Scott Foil Ultimate RC 2023 in long-term review

It ended up taking longer than expected. I was actually supposed to get the new Scott Foil RC for a long-term review already in the summer. But what lasts long, as they say, turns out well in the end. Impatience is one of my virtues; it wasn't easy, but at the beginning of October the waiting finally came to an end.
To my great surprise and delight, the Ultimate was indeed delivered. No daintiness, but going all out! Just my taste.

As some may already have noticed from the first photo, the mood at the photoshoot was excellent. But it shouldn't give the impression that we were only fooling around. Nota bene: such a long-term review is a serious matter and is always carried out with full seriousness and objectivity. Neither people nor equipment are spared.
But despite #noshortcuts, let the thinking cells and typing fingers be granted a small shortcut at this point: anyone who wants to know every tiny technical detail about Scott's new aero weapon, I hereby recommend my report from the presentation in beautiful Italy.
For everyone else, here is a not quite so detailed summary of what I consider the most important innovations, specifically related to the Foil RC Ultimate.

The frameset of the new Foil RC Ultimate, in which Scott's highest-quality HMX SL carbon fiber is used, weighs 915 g in size 54/M. The fork, also made from HMX SL, comes in at 445 g. Everything painted, including small parts and the shortened steerer.
The stiffness is 60 N/mm at the bottom bracket and 92 N/mm at the head tube on all models - the same values as on the Scott Addict RC, which, after consultation with the pros from Team DSM, has optimal stiffness values.

I advise people with weak nerves and high blood pressure to please skip the following paragraph ...

€13,999 — not a euro less — is being charged for the new Scott Foil RC Ultimate.
I'll leave that number without comment and secretly hope that Scott has already forgotten about my review bike. I really wouldn't mind a long-term review of one or two years.

Equipped with SRAM's top groupset, there are virtually no wishes left. SRAM Red shifts completely wirelessly and very precisely. The brakes bite firmly and are well controlled. The gearing is well suited for both flat and hilly terrain. Nevertheless, I have a few minor criticisms.
As an owner of the current Shimano top groupsets Ultegra/Dura‑Ace, I was initially surprised by the relatively slow shifting of SRAM Red. Not that you wouldn't get used to it, but in a direct, back-to-back comparison it's a difference like night and day.
Another reason why I would always prefer Shimano to SRAM are the shift buttons on top of the STI levers. Especially in the changeable seasons and in winter the bike computer's display stays nice and clean, whereas with SRAM groups it always gets gunked up and filthy when I run my hands across the display.
What I do like better about SRAM, however, is shifting with thick gloves on. Where there's only one button you can only hit that one button. A mis-shift, as can sometimes happen with Shimano, is therefore ruled out.

I went all-in with the Zipp 454 NSW. To put it bluntly: breathtaking looks, very low weight and fantastic ride characteristics. I have nothing to criticize here. If money weren't an issue, I'd probably have gone for the same wheelset.
The Zipp wheels showcase their strengths both in northwesterly winds on the Pannonian Plain and on the steep ramps of the foothills of the eastern Alps. If anyone now thinks, "what does this flatlander from the east know about steep climbs," I recommend a short detour to the Steyersberger Schwaig. To name just one example ...

I was particularly curious about the handling of the new Foil. I had already been able to test it for a few hundred kilometres on Italian roads, but at home, where you've ridden every road several thousand times, know every surface inside out and are personally familiar with every pothole, it's something completely different.

The Zipp 454 run 25mm Schwalbe tires in the front and 28mm at the rear. By contrast, on my own "old" Scott Foil I'm running 28mm tires both front and rear. Nevertheless, I don't really notice any difference in terms of comfort. Neither at the front nor at the rear.
That lines up with the promise of a 10-percent improvement in comfort. Or rather, despite the massive seat tube, the seatpost's construction does its job as promised. I like.

By the way, to avoid any creaking Scott recommends disassembling the seatpost roughly every 1,000 km, cleaning it, re-greasing it, and reinstalling it.
Of course I did not follow that recommendation during my review. Even after more than 2,000 km on sometimes filthy autumn roads, in wind and rain, nothing creaks.

The handling is razor-sharp, yet forgiving enough for a relaxed after-work ride.
My initial skepticism about the cockpit has completely evaporated. The wing feels good in the hand and fits perfectly into the overall design of the Foil RC. Also: if it likes to go fast, I'm always up for it.
When you put the power down, the aero racer also shows no weaknesses. And if the stiffness is good enough for a powerhouse like Sam Welsford from Team DSM (whom I had the chance to meet at the presentation), next to whose thighs mine look like spaghetti, then it's good enough for me too.

The new Scott Foil RC Ultimate goes all-in and offers a lot of bike for a lot of money.
Premium parts paired with a premium look. Every ride puts a little smile on your face.

Would I buy the new Scott Foil? A clear yes.
However, I'd opt for the model with Dura‑Ace or Ultegra. Even if money were no object, the cheaper Ultegra version in particular offers plenty of tuning potential and a bit of leeway for customizing the components.