First ride review: SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned – The Swiss beast of gravel bike efficiency?

SCOTT present the latest version of the Addict Gravel and set the bar in terms of integration. Is it the perfect choice for your upcoming gravel races and how does it fare in terms of comfort with its dropped seat stays and all-new cockpit? We’ve put the flagship model, the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned, through its paces to answer all your questions!

Does cruising to the ice cream parlour along a shady bike path next to a gently trickling stream after enjoying a cold beer on a Sunday afternoon sound like your ideal weekend activity? Then you probably shouldn’t bother reading any further. The Swiss brand are known for their high-performance bikes, like the Addict RC Ultimate, and when developing the new version of the Addict Gravel they had three things in mind: speed, speed and… speed! We’re seeing a clear trend emerge in the gravel segment towards racing performance. After all, we’ve just recently reviewed gravel race bikes like the Cervélo Áspero-5 Force eTap AXS 1 (review here) and the Ridley Kanzo Fast (review here). With its aerodynamic features, light weight, optimal power transmission and direct handling, the brand new gravel bike from SCOTT should appeal to fast gravel riders and all those with a competitive streak who want to set new personal bests on (not just) their local gravel roads. Is it all just empty marketing hype or has it got the performance to back it up? You will find it in a minute. First, let’s look at the components and details of the new SCOTT.

The SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned in detail – Integration for the masses!

Well, hello there sexy, where would you like to go? Like the SCOTT Addict eRIDE PREMIUM (review here), the new SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned offers a stunning level of integration. The new one-piece Creston iC SL X cockpit features fully integrated cable routing and even hides all the bolts. According to the manufacturer, the version with a 110 mm stem and 420 mm handlebar weighs just 335 g. The integrated mount allows you to attach a Wahoo or Garmin GPS device along with an action camera or headlight, like the new SYNCROS NAINAMO 1200. It’s a sensible and smart function as the days will start getting shorter sooner than we’d like! The two-part spacers allow you to adjust the cockpit height without shortening or re-routing the cables. In contrast to other brands, even the two-piece cockpit on their most affordable entry-level model, the SCOTT Speedster Gravel, features completely internal cable routing. Their motto is integration for everyone, bravo!

The gallery below gives you a closer look at the Syncros components and optional Syncros accessories, including the cockpit, headlight, taillight, fender and saddle bag.

In addition to the two bosses on the top tube – for which we should soon see a stylish Syncros bag on the market – the new Addict Gravel carbon frame offers three mounting points for two different bottle cage positions on the down tube, two bosses on the seat tube and two additional bosses on the underside of the down tube for third bottle cage or a toolbox. The gravel bike also comes ready to tackle rainy weather and commuting duties with the necessary mounting points for mudguards hidden on the underside of the seat stays. Syncros will be offering suitable mudguards later this year, which should blend seamlessly into the look of the bike. With mudguards fitted, the stated tire clearances are reduced from 700 x 45C (without fender) to 700 x 40C (with fender), but it looks like the frameset could even clear 50C tires, depending on the tire and rim combination. The newly developed frame is intended exclusively for 700C wheels, it isn’t compatible with smaller 650B wheels. The SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned that we tested is the only model in the range that features a frame made of their so-called HMX carbon fibres. The other models have to make do with the slightly heavier HMF fibres. However, the difference in weight is about as much as two large sips of water.

The components of the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned – 2x is king

A look at the components on the Addict Gravel series quickly reveals SCOTT’s preference for 2x drivetrains. It doesn’t only make sense in terms of Switzerland’s topography, as a gravel racing machine, the smaller gear jumps are preferred by many riders. Our test bike, the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned, comes equipped with SRAM’s high-performance wireless RED eTap AXS groupset. The crankset of the Addict Gravel Tuned features an integrated power meter as standard, which is absolutely sensible and perfectly in line with the bike’s racing ambitions. Regarding gear range, it’s evident here too that the SCOTT developers live in mountainous terrain. With a 46–33 t crankset up front and a 10–36 t cassette at the rear, inclines beyond the 10% inclination mark offer no excuse for a detour.

The king is dead. Long live the king. SCOTT are bringing 2x drivetrains back into the gravel mosh pit!

When it comes to choosing the wheels, SCOTT rely on a set of DT Swiss GRC 1100 wheels for the Addict Gravel Tuned, currently one of the fastest wheelsets in the gravel sector. The generous 24 mm internal rim width offers lots of support for the 700 x 45C Schwalbe G-ONE R tires, which were only recently launched (review here), resulting in a super fast combination for brisk gravel rides. The 160 mm brake rotors on the front and rear are a good choice. You could also mount a 180 mm rotor on the front or a 140 mm rotor on the rear if you prefer. Love it or hate it, SCOTT choose to rely on a press-fit bottom bracket, promising a more integrated and seamless fit as well as increased stiffness and performance compared to a threaded version. As you might know, we’re not huge fans of press fit here and, when in doubt, always prefer a neatly integrated threaded bottom bracket, even if it’s 3.8 g heavier 😉

Size	49	52	54	56	58
Seat tube	477 mm	507 mm	528 mm	546 mm	566 mm
Top tube	518.0 mm	534.5 mm	554.5 mm	578.5 mm	592.5 mm
Head tube	95 mm	122 mm	140 mm	166 mm	187 mm
Head angle	70°	70°	71°	71°	71°
Seat angle	74.5°	74.0°	73.5°	73.0°	73.0°
Chainstays	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm
BB Drop	71 mm	71 mm	71 mm	71 mm	71 mm
Wheelbase	1,009 mm	1,023 mm	1,029 mm	1,049 mm	1,064 mm
Reach	374 mm	378 mm	387 mm	398 mm	406 mm
Stack	519 mm	544 mm	565 mm	590 mm	610 mm

The SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned in review – Time to race!

With the Addict Gravel Tuned, SCOTT promise to deliver a racing machine and they’re definitely not promising too much. The bike accelerates very willingly, instantly propelling you forward. Before you know it, you’ll be riding 30 km/h and you’ll be able to maintain that speed with ease, especially on smooth gravel. The Addict Gravel Tuned is super efficient, hardly wasting a single watt that you put in the pedals. However, what the SCOTT offers in efficiency it lacks in comfort. The frame is aggressive and stiff, designed for maximum acceleration, though generating minimal comfort. Compliance is almost entirely limited to the cleverly chosen components, offering a basic level of compliance. We were particularly impressed with the ergonomics and vibration damping of the Creston iC SL X cockpit. The Schwalbe tires also proved to be effective in absorbing high-frequency bumps. However, the rider has to adopt an active riding style and use their limbs as suspension on uneven terrain. Unfortunately, the overall level of comfort isn’t enough to recommend the bike for long stretches of rough gravel.

On flat terrain, the handling of the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned is almost stoic in its straight-line stability, requiring you to beg the bike a little when steering, especially on loose surfaces, which is something you will have to get used to at the beginning. However, once you’re used to it, the gravel bike can be manoeuvred with precision despite its wide tires, offering a balanced level of agility between the front and rear that is not so direct as to overwhelm beginners. Adding to this is the amount of confidence the bike instils in you. We were positively surprised by the depth of the bike’s reserves in demanding terrain. If you’re fine with the lack of comfort, you will get a bike that is super capable off-road, only giving up when the rider does. We couldn’t find the bike’s limits and it always remained predictable even in the trickiest situations.

Who is the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned for?

To get one thing straight, if we were to compete in UNBOUND Gravel – the unofficial Gravel World Championships – the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned wouldn’t be our first choice for every event. While the gravel bike offers great acceleration and remarkable efficiency, a long-distance gravel race isn’t won in a 2500 W finish-line sprint, which is where maximum bottom bracket stiffness counts. With gravel races that go on for hours over rough gravel roads, a high level of comfort is our top priority. The bike should spare the rider from tiring vibrations and knocks, keeping them fresher for longer, which in turn means that you can pedal longer and harder and arrive at the finish faster. #sustainedpower. Sounds logical right? 😉

However, those who mainly ride on paved roads and smooth gravel will be happy with this blazing fast gravel rocket. We can imagine competing in the shorter UNBOUND Gravel events on the SCOTT (with an FTP of around 330 W). Of course, experienced gravel veterans who enjoy underbiking can also get adventurous aboard the Addict Gravel and attempt the occasional trail at full speed. Unfortunately, however, a dropper post isn’t an option due to the D-shaped seat post, which limits the bike somewhat in this regard. Overall, the new Addict Gravel is the most versatile bike in the Swiss brand’s portfolio and with the option to mount mudguards, it doubles as a perfect winter bike for paved surfaces. An aggressive all-rounder? Definitely! Long-distance tourer? Off-grid bikepacker? Not really. Still not sure which kind of gravel bike you need? Then we recommend heading straight to your personalised gravel buyers guide!

Full steam ahead! The developers of the new SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned must have had this slogan in mind while tinkering on the design. The result is a gravel bike that offers direct acceleration, high efficiency and balanced handling, while also setting the standard in terms of integration. If you don’t mind the lack of long-distance comfort, the Addict Gravel Tuned is an aggressive all-rounder for fast gravel rides.

For more information about the SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned, visit scott-sports.com

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Words: Benjamin Topf, Philipp Schwab Photos: Daniel Geiger, Benjamin Topf