Even after the first test rides and laboratory measurements that were possible with the new racer, TOUR gave the Addict RC Ultimate a first-class report. The six-kilo racer not only impressed with its weightless character. The top Swiss model also scored top marks for riding stability and suspension comfort. However, one key question remains unanswered: How does the emphatically light bike, developed by Scott explicitly for racing, perform in aerodynamic terms? Almost a year after the presentation of the Addict RC - not to be confused with the new version of the long-distance Addict - we put it to the test and were in for a big surprise.
With 214 watts, which the high-end bike needs to overcome its own aerodynamic drag at racing speed, the Scott is the fastest lightweight model in the TOUR test to date. Comparable road bikes, such as the Giant TCR Advanced SL, have been around 220 watts in the past, leaving a clear gap to the aerodynamically optimised competition. Or, like the Specialized S-Works Aethos, they were never designed for official UCI races and therefore never saw the inside of the GST wind tunnel. The Addict RC Ultimate, on the other hand, manages to catch up with the versatile competition racers and the challenging balancing act between low weight and good aerodynamics. Scott has thus mastered the squaring of the circle in the development of a race model.
The Scott Addict RC Ultimate has arrived
The logical consequence of this: with an overall score of 1.5, the Scott takes the joint top spot among the best competition bikes in the TOUR ranking. As the bike manufacturer from Givisiez already holds the current top score with the Foil RC Ultimate, Scott is the only manufacturer with two racing bikes in this elite club. The top group is completed by Canyon's Aeroad CFR and the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8. Almost two years after the introduction of our current test procedure, which, among other things, weights the competition-relevant criteria of weight and aerodynamics higher and reweights comfort, four bikes are once again tied at the top. The Giant Propel Advanced SL was also one of the TOUR frontrunners on the old scale, but had to leave the top club recently due to slight weaknesses in comfort.
The clear unique selling point of the Addict RC Ultimate is its impressive weight of just 5980 grams. The Specialized Tarmac, the lightest top-rated road bike to date, also remains under the UCI weight limit in ready-to-ride trim, but weighs 600 grams more in total. Sounds like little, but it is noticeable. The Specialized doesn't come close to the feeling of weightlessness of the Scott, which knows how to handle steep terrain with ease. Nevertheless, the most versatile competition bike in the world scores with better aero performance. A strength that is undoubtedly also anchored in the DNA of the Aeroad and Foil. However, the bolides are around 1000 grams heavier than the Addict RC Ultimate due to their more streamlined frames.
Profitable co-operation
Scott spent four years developing the lightest disc production bike in the company's history. As Max Koenen explains during our visit to the company, no carbon fibre was left unturned compared to the old model. "We had to redevelop every component so that the wheel weighs less than six kilos," says the German chief engineer. Material, layout plan, production: Every unnecessary gram was meticulously searched for. In addition to the frame (705 grams), the fork (310 grams) was also produced in China for the first time using the so-called PP Mandrel process, in which the carbon resin mixture hardens under high pressure to form the finished tube shape. According to Koenen, this means that less material is required. Scott sources the carbon fibres from Toray and Mitsubishi, and the inflatable plastic core is recyclable. On the other hand, the technology enables high-precision moulding with clean inner surfaces and wall thicknesses of less than one millimetre - such as on the down tube.
The attention to detail in weight tuning continues on the add-on parts from the in-house component specialist Syncros. The handlebar/stem unit, seat post and even spacers have been made lighter. The thin layer of paint on the test bike - the racer will have a slightly heavier silver arrow look for the coming model year - should also weigh just 40 grams. The Addict RC Ultimate benefits most from highly exclusive tyres: The Schwalbe Aerothan Race, which the Reichshofer company has manufactured in the USA, saves more than 100 grams per tyre compared to a comparable tyre and, together with the no less exclusive full carbon wheelset, contributes to the explosive riding experience. The sales launch of the new tyres was actually planned for spring, but due to an "extremely complex manufacturing process", larger production quantities have not yet been possible, as Schwalbe explained on request: "In order to be able to guarantee sufficient quantities for the aftermarket launch, we have decided to postpone the official launch."
Got a taste for it? Then you'll probably be disappointed: the price tag. Scott is asking 12,999 euros for the top model. After a price adjustment of the Foil RC Ultimate, both racing bikes from the Swiss company cost the same. At least the duo is slightly "cheaper" than the Specialized; however, as expected, the Scott doesn't come close to the mail order price of the Canyon. As after our ride test, the next cheapest spec remains a tip. Due to the simpler carbon quality and equipment, the Addict RC Pro does not come close to the fabulous weight and aerodynamic performance of the high-end version, but when ready to ride, the racer from the second row still undercuts the 6.8-kilo mark - and still saves 4500 euros.
Scott Addict RC Ultimate: Details and evaluation
- Price: 12,999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.0 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 214 watts
- Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- TOUR grade: 1,5
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 502/570/151 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 574/396 millimetres/1.45
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 622/583 millimetres/1.07
- Wheelbase/caster: 1000/58 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-33 t.) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: SRAM Red HRD (160/140 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Schwalbe Aerothan Race 29 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Syncros Capital SL 40
- Impeller weights: 919/1222 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 5980 grammes | Grade: 1.0
- Aerodynamics: 214 Watt | Grade: 2.3
- Driving stability: 9.1 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 114 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Comfort front: 87 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 66 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Scott Addict RC Ultimate
- Plus: Extremely light, fast, high comfort
- Minus: Very expensive
Julian Schultz
Editor
