Review: SCOTT Foil 10

If you look around the pro peloton at the Tour de France, you're likely to get a glimpse of SCOTT's Foil 10 under the riders of Team Orica-Green Edge and Team I Am Cycling. While those bikes are outfitted with the highest-end components and the lightest wheels available, the stock version available in stores isn't much different from the pro version. And for a price under $4,000, it might be one of the best value bikes of the year.

The Specs

Frame: FOIL/HMX Carbon/FO1 Aero Technology

Fork: Foil HMX Carbon

Headset: Ritchey PRO Integrated

Components: Shimano Ultegra

Handlebar/Stem: Syncros RR2.0

Wheelset: Syncros RR2.0

Seatpost: Ritchey FOIL Aero Pro Carbon

Tires: Continental Grand Sport Race

Overall Weight: 16.5 pounds

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The Frame

The frame of the Foil 10 uses HMX carbon, which is claimed to be one of the strongest and stiffest carbons in the world. The tube shapes, unlike other frames that base the design off of aircraft testing in wind tunnels, uses FO1 technology that's designed to maximize aerodynamic efficiency at lower speeds.

The Foil 10's large, wide tubes may not look like an aero frame at first glance. SCOTT works within the UCI's 3:1 tube profile regulations to gain aerodynamic advantages by changing shapes and angles from front to back to maximize efficiency of airflow. The top tube is wider in the front and tapers to a narrower shape near the seat tube to create a smooth, streamline effect. The beefed up bottom bracket makes the bike accelerate quickly, allowing the transfer of power from the frame to the pedals that's good enough to make a sprinter happy.

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The Ride

From the first push on the pedals, you'll be able to tell that this bike was built with speed in mind. The frame is responsive and accelerates like a rocket on flat roads. What's most impressive is what you'll get from the bike once the road starts to inclide. Aero frames such as this one usually sacrifice climbing performance in the name of speed. Surprisingly, this bike doesn't and accelerates just as well when the pitch is steep as it does when the road is flat.  

The beefed up head tube does make the ride slightly harsh over rough roads, but you can expect to sacrifice some comfort with a fast frame. On long rides, the aluminum Syncros handlebar lacked comfort too--a carbon upgrade would do wonders to dampen road vibration on rides more than 60 miles.

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The frame is extremely stable on descents despite its short wheelbase, which made the bike handling of the Foil 10 one of its best qualities. It goes exactly where you want it to and never feels shaky, even at high speeds on long descents or when leaning into sharp corners.

The new Ultegra group set is a workhorse of Shimano's and the quality of the shifting and braking is right up there with the best available. It's a little heavier than Durace, but performs well enough to be suitable for racing.

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The Syncros wheels performed better than expected, though an upgrade here would turn this already terrific bike into a real racing machine. The weight of the RR2.0 lean on the heavy side, but they're at least good enough to be used as a really good training wheel or a low-end race wheel if you're strapped for cash.

The Verdict

Overall, the Foil 10 offers the best blend of aerodynamics, stiffness and handling of any bike we've tested. Whether you like to climb, tackle rolling hills, or go solo on long breakaways, the Foil 10 was made to tackle any challenge you're prepared to take.

If you've got the money to upgrade to a better wheel set and a carbon handlebar, you'll have a rig that's every bit as good as the one used in the Tour de France. Even if you decide to keep this bike as is, for the $3,800 price tag you won't find a ride that's a better overall value.

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