First impression: rocket! Scott's latest interpretation of the Foil aero racing bike looks like a supersonic aeroplane on wheels. The extremely flat frame, sharp edges running parallel to the road surface on the head tube and bottom bracket, a wedge-shaped stem and the wing-like seat post protruding almost vertically from the frame characterise the lateral appearance.
UCI regulations for Scott Foil RC exhausted
From the front, the bike looks almost dainty: the handlebars, fork blades, seat stays and seat post are so flattened that it is hard to believe they are still made of tubes. The Swiss are pushing the new freedoms of the UCI regulations to the limit with this model - since 2021, certain tubes on racing bikes may be flatter and more expansive than before. Such a strictly aero-optimised frame shape as the Scott Foil RC would have been prohibited two years ago.
So far, Scott has pursued the idea of not rigorously subordinating everything to the streamlined shape of its predecessor models. With the first version of the Aero racer, the manufacturer did pioneering work ten years ago, at that time still with rim brakes, cables running outside the handlebars and only a hint of an aero profile. The frame adopted the design of today's Lightweight racer first. The subsequent generations are remembered above all for their above-average comfort values - aerodynamic expertise was previously associated with other brands. Now in its fourth generation, presented for the Tour de France in Julyis now set to change that.
We were therefore particularly excited about the aero performance, which we were able to test with a prototype in the wind tunnel. With 206 watts of pedalling power at 45 km/h, the Scott Foil RC improves on its predecessor by almost 10 watts and is therefore in exclusive company: prominent competitors such as Cervélo S5, Cannondale SystemSix, Canyon Aeroad or Pinarello Dogma F are at a comparable level. This makes the Foil one of the ten fastest bikes that TOUR has measured so far. It is not a record-breaker; the even more radically designed Simplon Pride II managed 202 watts with comparable wheels at the beginning of the year - but is around 500 grams heavier.
Scott Foil RC: Seatpost made from three parts
Building the fastest bike in the world without compromise would not do justice to the Scott brand's claim anyway. However, you only realise that aerodynamics were not the top priority during development when you take a closer look at the bike.
The seat post of the bike could symbolise the extended focus of the developers. It consists of a total of three parts - and only the front cross-section, which is about one square centimetre in size, bears the rider's load. As a result, the seatpost is much more compliant than its appearance suggests; the suspension comfort of the bike is extremely good and puts many a marathon racer in the shade. The rest of the seat tube is filled by a moulded carbon part that is clamped in and has no other function apart from its aerodynamic shape. On top of this, the designers integrated a powerful rear light, although its position on our first test bike was a little wobbly.
Scott Foil RC: Fast, but also comfortable
The front can also bounce: The ends of the one-piece handlebars give way noticeably in the event of impacts, but the handlebars do not feel "nappy" when sprinting. The wheels and tyres further enhance the impression of comfort, at least on the top model tested. The 28 millimetre wide rear tyre bulges to almost 30 millimetres over the hookless Zipp rims and sits so stably in the 23 millimetre wide rim bed that the air pressure can be lowered further than usual without the bike feeling doughy or lame.
Zipp recommends only four bars of pressure for a 75-kilo rider in this configuration - sounds incredible, but feels perfect. The wide tyres roll quickly over the tarmac and bad roads are no problem at all for the bike.
We were also pleasantly surprised by the weight. At 7.2 kilograms, there is still plenty of room for the UCI weight limit, but the scales couldn't be pushed much further in view of the elite equipment and many integrated parts. Even compared to its predecessor, the bike is only slightly lighter. But in the aerodynamically equal competition - see above - the Scott is one of the lighter candidates. Added to this are the fabulous comfort and stiffness values - the Scott Foil RC also achieved the top score of 1.4 in the TOUR test - with slightly different strengths and weaknesses compared to the Giant Propel.
So 2023 already promises to be a strong year for racing bike fans ...
If it weren't for the prices. The Scott Foil RC is initially only available in two versions, each for a five-figure sum: the Foil RC Pro with full Dura-Ace equipment costs €10999, while the Scott Foil RC Ultimate we tested costs €13999.
Facts about the Scott Foil RC Ultimate
- Price13999 Euro
- Info: www.scott-sports.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 955/464/71 grammes
Frame sizes** XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Seat/top tube/head tube 545/580/170 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 578/394 mm/1.47
Wheelbase/caster 1,000/65 mm
Equipment
Drive/Circuit SRAM Red eTap AXS (2x12, 48/35, 10-33 t.)
Brakes SRAM Red (160/140 mm)
Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Zipp 454 NSW/Schwalbe Pro One TLE 25/28 mm (1,138/1,479 grams)
Measured values & individual notes*****
Weight of complete wheel 7.2 kilos Grade: 2,3
Steering head stiffness 99 Nm/° Grade: 1,0
Lateral stiffness fork 53 N/mm Grade: 1,0
Bottom bracket stiffness 61 N/mm Grade: 1,0
Seatpost spring stiffness 128 N/mm Grade: 1,3
Aerodynamics****** 206 watts Grade: 1,3
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer's specification test size bold.
***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from centre of bottom bracket to top of head tube; STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/ thru axles and brake discs if applicable.
*****Individual grades, which are weighted differently in the overall grade, are only partially printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
******Aerodynamics Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling dummy leg.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
