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Scott Speedster Road Bike Review

I like the Scott Speedster as a light weight and very resonably priced road bike that can handle speed and competition as well as distance rides, fitness and overall road use.

Scott Bikes have not been around as long as some of the other popular brands reviewed on this site (Fuji, Raleigh, Schwinn, etc.) but what they have accomplished in their relatively short history is impressive.

Scott road bikes are known for their light weight and aerodynamic designs and the Speedster is no exception. Scott places the Speedster in their "performance" category along with the more expensive Scott bikes and offers four different Speedster price/frame/component levels in addition to one flat bar model (see the Speedster model comparisons below for more on this).

Note: As of 2/1/2012 the 2012 Scott Speedster S20 is selling for $1,299 (new) See Scott Speedster S20 at REI

For a larger selection of high end Road Bikes that can be ordered online, see Road Bikes at PerformanceBike.com.

Although the Speedster is very reasonably priced (and you can buy these bikes online), these are high end bikes, with quality components. I had the opportunity to review a number of Scott bikes on a recent trip to REI and I was very impressed with their design and quality of their components.

Scott Speedster Features at a Glance: The Scott Speedster bikes have aluminmum frames (approx. 19.5 to 20.8 pounds depending on the price/frame/component level), carbon alloy forks, Shimano shifters and derailers and Contintental Ultra Sport 700x23c tires.

Scott Speedster Model Comparisons:

The Scott Speedsters have 5 price/frame/component levels. The prices go down as the level goes up so the Speedster S10 is the most expensive and the Speedster S50 is the least expensive.  The 4 levels have very similar frame materials and construction but differ in component quality.

See the REI links (above) for their automated comparison feature to see the specific details.

About-Bicycles Review:

I have seen some negative reviews on the Speedster components with the lower level Speedster models (the S50 and S60 (2009 model)). The components that I tested (on the 2010 models) worked just fine.

Scott bikes, in general, are excellent quality and very reasonably priced. If you are looking for a good racing bike at a very resonable price I would recommend the Speedster.

Customer Reviews:

There are no shortage of Scott Speedster customer reviews online but there is quite a disparity in the ratings. It appears to me that the lower end Speedsters (S50 and S60) have the most complaints.

Most Relevant Comments included...

Comments about Scott Speedster S50:

"...I rode it about 5-10 miles and realized that I couldn't shift through the whole set of rear gears without the chain rubbing on the front derailleur."

Pros: "Good Geometry Lightweight" Cons: "Poor Components"

Comments about Scott Speedster S60:

"...I was very impressed and didn't expect it to be so light and responsive. Now with all the quick trips I do around the city, I'm using this way more than my primary road bike."

Bottom Line: "Yes, I would recommend this to a friend"

Scott Speedster S20 Features at a Glance:

• Bike frame material: Aluminum
  
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
  
• Fork: Speedster carbon/alloy
  
• Crankset: Shimano 105, 50/34
  
• Bottom bracket: Shimano 105
  
• Shifters: Shimano 105
  
• Front derailleur: Shimano 105
  
• Rear derailleur: Shimano 105
  
• Rear cogs: Shimano Tiagra, 12-30, 10-speed
  
• Number of gears: 20 gear(s)
  
• Brake type: Rim brake
  
• Brakes Shimano: BR-R561
  
• Brake levers; Shimano 105
  
• Rims: Alex Race 28 Aero Profile
  
• Front hub: Scott Team, 20h
  
• Rear hub: Scott Team, 24h
  
• Wheel size: 700c
  
• Tires: Continental Ultra Sport, 700x23
  
• Handlebars: Scott Road Pilot Pro - Drop Bar
  
• Stem: Scott Road Pilot Pro
  
• Seat post Scott Carbon/Al
  
• Saddle: Scott Road Team
  
• Pedals: Sold separately
  
• Headset: Integrated cartridge
  
• Chain: Shimano Tiagra
  
  

See the REI links (above) for specifications on the other Speedster models.

More helpful online bike sales resources:

See Best Buy Bikes Online - for the latest sales and deals on quality brand names bikes for sale online.

See Online Bike Stores - for a complete listing of where to purchase the most popular brands for all bike types online.

Recommended Road Bike Brands and Online Bike Sites

REI has a great selection of Cannondale, Scott, Electra, Raleigh, and Novara brand Road Bikes that you can buy online. See Road Bikes at REI for the latest road bikes and prices.

Some REI brand road bikes (like cannondale) must be delivered to an REI store but the brands that can be delivered directly to your home come with only minor assembly required.

See * Road Bikes at Performance for a nice selection of road bikes for sale online including Fuji, Schwinn, Scattante, Mongoose, GT, Focus and SE Racing brand bikes. Bikes can be delivered to your home or to a Performance store for FREE shipping.