Originally Posted by
Hirohsima
While I know that CF frames are mostly made in a few factories in Taiwan, being made in the same factory may imply consisten quality between frame brands, but layup, molds, and frame design I have to assume vary drasticly between brands. The guts of an SL3 look nothing like the guts of an Addict.
Also, yes, Scott does not have a protective outer cosmetic CF layer on their newest bikes. They have their structural CF layup and then a clearcoat. Thats it. They call it NET. Since the outer layer provides little to no structural use, but is mainly there for cosmetics and durability, they dropped it. It saves weight and I think the naked carbon looks WAY better than their old CR1's with the wide weave topcoat. (Think Campy carbon cranks vs 2009 SRAM Force cranks.... your tastes may differ.) I can snap some shots of my CR1 but I think it looks great. Rides even better, and the BB is oh so stiff (for my puny legs at least).
Specialized may have deeper pockets in the US and much wider acceptance here, but Scott is the #1 bike maker in Europe. I think they are the value/performance leader for large-brand bike makers. I could be justifying my purchase.... full disclosure was I had my eyes set on a 2010 Tarmac Expert... but once I rode the Scott.... and compared the spec... I went against years of buying Specialized bikes.
Agreed.
I usually ride italian frames, but no matter which way I dice it, you cant beat Scott and I had to get one. None of the top italian brands come under 900g, this still baffles me, or impresses me about Scott.
Iv always had problems with BB being to soft for me, and Scott is the first frame where I feel that there is a noticeable difference.
Am i justifying my purchase...? Well, no, because I actually have been shopping for a new frame other than Scott (asthetic reasons, there are some pretty looking bikes this year), but heres the thing, I am not finding a new frame thats better! Even $5K frames arent as stiff or as light. So Im sticking with my old frame.