Built with performance and comfort in mind, the Scott Contessa CR1 Team is a lightweight, stiff and stable ride, making it ideal for those considering road racing or wishing to pursue more challenging weekend rides.

With a full carbon fork and frame, Scott Contessa CR1 Team weighs in at just 7.9kg ; impressively light for a bike at this price. Scott’s Shock Damping System (SDS) on the rear end and fork help to cancel out vibrations from the road, meaning comfort has not been sacrificed for performance.

Scott have carefully engineered the carbon fibres which make up the frame to maximise stiffness and comfort.

In the tubes the fibres are layered to maximise lateral stiffness; great for rapid acceleration and powering along at high speeds. Adjusting the weave at other points in the frame allows the bike to flex where needed, absorbing bumps in the road and ironing out ‘road buzz’.

Scott have also used what they call ‘S-bend construction’ in the rear triangle. Different thicknesses and shapes allow the chain and seat stays to bend slightly while riding. This again has the effect of absorbing vibration without sacrificing stiffness.

Over long distances, the bike performs well with the smooth ride diminishing rider fatigue. However, with geometry angled more towards comfort rather than aggressive racing, you do end up with a slightly less responsive ride. The CR1 feels so utterly stable and dependable that it’s sometimes less frisky than I’d like. If you prefer a good solid ride, this won’t be a problem for you.

The groupset combines highly efficient Shimano 105 derailleurs, shifters, chain rings and cranks with a Tiagra cassette and chain; a quality array of components you would expect to find on bikes at this price point.

Up front you’ve got a compact set up. Two chainrings give plenty of range for climbing hills, though I would have preferred a heavier gear for fast descents and powering along the open road.

Scott have stuck with Shimano for the wheels and the CR1 Team comes equipped with WH RS10s, a mid-range wheelset, which is perfectly adequate and compliments the bike well.

The CR1 is completed with a Syncros finishing kit – narrower female friendly handlebars, a strong, light Syncros stem and a Syncros carbon seatpost to keep the weight down. The saddle was perfectly fine for me, but as we all know saddles are a very personal thing.

One common problem with women’s specific bikes is reaching the brake levers and shifters when you’re on the drops and I did indeed find it a stretch. A really simple solution is to include spacers to insert in the top of the levers to bring them closer. Though you can have these fitted at your local bike shop, I think it would be a good thing to include with a women’s set up such as this.

The geometry of the frame is slightly more upright than an all out race bike, which makes it versatile and comfortable. It could suit you well as a first bike for racing or hammering through sportives. Coming in at under £2000, it’s at the more affordable end of the scale, with plenty of scope for upgrading components should you wish.

Verdict

If you’re looking to take your riding to the next level, the Scott Contessa CR1 Team ticks all the boxes; ultra stable, very comfortable and super lightweight. If you’re feeling tempted by a carbon machine, the CR1 Team could be a good bet.

Pros

– Great value

– Very stable

– Lightweight

Cons

– Gearing is a little on the light side

– Geometry is angled more towards comfort than aggressive racing, which does in fact give you a slightly less responsive ride.

Sizes:  XXS 47cm, XS 49m, S 52cm, M 54cm, L 56cm  
Price: RRP £1899
More information: Scott
UK Supplier: Scott

What Scott say about the Contessa CR1 Team

The Contessa CR1 Team offers the perfect balance of performance and comfort. Designed to absorb shock and vibration created by irregularities in the road, this concept results in a very smooth and stable ride, reducing rider fatigue and making any ride more enjoyable.

Frameset

Colours: White
Frame: SCOTT CR1 Carbon HMF NET
Fork: CR1 HMF NET 1 1/8” Carbon steerer

Wheels

Wheels: Shimano WH RS10
Tyres: Continental Ultra Race 700×23

Drivetrain

Shifters: Shimano 105 Black ST-5700 Dual Control 20 Speed
Front derailleur: Shimano 105 FD-5700 Black
Rear derailleur: Shimano 105 Black RD-5700A 20 Speed
Crank: Shimano 105 Compact Black FC-5750 Hollowtech II 50×34
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra CS

Components

Saddle: Syncros WR2.5
Seatpost: Syncros RR1.4 WOMAN Carbon/Alloy 31.6/300mm, w/o offset
Handlebar: Syncross RR2.0 WOMAN 31.8mm Lady Anatomic
Stem: Syncros FL2.0 WOMAN 1-1/8”mm
Headset: Ritchey PRO Int. cartridge
Brakeset: Shimano 105 BR-5700 Super SLR Dual pivot Black