Two years after launching the Rover, the brand’s first gravel model, Festka introduces Scout – a high-end, high-performance machine created with rougher terrains and extensive bike-packing in mind. Michael Moureček, the company’s co-founder and frame designer explains the thinking behind the new model: “The popularity of riding on gravel is growing and the ground covered by the discipline is expanding. So much so that one bike cannot handle it all. Scout picks up where the all-road Rover leaves off.”
The new model’s geometry is designed around an extended wheelbase whose scope can be tweaked further using the adjustable trail provided by the Columbus Futura Cross fork. The frame is built from higher volume tubes engineered to provide the right balance of high modulus fibre and mechanical damage resistance. Scout feels very robust, yet it is light and nimble; it is in its element climbing, descending and rolling on all hard fork surfaces.
Performance is always high on Festka’s priority list and Scout is no exception. The particular focus here was on making the bike highly responsive without it being twitchy. Michael Moureček offers a glimpse into his thinking: “People tend to associate performance with speed but that’s not what it’s all about. Efficient transfer of energy from the rider to the frame and onwards means that your power doesn’t get wasted and you’ll need less effort to achieve your goal. Efficiency can also translate into less effort and less fatigue.”
Recent developments in components development enabled Festka to design Scout as the brand’s first frame specifically intended for one-by drivetrains. The benefits from the optimal chain line and the single shifter set-up further contribute to the bike’s efficiency and ease of use.
As with all Festka models, in addition to a range of standard sizes, Scout is available with custom geometry for a very moderate upcharge. The frame can also be perfectly tailored to its user’s bike-packing needs and ambitions. Possibilities range from the number/positioning of rivet nuts for bags and racks to the ideal top tube sloping angle to fit a TT bag. Advanced options such as integrating dynamos and cables for lights as well as many other special customization challenges are possible and welcome.
Scout framesets start at 4,990 EUR, full builds are priced from 6,990 EUR. All four current design scheme categories offered by Festka apply here, including the limited YOU BY FESTKA top line.
Technical Characteristics
- BOTTOM BRACKET SHELL: PF 86.5/41 mm
- FORK: Columbus Futura Cross 1 ½ / Columbus Futura Cross+1 ½
- HEAD TUBE DIAMETER: 52 mm
- FRONT DERAILLEUR CLAMP: 34.9 mm
- SEATPOST DIAMETER: 31.6 mm
- SHIFTING: 1x mechanical, Di2, eTap, Rotor
- MAX TIRE CLEARANCE: 42 mm (700c) / 50 mm (650b) (width as measured)
- MAX SIZE OF ROTORS: 140 mm rear, 160 mm front
- WEIGHT: approx. 1000 g