GIRONA (Spain) – A Scott with a sort of target, that is an overall weight on the scale that even reaches below 6 kilograms, incredible. The new era of the carbon has started. A result achieved thanks to the use of the advanced HMX SL carbon fiber and thanks to a pool of technologies that weren't available 16 years ago (the first Addict dates back to 2008). The concept of carbon skin installation (and the use of the internal mandrel for the profiles and the fork, during construction) has completely changed. Over 200 pieces of composite fabric are used for each single frame.
The new platform Scott's Addict RC It is the result of 4 years of design, development and testing. There are five available setups, Ultimate and RC Pro, RC10, 20 and 30, with a weight range between 5,9 and 7,7 kilograms. The Ultimate uses SL carbon, from the Pro version onwards the “standard” HMX. Before going into the details of the new project, let's also look at some comments David De La Cruz (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), among the very first athletes to use the new Addict.
A bike like this makes the difference
"Scott involved me in the early stages of official road testing," David De La Cruz tells us, "not in the prototype phase. The New Addict was provided to me in the days leading up to the World Championship in Zurich. Compared to the Foil, with the same race configuration, the Addict is approximately 800 grams lighter, which is enormous at these levels.Stable and precise up front despite its low weight, easy to relaunch even at low speeds, and obviously, as you might imagine, a real beast when the road climbs. And then it's smooth and stable.
«Also for these reasons and considering that it is a younger bike – continues the Spaniard – I am surprised once again by the validity of the Foil, a bike that was born aero and that we and the guys at DSM have taken as a reference also for the Grand Tours and very demanding stages. Returning to the new Addict, a great advantage – concludes De La Cruz – is that combines remarkable speed retention and many grams saved, so good on the flat, very good on the climbs and in the recovery phases».
The fixed point is Scott DNA
The reduced weight is much more than a calling card and a number on which to focus the promotional campaign for the new bike. It's a value that Addict has made its own since the first version, a factor emulated by many who later developed and produced super light carbon bikes. But technologies progress, as do materials and the new Scott is also the result of a very intense technological research, as capable of reaching unthinkable levels.
While borrowing Scott’s race DNA and partially recalling some aesthetic solutions from the previous Addict and the Foil, we are faced with a completely new bike. The carbon blend has been completely renewed for both versions. An SL frame in the medium size (without painting) weighs up to less than 600 grams, with a stiffness well above average (compared to the previous one it has dropped by over 160 grams). The weight reduction achieved with the HMX fibre is also impressive. (now at a claimed 650 grams), a saving of almost 180 grams compared to the 2020 model. The slimming treatment also concerns the fork (about 50 grams regardless of the version). Aerodynamics have not been forgotten, even if they are not the key factor, but some similarities with the Foil are clear (header area, seat stay insertion and geometry).
A has been adopted advanced integration concept of each individual component, a solution that has allowed for an overall saving of many grams (including the painting and each individual assembly component). More margin for comfort, thanks to the possible use of covers up to 34 millimetres, a lower bike (compared to the previous version) and a racing geometry, but not excessively tight (despite a shortening of the rear carriage). The feel of the geometry and the rider's position on the saddle are completely comparable to the Foil.
The return of an “almost” round oblique
Each pipe has a dedicated carbon lay-up (each single profile is obtained with four layers), variable thicknesses based on the areas and equally specific shapes, also the result of the orientation of the carbon and the aerodynamics (in some places the thicknesses are less than 0,6 millimeters).
And then a sort of "return" of a rounded pipe (not completely, as the surface facing inside the triangle shows a flattening), wanted to give a greater overall rigidity and to make the most of the steering flare. This last section is overall more efficient than the “old” Addict, around 15% and comparable to the Foil in terms of space penetration.
T25 screws and multitool in the fold
All the screws that concern the frame-kit and the Syncros components are of a Torx25. A solution designed to simplify what is sometimes a complicated and confusing management, which is truly highly appreciated. Furthermore, it is possible to integrate a lightweight mini-tool inside the fold (inside the end of the curve), completely hidden and easy to extract if necessary.
Let's now talk about the seatpost and the integrated cockpit. The first one has borrowed the shapes from the older version, but it was revised in construction and substanceIt is available with an offset of 0,5 centimetres and one more unloaded towards the rear, the latter also integrates a high visibility LED light. The version with increased setback guarantees (always compatible, but available as standard from the RC 10 trim onwards) the 36% more push-ups, perhaps useful in case of uneven surfaces, or for those who want a "greater compliance effect". And then the new Syncros R100 SL integrated handlebar, slimmer than the one supplied with the Foil, with optimised ergonomics and a 1,5 cm flare on each side (narrower at the top and wider at the bottom), about 6°.
Pay attention to prices and the scale
La Scott Addict RC Ultimate, the one with the 40 Syncros Capital SL wheels (all carbon) and the Sram Red package, stops the scales at 5,9 kilograms with a list price of 12.999 euros. Just below is the RC Pro with Shimano Dura Ace, Syncros steel spoked wheels (40mm rim), declared weight of 6,5 kilograms and 8.699 euros.
The RC 10, 20 and 30 versions, have Shimano Ultegra (10 and 20, the former with an integrated cockpit) and Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrains respectively. The declared weights are 7,1, 7,4 and 7,7 kilograms, all extremely interesting numbers, with prices of 6.999, 5.999 and 4.999 euros. Seven sizes are available, from XXS to XXL.
