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150 Posts
So I've been doing quite a bit of research lately on a new bike, upgrading from my Specialized Crosstrail, which no doubt has served me well the last two years. I haven't seen or heard much about Scott bikes, but this bike popped up while online. On paper, all the specs seemingly met my requirements to a tee, I like the looks of it as well. I found a bike shop that sells Scott bikes about a half hour from me, so off I went. The first bike I see right by the door as I walk in is the Scott Metrix 20, I immediately stop to check it out. These particular bikes are pretty new and this LBS just got them in.
After talking to the owner a bit, he asked me if I wanted to test ride it... I sure do! He puts some pedals on it, I hand him my drivers licence and off I go to explore the side streets of Tarzana, CA.
THE first thing I notice right away... how light this bike is... wow. I hop on and immediately feel the bike lurch forward with each pedal stroke like never before.. I mean I'm coming from a bike that weighs about 32 lbs, this bike weighs 9 full lbs less... big difference! Right across the street is a long well paved road that leads into a pretty good hill which I took. I loved how quickly I got to speed, the effortless shifting of the Deore 9 speed, (I'm coming from a Altus 7 speed) the upcoming hill was gradual and long, and it seemed it was taking half the effort as it would on my current bike. Heading back down, I finally had the higher gears that I've been missing on my Crosstrail and was probably going faster than I've ever been on a bike.
Coming up to the stop sign, I thought I'd check out the feel of the hydraulic disc brakes. I've never used them before, and frankly, I always thought disc breaks were a bit of overkill for this type of riding, expensive, more weight, ect ect. Well I may not need these brakes, but I want these brakes... I'm a believer! I used them just for the experience over and over again, when I didn't even have to, so smooth, solid, quiet, requiring less effort as normal brakes.
The 27 speed gearing covers all the bases for me, there's no gear I need that isn't there. 11-32 with 48-36-26 triple. Shifting is quick and precise. The tires are supposedly 28c, but were way thinner than the 28c tires on my Crosstrail, so I'm not sure what's up with that... they looked more like 25c tires to me. They rolled great though dispite the fact they were obviously under inflated. I bet she rolls even better with the proper psi. All in all, I really like this bike, and chances are good it will replace my Crosstrail someday.... someday soon I hope.
Here's a pic of it...
After talking to the owner a bit, he asked me if I wanted to test ride it... I sure do! He puts some pedals on it, I hand him my drivers licence and off I go to explore the side streets of Tarzana, CA.
THE first thing I notice right away... how light this bike is... wow. I hop on and immediately feel the bike lurch forward with each pedal stroke like never before.. I mean I'm coming from a bike that weighs about 32 lbs, this bike weighs 9 full lbs less... big difference! Right across the street is a long well paved road that leads into a pretty good hill which I took. I loved how quickly I got to speed, the effortless shifting of the Deore 9 speed, (I'm coming from a Altus 7 speed) the upcoming hill was gradual and long, and it seemed it was taking half the effort as it would on my current bike. Heading back down, I finally had the higher gears that I've been missing on my Crosstrail and was probably going faster than I've ever been on a bike.
Coming up to the stop sign, I thought I'd check out the feel of the hydraulic disc brakes. I've never used them before, and frankly, I always thought disc breaks were a bit of overkill for this type of riding, expensive, more weight, ect ect. Well I may not need these brakes, but I want these brakes... I'm a believer! I used them just for the experience over and over again, when I didn't even have to, so smooth, solid, quiet, requiring less effort as normal brakes.
The 27 speed gearing covers all the bases for me, there's no gear I need that isn't there. 11-32 with 48-36-26 triple. Shifting is quick and precise. The tires are supposedly 28c, but were way thinner than the 28c tires on my Crosstrail, so I'm not sure what's up with that... they looked more like 25c tires to me. They rolled great though dispite the fact they were obviously under inflated. I bet she rolls even better with the proper psi. All in all, I really like this bike, and chances are good it will replace my Crosstrail someday.... someday soon I hope.
Here's a pic of it...
