SCOTT has released its new Plasma RC TT bike, which aims to be the fastest TT bike with disc brakes on the market.
As part of the new bike’s development, the Swiss-based company had discussions with its WorldTour partner, Team DSM, and select athletes to understand what would be needed in the new time trial bike. These requirements included:
- Lowest possible drag at 55kph
- More stability at speed
- Maximum adjustability to fit all riders
- Ultimate integration
- Disc brakes
Focusing on the lowest drag, using a modular bike, the SCOTT team, alongside aerodynamic expert Drag2Zero, testED different designs of head tube, downtube, seat tube, seat says and junctions of each.
SCOTT noted that… ‘This iterative process, while quite time intensive, also meant that we were able to benchmark each design not only against the previous Plasma but also its competitors.
‘It also produced real world insights; for example the team found that by using a shorter seat tube profile the bike saved 2 watts when a rider was seated on the bike over a longer seat tube that had proved faster without a rider.’
The team shortened the fork offset, increasing the trail by 5.2mm to achieve a more stable ride. SCOTT added that… ‘a steady rider who can hold their aerodynamic position delivers less drag and produces a faster time. While building a fast bike can start in the wind tunnel, it’s equally important to consider the real-world effects of those decisions.’
To minimize drag, SCOTT engineers created a patented design for a slotted headset allowing cables to run directly through the headset achieving a narrower head tube than was previously possible.
This eliminates the need for the clearance of the cable going around the steerer but also allows SCOTT to use a smaller upper bearing. Additionally, it allows for an easy dismantling of the fork and cockpit, for travel, for example, without being forced to disconnect the cables.
The design and engineering team paid particular attention to creating a system that will allow all types of riders to achieve an optimum position to deliver low drag of the complete system – rider and bike.
The adjustability built into the Plasma RC TT not only helps a rider find an arm position to shield their body from the wind and be as aero as possible on the bike, it is also crucial in placing the rider in a physiologically efficient position to transmit maximum power and still breathe well.
This was achieved when bike fitting measuring points collected from Team DSM’s mens, womens and development programs were incorporated into a 3-D geometry file. Based on the data points from each single rider, the optimal range of adjustability was defined and the cockpit was engineered accordingly.
As a result, the new cockpit features interchangeable and adjustable cockpit parts which provide a high degree of adjustability across multiple axes, allowing riders to find the position on the bike which is not only the most aerodynamic but also the most ergonomic.
With maximum adjustability in mind, SCOTT’s team created the SYNCROS Creston iC TT cockpit – billed as the most adjustable integrated TT cockpit on the market. The cockpit features:
- Basebar available in three different sizes: 85, 105, and 125 mm
- Height of mast adjustable from 0 up to 145 mm to accompany pelvic- and hip-flexibility
- Vertical angle adjustment of extensions from horizontal (0°) up to 15°
- Adjustable grip angle between 13-53° for optimal hand position
- Adjustable positioning of arm pads to support ergonomic posture
- Length adjustment from 0-30 mm for different arm lengths and posture
- Up to 5° lateral adjustment of extensions to adapt for hand distance
The new Plasma TT features a 12% claimed reduction in weight without sacrificing any stiffness or aerodynamics compared to its predecessor.
On a typical TT course of 40km, SCOTT adds that the new bike is capable of riding 33 seconds faster at the same power output, compared to its predecessor model and measured under real-world conditions with a rider.
Priced at €7,999, the SCOTT Plasma RC TT is available as a frameset in sizes S (49), M (54) and L (58), is electronic shifting compatible with maximum tyre clearance of 30mm front and rear, and includes the Syncros Duncan SL Aero seatpost and the all-new Syncros Creston iC TT cockpit.
www.scott-sports.com/plasma-tt
