WORKENDAM – Scott launches the all-new Scale RC, which they market as “the perfect blend of stiffness, light weight and 30 years of carbon expertise.” They have incorporated these features into an uncompromising frame design.
The new Scott Scale RC is designed according to the form-follows-function principle. In their pursuit of the ultimate and simplest construction, Scott designers have centered the design around the essentials of creating an entirely new kind of XC bike. One of the main goals was to deliver a geometry that optimizes the riding position and handling characteristics for a wider range of riders and track profiles. Working with athletes like Nino Schurter, Kate Courtney and the rest of the SCOTT-SRAM Racing Team, they were able to specify exactly what they wanted: a geometry inspired by the race-winning geometry of our World Championship-winning full-suspension racing bike, the Spark RC, but optimized to extract the characteristics of a full-blooded XC hardtail.
Scott’s Carbon Craft Showcase
Scott positions the Scale RC as a true showcase of carbon craftsmanship. Balancing the properties of different carbon fibers creates a specific mix for each part of the bike and develops the bike’s character. “Balancing the mix of different carbon fibers in one system and letting the materials do what they are meant to do is a demonstration of the carbon expertise we have gained over 30 years combined with our constant drive for innovation,” says Mias Boghe, Marketing Manager from Scott Benelux. “Where stiffness is a top priority, a higher proportion of Ultra High and High Modulus carbon fibers are used, which can withstand high forces with less deflection. This applies to areas with the most important stiffness, such as the bottom bracket and head tube.”
Monocoque frame can handle the forces as a whole
The monocoque construction of the new Scale RC allows production with only one mold for the main part of the bike, the front triangle. The shell therefore consists of three separate pieces which are molded together. According to Scott, this translates directly into a higher level of efficiency. “This is due to the reduced number of nodes required, which reduces weight while maintaining superior stiffness, something we always strive for with hardtail racing bikes. Because the entire frame is built as a system, the monocoque design allows the forces to be handled as a whole, ” continues Moghe. “Stiffness is primarily affected by the downtube through the bottom bracket and into the chainstay, which we call the Scale RC stiffness zone. This becomes even more useful when building a hardtail, which directly translates to greater power transfer and improved efficiency. This stiffness zone provides also allow us to really optimize the weight savings in the top half of the bike, the “lightweight zone”.
With the new Scale RC, the hardware weight has been almost halved, from 82 g previously to 45 gi alt (HMX-SL). This was achieved by reducing the use of metal inserts, including the chain guide, water bottle holder inserts and a reduced number of cable routing parts due to optimized routing overall.
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