Scott Aspect 660 (2016) : ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

Trying before you buy is vital to get the right size in the Scott Aspect 660 2016. We are not just talking about the very common 'there is a big gap between medium and large' problem that afflicts many MTB models. We are talking specifically about how the Aspect 660's medium frame is smaller than the standard cut-off size for medium frames, which can instantly be felt by the rider.

The affordable 6061 aluminium tubed frame is designed to tackle the rigours of riding in the trails. This means plenty of mud clearance between the seatstays and chainstays, and a semi-integrated headset to help keep crud out of the bearings. The HL Zoom 655 80mm front suspension fork dealt with the hits admirably on the descents, even when the going got particularly rough during the test ride. The geometry on the Aspect 660's frame is as simple as it can get on an MTB with enough postural aggression for the trail and upright enough to take it around the neighborhood occasionally without any discomfort.

You walk into a store and there is that one bicycle which will instantly get your attention with its looks. The Scott Aspect 660 2016 is of that kind. The blue and orange tints on the primary black colour stands out bright. The colour coded black and orange brake and gear cables makes it look funky with the blue handlebar grips. The simple yet sharp frame geometry coupled with the perfect colour combinations surely makes Aspect 660 aesthetically pleasing and will make heads turn during that trail ride.

The Scott Aspect 660 2016's gearing is run by the entry level Shimano Tourney 21 speed groupset. Shimano's Tourney is labelled entry level for a reason and it is unfair to expect more than what it can deliver for it's price range. The gear shifts did indicate lags at regular intervals during bumps which required constant speed transitions. The shifters on the other hand were comfortably placed easy to use. Both the thumb and the index shifters were in perfect reach of my hand and did not require me to stretch out any more than I should.

Having decent brakes always helps, and while the Tektro Mechanical Disc brakes on the Scott Aspect 660 aren't the best in the business, they are predictably controlled and easy to look after over time. The 160mm front rotor adds a bit more braking bite too. The racer image has not been completely kept in mind for Scott and hence the handlebar on the Aspect 660 is a bit of a riser than a flat. The 640mm MTB handlebar is less race focused and more convenient, making it more comfortable for the occasional city use as well. The well balanced, reasonably precise handling and adequately communicative brakes do at least make it easy to tweak the Aspect 660 back under control and keep it where you want on the trail.

The Scott Aspect 660 2016 comes with a Kenda Slant 6 26x2.1 tires. I was a little concerned about the narrow width of these tires but once the tires were aired up they did not look that much skinnier than what I expected. These tires did feel pretty heavy, especially for such a narrow tire width. A stand-out feature that I could notice in the Kenda Slant 6 tires were the Kenda-specific dual-compound design that utilizes a stickier rubber on the corner knobs for improved grip on the turns. The over-all ride quality of the Aspect 660 from a trail perspective was bumpier enough to not hurt but slow enough to push down the excitement.