Scott Foil 30 Review

The Scott Foil 30 is a road bike with a frame and geometry that are geared towards giving excellent aerodynamic qualities to the ride, the benefits of which can be actively experienced by serious riders. It is part of a high end range of cycles that are suitable for racing and touring and it draws the influences of its design from outside of the industry to give it an edge in competitions.

Key to the Scott Foil 30 and its appeal is the HMF NET frame, with IMP Aero carbon technology. The tubes have been shaped and indeed positioned to make them as aerodynamically sound as possible, with the flow of the bike allowing it to scythe smoothly through the air and generate as little drag as possible.

F01 aero design means that the tubing has a partial airfoil shape, following in the footsteps of a plane’s wing but stopping short of having the full tapered effect, because on a bike this is not necessary. This preserves the aerodynamic properties of such a setup but allows the carbon frame to remain as light and stiff as ever. An integrated bottom bracket and seatclamp further the cause of the Scott Foil 30, keeping the frame rigid while simultaneously lowering the weight.

The carbon frame is joined by a carbon fork and you also get a number of other carbon elements, including the Ritchey Foil Aero Pro seatpost, which is topped by a Scott Road Pro SL saddle.

The SRAM Rival 09 groupset is utilised on the drivetrain of the Scott Foil 30 and even the shifters are carbon, to give you a couple of grams off the weight of the bike when compared to its rivals. The transmission feels smooth and like all the bikes in this range, you can choose to integrate Shimano Di2 electronic shifting technology so that the inconsistencies of a solely mechanical setup are eliminated. The choice of SRAM Rival on the Foil 30 compares to the Shimano Ultegra on both the Foil 15 and Foil 20. In our view, this is what turned a 4.5 score into a 4.0.

Mavic Cosmic Elite rims, hubs and spokes are on hand with Continental Race Ultra tyres to give you a fast rolling, momentum building wheelset. Handling is delivered via the Scott Road Pilot Pro OS handlebar, although this is really just the conduit via which you can feel the result of the intelligently integrated elements across the frame that provide stiffness and precision to the bike’s ride.

The Scott Foil 30 is an aerodynamic bike which is actively able to reduce the amount of time it will take you to cover a set distance. This is made possible thanks to a combination of speed and acceleration, because you will be able to take off from a standing start at a quicker pace and then maintain a faster cruising rate for longer because there is less drag to slow you down or sap your energy.

This kind of feature will definitely appeal to anyone who values performance when it comes to the road, particularly in races where every second and pedal push can count. You could argue that certain components might be a hindrance to this bike’s overall capabilities, since the carbon frame is the real star of the show. However, riders who are considering this level of road bike will certainly find that the Scott Foil 30 offers them plenty of headway for upgrading and you might be happy to do this immediately or wait until it become a necessity further down the line.

The ride of the Scott Foil 30 inspires confidence and avoids feeling overly twitchy or unstable, as can be an issue with similarly specified bikes. Consequently, those with the desire and the budget to match it will find an able companion in this model.

Scott Foil 30 Specifications

  • Front Fork: Scott Foil HFM NET
  • Rear Shock: N/A
  • Front Derailleur: SRAM Rival 09 black
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival 09 black
  • Gears: 20
  • Chainring: 53/39T
  • Cassette: Shimano Ultegra CS-6700 11-25T
  • Shifters: SRAM Rival Carbon Double Tap 10 Speed
  • Brakes: SRAM Rival 09 Black
  • Wheels: Mavic Cosmic Elite
  • Tyres: Continental Ultra Race