Ride hard – and stop fast – on the Scott Addict 20 Disc – Bike Magazine Australia

Scott has been at the forefront of road bike innovation for the last 15 years. Between the super lightweight Addict and the aerodynamic Foil, the Swiss company has consistently offered excellent options for riders looking for any advantage possible.

In 2007, Scott introduced the Addict, claiming it was the lightest weight road bike available at the time at 1,120 grams (frame/fork). Six years later, it launched an even lighter version, the Addict SL, made from a “nano-technology” infused carbon fibre (called HMX-SL); the frame and fork weighed in at a claimed 990 grams. 

New for 2017 is a disc-brake equipped Addict. I tested the Addict 20, a well-priced model with a mix of Shimano Ultegra and 105; Shimano’s high-performing BR-RS805 hydraulic disc brakes with flat-mount interface and thru-axles; and a frame made with the slightly heavier but plenty stiff carbon fibre (called HMF by Scott).  

There are lighter bikes in this category (the Focus Izalco Max Disc is a claimed 7.48kg pounds), but even kissing 8.15kg, the Addict 20 rides light – it’s lively and fast on climbs and super responsive to pedalling input on the flats. At the same time, the racy geometry sets you up to drill through corners and descents. The frame takes 28c tires (mounted to Syncros RP2.0 Disc alloy rims), which combined with increased compliance in the rear triangle, make riding bad roads or gravel as enjoyable as any bike I’ve ridden that’s built for that purpose.

The Addict 20 is a stellar example of a disc road bike that combines all the liveliness of its racing DNA with the versatility disc brakes – and it’s a great buy for the serious rider who loves to race and can’t say no to adventure.

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