If you jumped on the new Foil without looking at it, you’d assume you were riding a high-class road bike, and the only sensory clues to its aero billing would be the feel of the integrated carbon aero bar and the bike’s unbridled speed.
Path-breaking versatility
The original Foil was possibly the most versatile of the first wave of road aero bikes, finding success in a wide variety of disparate races. But it was an uncompromising ride, and with comfort increasingly seen as every bit as important as speed, this was an area that needed addressing.
The unique integrated stem and bar are from Scott’s house brand Syncros
Launched just before the 2015 Tour de France, the new Foil already has Grand Tour stage wins under its belt. This model is a complete rethinking of the platform, most obviously with its semi-compact sloping top tube, dropped short seatstays and beefy down tube.
Related: Scott launches revamped Foil
This is key to the bike’s ride, handling and airflow, as its lower position melds with the fork crown to close the gap between tube and front wheel. It also creates a stout, smooth head tube and a large connection with the oversize bottom bracket shell.
Subtle aero styling
The aerodynamic shaping is mostly quite subtle, with Kamm tail profiles for the down tube, head tube, seat tube and seatpost, plus that one-piece bar. Custom spacers are available for the stem, but with none fitted, as here, the stem resides in a scalloped recess that is covered by fairings behind and below to smooth airflow.
Aero styling takes the form of subtle Kamm-tail tubes
The very short seatstays are slim and offer sectional Kamm tail profiles to the oncoming air, but the chainstays are all business – deep, rectangular and asymmetric, they keep that tight rear end brutally efficient.
Get it out on the road and the Foil’s compact dimensions help it to take off like a scalded cat, and it just keeps going from there. Once you’re up to speed, finding an aero tuck and maintaining speed feels the most natural thing in the world. The bar is surprisingly ergonomic and its depth makes it more useful than some similar options.
Long-ride comfort
Fitting a GPS is always tricky on an aero bar, but Scott offers an integrated out-front clamp that bolts to the underside of the bar. The Prologo Zero II TR saddle has more nose padding than the version fitted to the Argon 18's Nitrogen, which we think makes a world of difference, really improving long-ride comfort.
Related: Argon 18 Nitrogen review
Helping the Foil spin up to speed are Zipp’s 60 clinchers – the renamed version of its pre-Firecrest profile 404 wheelset. They have a toroidal structural carbon fairing and alloy rim bed and braking track, which adds a few grams but isn’t a hindrance given the all-round performance benefit.
Stomp on the pedals and the Foil leaps into action – and keeps going, very fast
Despite the deep rims – and not Zipp’s most modern Firecrest shape either – they’re still great to ride and reassuringly stable at 24mm wide. Best of all they stop effectively in all conditions, and having 25mm Continentals is the icing on a very nourishing cake, allowing the bike to flow through bends like a four-man bobsleigh.
As good as Dura-Ace Di2 is, I’d plump for the mechanical version, which adds physical satisfaction to shifting perfection. Scott seems to agree, with this race-ready 53/39 chainring setup. Direct-mount brake calipers offer additional power and great feel, and if we had to choose one are bike for every-ride, everyday use, there’s no contest.
Also consider:
Storck Aerfast Pro
Unfussy and purposeful, this swift German aero road package is big on comfort and personality, with zero sacrifice in performance. If you're looking for something a little different that produces epic speed, look no further. Read our full Storck Aerfast Pro review.
Argon 18 Nitrogen Pro
A great-looking aero bike with clean lines and pro-level performance, the Nitrogen Pro shows off some unique aero tricks and an uncompromising aero geometry. Read our full Argon 18 Nitrogen Pro review.
Mekk Primo 8.0
This surprisingly comfortable speed merchant is absolutely loaded with a top-tier spec and slim, aero, middle-of-the-road frame. Read our full Mekk Primo 8.0 review.
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