Scott bikes (and skis, too actually) have a new, proof-of-concept project e-bike developed to give adventure ski tourists a more efficient mountain approach in search of fresh powder. Starting with a full-suspension trekking e-bike, Scott looked at how they could haul all of the gear needed for a backcountry skiing adventure in any easy-to-manage setup that would shuttle a skier high up into the mountains to still be fresh when it was time to strap on skis.
Scott Sk-eRide, a e-MTB ski tour approach shuttle bike
Scott says the concept, turned project bike was developed to meet a real need – backcountry skiers who can’t simply drive into remote locations to ski and would have to hike up to good snow before really heading off the track.
So an e-bike loaded down with gear seemed to them like a reasonable way to make the mountain approach up passes still closed to traffic over the winter into the spring. Even as the good snow receded with the Spring thaw, the Sk-eRide could get you to the pass without wasting energy since you were still going to keep to hike up further in the deep snow to earn your turns.
Scott Axis eRide Evo e-trekking bike
So they started with a 4800€ Axis eRide Evo full-suspension trekking bike, powered by a Shimano E8000 STePS powertrain, and Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro studded 29er tires.
Then, they kept hanging more gear on top of it. Scott makes plenty of ski touring gear too, so Speedguide 95 skis rounded out a versatile ski tour setup.
The concept went beyond just a couple of standard racks that you would lash everything down to. Scott didn’t like the idea of fiddling with straps & buckles with cold fingers, so they fabricated customized carriers to just drop the skis in place, clip your Superguide boots directly into integrated binding clamps on the front rack, a protected tube for ice axes, velcro rope straps, and custom-stitched compact gear bags
It really is all in the details when you are crafting such a use-specific project bike like this anyway. And while I would argue that the complete setup is unwieldy-looking, Scott does hot some nice details like a battery insulation blanket to try to keep the cold wind from sapping juice from your power supply, a dynamo powered USB output to keep you smart phone maps charged (although why not directly off the main battery?), Supernova LED light to illuminate the pre-dawn ascent & dusk return home, Revelate hand warmers to keep your fingers protected from cold winds before you work up a sweat in the snow.
Oh yeah, and of course a foldaway table and mount for a MSR camp stove & a coffee pot. Because one thing cyclists & ski touring gear head hispters can agree on besides a post-ride ale, is brewing coffee outside.
Scott promises they’ll take this contraption on all manner of winter adventures. So hopefully we might see videos of their eRide skimo exploits pop up in our Friday Roundups later this Spring.
