The name says it all. The Foil, which means "foil" or "wing" (e.g. of an aeroplane), looks like a flounder: drawn like a line from the front, the aero profiles take up a lot of space from the side. The entire frame is designed like a time trial bike. This signals speed, just like the reflective paintwork. But Scott already showed with the previous models that they can also skilfully hide other strengths behind a fast silhouette: The Foil has always been stiff, light and comfortable, and this should apply even more to the current generation.
Scott Foil RC Ultimate lab test
The top model RC Ultimate provides the proof. It leaves most of its competitors behind, especially in the aero rating, with only Storck being faster. Although the frameset is one of the heavier models, Scott manages to keep the total weight under seven kilograms with a few tricks. This is mainly due to the spectacular Syncros wheels, which are baked with the spokes in one piece. The Foil also disproves the notion that aero bikes are uncomfortable per se: The elaborate strut construction provides better suspension than most others.
The Scott Aerobolide in a practical test
The bike is relatively loud, and not just visually. The wheels tend to rattle when you hit them, and the rolling noise of the tyres is amplified by the rims and frame. The freewheel even drowns out loud ringing. You can love it or hate it. Otherwise, you will look in vain for any weaknesses. The Foil can do everything almost perfectly, whether it's bolting, sprinting, climbing or cornering.
Our conclusion
You have to dig deep into your pockets for one of the best racing bikes in the world: At 15,000 euros, it is at the upper end of what manufacturers are asking. The second series could almost be a price tip: The Foil RC Pro with Shimano's Dura-Ace groupset is just as fast and only 300 grams heavier. It would still be competitive in this select test field, but saves a whopping 6000 euros. Last season, the DSM-firmenich PostNL team proved that this is still professional material.
Facts & figures about the Scott Foil RC Ultimate
- Price: 14,999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.9 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 203 watts
- Frame sizes: 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 1.5 (TOUR test winner)
Geometry data
- Seat/top/head tube: 540/565/160 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 578/388 millimetres/1.49
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 624/588 millimetres/1.06
- Wheelbase/caster: 1000/60 millimetres
Equipment of the racing bike
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 48/35, 10-33 t., PM) | Photo: 1.0
- Brakes: SRAM Red HRD (160/140 mm) | Photo: 1.0
- Tyres: Schwalbe Pro One Aero TLE 28 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Photo: 1.0
- Impellers: Syncros Capital SL Aero 60
- Impeller weights: 1019/1372 grams (front/rear)
Measured values of the Scott
- Weight of complete wheel: 6940 grammes | Grade: 2.0
- Air resistance: 203 Watt | Grade: 1.0
- Front stiffness: 8.4 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 63 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 130 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Comfort front: 74 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Extremely fast, light, comfortable
- Minus: Very expensive
The 13 racers in the comparison
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: The aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Air resistance (25 per cent): Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
Rear comfort (10 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Comfort Front (5 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Switching (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also included in the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between brake body, pads, rims or discs and cables as well as cable routing: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or on the basis of driving impressions.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
