Addict tested by Road Bike Action
Already, the Addict has been reviewed by many magazines and received great marks. Road Bike Action joined them in their New Year’s issue by testing our Addict R3. Here is the full story...
Heralded as the lightest production frame in the world at 1.74 pounds (790 grams) the question should be asked: why didn't we test this bike earlier? Well, we didn't want to begin a season of testing with a 14-pound uberbike and then follow it with a string of 15-pound "heavyweights." Once we did get our hands on an Addict, however, we realized the magnitude, of our error. Since it arrived, we have been passing the Addict R3 around the RBAtest crew with gentle comments like, "You can ride it for three days, then we need it right back," and "Don't let this bike out of your sight for more than 30 seconds." Designed with feedback from Team Saunier Duval, Scott frames have quickly made their way into the European race scene with a reputation for high-level performance and amazingly low-level weights. In fact, the Addict is actually illegally underweight for UCI competition. Lucky for you dream-killing UCI officials won't be lining up at the local high school parking lot to weigh in yourbike before the Saturday training ride.
The Frame
The Addict R3 carbon design is constructed with Scott's Integrated Molding Process (IMP) and the successful CR1 technology developed three years ago by Scott engineers Here's how it works: the rear triangle (seatstays and seat tube) is constructed using Scott's original tube-to-tube CR1 construction process. The front section of the frame is molded in a one-piece monocoque structure, as are the chainstays and its integrated fork design. The IMP method shaves 11 percent of the material from the head tube intersection. The details of the IMP process are, according to Scott, "top-secret." We do know that it produces a very light and fast frame.
The Addict R3 features a longer top tube than the CR1 we tested in the premier issue of RBA. Our 56-centimeter test bike had a 56.5-centimeter top tube (one centimeter longer) and a race-inspired 73-degree head tube and 73.3-degree seat angle. Addicts are available in 49, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 61 centimeter sizes. The R3 was complemented by a complete SRAM Force group, Mavic Ksyrium ES wheels, Ritchey Carbon WCS EVO Carbon bars and a Ritchey Carbon WCS post and stem. Compact gearing (50x34 chainrings and an 11 x26 cogset) should make the Addict climb better for everyone. Scott does not impose a weight limit on its Addict like some bike makers do for their lightest models, which should be great news for riders who don't have the luxury of a team coach and cook minding their figures.
The Ride
One quick spin on the Addict R3 and you can tell right away that you are riding a light and stiff frame. Stiff isn't always a good word for the above-average enthusiast but in the R3's case it is. Although not designed for the average weekend rider, the R3 soaks up just enough of the road to allow for a degree of comfort, and its geometry delivers a stable ride. We took the R3 on a 150-mile death march through the hills of Santa Barbara and beyond and were impressed by how comfortable the bike was, even after seven hours in the saddle.
Two sides of Addiction:
If you've ever wanted to feel like apure, genetically-favored hill-climbing maniac, this is the bike for you. Over and over again, test riders shouted out that they have never climbed so fast, so smoothly and so efficiently while on a bike, no doubt assisted by SRAM's compact gearing. The 73.3-degree seat tube angle makes it easy to jump out of the saddle for powerful efforts. The Addict's steering was a bit too responsive for some riders, who mentioned that the Scott could feel a bit twitchy on the descents. On the flats and at speed, the R3 responds quickly to any hint of acceleration and the Ritchey Evo bars encouraged us to use the drop position often.
Who is this bike for? If you race, or believe you are a racer consider the Scott Addict R3. If you desire to climb like you've never climbed before, the Addict R3 is the right bike for you.
