Scott CR1 Team 2012 Review
Since it was first released back in 2007, the Scott CR1 road bike has won acclaim from everybody from professional riders and cycling writers through to general users. The professional standard set up and ride and the ridiculously light weight of the bike served as its biggest selling points, until it was effectively superseded by Scott’s even more lightweight Addict bike. Rather than letting the CR1 die quietly, Scott instead opted to rework the popular model into the current version ideal for the sportive rider. Here we take a look at what this new bike offers over its modern classic predecessor.
How the CR1 was modified:
The new bike has a slightly taller head tube, and the rear end has a new, redesigned carbon layup, which is exceptionally shock absorbent – Scott have termed this shock absorption system the SDS. The sportive special keeps the same tendency towards a light frame that was displayed in the original CR1 bikes, even with the new comfort developments, weighing in around the 1,035g mark for the XL size (around 58cm) with 194mm head tubing. This makes it one of the very lightest bikes on the market, especially within its price range, as well as being unbelievably comfortable from a long ride perspective. The modifications have changed this bike from a road bike purely for pros to a bike that is more suited to the sportive category of riders and the change has been highly successful.
Benefits and Ride Quality
The riding position on the Scott CR1 sportive special bike is a more upright posture than you will experience on the bulk of bikes within this sort of class and price range, making it ideal for extensive training periods or long distance riding. This position helps you breathe better and cycle far more efficiently, as well as feeling really good. The downside of this is a slightly strange feeling of weight distribution on a climb – this is not necessarily a bad thing, but can take some experience to manage comfortably.
The bike can go fast and handles nicely, offering an unparalleled ride quality and riding position for bikes in its class. You are sure to really enjoy riding this thing on any kind of course, once you get used to the position on the way up hills.
Wheels and Tyres
On the previous CR1 Scott had made some obvious sacrifices in terms of the bike just to keep it in the price range they wanted to offer it in, however because of the changes economically around the Eurozone these have been minimised for the company, and they can now offer a lightweight and cost effective bike without too many clear compromises. The wheels are Mavic’s Aksium Races, which is probably the best option in this price range, and it sports Continental Ultra Sport tyres which have always been a reliable go-to option for this style of bike. This means that where in the past you may have found light bikes in this price point to have disappointing wheels, you shouldn’t have a problem with this model.
Verdict
This is a great option for riders who fit into the sportive category, and well worth the money. You’d be very hard pressed to find a better bike in this class.
Scott CR1 Team
Rating by Adam Samuel: stars ££
Written by: Quatos