Scott is the first major manufacturer to venture out shortly before the Grand Depart of the Tour de France out of hiding in Copenhagen and presents the Foil RC, a Aero road bike of superlatives - at least according to the Swiss company's announcements. The new development should be one thing above all: fast. According to Scott, the new aero road bike for the 2023 model year will surpass the Predecessor by 78 seconds on a 40-kilometre course. The Foil RC, which Team DSM at the Tour de France should make it into the top ten fastest production road bikes in the TOUR test. The best list is compiled by the Simplon Pride II (199 watts), followed in tenth place by the Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL7 and the BMC Timemachine Road 01 Two (both 210 watts).
New UCI regulations pave the way for faster Foil RC
In the development of its aero bike, Scott benefited from the new UCI regulations, according to which frame shapes can be more aerodynamic from 2021. In collaboration with the British aerodynamics specialist Drag2Zero, the Swiss went "to the limit" when building the frame. In addition to optimised tube shapes - for example, the flat head tube is reminiscent of the Simplon Pride II - Scott also put the Foil RC on a diet. A weight of just 915 grams is specified for the lightest carbon frame, while the complete bike (Foil RC Premium) is said to weigh 7.2 kilograms. An impressive figure considering the aero frame. By way of comparison, the Pride II, the fastest production road bike, weighs just under 600 grams more.
Scott Foil RC with aero components from Syncros
The new Scott road bike is rounded off with high-quality components from Syncros. The highlight is the two-piece aero seatpost: the load-bearing part is made of carbon, "which flexes on bumps and thus reduces vibrations in the saddle", according to Scott. A rear light can also be integrated as an option. The flexing aero cockpit is also designed to increase comfort. The Foil RC rolls on 25 (front) and 28 (rear) millimetre wide tyres as standard, but the frame is approved for up to 30 millimetre tyres.
The new Scott Foil RC in the first TOUR test
During our exclusive test rides of the new model - Scott provided us with a prototype in a prototype livery - the Foil was immediately convincing. Several test riders attested to the bombproof aero model's impressive acceleration. Like a young racehorse, the racer is waiting to be pushed to its limits. Average speeds in excess of 30 km/h were achieved almost effortlessly. In short: the new Scott Aero road bike is a real challenge to the competition.
The five models of the Scott Foil RC
The Scott Foil RC will be available in five equipment options, prices for the 2023 models of the Competition road bike are not yet known. Two models (RC Premium and RC 20) are listed with groupsets from SRAM (Red eTap and Rival eTap), two models (RC Pro and RC 10) with drivetrains from Shimano (Dura-Ace Di2 and Ultegra Di2). Scott did not provide any information on the equipment of the entry-level version (Foil RC 30) at the presentation. The reason: The most affordable model of the Scott Foil RC (weight: 8.5 kg) is equipped with the new Shimano 105 Di2 electric drivetrain equipped. This means that all five Foil RC versions change gears with electric gears; there is no model with a mechanical drive. Seven frame sizes from 47 to 61 centimetres (XXS-XXL) are available.
Julian Schultz
Editor
