Scott Addict RC Ultimate: Less than 6 kilos - Ride report ultralight road bike

With the new Scott Addict RC, the Swiss manufacturer has pulled off a real coup. After the appeal of the classic racing bike had waned somewhat in recent years, partly due to the strong performance of the aero racer Foil RCthe new version is now confidently making a name for itself again.

Already at the Presentation last year Scott made it clear that the top model of the new Addict would be one of the lightest disc road bikes in the world. But how does a flyweight like the Addict RC Ultimate ride? And do you have to factor in a loss of riding stability due to the weight tuning? The ride report from our sister editorial team TOUR provides the answers.

Scott Addict RC Ultimate - less than 6 kilograms

5980 grams! The new Scott is only the second road bike with disc brakes to stay under the six-kilo mark. The high-end version of the Addict RC does not set a record: the TOUR best list continues the Schmolke Leggerissima which is almost 600 grams lighter.

Nevertheless, the Scott leaves prominent representatives of the lightweight league such as the Specialized S-Works Aethos or Giant TCR Advanced SL behind him. The quintet of the current lightest is completed by the Benotti Fuoco Carbon Ultra.

The fact that four of the five models mentioned were launched last year may be a coincidence. But it also shows that there still seems to be a market for super-light racing bikes. And even if aerodynamic bikes dominate the professional circuit because they are the faster alternative in many racing situations despite their higher weight, some professionals still favour the lightweight racer: for example Tom Pidcock, who recently achieved his first professional victory with the new Addict at the AlUla Tour.

Scott Addict RC Ultimate: light + stiff = strong climber

Climbing mountains is the Scott Addict RC's speciality. Both on our premiere ride around Scott's headquarters in Givisiez and in the local area around Munich, the bike conveyed an almost weightless character. Or to put it another way: as long as you're in the saddle of the Scott Addict RC Ultimate, challenging mountain passes are a pleasure even without many kilometres of training. Provided you can cope with the very stretched seating position.

The basis is a purist frameset that is designed to save unnecessary carbon or resin thanks to a precise manufacturing process. Scott offers two frame qualities: The SL version of the top model tested weighs 705 grams, while we measured 310 grams for the fork. Despite the lightweight construction, the frameset achieves first-class stiffness values, which cannot be said of every comparably light mountain bike. The weight tuning continues with all add-on parts. From the cockpit to the seat post to the spacers.

Explosive riding experience thanks to ultra-light tyres & full carbon wheels

However, the exclusive wheel and tyre combination makes up the lion's share. The Scott benefits from a world first: a 29 millimetre wide ultra-light tyre from Schwalbe. The Aerothan Race, which the Reichshofer company plans to officially present soon, weighed in at a sensational 176 grams. Compared to conventional tyres such as the Schwalbe Pro One, this is around 120 grams less. Per tyre!

Tests have yet to show how the soft rubber proves itself in everyday road cycling; after a few kilometres, the tyres manufactured in the USA had already visibly left rubber on the road. In combination with the spectacular full carbon wheels from Syncros' own brand, the set weighs just over two kilograms and makes a decisive contribution to the explosive riding experience.

The Scott Addict RC Ultimate 2025 in the wind tunnel

Thanks to the 40 millimetre high rims, the Addict RC should also cut a respectable figure in the wind tunnel. We have not yet been able to measure the aerodynamics of the bike, which is why we have not awarded it a TOUR rating. According to Scott, the new model should be twelve watts faster than the old one. Comparable lightweight specialists (TOUR 12/2023) are around 220 watts to overcome the air resistance at 45 km/h. A value that the old Addict RC Premium (TOUR 8/2020) also achieved.

The competition racing bike, which is only available to Tom Pidcock on the Q36.5 team in the heavier Pro version due to the UCI minimum weight of 6.8 kilograms, doesn't just like high percents. It also scores points on bumpy roads with its excellent rear comfort and swallows an above-average amount for a bike in this class.

Cheaper equipment variants finally put some marathon bikes in the shade, as there is a tapered comfort support in the frame. There is space for a magnetic rear light (54.95 euros) in the recess, although this does not have StVZO approval. A tool hidden in the handlebar end proves to be more suitable for everyday use, with which the most important settings can be made on the go. Hobby screwdrivers can also look forward to a uniform screw standard (T25).

In addition to the top model Addict RC Ultimate - which costs just under 13,000 euros 2nd place among the lightest production bikes in the TOUR test - Scott also offers four other models between 4999 and 8699 euros. As with the Foil RC, we recommend taking a look at the second row of the Addict RC: the Pro version, which weighs 6.5 kilograms according to the manufacturer, would still be in the top ten in our lightweight construction ranking. Compared to the Ultimate, however, it costs a whopping 4300 euros less.

Scott Addict RC Ultimate - Info & Price

• Price: 12,999 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 6.0 kilos
• Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (test size greased)

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 (front/rear)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 5980 grammes | Grade: 1.0
• 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 & disadvantages of the Scott Addict RC Ultimate

• Plus: Top weight, top comfort, ultra-light tyre, a screw standard
• Minus: Very expensive

How TOUR tests

We have compiled all the information about the tests carried out by the road bike editors of our sister magazine TOUR here.