The CR1 debuted many years ago as Scott’s state-of-the-art race bike, but these days it’s pitched at the sportive/endurance market. It definitely puts the ‘sport’ into ‘sportive’ though, with 73/74-degree angles and a short back end.
The frame is carried over from 2012 and in some ways it is starting to show its age. Up front there’s a straight head-tube for a 1-1/125in steerer, and the cabling is external. The construction of the back end is particularly elaborate though – there still aren’t many frames with quite such sophisticated shaping. The chainstays are tall at the BB86 bottom bracket before morphing to flat on their way to the carbon dropouts, while the seatstays are all flats, curves and bulges. It’s a light frame too.
- HIGHS Low weight, feathery wheels, lively ride
- LOWS Frame starting to show its age, could be more accurate
- BUY IF… You’re a light, smooth rider looking for a bike that’s a bit like you
Scott now own Syncros, a name best known for their mountain bike parts but who are now cropping up all over the place in the Scott range. Some of the Syncros-branded parts are impressive, with the CR1’s RP1.5 wheels being a particular highlight. With slender bladed spokes (18 front and 24 rear) and sleek hubs, they look great and are very light. With a 16mm internal width, the rims give the Continental Ultra Race tyres a slightly wider footprint than their 23mm size would suggest.
The CR1 feels fast and lively, spinning up to speed without hesitation. It’s not best suited to aggressive sprinting, with the slender front end and feathery front wheel starting to wander if you really hoof it, but it climbs beautifully.
Although the blurb for the CR1 is all about comfort, it’s not a super-smooth ride. It is compliant by full-bore race bike standards, but still pattery on poor surfaces compared to bikes that have comfort as a design priority. The rather unyielding Syncros saddle doesn’t help, and it’s perched atop a firm 31.6mm post.
But it’s still a very good bike – the low weight is in its favour, and the ride feel is lively and rewarding. It’s a well-rounded package in terms of spec, too. Unless you’re heavy or powerful enough to be troubled by a bit of front-end twang, the CR1 is worthy of serious consideration.