Beyond expectations: How the Mark2 Scrambler CL mastered Swinley trails
Ever wondered if a mid-range e-mountain bike can truly handle real trails? I took my Mark2 Scrambler CL to Swinley Forest, Bracknell in February to find out, and let me tell you, I was impressed, even on the red trails! You can see it in action in the video below.
Swinley Forest (for those that don't know) offers a fantastic mix of flowing single-track, challenging climbs, exciting descents, and a few small jumps in the miles of forest near Bracknell.
The Mark2 brand (based in Andover) may not be widely known, but it punches above its weight. The CL's adjustable Rockshox front suspension soaked up all the roots, rocks, and undulations, providing a smooth and controlled ride.
The rear is a hardtail and though most other riders around Swinley were on full suspension bikes, it still coped pretty well, partly due to the optional extra suspension seat post I'd added (you just need to ensure to set it to the right stiffness otherwise it hits the stop). The rear did skip around on the more rugged terrain of course, but it wasn't difficult to control, and the suspension post cushioned most of the terrain when on the seat.
The Scrambler CL ebike instilled confidence, despite ebikes being much heavier than classic pedal bikes, and allowed me to focus on the trail ahead rather than worrying about every bump. I'm a complete novice on trails like this, so it had nothing to do with my own skill level!
The electric assist provides access to longer trails, helps cover more ground especially up the longer steeper hills, and helps to squeeze in a ride at the end of a busy day knowing that you can reduce your effort if needed.
The ascents at Swinley were mostly gentle but there are a couple more challenging hills, and the electric assist made them more exhilarating - I was able to power up them (with a decent level of input from my legs too) pretty quickly. Most of the time I was on assist level 1 as my visit was partly for exercise, however on the steep hills I notched it to 5 for a great boost, while still pushing.
The different assist levels really help even out the field if cycling with friends, setting to zero to have a good workout (as I do on some of my quick morning rides for fitness), add a little just to take the edge off (especially with light headwinds and the lesser gradients), or add it all when you really need the help - it's an amazingly flexible option and can be changed whenever you need on your ride.
The sheer enjoyment of navigating those technical sections, hitting the small jumps, and then effortlessly powering up the next climb on the Scrambler CL was incredible. See for yourself in this short video montage:
Ready to experience the thrill yourself? Explore the Mark2 mountain bike range, including the Scrambler CL and the mullet style XC Cross Country, right here at PEDAL & RIDE.
Of course the Scrambler CL can also be ridden on less demanding trails and gravel paths, commutes to work, or just for leisure, and we have Mark2's other mountain bikes and hybrid models if you're just looking for a great commuter, fitness, or leisure ebike at a great price.
Let us know if you have any questions, our team at PEDAL & RIDE are happy to help!
