Scott Addict RC Touring Bike

Since last winter, a lot has already been written about the Addict RC. Most notably, there has been a lot of positive feedback to report. However, for a final verdict, summer temperatures and a few more kilometers in the saddle were still missing.
In the meantime, those points have also been checked off, and unsurprisingly, one thing has been confirmed:
The Addict RC is fun, more than expected, and it's hard to say goodbye to it.
Unfortunately, even a long-term test has to come to an end at some point, and the elegant Scott will soon have to return to Switzerland.

Keep it or not? A question that has been running through my mind for weeks as the moment of farewell approaches. Many reasons spoke in favor of buying the Scott; a few reasons spoke against it. And as always, it was difficult for me to decide.
So what to do to help make the decision? My idea was quite simple: take the Scott on a trip for a few days, in the name of decision-making, so to speak.
The goal was to find out, for myself and for the readers, whether the Addict RC is adventure-ready despite its lightweight racing genes. In other words: as the ultimate test, whether it can handle a bit of luggage on the bike. Because, for example, completing an Ötztaler Cycling Marathon would be too easy for the Scott.

Having reached the stage destination, it was time for a two-day break for the Addict RC. Then the journey continued in two stages, with an overnight stay in Delémont, from Freiburg im Breisgau to Fribourg in Switzerland. Along the picturesque slopes of the Rhine Valley with its cherry trees, vineyards, and many small villages made up of half-timbered houses, until the skyline of Basel rose on the shimmering June horizon at the navigable beginning of the Rhine.
Fortunately, there are many public drinking fountains in this region. So it was easy to stay well-hydrated, as the thermometer showed 30 degrees Celsius and more in the shade during those days.

After a brief detour through downtown Basel, the route went a short distance through France and the Jura with its steep rock faces and narrow roads, past Lake Biel and the agriculturally dominated hills between Bern and Fribourg.
Anyone who happens to be in the Fribourg area should definitely pay a visit to the 40,000-inhabitant city. Its medieval buildings are picturesquely nestled high above the meanders of the Saane River, and above all the towers, fountains, bridges, and chapels, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas stands watch.
Not far from the main town of the canton of the same name, it was time to turn off to the Scott Headquarters in Givisiez—the supposed return location of the Addict RC. In stark contrast to the old town of Fribourg, the company headquarters shines with ultra-modern architecture and all kinds of technical sophistication.

The walk through the halls was a reminder of how many innovative ideas Scott has implemented over the past decades and how diverse their range of sports products is.
It all started with aluminum ski poles, but in many areas (at least with high-end bicycles), carbon has since taken its place as the material of choice—just like with the iconic Scott Endorphin hardtail, which was launched around 1996. Or with the new and incredibly lightweight Addict RC, which brought me here safely almost 30 years later.
But the secret stars for me are the Scott Spark bikes, with which Nino Schurter seemingly won countless races. Progressive and innovative, this duo of man and machine has pushed the boundaries of mountain biking in recent years.
The tour through the building and the positive energy of the employees left a lasting impression. One thing is clear: not everyone has a workplace with such a unique atmosphere.

The decision "keep or return?" was still not made. Up to this point, the Addict RC had performed admirably and had endured everything without complaint, even with luggage. Despite the sporty riding position, the journey was pain-free and comfortable. But despite all the experiences, I needed a few more days in the saddle. The goal was to further explore the limits.
So, after a short stop at Scott and a small detour to the Tour de Suisse in Schwarzsee, the journey continued towards Austria. From Fribourg, the route led over the Gurnigel Pass to Thun and by train through the Lötschberg.
For the highlight of Große Scheidegg - Grimsel, the legs were too tired, and time was too short. But the ride over the Gurnigel Pass more than made up for it. The panorama from the pass summit, offering views of Lake Thun and Eiger/Mönch/Jungfrau in the background, was unparalleled.

The journey continued over the 2,429 m high Furka Pass. At the accommodation, I was recommended to take a short detour to the Grimsel Pass, and indeed, the few extra meters of elevation gain were absolutely worth it.
The route then led to Andermatt, over the Oberalp Pass, and followed the Rhine towards Bregenz. The idea of making Lake Constance the destination actually only occurred to me during the journey. Thus, the Rhine unintentionally became a loyal companion on my way.

High alpine landscapes and magnificent views made the effort worthwhile, and with the Addict RC, it was easy to conquer even with luggage. A beautiful, albeit short section, was the ride on the narrow road high above the Rhine Gorge between Ilanz and Bonaduz.
On the way to Chur, I mostly opted for the bike path, which does have some gravel sections but posed no major challenge with the 30 mm wide tires. The tubeless setup with Schwalbe tires and Syncros rims worked perfectly, and even pumping up the tires wasn’t necessary during the journey.
I pedaled puncture-free through the Rhine Valley until I finally reached Lake Constance. From the beautiful town of Lindau, I then took the train directly back to Vienna.

For me, it was an interesting experiment to travel with a road bike. The 30 mm wide tires allowed for occasional short detours onto gravel roads, which provided a welcome change from some heavily trafficked roads. While a gravel bike or MTB will remain the preferred choice for future trips, this is definitely not due to the Swiss-made bike itself, but clearly a matter of personal preference.
Still, it's good to know that an Addict RC has no problem carrying a bit of luggage on its shoulders. And it almost effortlessly brought me safely and without punctures through five countries.

A major concern was whether the low cockpit would cause problems with my neck or back. But nothing of the sort happened. The shape of the handlebars also caused no pain in my hands or wrists.
And switching between the riding position on the road bike and that on a gravel bike or MTB, which in the past often required a longer adjustment period, was effortless with the lightweight Scott.

It was therefore difficult to find reasons to speak against the Scott. In the end, there weren’t a few reasons left, but just two: the purchase price and the clearly too loud DT Swiss EXP freehub.
I’ll somehow manage to quiet the freehub, and as for the price… well, eyes closed and push through.
Because everything else about this road bike is truly impressive. Ergonomics, geometry, handling, and the low weight are top-notch. The timeless design combined with reliable components is the cherry on top.

In my later years, road cycling with the Scott is truly fun again. It motivates you without rush or aggression, and that’s the great thing about the new Addict RC.
There’s nothing more to report about the bike, now my bike. So, at this point, just enjoy the photos!