Last year Giant Bicycles sponsored the Columbia-Highroad team. For the 2009 season Columbia-Highroad made the switch to Scott Bicycles. The team was quick to embrace their new team issue Scott Addict road bikes, however, Scott’s Plasma time trail bike did not quite match the performance of the prototype Giant time trial bikes from 2008. Scott was supportive of the team and allowed the team to continue racing on the Giants until they put the finishing touches on their new time machine.

Scott has just released their new Plasma time trial bikes in time for team riders Michael Rogers and Mark Renshaw to race it in the opening team time trial of the Giro d’Italia. What makes the bike unique is that it was developed with team Columbia-Highroad and its sponsors. This collaboration allowed for the bikes design to be entirely dictated by its performance in the wind tunnel. With Shimano and PRO working with Scott they were able to integrate everything from the aerobars to shifters. Scott says the Plasma TT project is the most advanced R&D project in the bicycle industry, and proudly states that it is the fastest bike the world has ever seen.

From the nose of the stem to the seat post there is nothing but a perfectly flat surface along the top tube. Because of the integrated stem and aerobars Scott was able to run the cables cleanly inside the frame. By partnering with Shimano and using their electronic Dura Ace Di2 shifters, Scott was able to place shift buttons on both the aero bars and the bullhorns. This allows the rider to easily shift regardless of their hand position.

Computer modeling shows how every tube on the Plasma is designed for aerodynamic efficiency. Scott chose to avoid an integrated seat mast which will allow team mechanics to fit riders more easily.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the Plasma is the integrated head tube, aerobars and fork assembly. This not only provides a clean leading edge for the bicycle but also allows Scott to run completely internal cable routing. Shimano adds to the smooth lines by reshaping its Di2 electric battery to be integrated inside the stem. We were surprised that Scott went with a standard front brake setup.

A computer model shows the complexity of the integrated front end but also the smooth wind cheating shape it creates when assembled.

Another computer model shows how both the brake cable and derailleur wires are completely internally routed through the aerobars and stem.

Most bikes that use the Dura Ace Di2 electric components have wires zipped tied to the frame. Scott and Shimano worked together to run the wires internally and the result is minimal wire exposure.

Like many new time trial bikes from other manufacturers the new Plasma has the rear brake mounted down by the bottom bracket. Unlike many others it is on the topside of the chainstays and is sheltered by the seat tube. This design also allows air to flow more smoothly underneath the bottom bracket.

A computer model shows the internal routing of the derailleur wires and rear brake cable.