{"id":44946,"date":"2022-12-22T16:00:56","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T15:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=710403"},"modified":"2022-12-22T17:34:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T16:34:25","slug":"scott-enters-the-electric-gravel-bike-world-with-new-solace","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/scott-enters-the-electric-gravel-bike-world-with-new-solace\/","title":{"rendered":"Scott enters the electric gravel bike world with new Solace"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 22 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The Scott Solace is a new drop-bar electric bike<\/a> range that is based around TQ\u2019s HPR550\u00a0motor system.<\/p>\n

The Solace is available in electric gravel bike<\/a> and electric road bike<\/a> options, with both sharing the same frameset. The Solace Gravel is Scott\u2019s first electric gravel bike.<\/p>\n

The Addict eRide<\/a> will remain in the brand\u2019s line-up.<\/p>\n

TQ\u2019s HPR50 electric bike motor<\/a> and battery is claimed to be one of the quietest and most compact systems on the market.<\/p>\n

Pricing starts from \u00a35,499 \/ $6,099.99 \/ \u20ac5,999 \/ AU$11,499.99 for the Solace Gravel eRide 30, rising to \u00a310,999 \/ $11,999 \/ \u20ac11,999 \/ AU$21,999.99 for the Solace eRide 10.<\/p>\n

There will be a single Contessa model for women \u2013 the Contessa Solace Gravel eRide 15, which will retail for \u00a35,499 \/ $6,099.99 \/ \u20ac5,999.<\/p>\n

The bikes are available now.<\/p>\n

Want to know how the Solace Gravel and Solace eRide handle? Check out our first ride review of the Scott Solace Gravel eRide 10<\/a> and our first ride review of the Scott Solace eRide 10<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Scott designed the Solace<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The minimalist aesthetic hides some complex internals.<\/span><\/figcaption> Michal \u010cerven\u00fd \/ Scott<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Scott says it has aimed the Solace line-up at both new and experienced road and gravel cyclists.<\/p>\n

Jonathan Fazan, product manager for the Solace series, explains there were four targets at the start of the project \u2013 the bike needed to be lightweight, silent, compact and comfortable.<\/p>\n

The lightweight aspect is not just for performance benefits. Fazan says it\u2019s for user-friendliness too, for example when loading the bike into a car.<\/p>\n

Scott says the starting point in the Solace\u2019s development was to decide on which motor and battery to use. The brand says it wanted the lightest, most compact and silent option on the market and once it decided on the TQ system, it could then work out how to design the frame around it.<\/p>\n

The Solace has a larger-than-usual down tube to house the battery, so Scott decided to beef up the fork to match its profile.<\/p>\n

Like the majority of its other drop-bar bikes, the head tube, down tube, bottom bracket area and chainstays are said to be designed for stiffness and rigidity. In contrast, the other tubes are designed with comfort in mind.<\/p>\n

Early in the bike\u2019s development, Scott says the head tube was too stiff.<\/p>\n

A versatile frame with plenty of neat details<\/h2>\n
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
Every model in the Solace range is constructed from Scott\u2019s HMX carbon fibre. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
The charge port is located at the down tube \/ bottom bracket junction. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s ample clearance for 50mm tyres. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s a similar story at the fork. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Solace uses SRAM\u2019s universal derailleur hanger.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s a removable front derailleur mount. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Scott manufactures the Solace using its top-spec HMX carbon fibre and claims a frame weighs 1.2kg for a size medium.<\/p>\n

Victor Valls, head of ebike engineering at Scott, explains that, compared to the Addict Gravel, the \u201cwall thicknesses are slightly reinforced to hold the battery, mostly in the down tube in the battery clamping area\u201d.<\/p>\n

Compared to the Addict Gravel, Scott claims \u201cvery similar stiffness values\u201d.<\/p>\n

Scott says the developments result in a \u201cbike that corners like a regular gravel ride\u201d, as well as feeling agile when pedalling.<\/p>\n

The Solace uses 700c wheels<\/a> and has clearance for 50mm tyres, or 45mm with mudguards. The bike uses SRAM\u2019s universal derailleur hanger<\/a> (UDH) standard.<\/p>\n

Like the Lumen, Scott has specced all of the bikes with regular road and gravel bike components.<\/p>\n

\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
The front end is integrated. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
An exploded diagram of how the front end fits together. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Scott<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
The seatstays are dropped and the seatpost is D-shaped. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Scott\"<\/picture><\/div>
All Solace Gravel models run on Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres in a 50mm width. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

The hydraulic hoses and gear cables run through the upper headset bearing.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s some particularly neat detailing at the non-driveside thru-axle dropout. It uses a rubber grommet on the outside that is removable, with a metal spacer inside, for the thru-axle to insert through.<\/p>\n

This saves the need for an alloy or foam insert on the inside of the dropout and Valls says a shorter axle can be used, both of which save weight. He also claims the design enables a \u201cdirect transfer of loads from the axle into the internal face of the dropout\u201d for a better ride feel.<\/p>\n

Unlike the Lumen, where the magnet is integrated into the driveside chainstay, the magnet on the Solace can be found on the inside of the non-driveside dropout.<\/p>\n

The speed sensor sits on the non-driveside dropout. The wire to this routes through a pocket in the carbon and routes internally to the side of the brake caliper mounting bolts.<\/p>\n

In a nod to versatility, Scott has added kickstand mounting points on the underside face of the non-driveside chainstay.<\/p>\n

Scott Solace geometry details<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Until you look closely, the Solace Gravel appears very much like an Addict Gravel.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The geometry is similar to the non-assisted Scott Addict Gravel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 71-degree head tube angle, 73.5-degree seat tube angle and 387mm reach on a size medium are all identical.<\/p>\n

The stack is 1mm taller at 566mm and the chainstay length has grown by 10mm to 435mm.<\/p>\n

Valls says the 1mm increase in stack is due to the battery in the down tube adding additional height.<\/p>\n

Scott says the longer chainstays help to balance the weight distribution of the battery and motor by moving the centre of gravity towards the middle of the bike.<\/p>\n

The brand says this translates to increased stability at higher speeds, as well as achieving the 50mm tyre clearance.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
\ufeffFrame<\/th>XS \u2013 49<\/th>S \u2013 52<\/th>M \u2013 54<\/th>L – 56<\/th>XL – 58<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head tube angle <\/b> (degrees)<\/td>69.5<\/td>70<\/td>71<\/td>71<\/td>71<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle <\/b> (degrees)<\/td>74.5<\/td>74<\/td>73.5<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>518<\/td>534<\/td>554.5<\/td>578.4<\/td>592.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length <\/b> (mm)<\/td>85<\/td>110<\/td>128<\/td>154<\/td>175<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>435<\/td>435<\/td>435<\/td>435<\/td>435<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase <\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,021.5<\/td>1,030.1<\/td>1,036.8<\/td>1,056.2<\/td>1,071.1<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach <\/b> (mm)<\/td>374<\/td>378<\/td>387<\/td>398<\/td>406<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack <\/b> (mm)<\/td>519.3<\/td>544.7<\/td>565.6<\/td>590.2<\/td>610<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>