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Shimano RS505 hydraulics brakes, with 160mm rotors back and front, sort stopping(Image credit: Aoife Glass / Immediate Media Co)
BikeRadar Verdict: "Comfortable, lightweight frame with good value Shimano kit but a sturdy ride" 3.5/5 stars
Highs: Light, smooth ride with full Shimano 105 stop and go kit
Lows: Heavy-duty tyres and frame is damped rather than dynamic in feel
Buy if: You want a lightweight, well-specced, all-rounder with extra robust tyres
The MF carbon construction might be new for Scott but the Addict Disc clearly draws from a wide range of disc race and cyclocross experience to mix large tyre clearance with comfortable speed.
As well as a new mid-modulus composite material, the Addict 20 gets a lot of external sculpting. The relatively tall head tube has internal cable port routing on the face to prevent paint rub, plus oblong headset spacers to match the rectangular stem profile.
The down tube spreads from a mid-sized U-section into a very broad, flat lower segment that spreads the full width of the wide press-fit bottom bracket. The top-tube tapers from deep to wide, forming a shelf around the narrow diameter seat tube before continuing into a short flat section that splits into the two, thin inward curved seatstays. The chainstays are curved and tapered with neat, flat brake mounts for 160mm rotors front and rear.
A 142x12mm rear axle adds stiffness and security and it's the same rotor size and 12mm (but 100mm wide) thru-axle setup at the base of the tapered carbon fork legs.
In terms of geometry, the Addict 20 is based on Scott's 'Endurance' numbers and there's nothing radical about the lengths and angles apart from a marginally slacker than normal 72.5-degree head angle. The frame comes in seven sizes from 47–61cm.
Scott's Addict 20 disc
Scott hasn't skimped on the spec either, with full Shimano 105 gear and brakeset including Shimano's own good-looking Centerlock rotors. Scott's own brand Syncros kit completes the contact parts list in style, including a narrow 27.2mm shafted carbon seatpost.
The DT-based Syncros wheels are light and tight, but the non folding wire bead Schwalbe Durano e-bike tyres are definitely heavy-duty rather than high-performance in build and feel.
Unsurprisingly, given the relatively conventional geometry, the Addict 20 feels comfortable straight away. The finer pitched sizing and long top-tube in relation to seat tube length mean it's possible to size up to get extra length if you want to, although that does raise the handlebar.
Frame feel is similarly balanced. Not obviously smooth and flexy, but not stiff and snappy under power either. The composite gives it a noticeable damped reaction that really comes into its own when you're hammering flat-out across rougher sections.
Rather than slapping directly into impacts with a wallop or skipping about sideways over potholes or cobbles it holds a stable, low vibration ride that's easy to apply power from for sustained speed. However hard I hit stuff hidden in dark urban gutters or buried under leaves on back roads or farms tracks the tyres never flinched or felt fragile.
Given the cut slick tread they grip surprisingly well in grimy conditions thanks to a relatively soft rubber compound. Their robust, soft rubber nature does suck a noticeable amount of speed and acceleration out of the Addict on the road though. That means I'd look at wrapping the rims in something lighter and faster to fully realise the tarmac potential of this really well-balanced and smoothly-damped machine.
Full Specification
Name: Addict 20 disc
Built by: Scott
Price: £2,199.00
Available Sizes: 47cm/49cm/52cm/54cm/56cm/58cm/61cm
