Scott and Trek are two close brands known for their high-end brands and impressive sponsorship deals. But given that Giant makes frames for both brands, how do Scott bikes vs Trek bikes compare?
While Scott only offers a 5-year frame warranty, Trek offers limited lifetime coverage, which shows Trek’s confidence in the quality of their bike frames. Scott bikes, however, are less costly but promising the same high-end components as Trek.
Of course, there are a few other minor differences between the two brands that I’ll talk about.
Not only will I compare the two bike brands in detail, but I’ll also compare their various bike types. In particular, I’ll look at their road bikes, MTBs, and hybrids to help you decide on the two.
But as I’ll discuss, it’s hard to split the two based on component quality, bike customization, bike range, and prices.
Let’s get into the comparison.
Scott Bikes Vs Trek Bikes: Side By Side Comparison
As I mentioned, Giant makes frames for both Scott and Trek, which means there is little to separate the two in terms of quality.
But if you observe keenly, there are a few things that set them apart, as follows.
1. Bike Line
These two bike brands are traditional high-end, pro-level bike brands. That, however, doesn’t mean that they don’t make entry-level and mid-range options.
Overall, Trek has more entry-level bikes that beginners can ride. Scott, on the other hand, stocks mid-range options alongside their high-end bikes.
Verdict – While Trek leans towards entry-level and high-end bikes, Scott favors mid-range and high-end bikes.
2. Bike Weight
Scott bikes are slightly more lightweight than Trek bikes. Essentially, that’s owing to Scott’s impressive carbon technology.
Most of their bikes feature carbon frames that have a hollow design that makes them exceptionally lightweight.
While Trek also employs carbon technology on most bikes, they don’t feel as lightweight as Scott’s.
Verdict – Scott bikes are lighter than Trek bikes, and therefore Scott wins here.
3. Trek Vs Scott Bikes Components
Scott has an in-house brand ‘Syncros’ which is dedicated to making most of its components. That includes the saddles, wheelsets, seat posts, headsets, handlebars, grips, and kickstands.
Syncros enjoys 30 years of experience, thus reliable. The components they make for Scott are high-quality.
Trek also has an in-house manufacturer, Bontrager, which does the same job as Syncros. Like Syncros, Bontrager prides itself in making innovative and high-quality bike components.
And when it comes to the drivetrain, both brands get the components from Shimano and SRAM.
Moreover, they also source suspensions from RockShox, which are more robust and reliable.
Verdict – Though their in-house manufacturers differ, both promise quality components.
4. Bike Warranty
A good bike warranty inspires confidence. It shows you that you are getting a good deal, and this is one area where the two brands differ.
Scott only offers a 5-year limited lifetime warranty and only two years for their self-build Syncros components. Trek, in contrast, offers you a limited lifetime warranty for their frames and 1-5 years for their self-build Bontrager components.
Verdict – A lifetime warranty is a strong indicator of Trek’s confidence in their frames. For that reason, Trek wins the frame battle.
5. Purchase Route
This is another area where Scott and Trek differ. Though the purchase route has nothing to do with the bike quality, it can influence your purchasing decision.
Trek generally allows you to buy directly from their website or through their trusted local dealers.
Scott, on the other hand, relies on local dealers. You cannot order a Scott bike from their official website.
Verdict – Trek offers you more purchase routes than Scott.
6. Scott Bikes Vs Trek Bike Customization
Scott offers high-quality carbon and alloy frames for road bikes and MTBs that you can use to customize your bike.
The advantage is that the frames come as a set (frame + fork) to enjoy shock absorption.
Trek also has a bike-building project known as Project One that allows riders to design their dream Trek bike. But unlike Scott, everything is built to order with Trek, and that includes the frameset.
Verdict – Both bike brands offer you the opportunity to build your bike. Trek, however, has a slim advantage as it allows you to pick everything (including the frameset) from scratch.
7. Bike Prices
Though both bike brands offer quality components, Scott bikes’ prices are slightly lower. It doesn’t mean they are cheap, but you’ll save a few dollars getting a Scott bike over a Trek option.
Verdict – Scott wins here for offering less expensive high-end bikes than Trek. Even in terms of components, Syncros components are less costly than Trek’s Bontrager.
8. Sponsorship Success
Generally, sponsorship success is an indicator of a bike brand’s good reputation and quality bikes. That’s because pro riders only want to be associated with the best bike brands.
Scott has been sponsoring top-level cyclists for many years, and some have even won podium places at the Tour de France.
One notable athlete is Greg Lemond, the 1989 Tour de France winner. There is also Nino Schurter, the 2016 Olympics winner.
Trek also shares the same success story. Since sponsoring Lance Armstrong, the brand has been associated with so many pro riders.
Verdict – Both bike brands enjoy successful sponsorship stories, which shows their dominance in the pro riding sector.
9. Scott Vs Trek Bikes Range
Scott generally stocks the following major bike categories:
- Road bikes
- Mountain bikes
- Gravel bikes
- Hybrid bikes
- Syncros bikes
- Electric bikes
- Women bikes
- Kids bikes
- Touring bikes
Trek, in contrast, stocks the following options:
- Road bikes
- Mountain bikes
- Hybrid bikes
- Women bikes
- Kids bikes
Verdict – It seems that the two bike brands offer the same bike types. So, there is nothing to separate them here.
Scott Bikes Vs Trek Bikes Compared
After looking at the general differences and similarities between Scott and Trek, let’s look at how their road bikes, MTBs, and hybrids compare.
1. Trek Mountain Bikes Vs Scott Mountain Bikes
Here’s how Trek and Scott MTBs compare:
a) MTB Type
Scott stocks cross-country, enduro, trail, downhill, and sport MTBs as its main mountain bike ranges. Scott, however, has a dedicated women’s line and electric options.
Trek also stocks cross country, trail, and full-suspension MTBs (mostly enduro and downhill options). Like Scott, they also have a dedicated women’s bike line.
b) MTB Price
Trek mountain bike prices start as low as $600 as it’s the case with their entry-level Marlin 5 to about $11,000 as it’s the case with their high-end Super Caliber 9.1 XX1.
Scott MTBs start from around $450 as it’s the case of the Scott Active 60 Contessa to about $14,000 as it’s the case of the Scott Spark RC.
While the costliest Scott MTB is pricier than the costliest Trek, the difference is that there are more affordable Scott MTBs.
c) Suspension
Trek is known for its innovative suspension technology, which sets the bike apart from the rest.
They employ Fox and RockShox suspensions on their full-suspension MTBs, which promise unmatched control and bump absorption. So, Trek wins the full-suspension battled based on that.
But if there is an area that Scott takes the lead, it is the Hardtail line. Scott Hardtail forks come with adequate travel to offer enough cushioning.
d) Bike Geometry
Scott MTBs have a more aggressive geometry than Trek. As a result, Scott MTBs are more trail-oriented, while Trek MTBs are best for enduro cycling.
e) Carbon Technology
Both Scott and Trek employ high-quality frames, mainly carbon, on their frames. In general, carbon offers the frames a lighter weight, which makes it easy to pedal upward.
A lighter frame also makes it easy to speed up, which explains why these two bikes are popular for pro riders.
f) Drivetrain
Both bike brands employ SRAM on their high-end bikes and Shimano on their low-end and mid-range options.
2. Trek Road Bikes Vs Scott Road Bikes
Let’s compare the two road bike brands under the following:
a) Road Bike Type
Scott stocks lightweight, gravel, endurance, and aero road bikes as their main rod bike categories. They, however, have dedicated women and children lines.
Trek also makes lightweight, gravel, endurance, women, and electric road bikes. In addition, they stock performance road bikes
b) Road Bike Price
Trek road bike prices start from around $1,000, which is the case of their entry-level Domane AL2, to about $12,500, which is the case of their high-end Domane+LT9.
Scott road bikes start from around $700 as it’s the case with their entry-level Scott Speedster 50 to about $12,000 as it’s the case with Scott Addict RC Ultimate.
c) Bike Range
Scott offers a mixture of entry-level, mid-range, and high-end road bikes to suit road cyclists at different experience levels. They, however, pay more attention to mid-range and high-end markets.
Trek also makes road bikes for entry-level, mid-level, and high-end markets. They, however, focus more on the high-end and low-end market.
d) Frame Geometry
Like their MTB siblings, Scott road bikes have a more aggressive geometry, favoring pro riders more. Trek road bikes, in contrast, are less aggressive, which allows them to suit even beginners and casual road cyclists.
3. Trek Hybrid Bikes Vs Scott Hybrid Bikes
Now, let’s compare the hybrid bikes of both brands:
a) Bike Type
Scott hybrid bikes borrow so much from their road bike and MTB lines. These bikes, which are best for commuting, casual off-road rides, and weekend adventures, come in men and women options.
Trek also has fantastic hybrid bikes for men and women. But unlike Scott, Trek also offers kids hybrid bikes. And overall, both brands stock electric hybrids,
b) Carbon Technology
Impressively, both Trek and Scott employ carbon frames on their most expensive hybrid bikes, making them suitable for serious commuters. The frames make the bikes comfortable to cycle as they feel lighter.
c) Riding Comfort
There is nothing to separate the two bike brands here as they come with more upright geometries and feature wider cushioned seats.
Their most expensive options come with powerful shock suspensions and disc brakes for a more comfortable ride.
d) Bike Price
Depending on budget, you can get a Trek or Scott hybrid bike at any price point. The contrast is that Trek occupies the lowest and the highest ends of the budget.
For example, while a budget Trek hybrid costs under $500, high-end options cost over $6,000, as is the case with the Alient +9.9S.
FAQs
1. Is Trek Better Than Scott?
Overall, Trek offers a better frame warranty than Scott, but Scott offers less costly bikes than Trek for the same high-end experience. So, choosing between them depends primarily on budget and warranty preference.
2. Are Scott Bikes Good Quality?
Scott employs advanced carbon technology to guarantee lighter and comfortable bikes. They also rely on self-built Syncros components such as wheels, handlebars, kickstands, and seat posts, which promise durability.
Moreover, they get their drivetrain mostly from SRAM. So, yes, Trek bikes are of good quality.
3. Does Giant Make Scott Bikes?
Giant makes bike frames not only for Scott but also for Colnago and Trek. But when it comes to components like wheelsets, handlebars, seats, seat posts, and pedals, Scott has a standalone entity within their frame, Syncros, which handles the manufacturing.
4. Are Trek Bikes Made In China?
The majority of Trek bikes are made in China, Taiwan, Netherlands, and Germany.
5. How Much Does A Scott Bike Cost?
An entry-level Scott road bike or mountain bike costs $450-$600, while a high-end option costs up to $12,000.
Also Read:
Scott Bikes Vs Trek Bikes: Closing Thought:
You now know what to go for between Scott and Trek. If you are on a budget and want a decent bike, consider Trek. But if you want a lighter bike with high-end components, then Scott is a realistic option.
But overall, it’s good to look at the specs carefully as not all Scott bikes are better than Trek bikes. Similarly, it’s good to consider the budget as not all Scott bikes are cheaper than Trek bikes.