First Look Friday: Scott Addict 30, CatEye Strada Smart, and the Whispbar Towball bike carrier

First Look Friday is an introduction to the gear that we are currently testing for review. This week we have the Scott Addict 30, the CatEye Strada Smart, and the Whispbar WTB31 bike rack.

Scott Addict 30

The Scott Addict 30 is a lightweight road bike with a carbon frame and fork in Scott’s road racing geometry. The Addict 30 is kitted out with the ultra-reliable Shimano 105 groupset and a Shimano wheelset. A Syncros stem, handlebar, and carbon seat post complete this racey and well thought out build.

First impressions are striking: the matt black colour scheme is understated and elegant, while the spec sheet leaves little to be desired. At a claimed weight of 7.82 kilograms this bike should fly up the climbs, and we are looking forward to putting some rubber on the road.

Specifications:

• FrameAddict Disc HMF / IMP Carbon technology, Road Race geometry / Replaceable Dropout
• ForkAddict HMF Flatmount Disc 1 1/8″” – 1 1/4″” tapered Carbon steerer Carbon Dropout
• HeadsetSyncros Integrated
• Bottom BracketShimano BB-RS500-PB
• CranksetShimano 105 FC-5800 Compact Hyperdrive 52×36 T Black 11 Speed
• Front DerailleurShimano 105 Black FD-5800
• Rear DerailleurShimano 105 Black RD-5800-SS 22 Speed
• ShiftersShimano 105 Black ST-5800 Dual control 22 Speed
• CasetteShimano 105 CS-5800 11-28
• ChainShimano 105 CN-HG601-11
• BrakesShimano 105 Black BR-5800 Super SLR Dual pivot
• SeatpostSyncros Carbon FL1.2 27.2/350mm
• SaddleSyncros RR2.0
• StemSyncros RR2.0 1 1/8″” / four Bolt 31.8mm
• HandlebarSyncros RR2.0 Anatomic 31.8mm
• HubsShimano WH-RS11-A
• SpokesShimano WH-RS11-A
• RimsShimano WH-RS11-A 16 Front / 20 Rear
• TyresContinental Grand Sport Race Fold 700×25C
• Claimed weight7.82 kg
• Retail priceR38,000

CatEye Strada Smart

The CatEye Strada Smart is an interesting alternative to a costly GPS bike computer. It uses the CatEye Cycling app and the GPS on your smartphone to record the details of your ride. These details are mirrored on the compact head unit which can be mounted to your bars or stem while your smartphone is stored safely out of harms way in a pocket, backpack, or saddle bag. The phone is stored in lock mode to conserve battery, and phone call and email alerts are displayed on the head unit. After a ride, data can be uploaded from the app to Strava, Training Peaks, or to CatEye’s ride tracking program: CatEyeAtlas.

The Strada Smart can also be paired with Bluetooth power, speed, heart rate, and cadence sensors, which have to be purchased separately. These sensors can be used with the Cateye Cycling app in Mirror mode, or the Strada Smart can be set to Sensor Direct mode for use without a smartphone, but the downside of this mode is that you will lose your GPS route tracking data. Weighing in at a grand total of 25 grams, including mounting, the Sensor Direct mode may be an option for weight weenies looking for specific data in the cockpit with a minimum weight penalty. It’s going to be interesting to see how the minimalist Strada Smart compares to the more data intensive cycle computers.

The CatEye Strada Smart retails for R1,500, making it a fairly cost effective and compact way of displaying your data in the cockpit.

Whispbar WTB31 Towball 3 Bike Carrier

The Whispbar WTB31 is a three bike towbar mounted bike rack, which can be expanded to four bikes with an additional rail that clips onto the back of the rack. Off the vehicle, the Whispbar folds up for convenient storage and maneuvering.

The bikes are held in place by an arm attaching to the bicycle frame with wheel trays and straps holding the wheels in place. The wheel trays are adjustable to fit bikes of varying lengths. If you struggle to lift a bicycle, such as a heavy e-bike, the WTB31 has an additional rail which works as a ramp to push the bike up onto the rack. Another convenient feature is that the Whispbar tilts backward for easy access to the rear door. The Whispbar WTB31 weighs a claimed 20.3 kg and is rated for a 60 kg load, which is more than enough to carry our fleet.

The Whispbar WTB31 retails for R15,995, this includes a wall mount and cover for off the vehicle storage valued at R2,000.