Swedish custom bike builder Gustav “Dangerholm” Gullholm has once again redefined the boundaries between gravel and cross-country (XC) mountain biking with his latest creation: the Scott Scale RC Aero. This innovative build seamlessly integrates aerodynamic road bike elements into a rugged XC MTB frame, resulting in a machine that excels on both smooth gravel paths and challenging terrains.
Aero Integration
At the heart of the Scott Scale RC Aero lies Scott’s Scale Gravel RC frame, a rigid-fork, flat-bar variant of their Scale XC mountain bike. Dangerholm’s ingenuity shines through in his adaptation of the seatpost and seat tube cluster from a crashed Scott Foil RC aero road bike. This modification involved meticulous cutting and carbon fiber reinforcement to ensure a secure fit, effectively merging the aggressive geometry of a road bike with the stability of an MTB. (bikeradar.com)
Componentry and Performance
The bike is equipped with a custom Darimo Nexum Drag Gravel cockpit, featuring a shorter 80mm length and 380mm width to accommodate the Scale frame’s longer reach. A unique -12-degree stem angle complements the slacker head tube angle, enhancing aerodynamics and rider comfort. The drivetrain boasts a SRAM Red XPLR AXS rear derailleur with CeramicSpeed OSPW X Alpha jockey wheels, paired with a 13-speed 10-46t cassette and Red chain, ensuring smooth and reliable shifting. Power transfer is optimized by a Wert StW-M titanium crankset with a 44t Red Aero chainring featuring a power meter, all housed within a custom axle system with CeramicSpeed Alpha bearings. Braking is handled by SRAM Red E1 levers connected to 612-Parts two-piston post-mount aero calipers, utilizing lightweight Carbon-Ti X-Rotor Aero brake rotors for efficient stopping power. (bikeradar.com)
Wheelset and Tires
A standout feature of this build is the prototype wheelset, developed in collaboration with Canadian firms Faction Bike Studio and LX Sim. The rims boast a 45mm internal width and a 70mm deep wave-profile, designed to enhance aerodynamics and tire stability when paired with 2.25-inch MTB tires. These wheels are laced to Extralite HyperSmart 3 hubs with Alpina Hyperlite spokes, offering a lightweight yet robust setup. Dangerholm acknowledges that while the wide tire stance may affect cornering dynamics, the likelihood of leaning into a corner enough to notice is minimal when riding on gravel, as the tires would typically wash out first. (bikeradar.com)
Conclusion
Gustav “Dangerholm” Gullholm’s Scott Scale RC Aero exemplifies the fusion of aerodynamics and mountain biking, creating a versatile machine capable of tackling diverse terrains with speed and stability. This build not only challenges traditional bike design but also sets a new standard for high-performance gravel and XC MTB hybrids.
For a closer look at this groundbreaking build, you can watch the following video:
Dangerholm’s SCOTT SCALE RC AERO | New Concept with Prototype Gravel Wheels