Scott CR1 review

so i've been hunting for a race worthy bike, but something that won't kill you the rest of the time. i'm going to take a hiatus from ultimate for a while after a big tourney in july and am going to start doing a bit of circuit racing, etc. anyways, i've pretty much got my heart set on buying a cervelo soloist b/c of it's pedigree and versatility. i've never really minded alu frames too much, but i wanted to ride a full carbon thoroughbred to see what it felt like.

me = 5'10" 165-170lbs, fit, but not a terribly experienced rider
the bike = 56cm scott CR1 w/ ultrega, and mavic krysium equipes

the goods = acceleration like i've never felt before. you come out of a corner, stomp on it and it practically leaps forward. as for the cornering, that too was damn amazing the way you could just whip it down and it held a line without the least hesitation, unreal. sprinting was a whole different world, you could really lean the bike over and it would snap back, but without any nastiness. i loved the ritchey road comp bars. as a competition bike, this thing would be hard to beat.

the bads = i was very surprised at how harsh the ride was give that it was 100% carbon. cruising in a straight line, it didn't beg to be kept a high speed and roll. for long, milage eating rides, i don't think this would be the best steed. the mavic krysium equipes i thought were totally over-rated, the elites and higher spec ones are good, but these, meh, i'd rather have a cosmos.

I've been sneaking peeks at the CR1 Team Issue. I think you may have been expecting a more compliant ride because the bike is carbon; while the carbon makes the light weight and amazing acceleration possible, it does so at the expense of a plush ride. Typically, the positive attributes you cite aren't nearly as strong on a bike that would be more cushy - think Specialized Roubaix. Given equal stiffness for acceleration and light weight, most any frame material is going to deliver a similarly firm ride. I think.

Anyone else got an opinion? Anyone else care???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

I've been sneaking peeks at the CR1 Team Issue. I think you may have been expecting a more compliant ride because the bike is carbon; while the carbon makes the light weight and amazing acceleration possible, it does so at the expense of a plush ride. Typically, the positive attributes you cite aren't nearly as strong on a bike that would be more cushy - think Specialized Roubaix. Given equal stiffness for acceleration and light weight, most any frame material is going to deliver a similarly firm ride. I think.

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I think the manufacturers of carbon frames and components have done a good job of convincing alot of people that carbon = comfort. As has been discussed in other threads, the design of a frame(wheelbase, seat tube angle, diameter of tubes etc) has more to do with ride quality than frame material. As IG said, if you are leaking for a more comfortable ride the Roubaix is the way to go due to its longer wheelbase. I know people that own/have ridden the CR1 and like it as a race bike because it is light and responsive.

I am currently riding a Litespeed Classic, and the ride is great. Though I am looking for something with a little more snap and have been looking to build up a Specialized S Works E5 frameset.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ulty_guy

the goods = acceleration like i've never felt before. you come out of a corner, stomp on it and it practically leaps forward. as for the cornering, that too was damn amazing the way you could just whip it down and it held a line without the least hesitation, unreal. sprinting was a whole different world, you could really lean the bike over and it would snap back, but without any nastiness. i loved the ritchey road comp bars. as a competition bike, this thing would be hard to beat.

the bads = i was very surprised at how harsh the ride was give that it was 100% carbon. cruising in a straight line, it didn't beg to be kept a high speed and roll. for long, milage eating rides, i don't think this would be the best steed. the mavic krysium equipes i thought were totally over-rated, the elites and higher spec ones are good, but these, meh, i'd rather have a cosmos.

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It sounds like you found the perfect race bike, the Scott's are nice looking rides. I agree, I think the Equipes are junk, I would think Open Pros would be a better training wheel, and use something like the Velomax Ascents or Mavic SSLs for racing.

My teammate just got that bike and absolutely loves it, and it looks badass. I have heard the same things about the Ksyrium equipe's. I have the SSC SL's and absolutely love them. Took them into a pretty nasty crash last week, :( but they came out nearly unscathed, still completely true though.

As for the carbon frame. Well, I'm riding the Cervelo soloist, which is full aluminum w/ carbon fork and seatpost, it also corners and accelerates well, BUT....I've heard Cervelo is coming out with a carbon soloist next year, I WILL have that bike. I imagine it will ride somewhat like the CR1 and my current ride. Stiff, fast, just a little lighter, though my current ride is also really light.

oo oo, telephil, give me a soloist review, i'm almost sure that i'm going for the soloist centuar now. my riding is pretty much going to consist of fast/shorter training, crits, and the occasional tt, so i figured it'd be perfect. i'm 5'10" 165 lbs, 34 inch inseam (to crotch, not just pant leg) and usually ride a 55. i agree, that carbon soloist looks pretty damn badass!

i'm figuring to get a soloist now, and then if i get crazy into it all, probably get a steel pegoretti in a year's time or so. that way i'd have something classy and something frisky on the side, how come we can't do the same w/ women? :D

Ulty, I absolutely love my soloist.

http://www.cervelo.com/bikes/2005%20...loist-Team.gif

And I just recently got a P2 SL

http://www.cervelo.com/bikes/2005%20...2-SL-click.jpg

Can't resist putting pics up whenever I can. Anyway, I run the Mavic Ksyrium SL's on my soloist, that bike is an absolute rocket. With those wheels it is really, really stiff. (My mavic Cosmic Carbones are on the way, literally :D ) With everything on it, pedals, cages, etc it comes in right at 16.8 lbs so it's super light too. I think it's probably the best crit bike on the market, just because it accelerates so damn fast and corners really well too. Longer rides....I've never really had an issue with it, never has felt uncomfortable or too rough, though maybe I would change my mind if I was on a carbon frame.