Me & My Bike – Rob Ellis & his Scott Addict R4

The relationship with your bike is a balancing act. Treat it well, and you’ll be rewarded with years of painless, stress-free riding. Neglect the bike, and you’ll have nothing but arguments, expense, frustration and heartache.

My bike is a 2009 Scott Addict R4. We’ve been through a lot together, covering over 20,000kms through wind and rain, over cobbles and potholes, and the ups and downs of Alpine cols – it’s been quite a journey. I bought my Addict in late summer 2010 just before the introduction of the 2011 frames, meaning I got a chunky discount on the bike that I had been lusting after. At the time, I was torn between a number of bikes with the Trek Madone, Specialized Tarmac and Addict all in the running. From my first pedal stroke I knew the Addict was the bike for me – the perfect combination of a lightweight and super stiff frame combined with responsive handling are an instant winner.

At the time I was just beginning to get properly into cycling and having seen Mark Cavendish and his Team Highroad riders on board Scott bikes, I saw that as a sterling endorsement of the Addicts’ quality. In retrospect it looks like I made a good call too, but it was Scott’s sponsorship of the fastest man on two wheels that steered me in the right direction in the first place.

Before picking the bike up I had the finishing kit changed to Ritchey’s Pro line, added a Specialized Toupe Team saddle and some durable Deda bar tape. Even with these upgrades, the price was still £500 less than the original retail price – end of season bike discounts are the way to go!

I’ve ridden my Addict everywhere, from the seamingly never ending hills of the Peak District, to the gently rolling terrain of the New Forest, the French Alps and most recently the demanding bike course of the Ironman 70.3 UK. Although we’ve had our moments – a crash on my first 10 mile TT, some sliding out on icy roads last winter and even replacing the entire groupset last week, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’ve ridden a fair number of bikes in the last few years, and some incredible ones at that, but none have the soul and integrity of my Addict.

Of course, being my first high quality road bike, my Scott Addict is the best bike that I’ve ever owned and it keeps getter better. Over time, most parts have come and gone and the SRAM Rival groupset has been replaced with a shiny new Ultegra 6700 groupo. Next on the shopping list are new wheels, to replace the free spinning Grammo 38mm’s, although I’m torn between a couple of different sets.

I love this bike and the new, super smooth Shimano groupset has injected a new level of performance into the already impressive Addict.  My recent foray into triathlon has got me eyeing up different time trial bikes but I don’t think I’ll be selling my Scott any time soon.

The Peak District is on my doorstep, so climbs like Winnats Pass, Grindleford and Fidlers Elbow are where the Addict frame has really shown it’s quailty and class, despite my climbing ability being below where I’d like to be. Simply put, my Addict is the perfect partner for me and the breadth of it’s ability covers my training rides, club races and punchy climbs with ease, every time.