Scott vs Specialized – Which bike is leading in Aerodynamics?


Since their inception, bikes continue to benefit from developments in aerodynamics. Between Scott and Specialized bike brands, who is leading in aerodynamics?

Aero bikes are designed to help you go faster using the same amount of energy by cutting down on drag. Having been in the making for about 31 years today, the phenomenon of aero bikes needs no introduction.

With the allure going past the racing track, regular cyclists like myself who love the adrenaline rush have been finding great joy in this bike design and we can’t seem to get enough of it.

Like myself, I have owned the Scott Foil Disc since its inception but I feel that now it’s time to explore other alternatives.

So, when I came across the Specialized Venge, all my senses lit up and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I finally did and I made a review based on my experience.

What is the difference between Scott and Specialized?

Model
Scott Foil Disc
Specialized Venge
Brakes
Shimano Hydraulic Disc
SRAM Red hydraulic disc
Shifters
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
SRAM Red eTap AXS
Saddle
Syncros Belcarra V
S-Works Power
Stem
Foil Disc HMX
Venge Integrated
Wheels
Syncros Capital
Roval CLX 64
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Scott vs Specialized – How do they compare?

Frame

Featuring a large tube located near the headset and bottom bracket giving strenuous posture,interesting details have been drawn on Scott’s seat-tube. This also applies to the fork, and some style infused on the dropped seat stays.

Tucked into the frameset, is the detailed integration with the spacers, aero fork, and aero stem with all cabling hidden away.

The Specialized aero bike has a 571m stack height and a 408mm reach which is neither too low nor too stretched. It has a smaller head tube which is compact and not as drawn-out which gives riders a better riding posture.

To create a wonderful balance, the bikes are built with 73.5-degree angles and 44mm fork offset. That creates quick handling with unlimited steering.

The Specialized rides on 26mm tires and the saddle is compliant to the Toupe Sport Body Geometry. This guarantees generous padding for supreme comfort.

Components 

Scott uses the Shimano Di2 shifting while with Specialized bikes, you will get the superior quality SRAM pinnacle. It is matched to the Red AXS that can be tuned to your specific preferences through an app. 

While it creates a very clean bike, it is tricky to use when making adjustments on this it and leads us to a bit of frustration in disconnecting and reconnecting cables when making realignments.

Syncros Capital disc wheels that are both aero-optimized and tubeless help the bike ride along. These wheels match with the bike’s frameset with no need for replacement.

Coupled with the Easy Fold 28mm tires, the bike is capable of racing through corners confidently. Comfort may be wanting in the Scott bike due to the high stem stack.

They use machined chainrings that are directly mounted onto the crank arms and feature a power meter that creates a neat and accurate setup.

Specialized offers a 48/35 chainset on the 10-33 cassette with over 12 gears to shift to. This setup helps to maintain high speeds even at a consistent cadence making the bike suitable for climbs and descents.

Specialized aero bikes are fitted with the CLX64 wheels that spin on Ceramic Speed bearings. S-Works Cotton Turbo tires that measure up to 28mm in width.

The Specialized aero bike features a four-bolt bar clamp that holds the flat winged Aerofly II bar in place.

Scott vs Specialized – A Comparison Overview 

Scott Review 

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Founded in 1958, Scott made its mark in the cycling world in 1989 with the creation of the first aero handlebar whose design and efficiency saw it secure the win in that year’s Tour de France.

Then in 1995, it created the first carbon mountain bike, and later in 2007, Scott set a new record with the creation of the lightest road bike in the market.

They have since added more feats in their revolutionary bike designs and today, they have E-bikes and mountain bikes under their fold as well.

While it didn’t start off as a bicycle manufacturer, Scott Sports is still one of the few brands that create equipment for various other sporting genres.

Scott Addict RC

This is the acclaimed lightweight road bike. It is built for climbing and racing. The model chooses to use only disc brakes to match with the trend now that favors rotor stoppers on both front and rear wheels.

Scott Addict Disc 

This is an endurance or gravel bike that matches the road bike in geometry but with a shorter reach and a higher stack. This puts the rider in a comfortable riding position for the long distances they are covering.

Pros

  • Incredibly fast
  • Eye-catching anesthetics
  • Near-perfect design

Cons

  •       Missing power meter

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Specialized Review 

Founded by Mike Sinyard, Specialized was initially a brand known for importing Italian made parts and selling them in the United States.

They made their mark in the industry with the introduction of brands such as Specialized Allez road bike, Stumpjumper mountain bike, and Sequoia touring bike back in 1981.

The Specialized collection has everything ranging from aero road bikes to mountain bikes with full-suspension.

Specialized Tarmac 

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Built to be a road race bike, it puts the rider in an aggressive riding position that offers quick handling and lightweight properties that are perfect for climbing and comfortable responsiveness.

S Tarmac caters to both women and men and the cockpit, seatstays, forks, and Seatpost have been optimized to create more stiffness in the rear end.

Specialized Roubaix

Provides a future shock front suspension that guarantees rider’s comfort and an adjustable 20mm of travel. The Seatpost is D-shaped to reduce vibrations and increase aerodynamic capabilities that breeze over cobblestones.

This bike is built with more clearance to take up tires as wide as 33m. they are fitted with Shimano hydraulic brakes that work in connection with the Roubaix SRAM eTap AXS model system.

Pros 

  • Compact bike
  • Quality parts

Cons 

  • Tires limited in winter

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Conclusion 

The Scott bikes are the pioneers in aerodynamic designs and the fact that the Foil is an exciting race bike to hop on still makes them relevant. However, they are not as comfortable to go on long rides and their integrated design costs the practicality of the bike.

For the Specialized bikes, the S-Works Cotton Turbo tires roll beautifully over varied terrain but they are prone to punctures. If you would like to go fast and throw caution to the wind, replace the tires with a tubeless alternative especially in the wintertime.

Verdict: So, which is better – Scott or Specialized?

The Specialized bikes are leading the Scott bikes in aerodynamics. Specialized has done their bike design with multiple alternatives in adjustments that can be made to it without affecting the look or feel of the ride.

FAQ 

Is Scott Foil good for climbing?

Yes, it is. Even as this is an aero bike, it performs marvelously in climbs because of its Shimano Hydraulic Di2 mechanical system.

Why does the Di2 junction box sit in the Specialized Seatpost?

This clears up the cockpit and allows for easy adjustments to be made on the stem, handlebars, and headset.