Syncros MD25 275 rims
Tyres – Schwalbe Downhill Magic Mary 27.5 × 2.35 F: VertStar R: TrailStar
Build wise, the spec seems bang on the money for a DH bike purchased through your local bike shop. Initially, the only little change we would have liked to see would have been Zee brakes to round up the groupset, that said, we know fully well that even the Deore brakes available at the moment are up to the job for most of us.
As stock, the frame comes with three headsets, allowing you to adjust the headangle by not just 1, but 2 degrees either way. You will need a headset press to take advantage of this, but it’s great to see Scott including these parts as stock, topped with a spare hanger as well.
Unfortunately, out of the box the Fox 40 forks leave a lot to be desired, but there are a few simple tricks we will show you to boost the performance of this fork bringing it inline with the rest of the bike.
Scott haven’t left you in the lurch with rubber on this bike by any means, top of the range Magic Mary’s by Schwalbe are the tyre of choice these days, it’s refreshing not to need a tyre change before we even get started.
The finishing kit by Syncros fits the bike perfectly with everything colour coded and current, like the 35mm bar and stem.
The new Gambler sure is a looker and with its fluro yellow on black get-up, it’s an eye turner as well. The spec fits the bill and the bike cries out to hit some steep descents, something we will be aiming high with over the next few months simulating Mr Fairclough hanging over the back wheel.
Scott Gambler 720 RRP £2999.99
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