SCOTT, Europe’s largest bicycle brand, showcased its 2011 model range in Johannesburg, South Africa at the weekend with an impressive line-up of road and mountain bikes that noticeably raised the heart rate of local bicycle retailers.

And it wasn’t the test-riding of the bikes in and around the Cradle of Humankind that was solely responsible for raised pulses – and eyebrows – but the polished refinement and attention to detail from the Swiss-based brand, the first shipment of which arrived in late July.
Probike, the South African wholesaler of the SCOTT brand, held a two-day launch to present the 2011 line-up of 51 models to more than 50 retailers and cycling media from around the country. On Saturday, SCOTT technical manager, Robbie Powell, described in detail the highlights of each model, as well as emphasising the advanced technology SCOTT has developed to create some of the world’s lightest bicycles.

The SCOTT brand has become known for its no-costs-spared approach to research and development, a characteristic evident in the attention to detail in each of the models that will be sold in South Africa – even the mid-range models. Lighter and stronger has been SCOTT’s motivation over the past few years and that’s clearly unchanged for 2011.

One highlight in the 2011 mountain bike category is the Scale 899, a no-nonsense racing hardtail with the lightest production frame on the planet (899 grams). It sports SCOTT’s new all-carbon one-piece rear triangle with seat stays shaped to offer increased lateral stiffness and much improved vertical compliance for a claimed 80% more comfort.

The Scale 29ers were the most sought after bikes on Sunday’s test-ride day on the stimulating trails at Teak Place. Some ‘29er virgins’ were simply curious to ride a 29-inch wheel bike, while most were eager to see if SCOTT, a relative newcomer to the bigger-wheeled bike platform, was able to find the ideal blend between performance, comfort and control. Nobody was disappointed. At 949 grams, it’s, not surprisingly, the lightest full carbon 29er frame on the market.

The dual-suspension 4.5-inch-travel Sparks have been refined for 2011. Lighter, stiffer, more striking colours and detail and SCOTT’s virtually standard remote dual suspension lockout/adjustment, make for a highly attractive package at incredibly competitive pricing.

Buoyed by the recent five Tour de France stage wins by Mark Cavendish, the SCOTT road bike range simply looks fast! Impeccable attention to the detailing and decal design and placement gives the bikes a mercurial feel. SCOTT has maintained its market-leading position with lightness, but for 2011 has fine-tuned the stiffness and honed the aerodynamics to have between 20-30% less drag then the previous model range.

“We’re aiming firmly at the middle-to-top end market with SCOTT,” explained Powell. “SCOTT’s innovation is a given and there’s no compromise involved in making the finest bicycles in all the various categories. The interest from the bicycle retailers has been huge. They know better than anyone what the market demands and we’re confident that this will be SCOTT’s most successful year yet in South Africa.”

“When you have a brand like SCOTT to sell, it comes complete with confidence. Confidence that quality, performance, comfort, control, weight and aerodynamics have all been taken care of by some of the most brilliant minds in bicycle design and manufacture,” said Brandon Els, Probike CEO. “Probike is 75 years old this year and we’re proud to be able to offer the SCOTT brand a stable, extensive distribution and marketing infrastructure to grow the brand substantially in South Africa.”

For more information on SCOTT bikes, visit www.probike.co.za