Today we take a look at Rodrigo Gil Moreno DeMora’s Scott Spark Premium 900.  This race rig is decked out in electronic XTR and carbon, top to bottom (except the hoops, don’t get him started on that). Funny story, Rodrigo who was very anti 29er for anyone under 6′, ordered the 27.5 Spark but received a 29r.  He decided to keep it and he’s glad he did. You’ll see by the ‘27.5’ labeled 29r tires that he has reluctantly fallen deeply in love with his new tire size of choice.  We photographed his Spark at his beloved New Belgium short-track course,  a course where he’s probably had more starts than anyone in the local scene.  Look for Rodrigo to be going for the hole shot every Tuesday in May and Oct. 

Rodrigo put a lot of work into the routing and setup of his Di2 XTR, read about it below. 

Shifting Info: The SC-M9050 XTR digital display allows the customization of the FD and RD. Once I calculated the my adequate cadence for my riding style, I set up the Synchronized shifting mode to control the front and rear derailleur with the R shifter controller only. I customized the FD to shift to the small chainring (24 tooth) when the RD reaches the 40T cog and I need more shifting. The FD shifts to the 24 T chainring and sequentially the RD shifts one gear down to the 35 T cog. This is call the compensation shift so the cadence don’t suffer a large increase/decrease in resistance due to the jump/decrease in gearing and avoid cross-chaining. On the decnet, as i shift from the 40 T cog down, when I reach the 4th gear (27 T cog) the Synchro mode shifts the FR to the 36 T chainring and compensates by shifting the RD up 2 cogs to the 32 T cog, keeping amore constant cadence and smoother transition from the 24 to the 34 T chainring. This way I avoid the sudden increase in gear resistance in my effort due to the gearing ratio. Clever little system.

Wire routing info: R shifter cable (100mm) is connected with the XTR digital display. From the display, a Di2 cable (1600mm) cable is routed thru the rear suspension control cable hole on the frame for internal routing of the Di2 system. Once I routed the cable down the down tube to the bottom bracket, I connected the cable to the internal B-Junction wire box. There, the connections for the cable from the display, internal battery cable on the seat post, and both cables to the derailleurs are made. The cables for the derailleurs exit the BB via the mechanical cable guide to the appropriate derailleurs. Finding a path for the internal routing of the Di2 cables and internal battery, took some thinking and taking the bike a part but the look of the internal routing is much more clean and functional. With this routing system, I was able to avoid any drilling of the frame. Making holes on a carbon frame did not make me feel comfortable.

Full Build

Frame: Scott Spark Premium 900. 29 inch. Carbon IMP Technology, HMX
Fork: FOX 32 Float Factory Air, Kashima, SCOTT TwinLoc Remote
Rear shock: FOX Nude, 100mm Travel
Front derailleur: Shimano XTR Di2 M9070 Double E-type direct mount
Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR Di2 M9050 Shadow RD+ 11
Brake levers: Shimano XTR 9000 Hydro
Brakes: Shimano XTR 9000 Hydro Disc 180 mm front rotor, Disc 160 mm rear rotor
Shifters: XTR M9050 Di2 Programmable 2×11 (set up completer so only one shifter needed to control FD and RD with the R shifter)
Cassette: XTR HG Cassette 11 speed
Cassette gearing: 11-40
Bottom Bracket: Shimano SM-BB94-41A / Shell 41×89.5mm
Cranks: Shimano XTR FC-M9020-2, QF 168mm,
Chainrings: 34-24
Power Meter: Nahhhhh- Heart rate daby.
Pedals: XTR M900 Race SPD
Chain: HG 901 HG-X SIL-TEC 11 speed
Front Hub: DT Swiss 15×110 mm
Front Rim: Syncros XR1.5
Front Tire: Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25
Rear Hub: DT Swiss 148x 12 mm
Rear Rim: Syncros XR1.5
Rear Tire: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25
Saddle: Syncros XR1.5 Orange/Black
Stem: Syncros FL1.0
Bars: Syncros FL1.0 Carbon with Syncros Pro Lock-On integrated.
Seatpost: Syncros FL1.0 Carbon, 31.6mm
Computer: Garmin Edge 520
Computer mount: Garmin