Road Cycling - Scattante Bikes

Anybody here ride one of them? I get the supergo online ad and saw their carbon bike with full ultegra for $1500. cfr (http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?itempageitemid=19083&cvar1=7%2F25%2F2003+8%3A33%3A56+AM) . Im actually thinking of maybe looking into this some more. But Ive never seen anyone riding them. Ive gone to the supergo by me before and they seemed to be well built, the scattantes I saw. Anyone have experience with them?

I personally have never ridden one, but a few guys in my club ride them.. and seem to like them... I looked into them a little a few months ago.. but really wanted a steel bike.. and the big Supergo store here didn't have any in stock at the time...

Are you going to the Supergo in Chandler on Ray Rd. ?

Jeff

I have the aluminum version on order right now (R-650), but it's on back order until next month. Before I ordered the bike, I looked at all of the Scattante reviews on http://roadbikereview.com/, and also checked with some of my friends that I race mtb with that also have road bikes. They told me that they knew a guy that had bought the carbon bike and loved it, and another guy that had the aluminum bike and he was very happy with that too.

Also before I ordered it I went to all of my local shops to see what they could do for me, but I couldn't find an Ultegra equipped aluminum ride for under $2k. I got the Scattante for $995, and that was with a free Bell Ghisallo helmet thrown in. I just couldn't pass that up...

I know the sizing can be tough when ordering on line. I matched the frame geometry up with one of the bikes I tried out at my LBS, plus I figure even if I have to put a new stem on to get the fit just right - I've still made out like a bandit for the price...

I talked with an actual human at Supergo for a while too, just to get a feel for their return policy and warrantee. The guy I spoke with was very helpful, and made me comfortable enough to part with a grand...

Sorry I don't have any actual experience to share with you yet, I just wanted to tell you my experiences so far... I'll be able to tell you more in 3 - 4 weeks though!!! :)

-Mike

Thanks for the opinions. Ive been casually looking(who isnt always looking just in case...):D and it seems to me to find a full ultegra bike PLUS the carbon frame for under 2k much less 1.5k would be very hard. My brother is looking into getting into road biking so I might sell my old one to him. Im in VA right now on summer vacation but I go back next weekend so I might go by the store at least to test it out. Hoping that they would have it. Sipperphoto I do go to the one on chandler road. Thanks for everyones help, let me know if anyone else has had anything to do with these bikes!

I have seen the Scattante and does look very nice I must admit. What I have found on cheaper frames the part they skimp on is the paint job it chips alot easier then more expensive, but this is a minor complaint. I have returned things to supergo in person not on-line and never had any problems they normaly are very good to deal with.

I bought my CFR 2 months ago and love it. Make sure you know your size needs. Supergo is good to work with, but with this bike you have to buy a new stem/seatpost if you need another size, they don't exchange for internet sales. For local sales they might. I needed a shorter stem plus the seat sucks, so that cost $40 + $65 more. It still was a great deal!!!! If you are not positive about your size, go to www.wrenchscience.com for an excellent size program.
I live in Northern VA, so if you want to look at it, let me know.
If you don't know how to adjust a bike to you, I would not buy via the internet.:D

Did you try any other carbon bikes before you went with the CFR? Is so, how did they compare (relatively speaking)?

They look ok,pretty good prices for what you get.

Well, I just looked at the ad carefully. 1500 bucks for a fully equipped carbon bike? Where is it constructed? By which slaves, I mean. It does seem too good to be true when you consider a "normal" carbon frame is in the neighborhood of 2 grand, just for the frame! SuperGo has some kind of rabbit up their sleeves. Also, one of their company's spokesman, ....I mean totally unconnected to the company reviewer boasts about "blowing them out to the grass in the downhill" at a whopping "36.9 mph". Is this a joke? Tell me how the bike handles at 56 mph...then I'll be impressed. I won't fault anyone for differing with my opinions, but, in the cycling industry I sincerely believe you get what you pay for. And the sales pitch "Buy our bike for THOUSANDS less" just doesn't make me a believer. ;)

Steve

well, the Khufu pyramid was built by slaves, as well as some of the other seven wonders of the world. And, it has withstood the rigors of time and stands just as awe inspiring today as it did 4500 years ago. Scientist are still trying to figure out how it was built. Some of the finest clothes on our backs are built by sweat shop labor (slaves, if you will) and I don't hear anyone preaching about it's poor quality. So I don't necessarily subscribe to the "if it ain't made here it ain't worth a ****" philosophy.

Now marketing and sales hype does not make me a believer either. But, any bike, or any piece of merchandise for that matter deserves a fair shake. It should not be presumed to be junk and, it should not presumed to be a giant killer before the public (us bike riders) has had a chance to put it through due process. In the case of Scattante, this is what we are trying to assess. Without being able to run down the street and test ride these bikes, the objective opinions of owners and the specifications at least gives us a starting point. Then it is up to us to decide if we want to pursue it any further. Needless to say this is not the most ideal method of bike selection but, we don't live in an ideal world either.

Well I wouldn't be slamming the bike just because of who makes it or where it's made. Check out - http://pedalforce.com/zx.html - from http://pedalforce.com

Also remember that in the bike industry you may get what you pay for, at least to a point, you also pay for big brand names and whatever reputation that goes with it.

Andrew

Last year, the Scattante CF bikes were made by Leader USA. In fact, they were the same frames used by Argon 18 for their Platinum model. I doubt Supergo has sourced anything inferior this year. It's probably the same as some other high-zoot CF frame under the Scattante name.

look at it this way. if it really is all ultegra, that is $600-$700 right there. wheelset? another $250. so the frame is free. if it is junk or cracks right after the warranty expires (my luck, maybe not yours) then you have good parts to put on another frame.

I don't care if the CF is mushy feeling or not the best. for that price i'd take a leap. you can't get hurt because you know ultegra is ultegra.

No, I did not try other carbon bikes prior to purchasing my CFR, (too expensive), but I did try other various alum and steel bikes. The Scattante was the best bike compared to the ones I tried. Plus, it was lighter, much lighter compared to the steel. While steel rode about as nice, although different, , the extra pounds makes a difference.
How does Supergo do it at that Price? I have no clue, nor do I care. The finish is superb, and the bike is stiff in the right places. It dampens the vibrations better than any other road bike I've ridden. Are more expensive carbon bikes better? I have no clue, but they are way more expensive.

I havent ridden any other carbon bikes because they are simply out of my price range and I havent really been seriously looking to get a new bike. This bike has just come up because of certain circumstances and the price. There is a supergo near me in AZ but they probably wont have the bike in stock. Ultegra is ultegra and I think that most of the frames are high priced today because of the brand name. Thats not entirely true, oclv110&120 are really great products from what Ive heard so they should be more expensive. Ive read reviews from independent people and they say this is a great bike. The seatpost apparently is a little weird but other than that its great. Also, if I do end up getting this bike and the store doesnt have it in stock, is it fair for me to have to pay to have the bike shipped to the store? why am I being charged for something they are supposed to have?

Originally posted by TriDevil
I havent ridden any other carbon bikes because they are simply out of my price range and I havent really been seriously looking to get a new bike. This bike has just come up because of certain circumstances and the price. There is a supergo near me in AZ but they probably wont have the bike in stock. Ultegra is ultegra and I think that most of the frames are high priced today because of the brand name. Thats not entirely true, oclv110&120 are really great products from what Ive heard so they should be more expensive. Ive read reviews from independent people and they say this is a great bike. The seatpost apparently is a little weird but other than that its great. Also, if I do end up getting this bike and the store doesnt have it in stock, is it fair for me to have to pay to have the bike shipped to the store? why am I being charged for something they are supposed to have?
Dont ask us,ask them.Check it out good.I think the 853 comes with the left brake lever on the right side and the right,of course on the left.Strange?

I realize slaves make good quality products. My point was that I find it disgusting that I should be able to buy a dirt cheap product at the expense of another human being's suffering. I would want to see the conditions of the Scattante frame factory before I'd purchase their bike. Also, I was serious when I stated that I would want to see road test results of this bike performing at over 50 mph. When putting life and limb onto a machine I'd want to be 110% certain that it will perform at any level I take it to. Where is information about one of these "free" frames being ridden on the professional or even semi-pro circuit? SuperGO is comparing them to frames costing thousands more, so what Pro's are riding them? Has anyone seen one of these bikes in the TDF for example? As I said earlier, SuperGo is hiding a rabbit somewhere IMHO.

Dont buy it.Problem fixed.Well you can knock off 500 bucks for the name along.Supergo buys the ultegra group for a hell of a lot less then 6-700 bucks.Its called bulk prices.I'd be more concered about the wheelsets ay 50mph then the frame,but i think they only have a 3 or 5 year warr on it.

In reply to the last few posts:

1. The seatpost is fine once adjusted. Don't use the wrench supplied with it, use your own and adjustments are not a big problem.

2. The wheelset is Shimano R540, very strong and certainly can deal with 50mph. It isn't the lightest at 1850grams.

3. Do not assume price always matches quality.

I realize slaves make good quality products. My point was that I find it disgusting that I should be able to buy a dirt cheap product at the expense of another human being's suffering. I would want to see the conditions of the Scattante frame factory before I'd purchase their bike. Also, I was serious when I stated that I would want to see road test results of this bike performing at over 50 mph. When putting life and limb onto a machine I'd want to be 110% certain that it will perform at any level I take it to. Where is information about one of these "free" frames being ridden on the professional or even semi-pro circuit? SuperGO is comparing them to frames costing thousands more, so what Pro's are riding them? Has anyone seen one of these bikes in the TDF for example? As I said earlier, SuperGo is hiding a rabbit somewhere IMHO.

Wow talk about a badge snob. :eek:

FYI, I have learned that the Scattante is built by EPX Bikes. Compare the two frames:

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=19083&lmfg_id=&searchtext=cfr

http://www.epxbikes.com/

I have seriously considered this bike and ultimately decided to buy a Giant TCR1 from LBS. I am now wondering because I am starting to really notice the ride quality issue on the AluXX frame.

I think all of us would like to be able to buy a Trek 5200 for $2000. But there are several reasons why that won't happen:

1. Trek is "Lanced" now and they can get a premium. God Bless them. Its why anyone is in business.
2. Trek's frames are probably technically superior. Who on this forum really knows enough to say one way or the other. I'm not a carbon fiber engineer.
3. Trek frames are made in the US. Labor here is more expensive than nearly any other country in the world.
4. I believe EPX frames (presuming the above to be true) are made in Taiwan.

As to Mercxrider's comments re: slave labor, I seriously doubt carbon composite frames are made in a filthy, run-down sweatshop. These are high-tech. But again, who knows. Also, he is right, there's no Team Scattante that I'm aware of. But hey, for us folks who just want a good bike for our little 100 miles a week, what's wrong with a non-name brand?

Last note: Supergo has a CFR Limited Edition going right now for $2099, and it includes DA9spd and their house brand Weyless Carbon crankset, and the FSA RD400 wheelset. I may well buy that just for the component value. If the frame craps out in 5 years (their warranty) I can take the $2000 I saved over buying a Trek 5500 out of my mutual fund account and buy a Merckx or Trek frameset.