Mike O'Connor
Scott has redesigned its Addict Gravel with more tyre clearance, revised geometry and a greater focus on comfort, stability and bikepacking versatility.
Scott has given its Addict Gravel a substantial redesign, with the latest version gaining increased tyre clearance, revised geometry, greater frame compliance and a host of integrated features aimed at making it equally suited to gravel racing and long-distance adventures.
The new Addict Gravel moves away from the more race-focused philosophy of its predecessor, instead placing greater emphasis on stability, comfort and versatility.
At the heart of the redesign is a new carbon frame that can accommodate tyres up to 57mm wide – or around 2.25 inches. Scott has also revised the frame construction to provide additional compliance, while retaining a relatively low weight.
The flagship HMX carbon frame weighs a claimed 794g, a 75g reduction compared with the previous generation. The HMF frame used on the more affordable models weighs 990g, down 25g.
More tyre, more stability
The jump to 57mm tyre clearance is one of the biggest changes to the Addict Gravel.
Scott has developed what it calls “threadlike chainstays”, narrowing the stays to just 8.5mm near the bottom bracket to create the necessary clearance for larger-volume rubber.
The frame geometry has also been altered around the bigger tyres. The bottom bracket is lower, while the fork rake has increased and the front centre has been lengthened.
Scott says the changes are intended to deliver greater confidence and stability when riding at speed over rough terrain. The rear chainstays remain at a relatively short 425mm, matching those of the company’s Addict road bike.
Stack has increased by 10mm and reach has also grown by 10mm, but Scott has countered that change with a 10mm shorter cockpit.
The result is intended to be a bike that remains familiar to existing Addict riders while offering a more planted ride on gravel.
The new Addict Gravel is available in seven sizes, from XXS through to XXL.
Comfort first
Scott has also targeted comfort through changes to the carbon lay-up.
Both the HMX and HMF frames have been designed with slightly more compliance, with Scott claiming a maximum reduction in stiffness of around five per cent.
The idea isn’t simply to make the bike softer. Scott says the additional flex allows the tyres and frame to follow uneven surfaces more effectively, improving both comfort and traction.
That should make the new Addict Gravel particularly interesting for riders tackling rougher Australian gravel roads, where outright stiffness isn’t necessarily an advantage.
Built-in adventure features
The new frame also incorporates a large storage compartment in the down tube.
Inside is Scott’s Syncros “Save the Day” kit, which includes a spare tube, tyre levers and a mini-pump in a pouch designed to prevent rattling inside the frame.
Scott and Syncros have taken the integrated approach further with the bike’s bottle and luggage mounting system.
Rather than conventional fork-mounted cargo bosses, the Addict Gravel uses mounts positioned on the inner surfaces of the fork, combined with custom brackets that position bottles further back.
Scott claims the revised bottle position reduces steering inertia by 35 per cent by bringing the weight closer to the steering axis.
The frame also has integrated mounting points for dedicated Syncros frame bags, giving the bike considerably more bikepacking potential than a conventional gravel race bike.
There’s even storage in the handlebars. The Syncros cockpit uses tool-equipped bar-end plugs, incorporating Allen keys and a tubeless repair kit.
The frame is also compatible with Syncros’ D-shaped carbon seatpost and Scott’s integrated rear-light system.
A new gravel cockpit
The cockpit has been redesigned specifically for gravel riding.
The new Syncros handlebar has a subtle flare combined with a forward sweep, which Scott says provides additional wrist clearance when cornering aggressively.
Its reach has also been reduced to make moving between the tops and hoods easier.
Rather than immediately flaring the drops, the bar retains a short vertical section below the shifters. This keeps the controls relatively straight rather than angling them dramatically outwards, while the shape of the drops has been revised to better suit the palm.
Five-bike range
The new Addict Gravel range comprises five models, starting with the Addict Gravel 40 ($4,000 AUD) and topping out with the Addict Gravel Premium ($13,400 AUD).
The Addict Gravel Premium features an HMX carbon frame, SRAM RED XPLR AXS 13-speed groupset, Fulcrum Sharq GR Cult carbon wheels, Schwalbe G-One RX Pro Evo 50c tyres and Syncros’ one-piece SYN.IC cockpit.
The Premium has a claimed weight of 7.8kg in a medium.
The Addict Gravel 10 ($9,650 AUD) also uses the HMX frame and pairs it with SRAM Force XPLR AXS 13-speed, Fulcrum Soniq Carbon GR wheels, 50c Schwalbe tyres and the integrated Syncros cockpit.
The Addict Gravel 20 ($8,200 AUD) and 30 ($5,950 AUD) use the HMF frame, SRAM Force XPLR AXS 13-speed and Fulcrum Soniq Carbon GR wheels, with the 20 and 30 differing primarily in their specifications and finishing kit.
Finally, the entry-level Addict Gravel 40 switches to Shimano GRX RX610 12-speed and Syncros Capital GR 25 alloy wheels, while retaining 50c Schwalbe G-One RX Pro Evo tyres.
You can find out more about the new Addict on Scott’s website.
Mike O’Connor – A keen cyclist, runner and photographer, Mike O’Connor is the Editor of Bicycling Australia. He manages the BA website and social media, and loves promoting the achievements of Australian cyclists.
