Scott Sub 20

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Bushtukah's - Ottawa

Summary:
Bought the 2009 version of the SUB 20 this spring. I must say, the bike is a very descent ride and a well balanced hybrid. The bike in itself is mostly satisfying. The reason why I'm writing this review is to warn future buyers about the "sub city kit" This kit is not made for the SUB bikes. I had to order it (I won't start with the order problems here - that review is for Bushtukah alone - the worst bike shop I've ever seen). It didn't come with the necessary nuts and bolts so I had to write a few e-mails to the distributor and the company before I could get hold of all the pieces. Guess what now? The kick stand is ok (altought it is not listed on the components list anywhere but on the box - almost bought one before receiving the kit) The Fenders need a little work. You first have to remove plastic material for the screws to brackets to fit. You then have to bend them around your disk brakes. The attachment to the bike frame will scratch your paint job if you don't put something between them. The front fender has the same problem plus the attachment to the frame need to made bigger (the hole is too small for the screw) and needs to be bent otherwise the screw is too short. The rear rack also needs to be bent in order to fit with the frame. Bending metal deteriorates the physical resistance of metal, even more if it's done in your living room.

Strengths:
the bike

Weaknesses:
The accessory kit that comes with it. For 135$ CAD ($120 USD) it's a ripe-off. It not even made for the bike, you have to bend the pieces (making them weaker!!) and remove plastic material to install them. Could have had the same on the aftermarket for half the price. This kit is just piece put together by Scott to make an expensive accessory kit. Their name is only on the box.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $780.00 at Tokyo, Japan

Favorite Ride:
this bike

Bike Setup:
Changed to the following from stock set-up:
• Tiagra brake pads.
• Tiagra rear sprocket set (9sp, 12-25T),
• KMC X9 Ti-N Gold (Excellent excellent chain. v. quiet and just feels strong and dependable. So much better than the Shimano chain that came standard).
• Schwalbe Marathon tyres (good puncture resistance) as i'd had too many punctures in 9 months. A bit slower than the Maxxis Colombiere tyres that came with the bike but the added peace of mind of puncture resistant tyres is the balancer.
• Serfas saddle.
• Added a Topeak Super Tourist rack and a Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP.

Summary:
This 2008 Sub 20 is the bee's knees. It is relatively light, takes racks and fenders. I have the large size (TT 58cm22.8", Chain stay 43cm/16.9")
Brakes are V-brakes and are extremely powerful. They squealed a lot at first but i replaced them with Shimano Tiagra brake pads (prob. higher quality rubber than stock) and they are now quiet and very effective. I am still amazed at their stopping power. In my commute i often slipstream cars and trucks for a bit of a tow and these brakes are amazing in keeping me out of trouble.
The geometry is just perfect for me (178cm, ~78kg. Bike size L) and it feels that the power i put to the pedal goes straight into moving the bike forward - there is basically no flex in the frame so that leg power is transmitted into the wheels, into forward motive force. Acceleration is fast, really fast, esp. with the sprocket set mod. I changed the sprocket set and chain and what was an already pretty quiet ride with very little drive-train noise became even quieter! Wonderful!
The bike is really fast and if you get the right size for you you can surprise those with expensive racing bikes. I used Rivendell's method for determining frame size ((http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/fit_sizing_position)) and am happy i didn't listen to the salesmen who were trying to sell me a smaller frame size. Of course the main factor is one's fitness and the power in your body mechanics system that is at your disposal. l can regularly power past other commuters with expensive racing bikes whose bikes look as if they fit badly, or who got them because it was the "in" thing to get (not buying on practicalities).
I often need to load up the pannier and when that is fully loaded my Sub 20 doesn’t seem to notice. It still handles the same and just goes and goes...
I still look out for other bikes that could replace this Sub 20 but as of now, none i've seen come close to this combination of geometry, speed, agility and plain usefulness (rack and carrying capacity) for the use i have for it now - fitness and fast commuting with excellent back rack carrying strength with stability while maintaining performance. I plan to get faster tyres which i will swop in during holidays and for fitness rides (Panaracer Roll-y Pol-y 28c).

Strengths:
It is stiff and light. Fast mover. I like the ride. Stable. Nimble. Quiet ride. 700x32c tyres mean excellent fast road ride but tough enough to handle road irregularities and kerb jumps with aplomb. The frame has the perfect geometry for me: i feel nicely and relaxedly stretched out, but not overly so. I can easily put power into the drive train without effort.
With the modifications i've made to the stock set-up it is even better. Might get a pair of Panaracer Roll-y Pol-y 28c tyres to swop for more speed later.
Great fast responsive rapid-fire shifters with less thumb movement than others tested.

Weaknesses:
Don't need the large rear sprockets so the stock set-up has gearing that is too wide for relatively flat road use (here in Tokyo). I have wide sit bone distance and the stock saddle was too painful for me.
These are easily changed though.
That's all.

Similar Products Used:
A Tarini road bike 25 ya (in N.Z.)
I did a couple of months research before deciding on this bike. The finalists were the Cannondale Bad Boy and a Felt, a Giant FCR 1 and a Trek 7.6 FX. The first was expensive and seemed too ostentatious for me. The geometry was so so for me. The second was not available to test in my size (unfortunately). The Giant was nice and light, and had 105 components and at a good price but I really disliked the "compact design" as it felt really cramped. I felt i could not give rein to my full exertion. The Trek had really dinky shifters that were not fast and needed large thumb movements. Didn't like the overall feel of the bike.