This year, SCOTTADDICT RC has undergone a major facelift. So how does it actually ride? In response, the editor of foreign media ROAD.CC evaluated the new generation of ADDICT RCPRO and gave it a high score of 9 out of 10. The following is his first-person account:

Frame & Fork

SCOTT said that this new ADDICT RC draws inspiration from its own mountain bike design and manufacturing process, making the frame group 300 grams lighter than the previous generation. The official claimed frame weight is only 640 grams, and the frame and front fork combination weighs 915 grams.

This method of forming a carbon fiber frame creates a completely hollow frame structure without any closed tube sections. SCOTT said that only frames designed specifically for this manufacturing method can use this technology.

By using an expandable preformed mandrel, the frame is completely smooth on the inside, with no traces of bubbles or wrinkles in the carbon fiber composite. All excess resin is also removed during the molding process. The frame is not only smooth on the inside, but also very clean on the outside. It is designed as an all-round racing bike, but aerodynamic performance has not been neglected: the seat tube adopts a KAMM TAIL cross-section, and all tubes are smoothly transitioned – especially at the front head tube junction. The smooth head tube junction top is equipped with an aerodynamic upper headset bearing in the same color as the frame, and the overall look is very clean when the handlebars are straight.

All cables and hoses are completely hidden, and the seat clamp is strategically positioned to avoid airflow. SCOTT claims a 12 watt power saving over the previous model.

In terms of frame size, the inclined top tube design of this size M frame makes the seat tube exposed to the outside, which increases the overall comfort because the seat tube can be slightly bent. The ADDICT RC can also be installed with a maximum of 34mm outer tires.

At first glance, the ADDICT RC looks very long and low, and although I checked the geometry sheet before ordering the size medium, when it appeared in front of me, I was still unsure whether my injured hips and lower back would be able to adapt to such a seemingly radical design.

In reality, though, it’s not as extreme as I thought it would be. The head tube length is nominally 130mm, but that’s because the measurement stops below the top tube to accommodate the upper headset bearing. This also affects the stack height, which is 543mm on this size medium, compared to 560mm on the same-sized Canyon Ultimate I reviewed last year.

Reach is pretty standard, though, at 395mm. To balance things out, SCOTT also provides “cockpit” measurements: minimum stack is measured from the top of the handlebars, and reach is measured to the tip of the drops. This makes it easy to pull measurements from existing bikes for comparison. Elsewhere, the top tube is 555mm long, while the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube measures 482mm, which gives a standover of 778mm. Fork offset is 44mm, the head angle is a little less than 73 degrees, and the seat angle is 73.6 degrees. 410mm chainstays help keep the wheelbase to a short 991mm.

There are seven sizes from XXS to XXL, with corresponding top tube lengths ranging from 519mm to 602mm. Full geometry data can be found on the SCOTT website.

Kits

As the PRO model in the series, it unsurprisingly uses high-end components at no cost—such as the Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 groupset in the drivetrain.

We reviewed this kit when it was released in 2021, and the various improvements and adjustments compared to the previous generation made its overall performance impressive.

In short, this system is extremely light to operate, shifts quickly, and is an industry benchmark in accuracy.

Today, Dura-Ace is only available in 12-speed Di2 electronic transmission. The test bike is equipped with a 52/36 tooth chainring and an 11-34 cassette, which is fully in line with the positioning of this performance beast.

The braking performance is also excellent – SCOTT equipped it with a 160mm front/140mm rear disc brake, which fully met all my braking needs.

Components

Except for the tires, almost all components of the vehicle are from SCOTT’s own parts brand SYNCROS. The carbon fiber integrated handlebar IC-R100-SL adopts a fully internal wiring design, presenting an extremely simple appearance. The wide and straight upper handlebar provides comfortable support for the palm, and it can also get full support when holding the hand.

The shallow drop of the drops allows me to maintain an aerodynamic position without being too aggressive when using the drops, and the handlebars are slightly flared, which provides better stability when cornering at high speeds.

There are holes reserved for mounting a computer on the handlebars, and the 3D printed aluminum alloy computer bracket equipped on the test bike weighs only 12 grams – and costs £99.99.

SYNCROS offers eight stem heights from 70mm to 140mm, and five handlebar widths from 360mm to 420mm. However, like other brands, mass-produced bikes will be pre-installed with fixed combinations according to the frame size. This M-size model has an integrated stem height of 110mm and a handlebar width of 40cm, which is very suitable for me.

Today, the handlebar width is generally narrower than before. Although this design is good for aerodynamic performance and the narrow space of group sprints/circuit races, it will make the handling too sensitive in actual road riding – especially when mixed with vehicles or encountering crosswinds. The width of 40cm is relatively balanced for me. The handlebar has a built-in T25 specification Phillips screwdriver. SCOTT uses T25 specifications for all components and bottle cage screws of ADDICT RC to ensure that fine-tuning can be done at any time.

A BELCARRA REGULAR 1.0 saddle is installed on the SYNCROS carbon fiber seat post SP-R100-SL.

This may be the only part of the whole bike that I am not used to – although I like its shape, the relatively hard midsole caused some discomfort in my sit bone area after riding for four or five consecutive days, so I eventually switched to my usual saddle.

Wheels & Tires

The SYNCROS CAPITAL 1.0S wheelset features a 40mm deep carbon fiber rim with an internal width of 25mm, perfect for the wide tires that the ADDICT RC is compatible with. This hookless rim design only supports tubeless tires and cannot be used with traditional clincher tires. Considering the development trend of the industry, this is not a big deal.

The wheelset uses the proven DT Swiss 240 hub, which is well made overall, achieving a balance between aerodynamics and versatility. The lateral rigidity is also remarkable.

SCOTT claims the wheels weigh just 1,335g (620g front, 715g rear) and retails for £2,019.98 if purchased separately. The wheels are fitted with SCHWALBE PRO ONE MICROSKIN 30mm tyres, matched with SCHWALBE AEROTHAN inner tubes. As this is a demonstration bike, ours was fitted with slightly wider 32mm tyres, with the rim width actually stretching the tyres out to 33.1mm.

The PRO ONE tire excels in terms of performance. Its rubber formula provides extremely strong grip, and the soft carcass structure brings excellent road feel feedback. As a high-end competition tire, its durability is also quite good.

Practical experience

Stunning! The riding experience of this bike can be summed up in one word! Bikes in this class are designed to withstand the power output of professional riders, and stiffness is the primary focus, while weight and comfort are also considered. Granted, it’s rare to find a bike that doesn’t perform well at this price point. But in this market where “marginal gains” are sought, it’s the little details that really make the difference.

The rigidity of the ADDICT RC is no problem for an amateur rider like me – the bottom bracket is extremely rigid, and the thick chainstays lock the rear wheel firmly when you pedal hard; the head tube shows amazing torsional rigidity when facing high-speed technical corners; and the fork legs do not deform even under heavy braking.

The riding texture is relatively stiff, but SCOTT’s designers cleverly incorporated just the right amount of compliance to offset the bumpy feeling, allowing it to remain relatively smooth even on country roads with poor road conditions.

While it wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice for a 100-mile ride, I know my hips and hands won’t protest when I’m done. You could probably attribute that comfort to the stock 32mm tires, but even with my usual high-pressure, narrow tires and tall wheels, the ride quality remains the same.

This silky feel means that the tire feedback is completely unaffected by high-frequency vibrations, which gives me confidence on slippery downhill sections. The ADDICT RC is the most “communicative” model I’ve ridden in a long time. The saying “man and car are one” is simply born for this type of car. Trust in the performance of the vehicle will make you more aggressive in cornering and descending, thereby improving efficiency. More importantly, it can bring a more pleasant riding experience. Lightweight characteristics are also the core advantage of the PRO version. We actually measured that this M-size frame with accessories (water bottle cage, computer bracket, handlebar hidden tools) weighed only 6.58 kg, which is amazing. Whether it is the instantaneous response during violent acceleration or the efficient power transmission when rocking the bike to climb, it performs excellently.

The short wheelbase means it’s very responsive in turns, and the bike’s quick steering allowed me to get out of trouble quickly. The seat tube and head tube angles are aggressive but not extreme, achieving a delicate balance between a competitive orientation and handling stability. The steering is very sensitive and responds to a light touch of the handlebar. Road novices may be nervous, but experienced riders will be impressed by the precise steering. In terms of riding experience, the ADDICT RC PRO is impeccable. This is a high-performance chariot that makes you adrenaline rush.

in conclusion

I’ve ridden many ADDICTs over the years, and they’ve always impressed me. But this new version takes a good bike and turns it into a true masterpiece. It’s a professional-grade race bike that can be used by everyone. It pushes your handling skills to the limit and tempts you to push the boundaries of riding – but it all happens within a reassuringly controllable range. It strikes a fine balance between performance response and everyday practicality, making it a perfect bike for day-to-day life. The whole bike is designed with ingenuity in mind, and the extreme lightness makes every ride full of fun.

Good value for money

The ADDICT RC series starts at £4,899 (RMB 47,438, RC 30 model). This model uses the same carbon fiber technology (HMX) frame, but is equipped with a slightly more flexible seat tube and aluminum alloy handlebar set. However, the wheel set uses a 40mm deep carbon fiber rim and is equipped with a 105 Di2 groupset.

Upgrading to the ULTEGRA Di2 groupset brings the price to £5,899 (RMB 57,121), while the RC 10, which has the same groupset as the RC 20 but features the same carbon fiber handlebar and wheels as this PRO model, costs £6,599 (RMB 63,899).

The PRO model costs £8,599, while the top-of-the-line ULTIMATE, which comes with a SRAM Red eTap groupset and SYNCROS CAPITAL SL wheels with high-end carbon spokes, costs £12,799.

As we all know, bike prices have generally risen in recent years, some to quite extreme levels, so while the PRO model is expensive at £8,599 (RMB83,267), I think it’s competitively priced compared to other brands’ pro-level models.