About The Scott Aspect 950 Aluminum Hardtail Mountain Bike

The Scott Aspect 950 is a 29-inch aluminum hardtail mountain bike built for riders who are entering cross-country and trail riding, or who want a dependable platform for recreational off-road use. The 6061 alloy frame uses custom tubing with a BSA73 threaded bottom bracket and internal cable routing, which simplifies long-term maintenance and keeps the cockpit clean. The replaceable derailleur hanger is a practical detail that matters on trail bikes. The frame geometry sits on the conservative side of XC — stable and predictable rather than aggressive — which builds confidence on natural terrain and forgiving singletrack.

Up front, a Suntour XCT30-HLO 100mm suspension fork with hydraulic lockout provides enough travel for trail chatter and roots while the lockout lets you climb efficiently on smooth terrain. The drivetrain is 2x9 Shimano Altus with a Prowheel 36x22T crankset and Shimano CS-HG200-9 11-36T cassette — a wide-range setup suited to moderate climbs and rolling terrain. Braking comes via Tektro HDM275 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors front and rear. Wheels are Syncros X-20 Disc 32h rims (aluminum) carrying Kenda Booster 29x2.4 tires at 30TPI. Total weight is approximately 31.7 lbs.

Who It's For

  • Entry-level mountain bikers learning on natural trails and recreational singletrack
  • Riders who want 29-inch wheels and hydraulic disc brakes at a practical entry price
  • Casual trail riders who prioritize stability over aggressive handling
  • Riders looking for a reliable all-rounder for dirt roads, XC trails, and mixed-surface riding
  • Not ideal for: riders ready for technical terrain or aggressive trail riding — consider stepping up to a trail-geometry bike with more travel

What to Look For

  • Fork travel: 100mm is appropriate for XC and recreational trail use; riders planning on rougher terrain should look at 120mm+ trail-specific forks.
  • Drivetrain: The 2x9 Altus setup is entry-level — expect to upgrade the chain and cassette first with regular trail use.
  • Tire width: The 2.4-inch Kenda Booster tires provide good grip and volume for entry-level trail riding without the rolling resistance of oversized tires.

Key Features

Frame: Aspect 6061 alloy with custom tubing, BSA73 threaded bottom bracket, internal cable routing, and replaceable derailleur hanger. The threaded BB is a serviceability advantage over press-fit systems, particularly in muddy or wet conditions where creaking is common.

Groupset: Shimano Altus RD-M2000 rear derailleur with Shimano SL-M2010 shifters and Prowheel RAID-501-TT 36x22T crankset. The Shimano CS-HG200-9 cassette (11-36T) and KMC X9 chain complete a reliable, serviceable drivetrain.

Brakes: Tektro HDM275 hydraulic disc with 160mm rotors. Hydraulic disc at this price point is a genuine value — finger-modulated stopping that holds up in wet and muddy conditions better than cable-actuated alternatives.

Wheels: Syncros X-20 Disc 32h alloy rims with stainless spokes, Formula hubs, and Kenda Booster 29x2.4 30TPI tires. The 29-inch diameter rolls efficiently over trail obstacles and maintains momentum on XC terrain.

Rider Intent Summary

  • Biggest strengths: Hydraulic disc brakes, 29-inch wheels, and a lockout fork in a durable alloy hardtail at an accessible price
  • Tradeoffs: Conservative geometry and 2x9 Altus drivetrain limit how far this bike can grow with a progressing rider; 30TPI tire casing is entry-level
  • What makes it different: The Suntour XCT30-HLO fork with hydraulic lockout is a step above basic coil forks at this price bracket, enabling genuine climb efficiency on smooth terrain

Victory's Take

At Victory Bicycle Studio, we recommend the Aspect 950 as a solid first mountain bike for riders who want hydraulic disc brakes and real trail capability without overbuying a platform they are not yet ready for.

What you get

  • Frame - Aspect 700/900 Alloy Frame
  • Suspension Fork - Suntour XCT30-HLO 100mm
  • Groupset - Shimano Altus 9 Speed
  • Wheels - Syncros X-20 Disc 32H / black
  • Tires - Kenda Booster 2.4" / 30TPI
Scott Aspect 950 Aluminum Hardtail Mountain Bike

Scott

Scott Aspect 950 Aluminum Hardtail Mountain Bike

Regular price $799.99 USD
Sale price $799.99 USD Regular price $1,099.99 USD

Specifications

Frameset
Frame

Aspect 900-700 series

- Alloy 6061 Custom Tubing BSA73

- Internal Cable Routing

- Replaceable hanger

Fork

Suntour XCT30-HLO Hyd. Lockout, 100mm travel

Headset

Syncros OE Press Fit

- 1 1/8" OD 50mm

- ID 44mm

Wheels
Rims

Syncros X-20 Disc 32H, black

Front Hub

Formula DC-19 FQR Disc

Rear Hub

Formula DC-25 8s RQR Disc

Spokes

14 G

- Stainless

- Black

Tires

Kenda Booster 2.4", 30TPI

Drivetrain and Brakes
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Altus RD-M2000 18 Speed

Front Derailleur

Shimano FD-M2020-TS, 31.8mm

Shifters

Shimano SL-M2010 R-fire plus, 2 way release w/gear indicator

Crankset

Shimano FC-MT2102 2-piece Design, 36X22

Bottom Bracket Set

Shimano BB-MT500 Hollowtech II, threaded

Chain

KMC X9

Cassette

Shimano CS-HG200-9, 11-36T

Brakes

Tektro HDM275 Hydr. Disc

Brake Rotors

Tektro

- 6 bolt

- F&R 160mm

Cockpit
Handlebars

Syncros 3.0

- 720mm black

- 31.8mm

- 12mm rise

- 9° BS Syncros Pro Grip

Stem

Syncros 3.0

- 7°

- Black

Seat Post

Syncros 3.0 31.6mm

- 350mm

- Black

Saddle

Syncros 3.0

Pedals

Feimin FP-873-ZU

Additional Information
Bike Weight

14.40 kg, 31.75 lb

Max. Allowable Weight

128 kg, 282.19 lb

*Specifications subject to change without notice

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the bike packaged and how long does delivery take?

All bikes are securely packaged to ensure that damage doesn't occur during shipping. All parts of the bike are padded and if needed, zip tied to minimize or eliminate movement inside the box. Once a bike is handed to the shipping company (usually Fedex or UPS), depending on your location, delivery will range from 1 day to 8 days. If you do choose the option for Professional Assembly or White Glove Delivery, this can add anywhere from 2 days to 5 days to the lead time.

Can I finance the purchase of my new bike?

Yes.  Simply select the Shop Pay Installments option which will allow you to buy now and pay later.  Shop Pay Installments is powered by Affirm.  If you would like to determine your spending limit, simply download the Shop app or the Affirm app on your smartphone and after you create an account on one of these apps, the app will let you know what is your spending limit.

Can I return the bike if it doesn't suit my needs?

Our return process is as follows. The customer is responsible for the return label ($150). Once the returned bike arrives at our warehouse, our team will inspect it and make sure it is in new condition and undamaged. Once we verify, we will process the return and issue a refund to the original payment method on file. To clarify the amount refunded, it would just be the amount of the bike (and tax if applicable) less the $150 shipping label that we provided, but the original shipping is not refunded. So if the original bike cost $4,500 and shipping was $150 (so you paid $4,650), you would be refunded $4,350 (the $4,500 less $150 for the return label) assuming the bike was returned in new and un-used condition and within the 30 day return period.

What does the warranty of my new bike or product cover and what is the warranty period?

Depending on the bike or any product, different companies have different warranty policies.  If you do ever have an issue with your bike or any product, simply email us at online@victorybicyclestudio.com and we will assist with any warranty issues and clarify the warranty for the affected product.

Can I have my bike serviced at any bike shop?

Typically, to avoid any issues with your warranty, you should bring your bike to a certified mechanic or bike store for that bike (i.e. if you have a Trek bicycle, you should bring the bike to be serviced to a local bike store that is an authorized Trek dealer).  If you need assistance, simply email us at online@victorybicyclestudio.com and we can direct you to a certified dealer of your bike.

Do you ship bikes internationally?

We unfortunately do not ship bikes outside of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. We do recommend for international customers to open (or use a current account) account with a freight forwarding company. If you use a freight forwarding company located in the U.S., make sure to put your billing address for a dedicated credit card as the same address as the freight forwarder so that you don't have any credit card or payment method issues).

Once you do this, simply place an order with us and we can ship to the U.S. address as long as the credit card doesn't get rejected. Once the freight forwarder has the box/order/shipment, you would instruct them to then ship to you in your home country and they would charge you their own shipping charge to ship to your international address.

Do you offer free shipping?

We do offer free shipping on non-bike orders over $100. We do not offer free shipping for bicycles unless it is a one time promotion. Generally, bike shipping will cost $150 and that covers just the shipping of the bike with no assembly. If you were to bring that bike to your local mechanic or bike store, you would pay them their assembly fee. If you choose our Professional Assembly option for $200, our service technicians would assemble the bike before shipping and then re-pack the bike safely for transit. When you receive the bike you would attach the front wheel, attach the seatpost/saddle, and raise the handlebars and clamp them. Those three items do have to be detached to minimize or eliminate the chance of damage in transit.

How much does shipping cost?

For orders of parts, accessories, apparel, etc. on orders under $100, shipping is a flat rate of $9.99. Regular bike shipping without assembly is $150, bike shipping with Professional Assembly is an additional $200 (so $350 in total which includes the $150 of regular shipping). Our White Glove Delivery option is $699 and that will cover the assembly of the bike and our White Glove Delivery partner delivering your dream bike to your front door, ready to ride!

How can I track my order?

When you place your online order, you will receive an instantaneous email update with your order number and order details, and shortly after, you will receive a follow up order email with the tracking number for your order.  If you still need assistance with your order, feel free to email us at online@victorybicyclestudio.com and we will respond asap.

What happens if my package arrives damaged?

If your package arrives damaged, email online@victorybicyclestudio.com with pictures of all angles of the box and pictures of the damaged product and we will work with you to either send a new replacement asap and coordinate return (or re-imburse you for labor or costs incurred to fix the issue at your local bike store).

Are pedals included with the bike?

If you do not see pedals in the bullet point product specs on the product page, the bike does not come equipped with pedals.  Many manufacturers do not spec bikes with pedals, so they are often purchased separately.

If I only pay the $150 for bike shipping, can I assemble the bike on my own?

Victory Bicycle Studio highly recommends that you bring your bike to your local certified bike store for the brand of the bike that you purchased. If you do attempt to assemble the bike and damage occurs, this may result in your warranty not being honored. For that reason, we do highly recommend to select our Professional Assembly option for $299.