Summary: Easton Ultralight Frame lives up to the name. Lighter than the 7005 series frame on the R-650, with a little more road buzz coming through. Same nice geometry. Stiff and leaps when cranked. I tested Specialized Allez, Trek 2100, Fuji Roubaix. All were several hundred $$ more for 105/Tiagra kit. Rides just a nice if not better.
Strengths: Ultegra Kit for same price as 105 and Tiagra on other bikes. Well made light frame with good semi compact geometry.
Weaknesses: Cant find any yet.
Performance Bike Shop a bit weak in Mechanic service. Tune and service by self or elsewhere.
Similar Products Used: Scattante R-650
Trek 1000, 2100
Fuji Club.
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Summary: This is only my second road bike and my first in over 10 years. I tried many of the bikes in this category (carbon seat stay, fork and seat post with ultegra components) They were much more expensive. I also didn't like the way they rode as well as the Scattante. I have put in two metric centuries and over 600 miles in 4 months. I have really enjoyed it and would highly recommend this bike. I have upgraded the tires as they were prone to punctures and put on a different seat. Even with the changes it is still hundreds of dollars cheaper than other similar bikes
Strengths: cost
great ride
very quick handling
Weaknesses: Seat
Tires
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Summary: 2006 Scattante R-650. Very nice semicompact butted 7005 Alum frame with carbon fork, stays, seat post. As smooth riding as my old Cro-moly but much lighter. After two 10 mile tune up rides and one 20 mile with a friend, I am impressed. I tested and Compared Trek 2200 and Fuji Roubaix pro (traditional geom.), Specialized Allez (compact and very upright geom.), the Iron Horse Excelsior Race and Scattante (semi-compact geom.). All were great. Hard to tell apart. I preferred the semi compact geometry and the Scattante 7005 alum-carbon combo was smoother and lighter than the 6000 series alum-carbon combo of the Iron-horse. The R-650 can accelerate and climb well. I don't race but I want to keep a decent pace without killing myself, and this light bike seems to be able to it. Good bang for the buck if not having the "Brand" is not as important as the ride.
Strengths: Decent frame with nice geometry. Ultegra package. Responsive handling. Did I say smooth ride? Good bang for the buck.
Weaknesses: Truvative Elita crank and cheap (dammaged) chainrings will have to go soon. Same with the uncomfy Velo saddle and $9 Kenda tires, yuck. 6603 triple shifter for a double crank? Not good. Prefer the 6600 double.
Performance Mechanics...BMX Kids, need roadie experience.
Similar Products Used: 1995 Fuji Club
Schwinn Touring
Trek 1000
Bike Setup: Stock from Supergo except upgraded seat to Selle Italia Gel with center cutout. No numbness anymore.
Summary: I have owned a 2003 and 2004 model. (First one was stolen). I bought this bike after a 10+ year break from cycling and did not want to spend a ton to get back in the sport. Started in Summer 2003 seriously riding again. Since then, I have logged thousands of training miles, done centuries and have gone from Cat 5 to Cat 3 road racer in the span of about 18 months. Like Lance says, "It's not about the bike." The R-650 has never let me down and I am now putting the hurt on about 90% of the regional Cat 3 field on this bike. You have no snob factor or bragging rights with this bike, but if you can handle the looks from your riding buddies who say "What kind of bike is that?", be satisified in knowing that you paid a lot less, but can still hang with the fast group. Have not had any problems with flats as some have mentioned.
Strengths: Ultegra for under a grand.
Korso wheels perform like wheels that cost a whole lot more.
Bike is responsive and stiff.
You can successfully race on this bike.
Weaknesses: Notice a little rear end instabiltiy in some crits I have done. The rear end is extremely stiff, so this may have something to do with it. They upgraded to carbon rear seat stays for 2005. The seat is kind of cheap, I upgraded.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Specialized
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Favorite Ride: 70* weather in January. Sweet Home Alabama.
Bike Setup: 2004 Scattante R650
Selle Italia Turbo Saddle
Speedplay Frog clipless pedals
100mm R-7 OS stem
Cateye Astrale 8
Summary: This bike was a great buy. All Ultegra with the exception of the cassette for under $1000. I've put 800 miles on it in the ~3 months I've owned it and haven't had any problems.
The rim tape hasn't been a problem as in other posts but the saddle was painful as mentioned.
I've gotten many remarks on how nice the frame welds are and have not found it to be a stiff ride as many anti-aluminum riders claim. However, it is stiff enough to make a descent climber. My climbing has improved greatly with this bike.
The wheel set has performed better than expected and, after some initial hesitation, I regularly get it up over 40mph on one of my favorite loops.
Overall, this bike has exceeded my expectations and often begs me to ride it even when my body can't take any more. Sure I get looks when I show up to a ride with my "discount" bike, but when I keep pace and have fewer break downs the criticism stops. All of this for under $1000!
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