Scott Metrix 20 Disc review

Can the budget price alloy Metrix cut it?

Our rating

3.5

1099.00
1800.00

Immediate Media

Published: November 23, 2018 at 12:01 am

Our review
A classy commuter that will get you through longer rides but comfort is compromised Buy if, You want a sensible handling and robust flat bar bike on a budget

Pros:

Great value, fun yet forgiving handling, Syncros cockpit, braking

Cons:

Ride isn’t as plush as some, 10-speed misses a few gears, tyres a little slow

The Metrix 20 has classic hybrid looks with straight lines and oversized tubes. This more traditional design alongside the black and contrasting orange finish gives it a racy feel. Meanwhile, costs are kept to a minimum using a 6061 double-butted aluminium frame and Shimano’s Tiagra components.

Scott Metrix 20 Disc frame and kit

The frame might not be as exotic as others, but it’s sensibly designed, with Scott’s new-for-2018 endurance geometry.

From the off, the ride is stiff and there’s more feedback, but if you only want to ride for a couple of hours it’s fine. However, the Metrix carbon fork helps absorb some of the vibrations, making life more tolerable. The fork comes with a tapered carbon steerer tube, resulting in a front end that tracks well and corners positively.

Shimano Tiagra gearing provides smooth shifting
Shimano Tiagra gearing provides smooth shifting - David Caudery/Immediate Media

Controlling the Metrix is a cinch with the sensibly specced Syncros cockpit. The 58cm aluminium Syncros flat bar is ideal for keeping the Scott in check, the soft, ribbed mountain bike-style grips offering a good balance between comfort and bar feel.

Comfort at the opposite end is delivered by Syncros’s FL2.5 saddle. It’s firm with a little padding and a shallow cutaway, but provides a decent ride.

Shimano’s Tiagra 10-speed gear shifters and chainset drive the Metrix. They work well together, and unless you’re doing lots of miles you won’t notice they’re not 11-speed, as the shifting is crisp.

Shimano hydraulic brakes with 160mm rotors, front and back, keep you in control
Shimano hydraulic brakes with 160mm rotors, front and back, keep you in control - David Caudery/Immediate Media

Most riders will appreciate the Tiagra chainset being of the compact persuasion (50/34), offering a wide range of gears for nearly every situation.

The straight-blade Shimano RS600 brake levers might look fairly traditional, but they perform well, offering plenty of space however many fingers you use to pull them. These are partnered with Shimano’s RS405 hydraulic disc brakes, with 160mm rotors front and rear, for precision braking whatever the weather.

Scott Metrix 20 Disc ride experience

With the build, spec and design, the Metrix lends itself to enjoyable town riding
With the build, spec and design, the Metrix lends itself to enjoyable town riding - Robert Smith / Immediate Media

The Metrix 20 rolls on Syncros 24 aero-shaped alloy disc rims in matching black, helping the bike look stealthy. These wear Schwalbe’s 35mm Spicer tyres designed for road use. They hold the road well even on fast descents, but I found dropping pressures helped with overall ride comfort.

The ride position out of the box is fairly aggressive, which I enjoyed, as it made me want to ride fast immediately. That said, a flip of the stem would bring things into a more upright position if you prefer.

With the build, spec and overall design, the Metrix lends itself to enjoyable town riding. Daily short rides are a blast but for longer days in the saddle comfort does become an issue compared to its more expensive carbon counterparts.

If you want a classy commuter and to do the odd sportive, but don’t want to spend a fortune, the Metrix is a decent option.

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