Scott Addict RC 40 review

The current-generation Scott Addict RC was launched in 2019, and is the all-round road race bike Scott-sponsored teams, such as Team DSM, often use when the road tips uphill.

In 2023, this ‘40’ guise is the brand’s entry-level model, featuring a Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 drivetrain. Nevertheless, it has precisely the same frameset as our 2022 Bike of the Year contender, the Addict RC 10.

There’s no getting around the fact that the frame is beginning to look a little long in the tooth, with limited tyre clearance the biggest gripe when you compare it to more recently refreshed competitors.

However, it’s testament to the lasting quality of the design that the Addict RC 40 can still cut it against the latest all-round race bikes.

In this specification, it offers all the performance characteristics most enthusiasts will ever need.

Scott Addict RC 40 frameset

The Addict RC 40 frameset is constructed using Scott’s mid-tier HMX-level carbon.

For context, as with the latest Foil RC aero bike, the brand’s top-level HMX-SL carbon is reserved only for the very highest-spec bike, to which the brand ascribes the 'Ultimate’ moniker.

However, the HMX carbon is said to bring the same performance characteristics as the more rarified layup, just at a slightly heavier weight.

The frame is claimed to weigh around 850g (in an unspecified size) and the fork another 340g, which isn’t shabby even in 2023.

A Specialized Tarmac SL8 frame, in its second-tier Fact 10r carbon form, is said to tip the scales at 780g in a size 56cm (the S-Works version comes in at a claimed 685g in the same size).

The frame and fork have a contemporary and tidy-looking appearance, with internally routed hoses inside tubes that get a truncated aerofoil treatment.

Overall, the use of such tube shapes is intended to offer efficient aero performance while being lightweight, stable in crosswinds and bringing a good level of compliance.

On paper, the bike's Achilles heel is tyre clearance. With the likes of the latest Canyon Ultimate and Specialized Tarmac SL8 featuring space for 700x32c tyres, the Addict RC makes do with clearance for 28c rubber. The Trek Emonda shares this ‘shortcoming’.

That said, a quick reality check reveals this might not be the deal-breaker it might seem.

With 28c tyres striking a compelling blend of speed and ride quality on race bikes, some might argue clearance for anything wider is unnecessary (unless dialling up grip or compliance is more important to you, of course).

That said, if the trend for ever wider road rims and tyres continues in the same direction of travel, this level of clearance may feel limiting in years to come.

The frame accepts a proprietary Syncros Creston Aero seatpost, which is fastened using an external clamp. This uses a grubber screw to press down on a plate, with a surrounding carbon ring.

In testing, despite using a torque wrench, I managed to shatter the ring, necessitating the sourcing of a replacement from Scott UK.

This left me with the slightly fiddly job of re-assembling the separate parts in the right position while inserting the seatpost (which acts as a retainer once loosely inserted).

A representative at Scott UK said this was the first time the brand had seen this issue occur, but notwithstanding that, it’s a niggle that the design is quite so fiddly.

Scott Addict RC 40 geometry

The Addict RC (as opposed to the more endurance-oriented Addict) has a geometry befitting a race bike.

The steep 73-degree head tube angle and 73.3-degree seat tube angle (in my large frameset) are suitably aggressive.

The reach matches a 56cm Specialized Tarmac SL8 at 395mm, and has a stack that’s just 3.5mm taller (368.5mm).

That said, it’s 14.5mm lower-slung at the front than a Canyon Ultimate in a size large/56cm, with a 6mm shorter reach.

Of course, handlebar and stem choice offer up some flexibility here, given the Addict RC 40 comes with a two-piece setup.

The wheelbase measures out at a round 1,000mm, which is 9mm longer than the Tarmac SL8, but with a chainstay length that mirrors the Specialized.

Logically, this means the extra length must exist forward of the bottom bracket, which hints towards Scott’s intention to keep the front-end handling stable with whip-sharp responsiveness at the back.

Scott Addict RC 40 build

The Scott Addict RC 40 comes with a Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 groupset.

Although it doesn’t pack in all of Shimano’s latest shifting and braking technology (compared to Ultegra Di2 R8100 or Dura-Ace Di2 R9200), the differences are slight and – fundamentally – it offers the key performance most will need.

I would have preferred a 52/36-tooth semi-compact chainset, compared to the 50/34T model specced here, but Scott is understandably betting on a greater portion of 105-level buyers not wanting the bigger gearing.

Out back, you get a wide-ranging 11-34t cassette, giving a 1:1 lowest gear ratio for easy climbing.

To get an Ultegra-Di2 equipped Addict RC (with a semi-compact chainset), you’ll need to part with £6,199 (£1,750 more).

While that will also bag you a deeper, wider and lighter Syncros Capital 1.0 carbon wheelset, the Syncros RP2.0 alloy hoops are a solid opening gambit if you need to save cash now and upgrade later.

If SRAM is your preferred drivetrain flavour, you’ll have to spend £500 more for Rival eTap AXS, with an otherwise identical build.

700x28c Schwalbe One clincher tyres come fitted, maximising the theoretical clearance of the frame – albeit, in reality, this left plenty of spare space on the 19mm (internal) rims.

Tubeless devotees will likely want to upgrade immediately, but once again it’s a decent starting point.

The cockpit is a two-piece affair, blending a 110mm Syncros RR1.5 alloy stem with a 420mm-wide (centre-to-centre) Creston 2.0 alloy handlebar.

These allow the brake hoses to be routed internally for a clean appearance and can be swapped out easily enough if you require different sizes (the stem is available in 90-140mm lengths and the bar in 380-440mm widths).

I had no complaints about the shape of the bar, while the tops are considerately flattened – perhaps conferring some kind of aerodynamic gain, but more pertinently offering a comfortable spot to rest my palms when climbing.

The saddle is a Syncros Belcarra model, sat atop a D-shaped Syncros Duncan 1.0 carbon seatpost.

At £4,449 / $4,799.99 / €4,799, the Addict RC 40 is relatively competitively priced in this age of generally high bike prices.

The standout exception is the Canyon Ultimate, with a comparable build costing £3,849, including a single-sided power meter. But, this drops to the German brand’s entry-level ‘SL’ carbon tier to achieve it.

Canyon also operates through a direct-to-consumer sales model, which enables it to price its bikes more aggressively.

The same applies to the Pinarello F5 (£5,250 / $6,000 / €6,150 with similar wheels), while the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert with a Rival eTap AXS groupset and a Roval C38 wheelset is £6,000 / $6,500 / €6,500 / AU$9,400.

All in, the Scott Addict 40, in a size large, weighed in at 8.35kg.

Scott Addict RC40 ride impressions

Knowing the Addict RC frameset is over four years old, I wondered if the bike would feel slightly behind the curve compared to other, more recently launched bikes.

It doesn’t. The frameset is stiff but with a good balance of compliance, just like the best all-round race bikes available today.

The specification list leaves some performance on the table – the Addict RC frame is more than capable of justifying an upgrade to a set of the best road bike wheels and tyres.

This was borne out when I swapped briefly to a Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist carbon wheelset shod with 700x28c Pirelli P Zero Race TLR tyres (set up tubeless). This brought tangible extra speed.

Having said that, I was very impressed by the stock alloy Syncros wheel and Schwalbe One clincher tyre combination as a starting point. It didn’t overtly spoil the overall ride experience.

While I think 28c tyres are amply wide for the Addict RC, those who want even more comfort from 30c tyres (or especially wide rims) may feel limited given Scott’s official recommendations.

The Addict RC handles with an air of great composure – something my colleague Simon von Bromley also found when he tested the Addict RC 10 in 2022.

Steering inputs are sharp and breed confidence, as does the overall ride feel the stock setup provides.

Every bike takes some adapting to when testing, but the Addict is one of the easiest-to-ride race bikes I’ve hopped onto in recent times (the ENVE Melee, Canyon Ultimate and Specialized Tarmac SL8 are others that stand out in this regard).

Scott Addict RC 40 bottom line

If you want a road race bike with tyre clearance to match the latest contenders on the market, the Addict RC frameset won’t cut it.

But, if that’s not a deciding factor for you, the Addict RC 40 remains an easy, tactile, fast and fun bike to ride.

Although the wheelset and tyres are ripe for an upgrade to maximise the frameset’s capability, the stock build performs decently, and 105 Di2 R7100 offers all the slick shifting and braking performance most will need.

In summary, the Scott Addict RC 40 is a very competent entry point to a high-level race bike experience.