The CR1’s sportive makeover incorporates a new carbon lay-up in the seatstays and chainstays, matched upfront with the fork legs. This ‘shock damping system’ – SDS – mixes standard 90-degree woven carbon with uni-directional fibres. The aim is to retain the CR1’s torsional stiffness (resistance to twisting) while introducing shock-damping flex vertically.
The 180mm head-tube on our large test bike is taller than on the equivalent Addict race bike, but not as excessive as some of the competition. It’s a rather impressive looking frame, which is also beautifully finished, with details like all-carbon dropouts and an all-carbon fork usually reserved for bikes twice the price.
Out on the road it smooths coarse surfaces brilliantly – certainly miles ahead of the teeth-rattling ride of the original racing CR1 – but over bumpier bigger hits it crashes through, with none of the smooth, cushy roll of the Roubaix, though outside of a test we’d be riding with a little more caution.
We’re happy to find the CR1’s ride still shows signs of its racing pedigree. Though the light, responsive frame is compromised by hefty budget Alex wheels, it still climbs extremely well, inspiring confidence in out-of-the-saddle sprints and climbs. With Scott keeping the head-tube height reasonable, the front end is compact enough to keep the handling sharp. Through the tight, twisty sections on our test route the CR1 inspired us to push that little bit harder, lean in further and really get the adrenaline flowing.
It’s also a bonus on the flat, the sportier riding position producing a more streamlined stance than some of the more upright bikes on test; with them it could become quite wearing riding into a headwind, especially on the hoods, forcing us to get down into the drops more often than we would normally in the hope of cutting some drag.
Being more focused on handling than others here makes the Scott, in our opinion, a better all-rounder. For sportives, challenge rides and long days out it’s certainly more than comfortable enough, but if you want to take in the occasional road race, clip-on assisted time trial or a triathlon – as well as those big mileage days – the CR1 should be on your shortlist for your next bike.