Scope Cycling: The New Choice for Team INEOS

When the wealthiest cycling team in the world, INEOS Grenadiers, announced a partnership with a relatively young Dutch wheelset brand, the entire peloton took notice. Scope Cycling—a brand founded less than a decade ago—what did it do to earn INEOS’s trust? The answer lies in their technical innovation and product quality.

Brand Story

Scope Cycling was founded in 2016, headquartered in the Netherlands. The founding team consists of professionals with experience in composite materials engineering and the cycling industry.

Unlike many wheelset brands, Scope positioned itself as “pro-level” from the very start—with the goal of entering the highest tier of WorldTour racing. This ambition was achieved in 2023, when INEOS Grenadiers announced they would use Scope wheels, officially placing Scope on the world’s top stage.

Partnership with INEOS Grenadiers

Why Did INEOS Choose Scope?

INEOS Grenadiers is one of the most technology-focused teams in cycling (backed by the petrochemical giant INEOS Group). Their reasons for choosing Scope include:

1. Outstanding wind tunnel data: Scope’s carbon rims performed exceptionally well in independent wind tunnel testing
2. Consistent quality: Extremely tight specification tolerances across every pair of wheels
3. Customization capability: Scope is willing to make bespoke adjustments based on team needs
4. Hub technology: Scope’s in-house R5 hubs perform admirably

Race Performance

At the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and other grand tours, INEOS riders have secured multiple victories using Scope wheels. These race results are the strongest endorsement of Scope’s product quality.

Product Lineup

R Series (Top-Tier Road)

Model	Rim Depth	Weight (Front+Rear)	Internal Rim Width	European Price	Estimated Taiwan Price
R5 35	35mm	1,310g	21mm	€2,499	NT$92,000
R5 45	45mm	1,380g	21mm	€2,499	NT$92,000
R5 55	55mm	1,450g	21mm	€2,499	NT$92,000

The R5 series is the same wheelset used by Team INEOS (consumer version). It features Scope’s own R5 hubs, which is a noteworthy highlight—most new brands opt for DT Swiss hubs, yet Scope has the confidence to launch their own.

S Series (Advanced Carbon Wheels)

Model	Rim Depth	Weight (Front+Rear)	European Price	Estimated Taiwan Price
S4 35	35mm	1,420g	€1,499	NT$58,000
S4 45	45mm	1,490g	€1,499	NT$58,000
S4 55	55mm	1,560g	€1,499	NT$58,000

The S4 series uses Scope’s S4 hubs (more economical than the R5), with a carbon rim design similar to the R5 but using a more cost-effective grade of carbon fiber.

Scope’s In-House Hubs

R5 Hub

The Scope R5 hub is the brand’s technical highlight:

Specification	Data
Ratchet System	54-tooth ratchet
Engagement Angle	6.67°
Bearings	CeramicSpeed ceramic bearings
Weight	290g (Front+Rear)
Freehub Body	Shimano / SRAM XDR interchangeable

The R5 hub uses CeramicSpeed ceramic bearings for extremely high rotational efficiency. The 54-tooth ratchet provides a 6.67-degree engagement angle, comparable to DT Swiss’s 54T Star Ratchet.

Comparison with DT Swiss Hubs

Item	Scope R5	DT Swiss 240
Ratchet Teeth	54T	36T (upgradeable to 54T)
Bearings	CeramicSpeed ceramic	Sinc ceramic (180) / Steel (240)
Weight	290g	336g
Taiwan Serviceability	Difficult	Easy
Price	Included with wheelset	NT$10,000 (standalone)

Scope hubs perform on par with DT Swiss, but service support in Taiwan is a clear disadvantage.

Carbon Rim Design

Wide Rim Design

The entire Scope lineup uses a 21mm internal rim width, optimized for 25c-30c tires. This width is standard in the current market trend.

Rim Shape Optimization

Scope’s rim shapes have been validated in wind tunnels, with particular attention to aerodynamic performance in the 5-15 degree yaw angle range commonly encountered in real-world riding. The rim profile curvature differs between the leading and trailing edges—the leading edge is rounder to accommodate incoming airflow, while the trailing edge is sharper to reduce wake turbulence.

Taiwan Market Analysis

Availability

Scope’s availability in Taiwan is limited. The main purchasing channels are European online retailers or direct orders from the official website. Some Taiwanese cyclists obtain them through purchasing agents.

Price Positioning

Taking the R5 45 as an example, the estimated Taiwan price is around NT$92,000, placing it in the same range as the Zipp 404 Firecrest (NT$75,000) and DT Swiss ARC 1100 48 (NT$98,000).

Service Considerations

Scope’s in-house hubs are the biggest concern for servicing in Taiwan. If a hub develops issues, it may need to be sent back to the Netherlands for repair. Prospective buyers are advised to confirm whether a reliable service channel exists in Taiwan before purchasing.

Scope vs FFWD

Comparison Item	Scope R5	FFWD RYOT
Brand History	~8 years	~18 years
Hubs	In-house R5	DT Swiss 240
Pro Teams	INEOS	Multiple teams
Taiwan Serviceability	Difficult	Easier (DT Swiss)
Price (45mm)	NT$92,000	NT$95,000
Weight (45mm)	1,380g	1,350g

The two are very close in performance and price. The key difference lies in the hubs—Scope uses its own (great performance but hard to service), while FFWD uses DT Swiss (easy to service).

Who Is It For?

• INEOS team fans: Riding the same wheelset as the team is a matter of faith
• Riders chasing top-tier performance: The R5 series specifications are genuinely top-tier
• Riders with access to European service channels: If you travel to Europe frequently, servicing is not an issue
• Riders who value brand stories: Scope’s journey from startup to WorldTour is compelling

Summary

Scope Cycling is one of the most impressive rising stars in the wheelset world. From a Dutch startup to the official wheelset supplier for INEOS Grenadiers, Scope’s growth rate speaks to the strength of its products. The launch of its in-house R5 hub further demonstrates the brand’s technical ambition. The only concern is service support in the Taiwan market—if this issue can be resolved, Scope has significant growth potential in Taiwan.

Related Reading

• Scope Artech: The Dutch Newcomer’s Pro-Level Carbon Wheels
• Dutch Wheelset Duo: A Guide to Choosing Between FFWD and Scope
• Scribe Cycling: Northern Ireland’s Handcrafted Carbon Wheel Newcomer
• Bontrager Aeolus: Trek’s Ecosystem Wheelset Choice