Take Risks Off-Road on the Scott Addict CX
Sometimes we become so fixated on the bikes and gear of cyclocross that we lose sight of the fact that equipment is secondary to the capability of the rider. The bike, in 'cross, is a tool. And as with any tool, only those who wield it most dexterously can wrest the best from it. In sure and steady hands, a good tool can make leaping the barriers or drilling down a slippery, off-camber track less an act of managing momentum than a precise operation. A good tool can drift, slide, and exit where and when you want.
As a tool, the Scott Addict CX ticks all of the boxes: 12mm thru-axles front and back to stiffen the frame-to-wheel connection, hydraulic disc brakes, gobs of tire and mud clearance, internal cabling, great power transfer, adaptability for mechanical and electronic shifting, and even internal cable routing for a dropper seatpost—though none of the four 27.2mm-diameter posts I tried accommodated my 73.5cm saddle height (as more manufacturers offer posts with less drop, this will change). SRAM Force CX1delivers excellent, simple shifting with a single chainring up front. The Addict is also outfitted with one of the most robust, yet straightforward, 1x drivetrain chain-retention devices. This is important, because dropping a chain can result not only in losing a few places, but also, if it happens at the most inopportune time, losing races. The chainkeeper and front-derailleur mount use the same threaded inserts in the frame; simply swap one for the other depending on your setup.
With a couple of parts swaps, the Addict CX could become an even sharper tool. The 11-32 cassette was okay for training, but I'd want something tighter for competition. The saddle is comfortable, yet the rear edge is encircled in sharp, flat plastic—unforgivable on a perch you're constantly jumping on and off of. The second time I gouged my leg, the saddle became destined for the bin.
But the Addict CX is more than a tool; it's also a toy. It's part of a game we've been at since we were kids—searching for the limits of traction, seeing if we can best our buddies through the mud bog and trails over by the church. As a toy, it's a tire swing on a hot day. It's everything you need to make 60 minutes of freezing cold, sloppy mud, and hypoxic breathing enjoyable. It's stable but lively. It tracks precisely and easily jumps to the shoulder for extended runs. It is supple and compliant on chattery terrain. The fork and front end are resolute—you can really get on it, then brake late, whipping the tail around as you transfer weight and alter your trajectory.
As a toy, it worked as well off the racecourse as on. When I was training and playing on the bike, I found it intuitive and well-balanced, suited to the aggressive dynamics of riding off-road on a drop bar. Two sets of water-bottle bosses extended the bike's capabilities for long days in the saddle. It was comfortable for multihour sessions around the edges of the cornfields and farm tracks that I ride on. The stiff carbon rims stood up to a beating on our rocky trails, and remained true.
This bike is as good for a game of, "What's down that new road?" as it is for your upcoming race. Either way, the Addict CX brings out your best, in work and play.
What You Need to Know
? 12mm thru-axles front and rear mean choosing your wheels carefully, for now
? 1x drivetrain—the front-derailleur tab can be swapped for a chain watcher
? Easily accommodates 38mm tires—we aren't all UCI-mandated after all
Price: $5,900
Weight: 16.6 lb. (54cm)
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