Scott launches new Addict CX with disc brakes and thru-axles

The cyclocross season is a long way off, but that hasn’t prevented Scott getting in early with news of its completely redesigned Addict CX cyclocross bike. It ‘s been overhauled for 2016 and now features disc brakes - a first for the company’s cyclocross range - and thru-axles, and the frame weight has dropped to a claimed 890g. With the new 360g fork and Scott claims a frameset weight of 1,300g (2.86lb), making it one of the lightest disc-equipped cyclocross bikes on the market.

Scott has always been a company obsessed with weight, its carbon fibre road and mountain bikes are often the lightest in class. It’s taken the same approach with its Addict CX, a model which disappeared from the company’s range last year, but we know now it was so Scott could take it back to the drawing board for a complete redesign. Disc brakes are a big thing on cyclocross bikes now, even if the world cup racers haven’t really completely accepted them, and that has been the driving force behind the update.

"While developing the Addict CX we thought outside the box,” says Frank Oberle Product Manager, “removable front derailleur hanger, chain guide option, ergonomic tube shapes that facilitate carrying the bike and mudshedding chainstay shapes make this bike a rather complete package!”

The new Addict CX is designed to be run with either 140 or 160mm disc rotors, and Scott has made the frame compatible with Shimano’s new Flat Mount standard, as well existing post mount calipers. We’re seeing a trend towards thru-axles on cyclocross bikes (Felt has also this year updated its range-topping ‘cross bike with thru-axles) and the new Addict CX features a 142x12mm rear axle, common on mountain bikes, while up front is a 100x12mm thru-axle on the new 360g fork.

On the adoption of thru-axle on the new bike, Scott says: “Wheels with thru axle closing
mechanism offer unparalleled precision when it comes to positioning the disc brake within the brake system making for increased ease of use.”

The Addict CX frame is constructed from carbon fibre with all-new tube shapes and profiles, including a flattened top tube and 27.2mm seatpost, changes that make the new frame some 60g lighter than the previous Addict CX frame. There’s also a tapered head tube (1 1/8in to 1 1/2in) and a PressFit86 bottom bracket, which allows the down tube and chainstays to be oversized for extra frame stiffness. Scott claims a 32% stiffness increase over the previous Addict CX, as well as a whopping 61.5% improvement in comfort, truly impressive figures if they’re to be believed.

All cables and brake hoses are routed internally, with interchangeable cable plugs in the head tube allowing the frame to accommodate different groupsets, mechanical or electronic and cable or hydraulic disc brakes. If you decide to run a 1x11 single ring groupset, like SRAM Force CX1 say, the front derailleur hanger and chain guide are both removable. Or you could replace the front mech with a top mount hanger for a bit of extra peace of mind.

The frame also features internal routing for a dropper post, which I believe is a first in the cyclocross market. Correct me if I’m wrong. Height adjustable seatposts, or dropper posts as they’re commonly called, are hugely popular with mountain bikers as they allow you to lower the saddle out of the way when negotiating steep and technical terrain. It’s not the sort of feature we’re going to see world cup racers using anytime soon, but the Scott “engineering team has considered this [a] possibility in the future.” Interesting. No, it’s more likely going to appeal to amateur racers or those people looking at building up the Addict not for racing, but for adventure riding and gravel racing, where it might very well be useful. Cyclocross courses are rarely steep or technical enough to warrant lowering the saddle height, but exploring in the woods and riding mountain bike trails, it would be very appealing.

Tyre clearance is generous, with up to 40mm wide tyres being accommodated, so clearly despite its racing heritage, Scott is realistic to the idea of people buying the Addict CX to build up as a gravel racing bike, as well as a dedicated cyclocross race bike. To help shed mud, Scott has cleverly designed the shape of the chainstays to ensure mud doesn’t stick, with a tapered shape that should see mud clearing the stays more easily. It’ll be interesting to test that out in some proper British mud.

Scott has tailored the frame tube profiles for each size in the range. That sort of size-specific layup is something many manufacturers use, and Scott says the modified carbon layup and different tube cross sections provides a “consistent stiffness-to-weight ratio throughout each frame size.”

The new Addict will be available in two builds, the Addict CX 10 with SRAM Force 1x11 and  hydraulic discs with Syncros RP1.0 carbon disc wheels, and the Addict CX 20 with Shimano 105, hydraulic disc brakes and Syncros RP2.0 Disc wheels.

There will also be two Speedster models, equipped with bigger tyres aimed not at racers but at explorers and adventurers. The Speedster CX 10 comes with Shimano 105 kit and hydro disc brakes with Kenda Kwick 35mm tyres. The Speedster CX 20 gets a Tiagra groupset with mechanical disc brakes and the same tyres.

No word on pricing or availability just just. www.scott-sports.com/global/en/page/addict-cx