The Solace range of bikes from Scott provide riders with a more comfortable and upright riding position ideal for endurance riders. The Contessa part of the name refers to Scott’s women specific range and geometry.
The Solace HMF Carbon frame is really worth a mention here, with Asymmetric Design tubing, oversized bottom bracket, SDS (Shock Damping System) to reduce high frequency vibration from the road, it’s certainly a technical frame design. It also boasts Bi Zone Construction, which put simply means there’s a Power Zone and a Comfort Zone.
The women’s road bike Power Zone encompasses the tapered head tube, oversized down tube, oversized bottom bracket shell and asymmetric chain stays – all designed for high stiffness and power transfer. While the Comfort Zone comprises the seat stays connected to the sides of the top tube rather than the usual seat tube placement. This allows for deflection of both the seat stays and the seat tube to provide a more comfortable ride.
It’s a stunning frame and fork combo, and the running gear is quality no-nonsense Shimano 105 with Synchros bars, stem, seat and carbon alloy seatpost, all very tasty.
2014 Scott Contessa Solace 25 Compact
Price: RRP £1999
