First Ride: New SCOTT Addict RC 2025 in review – Lightweight rules the world?

The Addict RC has long been a symbol of lightweight design, standing out in a market where few bikes can match its focus on chasing ultimate weight efficiency. With the latest iteration of their race bike, Scott continue to push boundaries. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and outstanding in-house components, the Addict RC reaches new heights. But how did it perform in GRAN FONDO’s first ride review? Let’s find out.

Just like lightweight design and carbon, the Addict name has become synonymous with road cycling like few other things in the drop-bar world. The first Addict was presented nearly two decades ago. With this bike, Scott were one of the first manufacturers to embrace carbon fibre, introducing the lightest bike of its time. And how else could it be, the latest iteration of this iconic race bike builds on the same legacy.

In an era dominated by all-rounders trying to strike the perfect balance between aerodynamics and weight, the Addict RC focuses on being featherlight. But Scott aren’t just aiming to beat the UCI 6.8 kg weight limit, no, they’re setting their sights even higher. The Addict RC Ultimate, which relies entirely on off-the-shelf components and disc brakes, is designed to break the 6 kg barrier. Spoiler alert: Scott have more than achieved their ambitious goal.

Fast, sleek, and above all, light! – Scott Addict RC

Lightweight design: yes or no? A question no one was asking just a decade ago has become increasingly relevant in today’s world of aerodynamic optimisation and disc brake bikes. Yet, even the most dedicated aerodynamics enthusiasts can’t resist the allure of a sub-6 kg bike straight out the box. And we must admit, even we were speechless: our test bike in size L, complete with bottle cages and computer mount, tipped the scales at an astonishing 5.95 kg!

Scott achieve this remarkable weight with big innovations in frame construction. The Swiss development team not only redesigned the frame to minimise material use but also revolutionised the manufacturing process itself. Now, individual carbon layers are wrapped around a preformed core before being placed in the mould. Once cured, the inner core is removed, leaving behind an exceptionally light and perfectly finished carbon frame. The result? Material is used only where it’s absolutely necessary.

But while the focus is on weight, Scott claim that the new Addict RC is also a whopping 12 watts faster than its predecessor, which is mainly due to clever aero solutions. This improvement comes from a narrower head tube, a subtly aero-optimised downtube, and slim, aerodynamically refined seat stays – insights gained during the development of Scott’s aero race bike, the Foil RC.

Unlike some other lightweight bikes, the Addict RC manages to pair its featherweight credentials with a sleek, modern, and sporty look. The frame silhouette is harmoniously balanced, neither overly thin nor fragile, and incorporates subtle yet modern aerodynamic features. A generous tire clearance of up to 34 mm adds versatility to the mix, though Scott forgo the trendy UDH derailleur hanger standard, which helps to save a few extra grams.

Compared to its predecessor, the superlight frame, weighing just 599 grams in the premium HMX-SL layup, shaves off 161 grams. The fork, now down to 270 grams, is 54 grams lighter too. Together, that’s 215 g less in the frameset alone!

Scott Addict RC – Lightweight innovation in every detail

Even with a groundbreaking frame construction, achieving a sub-6 kg weight takes more than just a clever design. That’s why everything on the Scott Addict RC is new, from the seatpost clamp to the thru-axles and even the headset spacers. But within all these updates lie some truly innovative features. Scott stick with proven seatpost dimensions but now offer two different versions. The SL seatpost, as the name suggests, is all about saving weight, trimming off another 10 grams. However, the standout is the comfort-oriented post with an integrated light. Featuring a cutout to dampen vibrations, it cleverly hides a removable rear light – a feature sure to appeal to riders everywhere. Unfortunately, strict lighting regulations in Germany mean roadies there won’t benefit from this innovation.

Naturally, the new Addict RC also comes with a redesigned cockpit, as is almost expected with every new road bike these days. At 400 mm wide and with a flare, it’s cutting-edge. Topping it off is a 3D-printed titanium stem mount, a jewel-like piece that crowns the bike with precision and style.

The in-house Syncros Capital SL wheels are a key part of the Addict RC’s concept, paired perfectly with the yet-to-be-released Schwalbe Aerothan tires mounted on our test bike. Together, these components form a meticulously tuned setup. The 1,170-gram, 40 mm deep wheels complement Schwalbe’s latest development, offering a glimpse of what’s to come in high-performance tire and wheel integration.

If you’re looking to fine-tune your own tire and wheel setup, you’ll find helpful tips here. Syncros have already proven their expertise in wheel building, as demonstrated in our recent carbon wheel group test. Their deeper 60 mm Capital SL sibling even clinched the victory, showcasing the Swiss brand’s engineering prowess.

The Scott Addict RC Ultimate in detail

Our test bike, the Addict RC Ultimate, which retails at € 12,999, is the flagship model in the lineup and comes equipped with top-tier components. These include the new 400 mm wide cockpit, the lightweight seatpost, and the Syncros Capital SL wheelset paired with 28 mm Schwalbe Aerothan tires. Shifting and braking is taken care of by SRAM’s latest RED AXS groupset, with a 46/33 chainset and a 10-33 cassette – a perfect setup for climbing.

Interestingly, the more affordable spec variants, the Ultimate and Pro, come with the comfort seatpost and a handy mini tool integrated into the bar ends. The entry-level variants, featuring a Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain, retail from € 4,999, while the mid-range options with Ultegra Di2 begin at € 5,999.

Another noteworthy change: the Addict RC no longer includes the female-specific Contessa models. While this may seem surprising at first, it’s a logical step forward. Previously, Contessa models differed mainly in branding, saddle choice, and the paint finish, often relying on lighter colours. Categorising a bike as “women’s-specific” based purely on aesthetics is outdated and unnecessary in today’s market.

The geometry of the 2025 Scott Addict RC

The Addict RC builds on tradition, delivering the familiar and beloved riding experience it’s known for. Scott describe it as an agile bike, perfect for fast corners yet stable enough to handle sidewinds with confidence. The geometry of the new race bike has been carefully refined to align with modern demands while maintaining the signature Addict feel.

The slightly wider tires raise the overall height of the bike, subtly altering its geometry in relation to the ground. To tackle this, Scott made some tweaks to the geometry. Specifically, the bottom bracket now sits around 2 mm lower, which is meant above all to improve stability. The fork has been tweaked with a slightly steeper head angle, while reach values see a more noticeable change– size M now has 395.2 mm reach, which is about 5 mm more than on the previous model. The stack height, on the other hand, has dropped by roughly 4 mm. Despite these changes, the new integrated cockpit ensures the same fit as the predecessor, preserving the Addict RC’s distinctive balance of agility and performance.

Size	XXS/47	XS/49	S/52	M/54	L/56	XL/58	XXL/61
Top Tube	519 mm	528 mm	542 mm	555 mm	572 mm	586 mm	602 mm
Handlebar Width	360 mm	380 mm	380 mm	400 mm	400 mm	400 mm	420 mm
Head Tube	90 mm	100 mm	113 mm	130 mm	150 mm	170 mm	190 mm
Stem Length	80 mm	90 mm	100 mm	110 mm	110 mm	120 mm	120 mm
Head Angle	71.3°	71.8°	72.3°	72.8°	73.4°	73.6°	73.8°
Seat Angle	74.5°	74.5°	74°	73.6°	73.3°	72.8°	72.5°
Chainstay	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm
Bottom Bracket Drop	74 mm	74 mm	73 mm	72 mm	72 mm	72 mm	72 mm
Wheelbase	977 mm	983.2 mm	988.8 mm	990.8 mm	999 mm	1,006.4 mm	1,015.4 mm
Reach	379.4 mm	386.3 mm	391.6 mm	395.2 mm	402.6 mm	406.1 mm	411.3 mm
Stack	501.3 mm	512.5 mm	525.5 mm	543.3 mm	564.5 mm	584.3 mm	604.2 mm

Reaching new heights – The 2025 Scott Addict RC Ultimate on review

The Scott Addict RC promises a lot, but above all, delivers one thing – climbing excellence– and unsurprisingly, it excels in its signature discipline. With a sub-6 kg weight and stiff, responsive wheelset, the Addict RC accelerates eagerly, almost begging you to sprint out of tight hairpins and inspiring a final push to the summit. Yet, unlike many dedicated climbing bikes, it remains composed and steady, never feeling twitchy or nervous.

But what goes up must come down – and the Addict RC handles descents with equal confidence. With precise handling and sharp steering, it carves through tight corners and changes directions effortlessly, even in the tightest of switchbacks. However, this agility comes with a caveat: it demands a focused, steady hand to get the most out of its razor-sharp performance.

Once you’ve descended, the Addict RC proves that it’s not just a climber but also a capable performer on flat terrain. Thanks to the stiff wheelset, it transfers power to the road with impressive efficiency, bringing every watt to the tarmac.

However, how effectively those watts are utilised is another matter. Despite Scott’s aero claims, the Addict RC isn’t the bike of choice for flat stages. Both the frame and wheels fall short when compared to modern all-round race bikes or dedicated aero specialists. Our advice? Opt for the Syncros Capital SL wheels with 60 mm rims. While they add around 120 grams, they significantly boost the Scott’s efficiency on the flats.

The bike’s compliance, meanwhile, is well-balanced and typical of a race bike. Despite the stiff wheels and lack of comfort features on the Ultimate model, it smooths out minor vibrations while maintaining direct feedback, making you feel seamlessly connected to the bike. While promising on paper, the comfort seatpost didn’t fully convince us in practice. It provides a touch more damping, but the difference isn’t game-changing. What stands out, however, is the integrated tail light – easily the highlight of the comfort seatpost.

For those seeking greater comfort, the Addict RC’s generous tire clearance of up to 34 mm is a welcome feature. We had the chance to test an Addict RC with 34 mm Schwalbe Pro One tires. The wider tires make the bike calmer and more composed, without compromising its agility and responsiveness. In fact, the benefits are substantial: the wider rubber provides immense grip and added compliance, making the bike feel glued to the road and carving through corners as if on rails. On Girona’s often patchy roads, the setup smoothed out rough surfaces to feel as though we were riding on freshly paved tarmac. This discovery was a revelation for us, and it’s a setup we’d seriously consider adopting on some of our personal bikes. A perfect blend of comfort, control, and confidence!

Tuning Tip: 34 mm Tires for maximum grip and compliance

Who is the Scott Addict RC 2025 for?

Back to its roots– is the philosophy behind the Scott Addict RC. But this ultralight bike isn’t just for weight-obsessed enthusiasts or mountain goats. With its precise, responsive handling, rapid acceleration, and premium components, it’s a versatile choice for nearly every type of roadie. That said, if pure efficiency on flat terrain is your priority, there are faster options too. However, a simple wheelset upgrade can close that gap. For around € 13,000, you’ll own what’s likely the world’s lightest production bike – complete with UCI approval. Though, for UCI race compliance, you’ll need to add some ballast.

Conclusions about the 2025 Scott Addict RC

The Addict RC aims high, and Scott went all-in on this bold bet. We have to say: it’s paid off! The 5.95 kg weight is undeniably impressive, but what truly captivates is how this ultra-lightweight design is paired with perfectly balanced handling and meticulous attention to detail. The result is one of the most modern race bikes on the market – provided you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of aerodynamic efficiency for the sheer thrill of featherweight performance.

More information at scott.com

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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Calvin Zajac, Brazo de Hierro