Scott Foil

welsh_14

Hey, I'm currently looking at getting my second road bike. I'm actually a mountain biker but am planning to do some triathlons and generally more road riding.

I bought a Giant Defy a couple of months ago and am now thinking of upgrading this to either a Scott Foil 20 or Scott Foil 15, both 2012 models.

Couple of questions: I currently ride a M/L Giant Defy, so any idea what size I should be looking at for the Scott? I'm 5'9 if that helps! I'm able to sit on one but due to hip surgery I cant ride it yet! Will sitting on it allow me to know its the right size?
Secondly is the upgrade on the 15 to Ultegra Di2 worth it? and is there any other upgrades compared to the foil 20. I don't know enough about road components to judge!

Thanks in advance for any help.

mallorcajeff

im the same height and i ride a 56 large. Mines a scott addict but not too different. I have di2 and its fantastic. if you can afford the upgrade I would say go for it as I would not go back having ridden electric. I have non electric ultegra on my TT bike and I miss it when its not there. I would suggest riding both and see what you think and that will make your mind up after all its you than will be riding it. if it was me I would have the 56 with Di2.

oodboo

Kb cycles are advertising the Scott foil premium for 2.5k. I think rrp is over 9k but this was in the flood at newburn. Serviced in I fully working order but no warranty. As a mountain bulkier I'm not sure how road bikes with electronic groupsets stand up to a bit flood water so don't know if this would still be worth buying.

welsh_14

oodboo I saw that, the 2.5k is just slightly to much! I also wondered about the effect flood damage would have on the electric gears! Also mallorcajeff I cant test ride due to hip surgery. This may sound stupid but what is different in your opinion since you have both electric and non electric?

Grill

I have a Foil 20 in a 54 and I'm 5'11". I bought it and it was properly fitted at Epic. I've absolutely caned the bike (3k+ miles in less than 3 months including a 12hr TT, Exmoor Beast, and audaxes) and it has been flawless. I didn't go for the 15 as I'm not bothered by Di2 and as I do many endurance events (next year will be several 600km audax rides, the LEL, and 24hr TT) I'd rather have something I can fix just in case (the price difference made it an even easier choice).

Get it fitted and enjoy it regardless of the spec you go for.

welsh_14

pleased you are enjoying yours. That's a lot of miles!
That's what I was thinking regarding the Di2 as I like to tinker and like something I can fix myself.
Thanks re the sizing looks like I'll have to have a sit on a couple and see! Its ok as long as I can make sure just by sitting on it rather than riding it!

Grill

The M/L Defy sizes very similar to the Foil in a 56 (which is most likely too big for you). I reckon you'd be money on a 54.

welsh_14

Cheers Grill. I was never actually properly fitted for the Giant as I bought it from a friend who is the same height as me. It feels comfortable enough but then again, road riding is something completely new to me so I wouldn't know if it could have been comfier! Thanks for the input though.
So how do you find the Scott comfort wise? Is the ride very harsh?

Grill

As I've said I do a lot of endurance events on it, so if it wasn't comfortable I'd have chucked it out long ago! That said it's no magic carpet (i.e. Roubaix, Domane, etc) but I have no issues. Keep in mind that wheel/tyre choice have a lot to do with comfort.

welsh_14

Thanks Grill, as I say its all very new to me so am learning as I go! Good to know its comfy enough for endurance events though.

mallorcajeff

Well I prefer my DA Di2 as I can set it up myself and fiddle with it where as normal mechanical i can never get the hang of it so any probs it goes to a shop. I had some bad experiences with a mechnaical group set that put me off to be honest so I went electric and have never looked back, I have put over 10 thousand miles on mine this year alone and its been faultless. the odd miss shift but very rare. I like the idea in the mountains for example you can change up and down the big ring/small ring without ever havign the thought will it make it across or will i grind to a halt with a cocked up shift (which was always happening. I know lots will say it never happens to them etc if its set up right but i took my bike to so many shops and in the end just gave it with it, once the problem was finally traced and solved I had had enough so thought if Dura Ace Di2 is meant to be the best then I thought that will do as im fed up with the issues. Never looked back. I could have just been unlucky with my old set up but i ride nearly everyday so did not have the patience to keep having issues. I like the way you can dab both the levers at the same time and jump down two on the back for example whlile swapping the front ring at the same time and its like a mouse click and it just does it there is no delay or clunking etc. for me it just works. for others no its personaly i guess. I have found lots of people that slag off the electric have not actually ridden it so best thing is try it for yourself before listening to people to say its crap when they have never ridden it. Its the future im sure and will be here stay/ as i say test it and you will be sold im pretty sure.

Hillsr

Hi, first time user. Spotted this post and thought I may be able to help. I am also 5'9 and ride a M/L Defy and also own a Scott Foil in medium. My thoughts would be the Foil in medium as I think the large would be too much of a stretch and depending upon your inseam you may have no standover. The toptube on the medium foil is 10mm less than the M/L Defy but the the Foil has a 5mm longer stem, so overall the Foil on medium is a shorter reach to the bars by 5mm but as it is more aggressive compared to the Defy the bars are 45mm to 50mm lower than that of the Defy. I have 15mm of spacers removed on my Defy and the bars on my Foil are at least 30mm lower, based upon the extra drop I would suggest the medium Foil, just my view but hope it is of some assistance.

andylav

Very interested in a Scott Foil myself and based on top tube and head tube length, I'd probably be looking at a Medium (54) frame also.

Not having seen one in the flesh yet though, I wondered if Grill or Hillsr would mind measuring the length of the seat tube on your frame (s) from centre of bottom bracket to top of seat tube / seat clamp area please ?

I'm trying to gauge if the Foil has a more sloping top tube than the Addict / R1 and the geometry diagrams on the Scott website don't help as the Foil measurement is given centre to centre and the Addict / R1 measurements are given centre to top.

Many thanks in anticipation

Andy

Hillsr

Hi Andy, measured my Foil tonight and it is 490mm from BB centre to the top of the seat tube. I could not say how the slope on the top tube compares to an Addict but I have seen an Addict in a local store and it does look too different but without comparing the bikes side by side I could not be certain.

chaymck

I'm a bit taller: 5'11 and ordered a 56 foil. I also ride a m/l defy.

andylav

Many thanks Hillsr - very much appreciated.

Andy

biggayal

I'm 5'9'' I ride a 52 on the foil 20 with a 120 stem, stumpy legs I guess (30'' inseam)