Stylish, fast, silent? SCOTT Silence eRide – SCOTT’s new urban -bike in review

Road bike or urban bike? Neither! SCOTT unveiled their new city e-bike, the Silence eRide, with a ballet performance right in the heart of New York. Tipping the scales at just 14.5 kg, the SCOTT e-bike dances its way through the city with a TQ HPR 50 motor. But is the € 7,499 price tag justified?

Swiss bike manufacturer SCOTT has proven itself a master of design and integration with their (e-) mountain bikes, like the Ransom, Lumen, Genius, and Voltage. Now, SCOTT seek to refresh their urban portfolio with the new Silence eRide. It’s their first city e-bike with a small battery and rigid fork, which focuses on lightweight and top performance. To achieve the bike’s elegant design, SCOTT teamed up with motor manufacturer TQ. The sleek TQ HPR 50 motor and fixed 360 Wh battery create a lightweight urban e-bike, tipping the scales at just 14.5 kg. The inspiration for this frame design comes from the SCOTT Solace eRide. The result? A sleek carbon body with elegant lines and a shimmering white paint finish. However, the € 7,499 price tag is sure to raise some eyebrows. We’ve tested the SCOTT e-bike to see if it’s all style or if it delivers on performance too.

The Scott Silence eRide in detail – What makes the SCOTT e-bike so special?

The SCOTT Silence eRide shares the same frame platform as the Solace eRide, SCOTT’s brand’s e-gravel bike. The Swiss manufacturer aims to bring the lightweight, sporty feel of their e-gravel bikes to the urban segment.

The cables are routed internally, disappearing into the frame through the cockpit, only to reappear shortly before the component they’re needed. Together with the one-piece cockpit, this ensures a very clean overall look. SCOTT’s e-bike relies on many carbon components, from the frame and fork, to the crankset and handlebars. The white paint finish, which shimmers in rainbow colours under the sun, adds a touch of class. The design is rounded off with an aerodynamic seat post that further emphasizes the bike’s sporty character.

SCOTT rely on the slim TQ HPR 50 motor, which delivers up to 50 Nm of torque and assistance up to 25 km/h. It’s discreetly integrated into the bottom bracket area, ensuring a very discrete look that successfully conceals the electric nature of SCOTT’s e-bike. The TQ motor, which SCOTT also use for light e-MTBs like the Voltage, was already put through the grinder in the big motor comparison of our sister magazine E-MOUNTAINBIKE. The motor system draws its power from a compact, non-removable 360 Wh battery, which can be expanded with a 160 Wh range extender that fits snugly into the bottle cage. The motor system is paired with a TQ OLED display, which is seamlessly integrated into the top tube.

SCOTT’s in-house component brand Syncros supplies the aluminum wheelset, which is paired with narrow 1.5″ Schwalbe Super Moto Performance tires. For the rest of the spec, SCOTT rely on top-tier manufacturers: the electric SRAM RIVAL XPLR eTap 12-speed drivetrain draws its power directly from the bike’s 360 Wh battery, requiring no additional charging. SRAM Level four-piston brakes with 160 mm rotors ensure powerful, reliable deceleration.

SCOTT deliver the Silence with a front cargo rack with 7 kg load capacity, although this is rather small and suited only for lighter items such as a jacket or a small bag. There are no mounting points for a pannier rack at the rear.

Tuning tip: for more range, consider getting the 160 Wh range extender.

To protect against splashes in bad weather, SCOTT has added aluminum fenders front and rear. The rear fender is purposefully short, allowing the bike to be stood upright on its rear wheel, making it easier to fit into narrow elevators.
The SCOTT e-bike includes an SP Connect phone mount on the stem, making it easy to use your smartphone for navigation. The Lezyne front light provides ample brightness in the dark, while the Syncros taillight is discreetly integrated into the seat post.

Stylish, fast, silent – The SCOTT e-bike in practice

When you swing your leg over the saddle of the SCOTT Silence eRide, the first thing you’ll notice is the high top tube –so you better swing that leg high! The sporty pedalling position puts noticeable pressure on your hands and is more reminiscent of a road bike than an urban bike. Except for the flat handlebars, you might as well be riding a thoroughbred road bike.

The TQ HPR 50 motor provides reliable assistance as soon as you start pedalling. The motor works seamlessly with the chain drive, and the 50 Nm torque is more than sufficient in city traffic. With 440% gear range, we were able to tackle the steep hills around Stuttgart without too much effort. Going downhill, the SRAM Level brakes ensure powerful, reliable deceleration. The Schwalbe Super Moto tires and the bike’s low system weight make you glide smoothly over the streets, with the motor creating very little resistance at the 25 km/h threshold. The bike’s sporty nature really shines here, encouraging you to push yourself further without motor assistance.

Going downhill, the Silence eRide lives up to its name: no rattling, no annoying noises – just smooth,steady descents. However, longer rides expose the weaknesses of the SCOTT: while the 360 Wh battery is a decent size for everyday city trips, on longer rides it quickly runs out of juice. The optional range extender does increase the range, but only provides temporary relief before the battery is completely drained. One upside: with some leg power, you can easily get back home under your own steam.

Another noticeable issue is the lack of comfort. The hard saddle, rigid fork, and direct handling offer little cushioning, making longer rides uncomfortable and turning them into a real endurance test.

Not everything about the SCOTT Silence eRide is perfect. Some design choices compromise usability. There’s no quick-release on the seat post, which might look sleek but is very impractical, especially if you share the bike with other family members and have to get your toolsout every time you want to adjust the saddle height. Another drawback is the lack of a remote to adjust the support modes. To do this, you have to use the display on the top tube, which can be risky in heavy traffic given that you have to take one hand off the handlebars. Lastly, the one-piece cockpit might look fantastic but offers limited adjustment options.

Who should take a closer look at the SCOTT Silence?

The SCOTT Silence eRide is a great choice for those riders who prioritise style and are willing to sacrifice usability for a sleek design. If you value a stylish ride over comfort and want to zip through the city in record time, this e-bike is perfect for you! However, if you prefer practicality, for example using your bike for grocery runs, and value ease of use, you might be happier with a different model.

Conclusions about the SCOTT Silence

The SCOTT Silence eRide is a true head-turner and the undisputed style queen of the city. With its high-end components, it feels like a fast sports car in an urban setting. However, the stylish design comes at a price, and the Silence calls for compromises both in terms of usability and comfort. The low system weight is impressive, though the steep price point might be a deal breaker for some.

Find all the details at scott-sports.com.

Words & Photos: Antonia Feder