Contessa Active

mtb599–1499 EUR

Origin

2015. The Contessa Active fills a specific gap: an entry/beginner women's MTB with a frame genuinely designed for women — not just a men's bike with a different saddle and colourway. Unlike the Contessa Scale and Spark (which share frame geometry with their men's equivalents), the Active has an exclusive frame built around lower standover, more upright position, and mixed wheel sizing for smaller riders.

Specifications

Frame: Active 700/900 series alloy frame — Alloy 6061 Custom Butted Tubing (Active 10/20), custom tubing on lower models. EXCLUSIVELY engineered for the Contessa collection (not shared with men's Aspect). Internal cable routing from Active 20+, BSA73 threaded BB, QR 5×135mm rear, replaceable derailleur hanger, fender/rack eyelets.
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: Varies by model: Active 20 — Shimano Deore, 20-speed (2×10); Active 30 — Shimano CUES 9-speed; Active 40 — Shimano Altus 18-speed (2×9); Active 10 — up to Shimano Deore/XT 22-speed.
Brakes: Shimano hydraulic disc on Active 10/20/30; Tektro (HDM276) hydraulic disc on Active 40 (160/160mm); mechanical disc or V-brake on Active 60 depending on year.
Wheels: Mixed wheel sizing by frame size — XS/S get 27.5"; M/L get 29". Alloy wheelset, QR 5×135mm hubs (non-Boost).

The verdict

+Strengths

Exclusive women's frame geometry — genuinely different from men's Aspect, not just contact point changes
Mixed wheel sizing (27.5/29") based on frame size — rare and practically useful for smaller riders
Hydraulic disc from Active 20+ — reliable wet-weather stopping
Wide gear range (18–20 speeds on 20/30/40) for mixed terrain and hills
BSA73 threaded BB — more durable and easier to service than press-fit
Replaceable hanger on all models — field-repairable
Westbrook Cycles: 'Component spec is high, value for money remains excellent'
Strong user satisfaction in European reviews (Extreme Vital Slovenia, Active 40)

−Weaknesses

Active 40/60: coil fork (basic Suntour) — pogo stick feel on rough trails
QR 5×135mm axle — not Boost, limits upgrade path for wheels
Not a performance bike — riders who progress quickly will outgrow it
No dropper post on any model — correct for beginner use but limits trail capability
Active 60: mechanical disc or V-brake on some years — wet weather limitation

Did you know

01The Contessa Active is one of very few Scott bikes with an EXCLUSIVELY designed frame — most Contessa bikes share chassis with men's equivalents. Scott confirmed: 'some of our bike frames, such as the Contessa Active mountain bikes, have been exclusively designed and engineered for the Contessa collection'
02Mixed wheel sizing (27.5" for XS/S, 29" for M/L) is unusually thoughtful for an entry bike — ensures smaller women aren't forced onto proportionally oversized 29" wheels
03Slovenian user reviews (Extreme Vital, Contessa Active 40) show it's widely purchased as a gift for daughters, partners, and beginner women across Central/Eastern Europe — including Baltic-adjacent market
04BSA73 threaded BB (not press-fit) is retained deliberately for durability and ease of home servicing — a practical choice for a bike likely to be used without professional maintenance
05Scott's 'Ask Tessa' blog post positions the Contessa Active specifically for riders who 'like to cruise through the woods, around the lake or across the countryside and eventually give it a go on some singletrack sections' — clearly defined leisure/beginner niche
06The Active 10 at ~£999–1,299 offers hydraulic disc and a quality lockout fork — meaningful step up from entry models
07Unlike the Contessa Scale which is marketed at racers, the Active is explicitly marketed at 'fitness and fun while riding over smaller hills'

Who it’s for

Women beginners to mountain bikingWomen returning to cycling after years offLeisure and recreational women ridersTeens and younger women (larger frame sizes)Women wanting comfortable mixed terrain bike