Riccardo
Riccò debuts the new Scott Plasma2 at the Giro
Tuesday 13th May, 2008
by Martin Williamson
The big manufacturers always wheel out their new
weaponry at the Grand Tours to catch all those eager lenses - and
here's the latest TT machine from Scott, the "Plasma2"...
Riccardo Riccò, the young team leader for
Saunier Duval–Scott and winner of Stage 1 on Sunday, used the
new bike in the opening Team Time Trial last Saturday.
Following the pattern Scott have set with
the Addict and the Spark, the Plasma2 is very very light: the medium
frame weighs only 1340g and the fork 400g. Note the front wheel cutaway
on the downtube too.
The Plasma2 is an evolution of the original Plasma,
and it draws upon the years of R&D conducted since its release.
The 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 the CR1.
The Plasma2 uses super-narrow tube profiles
- the chainstays for example are only 11mm wide, and the seat tube
is only 25.9mm (the equivalent Cervelo is 28.8 and my own Kuota is
32.2mm!).
Scott has further developed and improved their
carbon processes, resulting in an entirely new method of maximizing
carbon material called IMPSM (Integrated Molding Process).
The first bikes to feature IMPSM were the Addict
and Spark models, both category weight leaders last year.
Integrated and very neat fork / head interface.
This 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 HMXSM (High Modulus
Xtreme) to save precious weight while maintaining the integrity of
each layer of carbon fibre.
The CR1 process 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.
Scott's most complicated and sophisticated
carbon structure ever. Top tube, down tube, head tube, seat and chain
stays all use the new IMP (integrated moulding process) process.
The Plasma2 features IMP5SM; 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 TurboSM chain stays are tucked away from
the turbulent bottom bracket area, resulting in a very clean aero
profile and less drag too.
The Plasma2 represents a 20% decrease in overall
drag in the wind tunnel, while retaining it’s lightweight competitive
edge.
The down-fin channels wind around the rear
wheel, and allows for a narrower downtube construction. There's total
internal cable routing as well.
The Plasma2’s Shelter127SM wheel coverage
provides an increased area of protection and causes the bike to be
more slippery and aero into a headwind.
Seamless wheel coverage: 80 deg on the rear
and 47 deg on the front = 127 deg of wind cheating aerodynamics. Even
the water cage bosses are aero!
Another feature of the bike are the SDS seat stays,
which are much more compliant than standard aero tubing stays, and
result in reduced fatigue over the course of a TT split.
The twin-turbo aero carbon chain stays. The
alloy hangars are replaceable, and the rear brake position is adjustable
to suit the wheel and tyre in use.
The bike carried Riccò and his teammates
to 15th place in Saturday's Stage 1 TTT, but they were only a few
seconds over a minute down on Team Slipstream (acknowledged TTT experts).
That means they lost on average around 2 seconds per kilometre - not
bad for a bunch a climbers and non-time trial specialists!
All the cables route through the frame, with
rubber seals preventing grime and dirt from entering the frame.
Stay tuned though - the individual TT next Tuesday
(20/05) from Pesaro to Urbino, will provide a better indication as
to the effectiveness of the Plasma2.
