Whatever happened to the term ‘hybrid’? Maybe there were too many negative connotations for flat-barred bikes that were neither one thing nor the other … which is perhaps why the SUB 10 is called a Speed Utility Bike.
Scott describe it as ‘a modern urban bike designed for commuting, trips to the store, and just getting around town’. So while it has speed in the description, it’s not the sort of thing team rider Mark Cavendish is likely to be seen on.
At the heart of the Sub is Scott’s hydroformed aluminium frame, new for 2010, with a transmission based around Shimano’s excellent eight-speed Alfine hub. Shimano also provide the disc brakes, which provide plenty of stopping power.
There are good reasons for running hub gears and disc brakes on an urban bike. For a start, you’re not grinding grit and road muck into your rims every time you brake, which should make your wheels last longer, while the hub gears should require little maintenance.
It’s worth keeping an eye on the two bolts that keep the eccentric bottom bracket in place, and the narrow rubber seal that helps keep the elements out of the bottom bracket itself. The bolts need to be kept corrosion-free, and the seal in place.
As for the ride, there are no foibles and it’s a lot of fun. Although it weighs around 12.5kg, it’s nippier than expected, and zips around traffic, handling confidently and stopping smartly thanks to the BR-M 575 brakes.
It comes with 32mm Continental Sport Contact tyres; you could fit slightly wider tyres for more comfort, but the fork profile will limit this slightly. The 700C wheels are a good choice for urban riding though, rolling better over poorer surfaces than their 26in equivalents.
While the Sub 10 comes naked, its rack mounts allow it to be specced with Scott’s dedicated Urban Kit mudguards and rear rack, adding to its versatility and utility vehicle credentials. The £899 price isn’t cheap but reasonable for a bike of this quality, and the Scott Sub 10 makes a decent urban runaround, or sports utility bike, if you prefer.
