Scott was refreshingly honest when it launched the Foil Disc, with chief designer Benoit Grelier expressing that “discs aren’t that aerodynamic” when compared to the integrated rim brakes and internal cable routing of the older rim brake Foil.
In a riding context, if you only head out in dry conditions on fairly flat roads, with no big descents, then yes, you’d never need your aero bike to be equipped with disc brakes. If, however, you ride a lot and live in a rainy part of the world, it’s here where disc brakes really show their rim counterparts how things should be.
Scott Foil Disc 10 Di2 kit
In the Foil, Scott has integrated disc brakes into its aero-optimised package. The fork features what can only be described as a full-on fairing sitting forward of the disc caliper. As it’s part of the structure it can’t be classed as an aero addition, so doesn’t fall foul of the UCI’s archaic regulations.
The non-disc side features an aero sculpted dropout to integrate the thru-axle. Elsewhere on this sub-kilo frame you get all of the aero features you’d expect — a dedicated aero seatpost, Kammtail-profiled main tubes and a fork crown that integrates into the head-tube.
The Foil is a great- and fast-looking bike. While premium models get a one-piece carbon aero-sculpted cockpit, this version gets an aero-sculpted stem, Scott’s RR1.5, combined with a well-shaped semi-compact bar. The geometry is pro-bike aggressive and the tight wheelbase creates a bike that feels full of purpose.
The Ultegra Di2 drivetrain is every bit the equal of its more expensive Dura-Ace cousin, save a few grams, and the 52/36 chainset gives you the gearing to exploit its speed potential.
Scott Foil Disc 10 Di2 ride experience
The Foil does feel stiff, solid and purposeful but the extra room afforded by discs in tyre clearance means larger 28mm tyres can be specced, in the Foil’s case the excellent Continental Grand Sport Race 28s.
You can run a few psi less and enjoy fantastic grip, speed when you want it and levels of smoothness and comfort that shouldn’t be possible with such a purposeful wind-cheating machine.
It’s remarkably rapid when you want it to be yet beautifully compliant over coarse surfaces. If you want to go far, and fast, this next generation Foil should be high up on your shortlist. It doesn’t feel weighty on climbs, feeling flighty and nimble, even though 8.63kg isn’t that light for a £4k bike.
When you head downhill the bike feels wonderfully planted, and the R8070 hydraulic brakes equipped with 160mm Icetech rotors are just what you need to hit inch-perfect braking with masses of feel, you’ll brake later, and less, but be in absolute control with the net gain that you’ll go faster.
The only downside of the Foil 10 is the wheelset, the Syncros RR2.0 hoops are well put together, and the rim profile is wide to suit the 28mm tyres.
Scott Foil Disc 10 Di2 verdict
The Foil 10 is still one of the very best aero chassis around, and it would be great to see those aero benefits exploited to the full with suitable wheels. Scott’s component partner Syncros has plenty of aero options in its range, so let’s see some featured on this Foil to get the best out of what is one of the cleverest aero bikes on the market.
Scott Foil Disc 10 Di2 specification
- Weight: 8.63kg (58cm)
- Frame: Carbon
- Fork: Carbon
- Gears: Shimano Ultegra Di2 52/36, 11-28
- Brakes: Shimano BR-R8070, 160mm Icetech rotors
- Wheels: Syncros RR2.0
- Tyres: 28mm Continental Grand Sport Race tyres
- Bar: Syncros Creston 1.5
- Stem: Syncros Scott aero RR1.5 Foil
- Saddle: Syncros RR2.0
