Prototypes of the Scott Foil were first spotted at the 2010 Tour de France and, nearly three years down the line, it remains the firm’s flagship aero bike. This is Orica-GreenEdge rider Michael Albasini’s machine.
Scott sponsored Mark Cavendish’s HTC-Highroad squad until 2011, when the team switched to Specialized, but the American bicycle brand returned to the WorldTour peloton with the newly-launched Orica-GreenEdge squad last year.
The Foil gets its name from its airfoil tube profiles. Aero bike design typically falls in one of two directions, from the ‘narrow is fast’ concept which underpins frames like the Giant Propel unveiled last month, to the wind-cheating airfoil profiles of machines like this and the Trek Madone 7-Series which broke cover ahead of last year’s Tour de France.
Scott’s F01 Aero Technology, as they call it, is based on the theory that a partial airfoil shape without the trailing edge can produce the same aerodynamic advantage as a traditional foil shape, while also saving weight.
The Scott Foil impressed us when we reviewed it last year, and impressed you when it earned a podium spot in the keenly-fought Bike of the Year category in RoadCyclingUK’s end-of-year survey. But what of Albasini’s machine?
Boxy tube profiles and an integrated frame design characterise the Scott Foil. Aerodynamics haven’t come at the expensive of weight, though, with the Foil frame weighing in at a claimed 840g
Airfoil tube profiles are used across the frame, including on the seatstays, fork and seatpost
The beautifully integrated seatclamp is hidden in the seat and toptube junction to improve aerodynamics
That seatclamp keeps the proprietary seatpost, manufactured by Ritchey for Scott, in place
Albasini rode with Mark Cavendish for three years at HTC-Highroad before switching to Orica-GreenEdge when the team disbanded
Albasini’s stem is slammed, naturally
Albasini uses a PRO Vibe 7S handlebar and PRO PLT stem. A lot of pros prefer aluminium for their cockpit components thanks to its inherent strength, stiffness and limited weight penalty compared to carbon fibre
Albasini’s machine is decked out in Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 10-speed, although we expect the team to switch to this year’s 11-speed groupset once it becomes readily available
Shimano Dura-Ace C35 wheels wrapped in 25mm Continental Competition tubs
The frame’s green and yellow paintjob is a subtle nod to the team’s Australian heritage and this custom, colour-matched Prologo ‘bar tape is a nice finishing touch
RoadCyclingUK attended Challenge Majorca as a guest of race sponsor Iberostar, staying at the Iberostar Playa de Muro hotel in Alcudia. For more information visit www.iberostar.com
