Scott Foil 30 review

The first time I swung my leg over the Scott Foil 30 and headed out for a short, intense ride it became immediately clear that despite its rigid race appearance, the ride quality was its real focal point. With a geometry that matches the top-level bike ridden in the WorldTour by Orica-BikeExchange and IAM Cycling, the Foil 30 from its components and group set up does a good job of bringing out the frames best qualities with a more accessible price tag.

To provide that exceptional ride quality, Scott uses thin seat stays that join the seat tube in a lower position than on previous models. Additionally, the sloping top-tube allows more of the seat post to be exposed helping to negate jarring and vibrations to your rear end. Road imperfections are noticeably lessened with the frame providing an exceptional ride quality out on the tarmac. The frame felt grounded on rough roads and on long rides it was clear that this is an aero bike build for distance. Maybe it should be no surprise that 2016 Paris-Roubaix winner Matthew Hayman was a top a Foil when he took his monument win.

The frames compliance certainly does not come at the expense of speed. With aero refinements and a massive bottom bracket, the bike is geared towards performance when things get fast. The frame uses a partial airfoil profile and the aggressive seat position that encourages you to get low on the bike. The carbon is of a lesser grade than what would be found on the top-end models of the Foil.

On descents and in corners the handling feels direct providing a planted feeling thanks to the front ends stiffness. When pulling out of corners, the sturdy bottom bracket encourages you to lift out of the saddle and push the power to get back up to speed.

From doing intervals on a short local climb it’s also responsive uphill thanks to a stiff rear end. The mainly Shimano 105, 11-speed groupset with a 52/36 mid-compact crankset provides reliable shifting and nice versatility. The Tektro brakes provide reliable braking and with internal cabling the setup is very clean.

Up front, Scott’s has built an integrated system using their Syncros components. The Foil has integrated aero spacers and Syncros bars that are quite deep so that when you get into an aggressive position in the drops allowing you to reduce your bodies profile in the wind. The RR2.0 saddle is a comfortable contact point for your rear end.

Winding up a sprint out of the saddle feels immediate with the bike bounding into motion. However, the Shimano WH-RS330 wheelset doesn’t enhance the race feel of the frame but are serviceable training hops. Shimano say, “This wheel is a balance between rigidity, durability and lightweight and designed for comfort and everyday riding.” If you intend to race, a wheel upgrade may be in order however the wheels certainly don’t detract from the bikes overall comfort.

The Scott Foil 30 is a stiff racer whose exceptional ride quality cannot be understated, especially for an aero bike. Suitable for riders searching for an entry-level performance bike with a value oriented build that is finely suited for a wide range of cyclists. The Foil 30 is available for $3800.