SCOTT Addict RC Ultimate Review

Inspired by the Foil, the new Scott Addict RC 2020, only available with disc brakes, gains in stiffness and aerodynamics thanks to a very successful full integration. Comfortable on all terrains, it is also forgiving, comfortable and surprisingly easy to handle in its Ultimate version, despite being so exclusive. A pleasant surprise.

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE. Photos: 3bikes.fr

At the end of 2019 and the end of the season, out of shape and focused on running goals, we truly expected to get our butts kicked. When the Swiss brand sent us this new Scott Addict, RC model, Ultimate version, the confrontation on paper seemed to largely favor the machine. A bike for pros, exclusive in its price and behavior (?), designed with ultra-high modulus carbon fibers for a frame that is even stiffer and more aerodynamic than the previous version, offering a new, more aggressive geometry… The KO could have come in the first round, the extreme stiffness requiring watts to accelerate, sprint or climb without collapsing. But it didn’t happen, and it almost made us addicted.

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Scott delivers here the new opus of one of its two flagship models. The Addict has been a signature in pro and amateur pelotons for over ten years. It’s a model that has won many races on roads around the world, especially on the World Tour in support of the Mitchelton-Scott team. It was with this bike that Britain’s Simon Yates won the 2018 Vuelta, particularly in the steep Spanish climbs. Since this prestigious victory, the Swiss brand has revised its specifications to bring the Addict RC into a new dimension with total integration, a more aerodynamic geometry and a lighter weight despite the presence of disc brakes.

Ultimate cable integration

Available since late October, this 2020 version offers a completely clean and ergonomic front end. Scott’s ambition was to offer full integration for mechanical or electronic drivetrains; this has been achieved with a new fork steerer design that features a 3mm offset between the upper and lower bearings in the head tube. This gap allows for four cables, two for the derailleurs and two for the disc brakes. In addition, the Addict RC features a brand new stem-handlebar combo, the Syncros Creston iC, developed by its “ergonomics” partner, the German firm Gebiomized. This cockpit, which internally houses all the cables, offers a “v-shape” geometry that is doubly rounded to improve comfort by eliminating pressure points.

3D graphics are present on the upper part to improve grip when used without handlebar tape, but this is almost imperceptible in our experience. Made from ultra-high modulus carbon fibers, this combo boasts +26% lateral stiffness and +27% frontal flexibility to absorb shocks.

The compact drop design features an open 2° angle for better wrist positioning. On its underside are two screws for integrating a K-Edge bike computer mount. Finally, access to the stem is hidden under a magnetic cover that further streamlines the assembly and improves aerodynamics, despite a slight offset with the other spacers. Also be careful not to lose the magnet, as happened to us, fortunately without consequence.

A touch of the Foil

Let’s talk about aero. In addition to cable integration, the Addict RC 2020 gains in this area with the AirFoil design applied to most tubes (down tube, head tube, seat tube, seatpost and seatstays) to optimize airflow and reduce drag. A gain estimated at 6 watts over 40 km at 45 km/h. The top tube has a much flatter geometry (photo below)

A major new feature is that the seatstays attach lower on the seat tube to prevent air stagnation.

This gives it a touch of the Foil, especially with its flat top tube. The frame geometry here is very race-oriented with a more forward and aggressive position. While the Addict is an Endurance model, the RC version is designed for competition. Scott has also redesigned the frame structure and the positioning of the HMX-SL carbon layers (the only one in the range to have them, the others benefiting from heavier HMX carbon fibers) to save weight and increase stiffness (+14.5% compared to the previous version), particularly at the bottom bracket shell, which is not as oversized as it seems.

This step also allowed for reworking the joints and limiting the amount of carbon used to save weight with even hollower tubes, particularly at the chainstays, seatstays, seat tube, and seatpost (weighed at 142 g) without losing stiffness. Attention was also paid to details such as the integrated derailleur hanger with the thru-axle or the new seat clamp weighing only 12 g. This could benefit from better integration for a bike of this caliber.

High-end equipment

In this Ultimate version, the Addict RC is equipped with Zipp 202 NSW wheels, aerodynamic due to their “shark skin” type coating with its reliefs and grooves despite a limited rim depth. They are fitted with 25mm Schwalbe Pro One Tubeless tires, knowing that the frame allows for tires up to 28mm thanks to wide clearances.

We add the Sram Red eTap AXS drivetrain, one of the innovations of 2019 with its 12 speeds and extended gear range, which relies on wireless electronic shifting, and finally the new in-house Syncros Belcarra saddle with carbon rails, a central channel and a wide seating area on the rear crescent to provide comfort.

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The Addict RC 2020 range consists of seven models (Ultimate at €11,999 for 6.9 kg, Premium at €9,999 for 7.12 kg, Pro at €6,999 for 7.3 kg, 10 at €4,799 for 7.8 kg, 15 at €5,499 for 7.55 kg, 20 at €4,799 for 7.9 kg and 30 at €3,499 for 7.95 kg) only available with 160 mm disc brakes (front/rear) with 12 mm thru-axles. Goodbye rim brakes, you have to get used to it.

Easy to handle

Generally, a €12,000 bike is not for everyone. On the one hand, because of its price, which excludes a very large majority of riders whose passion cannot exceed their means; on the other hand, because these machines are generally known for their difficult behavior. At this level of range, stiffness and comfort require very good physical condition, but also experience and technique to know how to tame the beast, otherwise you risk being devoured and having to return home sheepishly and askew.

The balance of stiffness/comfort is cleverly dosed, allowing for easy and quick handling, regardless of the rider’s level and experience.

This Addict RC Ultimate never let us down. On the contrary, it adapted to our current fitness level, transitioning from a stiff, high-end bike that accelerates strongly and is easily ridden at high speeds to a more comfortable and forgiving mid-range behavior in difficult moments when power was lacking. The balance of stiffness/comfort is cleverly dosed, allowing for easy and quick handling, regardless of the rider’s level and experience. This is especially true thanks to the Zipp 202 and the Sram Red eTap AXS drivetrain, which allow for and accept drops in pace to offer more pedaling flexibility.

Comfortable on all terrains

On the flats, the frame seems to awaken around 35 km/h, when the wind starts whistling in your ears. It then reacts sharply to gear changes. The stiffness of the two triangles allows you to maintain the pace almost effortlessly, and the “large” 48-tooth chainring is useful for overcoming many difficulties by smoothly spinning the gear without dropping to the 35-tooth. With hands in the drops, the forward-leaning position allows you to cut through the air with great fluidity. Elbows bent or resting on the handlebars in triathlon mode, the kilometers fly by continuously, well aided by the lateral stiffness of the Zipps. On climbs, the lightness of the whole, under 7 kg (without pedals), reveals itself. The Addict RC then comes into its own on its preferred terrain, in the mountains. While we didn’t ride it in the great Alpine or Pyrenean passes, the Azorean massifs of the Estérel, Tanneron and the Cannes hinterland allowed us to feel a reactive and playful frame as soon as the road climbed.

Out of the saddle, the front of the bike doesn’t give way under pedaling strokes, the stiffness of the Creston combo prevents loss of efficiency when “throwing” it from left to right. The Zipp 202 NSW with their low profile are a valuable aid, as is the wide gear range offered by the AXS drivetrain, here with a 48-35 double chainring and 10-33 cassette for our test. At a steady pace, it offers smooth climbs, but becomes nervous as soon as you push on the pedals with little lateral deformation.

And more comfortable

On descents, it holds the lines wellthanks to precise steering and, when it comes to pedaling, the 48-10 is more than enough for sporty riding as it corresponds to a more traditional 53-11, just 4 cm difference in terms of development for each crank revolution (10.13 m vs 10.17 m). Corner exits are sharp. Of course, with deeper rims, speed gain would be even easier and more efficient, but here the frame gains maneuverability in tight hairpin turns at low speeds, which is very reassuring, even exhilarating. Especially since the braking, with its two 160 mm rotors, excels in modulation and power without constant whistling. Only a few small bits of dirt occasionally broke the silence of the rotors.

The Addict RC is very pleasant to ride and take on both easy and intense outings. It’s easy to find your position and good support points. The saddle’s width allows for good ischial positioning and the central channel relieves the pelvic area, even if it’s not very deep. The hands find different grips, especially on the top of the handlebars, even without handlebar tape (to be seen in mid-summer), on this oval handlebar with gentle curves to grip it more or less firmly depending on the effort. The lower positioning of the seatstays filters vibrations well, certainly aided by the 25mm sections of the Schwalbe Tubeless tires which do a good job, also offering efficient performance and great safety when cornering.

The Addict RC seems to adapt to the rider’s level and fitness, whereas a model of its caliber usually proves uncompromising and inflexible. Here, it enhances sensations without any limits other than your physical capabilities. More at ease on gradients, a Foil would be preferred for flatter profiles for pure performance. And yet, its new aerodynamics allow it to close the gap a little while providing great comfort. On the triathlon side, it seems a very interesting weapon for mountainous courses. Unfortunately, its new cockpit does not allow for the mounting of extensions. A shame, because strong in the mountains, maneuverable on descents, aero on flat sections, and with a slightly deeper rim at the rear, it could be a joy for the Long Distance of Alpe d’Huez or Embrunman where classic bikes are often preferred over true triathlon bikes.

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