Scott Speedster S10 (2010) v`s Trek 1.9 (2009)

candydelta

Hi all

I`m m new to road biking and am looking to buy my first road bike soon. I have been doing lots of research both online and in bike stores and am now deciding between the above 2 models.

The Trek is a 1.9, ultegra groupset priced a 2400 aus dollar.

The Scott is a 2010 model and priced at 2500 aus dollar. Everything is ultegra other than the brakes which are shimano.

The bike store at which the scott is at is very convenient to me and the guy with whom I dealt with there seems to be very helpful. and knowledgable. It would be a good place for me to get started I feel.

Saying that, the guy at the other store was equally helpful and for some reason I really seem to like Trek as a brand.

I intend to join a cycling club and am wanting to do maybe 2x 30k rides weekdays with a longer ride on the weekends.

Any advice would be appreciated.

DubaiNeil

Hi Candy,

I have a Scott S10, but an older model. This came with a mix of Shimano stuff, with no apparent logic. The shifters, brakes and derailleurs are all Ultegra, the rear cassette & chain 105 and the crankset is non-group set. Having said that, at least the most expensive parts were Ultegra, so potential for upgrade.

The version of the S10 I have has an aluminium frame with the seat stays in carbon, along with a carbon fork.

I am not sure why, but the Scott's do not seem to be very popular/common or here, or possibly in the UK. I live in the UAE, where we had the choice of Specialized (but only SL3 model), Scott or Storck. In this company the Scott range is the "entry level"!

The bike has been fine for me, riding mostly solo and slightly longer distances than you are currently planning. I have also climbed the biggest hill in the country on it, without any (bike related!) performance issues...

I have upgraded the wheels from the provided Shimano R500 set to Shimano RS-80's which has made a slight difference, but mostly to comfort and acceleration rather than out-right speed.

The saddle provided was ok-ish for me. I tried a ridiculously expensive Selle Italia Flite Gel saddle as an upgrade, but this did a good impression of being a narrow breeze block. I have since changed to a Charge Spoon which has been an improvement over the standard saddle, but still not perfect. Saddles are entirely personal though, so you are likely to have different results.

This is my first real roadbike since being a youth, so I have no real reference points to be honest, but the bike feels fine to me and certainly has more ability than me!

What is most important at this entry level, is to ensure that the shop provides good service, and that the bike they are offering you fits well. The differences in the brands and running gear are null and void if the bike doesn't fit well.

Also, depending on your mechanical aptitude and interest, it may be more useful to have a handy local contact to help you out with any maintenance and adjustments needed.

Neil

candydelta

Hi Neil

Many thanks for your comments and advice. I think I `ll go with the Scott. I think it`ll be a good bike for me to begin with. As you state the fit is all important and I feel the store most convenient to me will provide a very good service. They also run group rides out of the shop which I hope to do so they`ll be keen to make me a happy biker

Continued happy riding!

Anne.