Scott Fastlane 10 in review

In terms of design language and geometry, the Fastlane clearly takes its cue from the MY26 Addict — which is certainly no bad starting point for an appealing bike.
Like the Addict, the frame and fork can also be fitted with tires up to 38 mm wide.

Scott provided us with the Fastlane 10, equipped with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset. The factory 34 mm-wide Schwalbe Pro One tires run on Syncros Capital 1.0 Carbon wheels.
Already known from the Addict models: the comfortable Syncros IC-R100-SL handlebar combo along with the handy multitool hidden in the left handlebar end.
Notable is the carbon seatpost from the same maker. It features an integrated rear light that stays on continuously for better visibility in road traffic as soon as the Fastlane is put into operation. Like the shifting system, it is powered by the 290 Wh main battery.

Tech Specs

Frame and fork on all Fastlane models are made from high-quality HMX carbon fibers. That’s reflected in the frame weight: the chassis weighs just 865 grams according to Scott in size M.

For maximum compatibility with shifting components, the frame features a mount for the UDH dropout.

The elegant flap for the charging port has a push-to-open spring hinge; a nice solution compared with some other e-bikes that use fiddly rubber covers.

The frame has attachment points for the optional Syncros IS Road frame bag. An ideal storage place (also) for the compact and lightweight TQ charger, in case you’re out for longer.

That way not only Fastlane riders can top up on energy in the form of snacks from the bag. The bike itself can also be replenished with range relatively quickly — for example during a lunch break. The system needs about three hours for a full charge.

The Fastlane is equipped with the new TQ HPR40 motor, developed specifically for e-road bikes and e-gravel bikes.
It is controlled via the auxiliary buttons on the bar-end hoods, which come as standard on Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace shifters (the same applies to the bonus buttons on SRAM shifters). Additionally, the electric drive can be operated via the button on the control unit at the end of the handlebar, or on the Fastlane 20 via TQ's supplementary switches (HPR Single Button Remote).
Furthermore, the TQ unit also communicates with Garmin and co. With compatible bike computers the assist mode can also be selected. It also provides information on power, cadence, battery level and range.

As the "40" in the model name already reveals, the small and light TQ "only" has 40 Nm of maximum torque and 200 watts of power.
In light of the increasingly common 100 Nm motors, 40 Nm might at first seem modest. However, the drive unit therefore weighs just 1,170 grams. Together with the 290 Wh battery, the TQ system comes in at a svelte 2,900 grams, which somewhat puts the low torque into perspective.
Not to forget: With its mere 10.8 kg ready-to-ride weight, measured on the no-nonsense BB scale, the bike is overall noticeably lighter and more nimble to move than a full-fledged 25 kg e-MTB with chunky tires.

If you're plagued by doubts about the motor's possibly insufficient power, from personal experience I can say: a powerful drive, for example Shimano's EP8 motor with its 85 Nm in a Rose Backroad+, is fun at first, but then most of the time too much of a good thing. Excessive torque and power are generally not required for a road-bike-like machine.
And if you occasionally need extra range, you can use the optional TQ Range Extender with an additional 160 Wh capacity.

Geometry

The motor engages smoothly and gently pushes you toward the legal e‑bike limit of 25 km/h. The character of the TQ actually resembles the much‑advertised and oft‑invoked "helping hand".
You can also change the HPR40's responsiveness via the app to give it more "bite"... which means the 25 km/h barrier is reached faster, but it also feels much more present. With the default setting, however, the transition is barely noticeable and very harmonious.

Typical for TQ: the motor, like its larger siblings, is whisper-quiet, so even when listening closely you only rarely notice whether it's running or not.
Unfortunately, in the review the battery could only be discharged to 90%. In the winter cold the motor refused to provide assistance with the last 10%. There is no warning via a blinking LED or the like. So it's best to keep this trait in mind.
At least: the gearing and the integrated rear light are still supplied with power in this case. And: you're not completely stranded without the motor, because the Fastlane's just-under-11-kg weight can still be moved quite well by pure muscle power without electrical assistance.

Come the uphill sections, the Fastlane reveals its true strengths. Even in the lowest mode it provides enough assistance, meaning fellow riders relying solely on muscle power would already have to work pretty hard to keep up.
The compact gearing with 50-34 up front and 11-34 in the back also helps keep the cadence high and thus get the best out of the motor.

The middle/blue level is in most cases already powerful enough to take the sting out of steep climbs. And it does so without drawing too much energy from the battery.
If you switch to the highest/red level, the Fastlane moves along quite decently — for such a small motor, mind you. In the highest setting you can certainly let yourself be a little "shuttled" up the hill and rest your legs accordingly.

Overall, the motor’s performance suits the Scott Fastlane concept very well. However, one characteristic of the TQ drive should not go unmentioned — it was a little annoying at first, but after a short acclimation hardly noticeable:
Because the system acts directly on the crank and has no freewheel, the software control is set up to be very sensitive. Rarely, but occasionally, this can mean the motor keeps turning the crank a little when the controller is overwhelmed by an uneven pedal stroke and strongly fluctuating rider power and you abruptly stop pedaling.
The same applies when shifting. If you, following old-school practice, try to relieve the drive slightly for an uphill gear change, the motor quickly stops providing assistance. After the shift it takes a little while for it to get back up to speed due to its lower power — similar to a manual-transmission car changing gears uphill.
Tip: The Shimano Ultegra shifting doesn’t care whether you shift under load or not. It operates confidently in every situation.

All in all, the TQ HRP 40, as already mentioned, prefers a smooth pedal stroke with a higher cadence. The best corresponding riding style is a rather passive one: pedal lightly and don’t force anything. Forcing the bike to adopt a different pace every few meters makes little sense.