Scott Bicycles has unveiled plans to debut the new Plasma2 TT bike at this year’s Giro D’ Italia. Riccardo Ricco, the young team leader for Saunier Duval–Scott at the Giro, will be on the new bike. According to Scott, the Plasma2 is an evolution of the original Plasma, drawing upon the years of research and development conducted since its release.
Scott engineers relied on input from professional cyclists on Team Saunier Duval–Scott along with data acquired from wind tunnel testing to improve the design. Scott has also made dramatic improvements in their carbon processes since inventing the ‘tube to tube’ style construction introduced with CR1 models.
Scott has further developed and improved its carbon processes, resulting in an entirely new method of maximizing carbon material called IMPTM (Integrated Moulding Process). The first bikes to feature IMPTM were the Addict and Spark models. The process allows Scott engineers to optimize the use of material in critical areas of the frameset using shape, thickness and a unique blend of carbon called HMXTM (High Modulus Xtreme) to save precious weight while maintaining the integrity of each layer of carbon fibre.
The CR1 process itself was a turning point for carbon bicycle construction as it managed each layer during the process in regards to tension in the fibres, bias of the material and preventing folds and voids in the carbon. The Plasma2 features IMP5TM. In this new and sophisticated process the individual top, head, down and seat tubes along with a portion of the chain stays are created in one step. The Twin Turbo chain stays are tucked away from the often-turbulent bottom bracket area, resulting in a very clean aero profile and less drag. The Plasma2 represents a 20% decrease in overall drag in the wind tunnel, while retaining its lightweight competitive edge. The Plasma2’s Shelter127 wheel coverage provides an increased area of protection and allows the bike to be more slippery and aero in a headwind. Another quality of the bike is the SDS seat stays which are much more compliant than standard aero tubing stays, resulting in reduced fatigue over the course of a time trial split.
