Are Scattante or GT bikes not worth it?
#51
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Yes, and I just went back and saw that the Focus specs say 105 crank, but the photo has a FSA crank. I'd get that cleared up before I purchases, not to say theres anything bad with an FSA crank. I have one and like it alot
#52
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I rode a Scattante XRL for a while- stiff, but harsh. It got to the point where I didn't enjoy the ride at all. Had a CAAD9, stiff, but rode well. Enjoyable. They may all "look the same, with the same components" but the way they are built are very different.
I'd go for the GT myself. Seems to have similiar design to the CAAD- on the front end, at least.
I'd go for the GT myself. Seems to have similiar design to the CAAD- on the front end, at least.
#54
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GT used to be great, then they were sold to Pacific Bikes which turned them into a Xmart bike produced in crappy factories with poor quality controls. Several years ago GT was resold and now the brand is making a comeback,and trying to regain the image thry once had. I have seen a few at my LBS and they looked good. I am happy to see this as I am a GT fan who still rides my 95 GT mtnbike weekly.
Personally if the bike had decent componentry I could care less what name was on the frame, as long as it fit and wasn't overly heavy. After a while one can upgrade the frame cheaply and keep the components.
Personally if the bike had decent componentry I could care less what name was on the frame, as long as it fit and wasn't overly heavy. After a while one can upgrade the frame cheaply and keep the components.
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SP
Bend, OR
#56
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performance products are great. performance in house names for their products are unfortunate. that being said, those scattante bikes seem to be specd out pretty well. focus might be a well known european company as well, but that doesn't mean they know how to weld. those frames look like they were made in the back of some shipyard during lunch break. go with the american/canadian companies at least.
#57
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I used to be really interested in BMC bikes and I seriously considered getting one until an acquaintance of mind had some warranty issues. He cracked a bottom bracket on his new BMC in the first month. They warrantied it but not without some hassle. He then had a chain stay snap at speed that caused a crash. Fortunately he wasn't hurt. BMC has refused to honor the warranty and they won't give a reason why. They offered him a crash replacement deal where he buys a new frame at a discounted price. The frame breaking caused the crash, not the other way around. Nice bikes but I no longer trust the company so they won't be getting my business. YMMV.
I have another friend who rode the snot out of a Scattante frameset for several years. It was their basic road frame with a carbon fork and he really liked it. He's a big dude that can hammer pretty well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Scattante bike and they are a heck of a bargain.
I have another friend who rode the snot out of a Scattante frameset for several years. It was their basic road frame with a carbon fork and he really liked it. He's a big dude that can hammer pretty well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Scattante bike and they are a heck of a bargain.
Last edited by Caveman; 10-18-11 at 03:34 PM.
#58
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I used to be really interested in BMC bikes and I seriously considered getting one until an acquaintance of mind had some warranty issues. He cracked a bottom bracket on his new BMC in the first month. They warrantied it but not without some hassle. He then had a chain stay snap at speed that caused a crash. Fortunately he wasn't hurt. BMC has refused to honor the warranty and they won't give a reason why. They offered him a crash replacement deal where he buys a new frame at a discounted price. The frame breaking caused the crash, not the other way around. Nice bikes but I no longer trust the company so they won't be getting my business. YMMV.
#59
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PB lets you test each of their bikes in their parking lot. I recommend riding each one and see which one you feel comfortable on. I recently bought the Scattante R570 after testing 3 other bikes, including the GT. It was the one that felt right for me
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I rode a Scattante XRL for a while- stiff, but harsh. It got to the point where I didn't enjoy the ride at all. Had a CAAD9, stiff, but rode well. Enjoyable. They may all "look the same, with the same components" but the way they are built are very different.
I'd go for the GT myself. Seems to have similiar design to the CAAD- on the front end, at least.
I'd go for the GT myself. Seems to have similiar design to the CAAD- on the front end, at least.
#61
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Carbon.
#62
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as a rider of the GT Series2 I can attest that it is an extremely well made and excellent riding bike... comfy, sharp handling, smooth... fit and finish is top notch and the component level for the price is excellent... I wouldn't hesitate to own another in a heartbeat.
#63
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FWIW I generally consider myself a "value buyer" but I did shun the Scattante brand as well, not so much because it's the Performance house brand but because of the brand name itself. Specifically, the first four letters of it. And also because of the Italian sound of the brand name makes it sound poseurish/naive/uber-Fredly to me. If it was just called "Performance" or even "Forte" like some of their other house merchandise I wouldn't mind as much. Instead it reminds me of: scant, scrap, crap, scat.
However, I do own a GT. Bought from Performance this July. Series 1 2010, full Ultegra drivetrain (not brakes), Aksium wheels. Nice Ritchey stem/handlebar/seatpost. Around $1250 I think. Put about 800 miles on it since then (includes a layoff for a broken arm), including my first century and 2 metrics. Aside for the 10% store credit bonus, Performance also offer lifetime (minor) adjustments for free - pretty hard to beat. I've had no issues with it other than the firm saddle which I switched out. I absolutely love riding it, but then it is my first road bike and only the first time I've spent >$300 on a non-mountain bike, so I'm sure even a Scattante would've felt great. (In hindsight given how much I've discovered I like road riding, I would've spent another $1k+ and gotten a Lynskey Cooper CX and an extra set off-roadish wheels so I could ride in more varied conditions.)
But. If you are buying a bike for a high crime area though I wouldn't go down this route at all. Get two bikes. One that can be stolen for now, and save the rest of the money for one that you love to ride on. I often commute to work on a heavy 5 year old rusty MTB - it's a GT from Performance... /fullcircle
I first heard of GTs in the 90s when they were boutique MTBs and I was into MTB riding so I guess I still have a soft spot for them. And now I shall elaborate on the more recent history of the GT brand as it hasn't been done yet.
Say whaaaaat? Triple cranks are fine, especially on your first road bike if you haven't developed your leg muscles or endurance. Or if you're tired and there's a hill. Or you're say, I don't know... carrying heavy books in a bag on your way to class.
However, I do own a GT. Bought from Performance this July. Series 1 2010, full Ultegra drivetrain (not brakes), Aksium wheels. Nice Ritchey stem/handlebar/seatpost. Around $1250 I think. Put about 800 miles on it since then (includes a layoff for a broken arm), including my first century and 2 metrics. Aside for the 10% store credit bonus, Performance also offer lifetime (minor) adjustments for free - pretty hard to beat. I've had no issues with it other than the firm saddle which I switched out. I absolutely love riding it, but then it is my first road bike and only the first time I've spent >$300 on a non-mountain bike, so I'm sure even a Scattante would've felt great. (In hindsight given how much I've discovered I like road riding, I would've spent another $1k+ and gotten a Lynskey Cooper CX and an extra set off-roadish wheels so I could ride in more varied conditions.)
But. If you are buying a bike for a high crime area though I wouldn't go down this route at all. Get two bikes. One that can be stolen for now, and save the rest of the money for one that you love to ride on. I often commute to work on a heavy 5 year old rusty MTB - it's a GT from Performance... /fullcircle
I first heard of GTs in the 90s when they were boutique MTBs and I was into MTB riding so I guess I still have a soft spot for them. And now I shall elaborate on the more recent history of the GT brand as it hasn't been done yet.
Say whaaaaat? Triple cranks are fine, especially on your first road bike if you haven't developed your leg muscles or endurance. Or if you're tired and there's a hill. Or you're say, I don't know... carrying heavy books in a bag on your way to class.
#64
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so you guys think i should buy a crappy bike for commute?
I really wanted like a "do it all" bike where i can commute and ride for fun.
Didn't know there was so much theft at college campus'
Because my campus is like 7 miles there and 7 back i kinda want performance and lack of theft... lol
I really wanted like a "do it all" bike where i can commute and ride for fun.
Didn't know there was so much theft at college campus'
Because my campus is like 7 miles there and 7 back i kinda want performance and lack of theft... lol
#65
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so you guys think i should buy a crappy bike for commute?
I really wanted like a "do it all" bike where i can commute and ride for fun.
Didn't know there was so much theft at college campus'
Because my campus is like 7 miles there and 7 back i kinda want performance and lack of theft... lol
I really wanted like a "do it all" bike where i can commute and ride for fun.
Didn't know there was so much theft at college campus'
Because my campus is like 7 miles there and 7 back i kinda want performance and lack of theft... lol
#66
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My first bike was a Fuji Newest 3.0 with a triple from PB. Loved that bike for about 3 months and realized that the triple was a huge PITA. Always grinding. Sold it for more than what I paid for it and bought a Felt Z85 with a compact double and I think a 12-27 10-speed cassette. Took about the same effort to get up the big hills as the triple...plus it shifts like butter.
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#68
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Thanks for all the help guys!
I'm changing my perspective on whether i even want to bike to school now because there is such a large risk of my bike getting stolen.
Would you use a $1000 bike to commute though?
I'm going to ask all my professors if i can keep the bike in their room because my main reason for getting a bike was to commute on it.
It was after that thought that i realized i would probably want to ride it for fun thus leading me to up my budget to get bike i won't need to upgrade for 3+ years.
I'm changing my perspective on whether i even want to bike to school now because there is such a large risk of my bike getting stolen.
Would you use a $1000 bike to commute though?
I'm going to ask all my professors if i can keep the bike in their room because my main reason for getting a bike was to commute on it.
It was after that thought that i realized i would probably want to ride it for fun thus leading me to up my budget to get bike i won't need to upgrade for 3+ years.
#69
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Definitely conflicted because my main reason for wanting to get into biking was for the commute but now that i've researched so much and visited performance and two other lbs that i realize i want the bike to be able to ride kinda competitively as well. :/
#70
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if they have bike racks by the campus police, then get a good lock (about $80-120) and lock it up securely over there...but if you have night classes, definitely bring the with you into the classroom. also, check to see if the campus has private bike lockers.
#72
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My first bike was a Fuji Newest 3.0 with a triple from PB. Loved that bike for about 3 months and realized that the triple was a huge PITA. Always grinding. Sold it for more than what I paid for it and bought a Felt Z85 with a compact double and I think a 12-27 10-speed cassette. Took about the same effort to get up the big hills as the triple...plus it shifts like butter.
Not to mention there's a tiiiiny gap between a Fuji Newest 3.0 and a Felt Z85.
I commute on my road bike sometimes but I keep it in a secure non-public access room on the top floor of an office block.
#73
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OP, for $1000, you may want to consider a 2 bike approach. I just started cycling in 7/2010 and after buying and selling 2 hybrids I went with a 2 drop bar bike approach this year since I find drop bars far more comfortable than flat bars (and a lot more fun). I was fortunate enough to obtain a near mint condition 1988 Fuji road bike for free and then in March after selling my second hybrid I got a 2010 Scattante X-330 cyclocross bike from Performance. The same type of thing may work for you. Take a look at the Scattante R-330 for $599 and then take the rest to maybe get an older nice circa 1990's steel hybrid or road bike for commuting. If you get the Scattante first and join the rewards program you'll get 10% on all purchases that you can apply on future purchases so the bike will actually cost more like $540 and you can put this $60 towards gear.
The older bike would not be as attractive to theft and the new bike will give you something to just ride the heck out of as it sounds like you're pretty enthusiastic. You can also have Performance clean the old bike up with a good tuneup. I went with a CX bike because looking down the road I will want a brand new road bike about 2 to 3 years from now (when the engine deserves one!) and want to get my stable going with a bike that I can take anywhere. The link to the 2011 X-330 is here.
Regarding the 330 series it's an entry level bike but I love the frame and overall it's been pretty darn good. It took a few hundred miles to really get the shifter cables broken in but now shifts well. I think Performance is a great way to get into the sport. I'm not sure if I'd want to drop $2000 there on a bike but they have tremendous value at the entry level.
The older bike would not be as attractive to theft and the new bike will give you something to just ride the heck out of as it sounds like you're pretty enthusiastic. You can also have Performance clean the old bike up with a good tuneup. I went with a CX bike because looking down the road I will want a brand new road bike about 2 to 3 years from now (when the engine deserves one!) and want to get my stable going with a bike that I can take anywhere. The link to the 2011 X-330 is here.
Regarding the 330 series it's an entry level bike but I love the frame and overall it's been pretty darn good. It took a few hundred miles to really get the shifter cables broken in but now shifts well. I think Performance is a great way to get into the sport. I'm not sure if I'd want to drop $2000 there on a bike but they have tremendous value at the entry level.
Last edited by knobd; 10-19-11 at 08:31 AM.
#74
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So I guess 1 case of a poorly adjusted/fitted/installed triple means triples are horrible and should all be avoided? I have a triple on my $300 flat-bar road hybrid that I've never had an issue with.
Not to mention there's a tiiiiny gap between a Fuji Newest 3.0 and a Felt Z85.
Not to mention there's a tiiiiny gap between a Fuji Newest 3.0 and a Felt Z85.
#75
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Then get a decent road bike that you keep locked up in your room and ride after class and get a Walmart beater MTB or hybrid to commute to class. Craigslist if full of cheap-o beater bikes.