Scott CR1 Review

The Scott CR1 Elite is a performance-oriented road bike with the ability to put paid to problematic vibrations and road rumble that might otherwise compromise your ability to actually enjoy all day cruising. While comfort is the calling card of this bike and the range in which it sits, it manages to achieve this without also reducing the impact of the other areas in which it excels; namely speed and handling.

The Scott CR1 Elite features a specifically tailored carbon frame that has an integrated carbon bottom bracket to give it that extra lateral rigidity that helps the rider enjoy top notch power transfer. This is an understandably low weight setup, but the Road Comfort geometry means that issues such as the rider’s seating position and the vertical compliance are all considered from the point of view of making the bike pleasant to use over long distances.

The tubing has been carefully profiled so that the high frequency vibrations from the tarmac are absorbed just as easily as the sudden bumps that can be inevitable if you are going to be transitioning across inconsistent surfaces. Meanwhile, the SDS system means that the rear triangle can stay stiff while still cutting down on road buzz. In short, there is little about the Scott CR1 Elite that does not go towards making it ride as smoothly as possible.

The fork is also fashioned from carbon and manages to make the bike handle competently, with little of the vagueness of feeling that you might normally associate with a comfort-centric model. The drive train is pulled from the SRAM Rival 09 black range, which gives a good level of consistency to the equipment used on the bike. Shifting between gears occurs quickly and efficiently, while braking feels fluid.

You get Mavic Ksyrium Elite 11 black spokes, rims and hubs, with Continental Ultra Race tyres to top off the wheelset. This definitely compliments the sportier elements of the bike and the long distance pedigree of this model means that whether covering flat sections, climbing tricky ascents or picking up speed downhill, you will generally be kept on course and in check.

In an effort to save as much weight as possible the bike comes equipped with a Ritchey Carbon Pro seat post, along with a Scott Road Pro SL saddle. This also fits into the bike’s comfortable take on road racing, while the Road Pilot Pro OS handlebar is an unfussy addition that plays its part appropriately.

The comfortable ride and stiff, light setup really help when you are attempting to get into a rhythm that you can sustain all day. This is particularly noticeable during climbs, because the seated position is particularly well suited to keeping you locked in the saddle rather than requiring that you take a stand in order to generate some power. The lengthened head tube does mean that the Scott CR1 Elite is a little more specialised than some of its all-rounder alternatives, but in the right hands, this will become a blessing rather than a curse.

In all, this model offers a suitable step up in terms of performance which justifies the increased price when compared with its CR1 siblings. It is not quite up there with the top of the range models, if only because of the components that have been selected in order to keep it as a distinct cycle. However, if it suits your budget and you are after something that will combine performance and comfort with a particular aptitude for climbing, the Scott CR1 will probably be worth giving the time of day.

Scott CR1 Specifications & Compare Prices

  • Front Fork: Scott CR1 HMF NET, 1 1/8 ” Carbon steerer, Integrated Carbon Dropout
  • Rear Shock: N/A
  • Front Derailleur: SRAM Rival Black
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival Black
  • Gears: 20
  • Chainring: SRAM Rival Black 50/34T
  • Cassette: Shimano 105 570 11-28T
  • Shifters: SRAM Rival Carbon, Double Tap 10 Speed
  • Brakes: SRAM Rival Black
  • Wheels: Syncros RP1.5, 18 Front / 24 Rear
  • Tyres: Continental Ultra Race FOLD 700 × 23