2022 SCOR 4060 ST GX Lyrik Bike

Swiss brand BMC is best known for its road and XC bikes, and that left some of the mountain bikers working in the company a bit frustrated - to the point where they started experimenting with longer-travel prototypes in their spare time, leveraging the access they had to world-class manufacturing facilities and skills. As this work progressed, BMC eventually came to the conclusion that it was too interesting not to take to market, but because it would not easily fit into the BMC catalog and its brand identity (still heavily based on road racing), the decision was made to create another brand – and so SCOR was born. The first bikes appeared on the market in late 2021, two regular mountain bike models and two e-MTBs, all of which are essentially based on the same frame numbers and concepts. We’ve been testing the shorter-travel regular MTB, the 4060ST for the past five months or so – keep reading to find out how it’s been treating us (or click the window below to watch the review in video form)!

SCOR 4060ST GX Highlights

• Full carbon frame
• Lower-link driven instant center linkage
• 29-inch wheels
• 140mm rear wheel travel
• Flip Chip for geometry modifications
• Adjustable head angle via headset rotation
• PF92 BB
• 31.6 mm seat post diameter
• PM180 rear brake mount
• One bottle cage mount and one accessory mount
• Fully guided internal cable routing
• Stash box
• Boost 148 rear axle
• SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)
• Lower ISCG 05 mount / Chainguide
• SCOR 4060 X Slicy MySublimistick Frame Protector
• 3-year frame warranty
• MSRP: $7199 USD

Initial Impressions

Much of the work done on the early prototypes was apparently centered around suspension, so it makes sense for us to start there. When you pull the 4060 out of the box, the massive BB area is what first draws attention to itself, further accentuated by the slim top tube which gives the bike a very low-slung appearance. SCOR utilizes multiple linkages in a co-rotating configuration, meaning that both rocker links rotate in the same direction when compressed. The shock is driven by the lower linkage, and there’s a tunnel in the seat tube to allow for it to be mounted as low as possible in the frame.

SCOR wanted to build a bike that is fun, playful and efficient. A lot of time was spent fine-tuning the various suspension curves, playing with overall leverage ratios and anti-squat to reach the stated design goals. The result is a rear suspension platform that offers enough progressivity to be compatible with both coil and air shocks, with anti-squat values that provide for good pedaling characteristics around the sag point while dropping off deeper into the travel to avoid pedal kickback on bigger hits (do note that there is a compatibility chart to allow you to check if the shock you want to run will physically fit in the frame…the Cane Creek Kitsuma Air and the Öhlins TTX Air will not fit, for example).

The 4060 exists in two travel versions, the 4060ST tested here and the 4060LT - both are built on the exact same frame. The ST pumps out 140mm of rear travel with a shock stroke of 57.5mm, while the LT manages 160mm of rear travel with a shock stroke of 65mm (the same eye-to-eye length is maintained for both versions). There is a flip chip that can be used to raise the BB slightly (it must be run in the higher setting on the LT bike, otherwise the rear wheel may hit the seat tube at full compression). Interestingly enough, this means you could essentially have two bikes by "just" swapping out the fork and shock (or adjusting their stroke/travel).

The adjustability doesn’t stop there, as SCOR supplies the 4060 with a headset that can be rotated to make the head angle steeper or slacker. The slacker setting is primarily designed to be used with the longer fork on the LT, while the steeper setting is intended for the shorter fork of the ST, but you can run it in either setting on either bike if you so wish. SCOR leaves quite a long steerer on the fork as well, giving you more control over the effective stack height.

Looking over the rest of the frame, we find fully guided internal cable routing, a beefy chain stay protector with the ever-more popular ridges that help combat chain slap noise, and a “stash box” sitting under the down tube/BB junction. This storage compartment is just about big enough to hold a small tool and items like a tubeless repair kit, and it also holds a spare derailleur hanger (SRAM’s UDH) - a nice touch! There is a small upper chain guide present, and ISCG5 tabs should you wish to add a full bashguard.

Geometry

With a bike that was first released in late 2021, it should come as no big surprise to find resolutely modern geometry figures on the 4060. Our size L test sample has a reach of 485mm, while the XL goes all the way up to 515mm, which should mean that all but the lankiest of riders can find a good fit here. The head angle sits at 65.5 in the steep setting, and can drop down to 64.5 in the slack setting. The seat tube measures in at around 77 degrees (at 750mm saddle height), while the chain stays clock in at a fairly compact 433mm. Despite the relatively short stays, the wheelbase is still over 1200mm for the three biggest sizes, testament to the generous reach numbers.

On The Trail

Heading out with the 4060ST on the trail, our very first impression was one of lightness. The bike is not particularly heavy, and it also feels very energetic under the pedals. It moves out with purpose, and it will carry good speed both on flatter sections of trail as well as on climbs. The anti-squat sits at around 100% at sag, which helps, although there is still a certain amount of bobbing present in the frame with the shock in the open position. The bike never feels heavy or sluggish though, quite the opposite. The generous reach provides for a forward riding position, although the stubby 35mm stem and the relatively tall effective stack keep you upright and comfortable. The shock’s lockout is very firm, so it’s best left for fire road climbing – with the shock in the open position, the 4060 provides gobs of traction for technical climbing and that’s where we left it for 90% of our riding during testing.

As the terrain gets rougher, so the 4060’s suspension begins to really shine. It is no big secret that the latest iteration of the RockShox Lyrik is an excellent fork, but let us just say it again here for extra clarity: the latest RockShox Lyrik is pretty much as good as it gets. It’s impressively supple yet controlled, and it does a fantastic job of maintaining its composure and ride height without ever feeling harsh or unforgiving. With such a good fork, we often feel like the rear can struggle to keep up – but not so with the SCOR 4060! The rear feels every bit as compliant as the front, and even though it only delivers 140mm of travel, it feels almost bottomless. This is in part due to the overall progressive nature of the linkage but we also believe that the hydraulic bottom out feature on the RockShox Super Ultimate Deluxe damper has something to do with it as well. Whatever the reason, the total suspension package here is nothing short of stellar, and it presents the perfect mix of comfort and support for a trail bike. The rear triangle is also fairly compliant, which adds to the comfort and control level. The bike still feels snappy in tight corners, but a certain amount of rear wheel side-to-side flex is noticeable – more on that later.

As testing progressed, we started pushing the 4060ST harder, with equally good results. It just never seems overwhelmed, and that suspension keeps shining as your speed picks up. The bike does feel like it rides a little bit tall, we don’t mean that in a negative way but it doesn’t fully have that in-the-bike feeling. We tried running the fork in the slacker setting which remedies the issue somewhat, but this bike still likes to sit up in its travel and float over the ground as opposed to hugging the dirt with the BB (we did move back to the steeper setting again as it makes more sense for this travel bracket anyway). The longer reach and wheelbase means you have to apply a little bit extra force to pull up the front, but you’ll soon get used to it and find your bearings. The upshot of this slightly “tall” feeling is that the bike really floats over the terrain in a way that seems incongruent with the amount of travel. This also led us to think about the longer travel version of the bike; if it manages to maintain the same lively character with 160/170mm of travel on tap, we can only imagine what a shred sled it must be.

Build Kit

We tested the 4060ST GX build with the 150mm RockShox Lyrik option that retails for $7199 USD (there is also a Pike-equipped GX build which goes for $600 less). Parts from SRAM, DT Swiss, and Maxxis complete the build, keep reading to learn more about how the individual parts performed during our testing:

Suspension

We’ve already spent a good deal of time on the suspension components in the On The Trail section above, so we’ll just summarize it all in one word here: excellence. Both the fork and the shock performed near flawlessly during this test, to the point that if you are the kind of person who just HAS to upgrade the suspension components on their bike, you should probably not buy this one - you’ll only make it worse if you change anything! We will say that a 3-way adjustable shock would be nice on this frame (ours showed up with just 2 modes), as the closed mode is very harsh and a pedal platform setting would make the most sense for climbing situations. A small issue that’s not really an issue in real life.

Brakes

SRAM’s Code RSC is a good choice here, the SCOR was born in the mountains and the Swiss know the value of good braking even on a trail bike. We can debate the slightly stiff lever feel of the Codes now compared to most other high-end brakes on the market, but they remain very powerful and more reliable that the Guides.

Shifting

SRAM’s GX Eagle platform does not have much to prove these days, it’s a workhorse that serves up crisp shifting and all the gear range you could need from a 1x system. We like the use of SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger as well, drastically improving your chances of finding a replacement hanger in random bike shops if you should bend yours when you’re out and about (as previously mentioned, there’s a spare hanger in the stash box on the bike already, so you’d actually have to bend TWO hangers before needing a shop…).

Dropper Post

Good news – SCOR went with the BikeYoke Divine, one of the best dropper posts in the world. Bad news – they didn’t take advantage of the adjustable travel feature to spec longer posts across the board. A 160mm dropper on a bike with 485mm of reach is not the most congruent choice we can think of – ESPECIALLY if the post can be shimmed down by 20mm in 5mm increments! With so much adjustability on the frame already, you’d think throwing the 185mm version on this build would make all the sense in the world – many would enjoy it stock, and those slightly shorter riders who may be sizing up the frame could always adjust the post back down to 165. A missed opportunity in our opinion.

Wheels and Tires

The DT Swiss XM1700 Spline is a quality wheelset built around a sturdy rim designed to take some abuse. SCOR specced the 36-tooth star ratchet which is a little underwhelming in the engagement department, but it does have a better reliability record than the 54-tooth version so perhaps it was a smart choice. We do like snappier engagement though, especially on a $7000 build! As for the tires, it’s hard to go wrong with a Maxxis Assegai/Dissector combo. Predictable grip and good rolling speed coupled with the ability to deal with a wide variety of conditions make this a perfect choice. The EXO+ casing in the rear finished our testing with quite a few tubeless repairs, leading us to question whether these may have been “old” stock tires, delivered before the running change made to EXO+ in 2022. Be that as it may, this tire combined with the relatively narrow beads of the DT Swiss rims means you may well have to bump up your tire pressure in the rear if you ride in rocky terrain.

Cockpit and Finishing Kit

SCOR went with a short, 35mm Burgtec stem mated to their own, 31.8mm carbon handlebar. This is a curious choice, as the majority of the market seems to have moved to the 35mm standard, but this cockpit works well enough and we don’t have any major complaints. The bar is not super compliant, but it’s not terrible either. We swapped out the stock saddle and the grips early on, we feel like these are so much a matter of personal preference that it doesn’t really make sense to comment on the stock build. Can you ride the bike out of the box? Of course! Should you run your preferred saddle and grips? Of course!

Things That Could Be Improved

• We’ve talked about how compliant and sure-footed the rear suspension is, which is partly due to the well-balanced curves and the great performance of the rear shock. There is also a certain amount of flex or compliance in the rear triangle itself, which we believe further adds to this feeling of comfort and control. However, there is a small flipside: we found the rotor would rub under pedaling power, as the rear triangle flexes just enough side-to-side to allow the rotor to come into contact with the pads. The result is an annoying little noise, especially noticeable on road climbs.
• The in-frame storage compartment is quite small, which doesn’t give you a lot of options when it comes to what you can keep there. A multi-tool has to be of the right dimensions, a typical full-size tool won’t fit, and a smaller tool may rattle around. You can squeeze in a tubeless repair kit but a CO2 canister won’t fit (it’s too thick for the height available in the compartment).
• The frame is quite complex around the BB area, and there are quite a few spots where dirt can accumulate. The shock is fairly exposed and does end up picking up its fair share of grime, despite the presence of the small fender. There is also a slight possibility that a pebble could get caught up between the rear triangle and the main frame, the spacing here grows a fair bit when the suspension compresses, and then closes up again as the suspension extends – something that could lead to frame damage if a rock was caught at exactly the wrong time. Nothing has happened in our 5 months of testing, but it’s probably worth pointing out especially if you ride in very muddy conditions.
• We discussed the length of the dropper posts specced in the Build Kit section above. With an adjustable post, we think SCOR should have specced longer travel options across the board, and then have customers reduce the dropper travel if need be. It’s very easy to do on the BikeYoke Divine, so definitely a missed opportunity here.

Long Term Durability

We’ve had the SCOR rolling for a solid five months by now, under two different riders, and it’s seen everything from dry and rocky desert to muddy woodland trails. Overall the bike feels every bit as solid as it did when it first got here, with no early warning signs detected anywhere. We already alluded to the frame collecting dirt around the shock tunnel area, and indeed the shock shaft is often quite messy after a ride. Definitely something to keep an eye on, and we’re not entirely convinced that there is zero risk of a pebble getting caught up in the gap between the chainstay and the downtube/BB area, even nothing of the sort has happened during our time of testing. Other than that, the bike is still quiet, and all the frame protection is holding up fine. Note that if you hang your 4060 over a tailgate, the factory installed frame protection stickers actually leave a little gap (by virtue of their design) just where the downtube rests on the tailgate pad…so you’ll probably want to add another layer of protection in this particular area.

What’s The Bottom Line?

The one-bike-does-it-all market is probably the most hotly contested and the most difficult to make sense of as a prospective buyer. You’ll find everything from full-on enduro rigs to long-legged XC whips laying claim to the title of “ultimate trail bike”, all promising to make your dreams come true both on the way up and on the way back down. The SCOR 4060ST sits squarely in the middle of this category, with suspension travel numbers that will let you tackle most kinds of terrain without leaving you over-biked for those less demanding trails. Need to rack up the miles on an epic backcountry adventure? No problem. Need to play around on your favorite local trail? Go for it! Need to hit the bike park? You could do it with the ST, or swap out the fork and shock and you’ll have an LT! The SCOR 4060 is very versatile, but far from being a jack of all trades and a master of none, it is the perfect bike for all kinds of fun. The suspension is among the very best we’ve tested, while the overall light and snappy feel of this bike makes it suited for pretty much anything that involves pedaling too. We’re very impressed!

More information at: www.scor-mtb.com.

Vital MTB Star Rating

• Climbing: 4.5 stars
• Descending: 4.5 stars
• Fun Factor: 5 stars
• Value: 3.5 stars
• Overall Impression: 4.5 stars

About The Reviewers

Johan Hjord - Age: 49 // Years Riding MTB: 17 // Weight: 190-pounds (87-kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Nils Hjord – Age: 19 // Years Riding MTB: 11 // Weight: 176-pounds (80-kg) // Height: 5’9” (1m80)

Always committed to having fun on his bike, Nils likes to keep his wheels in the air almost as much as on the ground. Although he enjoys going fast and is no stranger to burping his tires off the rim, he has dedicated most of his riding time to mastering manuals and making his tabletops flatter – but that doesn’t mean he can’t put the hurt on his wheels through a high-speed rockgarden too, when needed. Good thing his dad is a full-time Vital staffer with access to lots of bike parts that need testing!

Photos and Video by Johan Hjord and Tal Rozow