EPX 303 or SuperGo Scattante Carbon?

chongie

Hi guys/Gals,
Looking for some unbiased advise on which frame/bike to purchase. The first on is the EPX303 carbon frame w/full ulterga and the second is a Supergo house brand Scattante carbon frame also with Ultegra components. I have read good rreviews about both frames but not sure if i should trust a "house brand" bike...can't find any reviews about the Scattante except from the Supergo website which I would guess that they would only post good reviews about thier product....If anyone can help, i would be very greatfull..Also, i'm comming from an Alum/tiagra entry level bike so i'm sure any of these bikes would be a great improvement but would like to make sure I get a decent quality bike...
Thanks

Spunky99

I've been told the EPX is 2500.00. The CFR with a Ouzo Pro upgrade is only 1695.00. I did the math and bought the fork.
I'm happier than words can express as to how much better the bike handles now.
My dollars were well spent IMHO.

chongie

Thanks Spunky99,
Did you have problems with your CFR with the original fork or was it just for upgrade sake? I have read in another post that the CFR's Fork is very weak and could be even dangerous. here is the quote : The Weyless carbon fork is weak (flexes)and oscillates in the turns causing this to be a dangerous ride. I was descending at 34mph on switchbacks and almost bit the pavement due to the severe oscillations. Due to the newness of the bike, I have been thankfully cautious on the turn speeds especially since I noticed the turning was a bit scary on my flatland checkout ride at very low speeds. Here is a quote from the review from Shane Smith, ("One thing. On descents, if I sit up off the bars, the bike will get front end wobble even though my wheels are true and my headset is tight. Odd.")
Replacing the fork will be a necessity. Supergo is looking at the bike now for defects that would cause this but the fork is very weak. I weigh 195 and clearly the fork is not strong enough for me and bends from side force. I don't know how much Shane weighs but for me this bike is only good for straight line speed and is an accident waiting to happen on turns.


Have you experienced any of these drawbacks?
Thanks

Spunky99

Chongie,
That was my post that you quoted.
The replacement Reynolds Ouzo Pro worked out fantastic. Much better road damping and super stiff. I also got the handle bar stem raised 1.5" which is what I needed too. The origional fork steerer was cut and would only go about 3/8" up.
I'm very pleased with the ride now. for an extra $216.50 to upgrade the forks, the deal is superior.

chongie

Thanks again Spunky99,
I think i am going to give this bike a shot. To be honest, my reason for considering it besides the cost of course is the fact that i would rather go for comfort as opposed to speed. I've had back probles (car Acident) so the carbon comfort is more of a selling piont than anything else. I was also considering the Fuji Team ultegra which i see i can get for $1300 complete but with only an carbon fork, i don't want to take any chances doing centires on that bike with my health issues. Not sure if i'm even making valid points for myself but i've always been told that carbon would be a lot better for me...

joker

I tried to reply earlier, but got logged out - will type faster this time. Been riding regularly for past few months, 15-20 miles a day and a long ride on weekends. Been borrowing friends old performance brand titanium frame and his steel semi-custom cross bike. Used to amateur road race and club ride in youth on raleigh supercourse with 105 kit. In market for new bike, leaning towards cannondale r1000 or trek2300. Bike friend says both are meant for racing and are too stiff; trek is too mundane and mediocre and cannondale is all hype. I don't think he has ridden either, but he is semi-in-the-know [albeit very biased towards custom steel and classic italian rides].

Today I test rode EPX303 at local bike shop. 105 = $1600, ultegra = $1900. Only got about 15 mins. on city streets, so no hills or real high speeds. Bike felt nice and stiff, good sprinter from start [wheels not the best - don't remember what they were], completely rattle free, and just darn smoot over the normal city street bumps and lumps. Smoother and more responsive than either of my current rides.

I'm now leaning towards EPX/CFR, probably CFR with Reynolds fork for $1700. I have heard second-hand that (a) frames are same, (b) frame geometries are same and frames in exact same sizes, (c) both manufactured by same company in malaysia, (d) don't know about fork. I've heard that CFR's supergo fork is not up for high speeds, but you can get reynolds upgrade for extra $170. Don't quote me on that factual accuracy of any of this, but I have found confirming info at other sites/forums on web.

I have not gotten to test ride CAAD7, and would appreciate any feedback compared with my current preference the CFR. Cheers,
-joker

Spunky99

I just got the word that the Scattante CFR frame is made by Kestrel. A Supergo Sales Rep just confirmed the supplier.
Just like a Kestrel 303 except for the seat tube and some heavier gusseting.

flea77

Sorry to hear you say this, you will miss out on some wonderful rides with this attitude. Trek makes some excellent rides, I own three different ones. If you are into carbon try out the 5200, beautiful bike, awesome ride, all the people in my riding group love it and are always complimenting me on it.

True there are a lot of Treks on the road so you might not be as unique, but if you are after that either get a Schnider or a Colnago C40 A-Stay.

Personally I wanted a really nice ride and didnt care what anyone else thought. I still wake up every morning and almost want to kiss my 5200 :-) Smooth as glass, fast as lightning, and the quietest bike I have ever......not heard, heh.

Not to say there are not other excellent bikes out there, and I am quite sure many better than the 5200. But mundane and mediocre it is not.

Allan

joker

joker

Thank you, thank you... I want to hear truly objective opinions... Actually, what I would really prefer is some substantive fact, of any type whatsoever as opposed to the typical hyberbole that is promulgated on this forum and, especially, from my wrench-head buddy. He does know his **** - at least pre-2001 stuff - while biased - as are all of us. I would really like to hear from people who have experience with any combination of these bikes, objectively comparing their qualities: R1000 vs. 2300 vs. Carbon supergo CRF.

Fact: I will only have any opportunity to test ride any of these bikes for a max of 25 miles - and no miles in my normal conditions [commute on city street with pack on back, also daily trainer, and ready to keep up with Cat.3 friends on weekend mountain training road rides...] The carbon EXP/CFR frame was suprisingly like mercury floating on steel, but I am worried about sizing, and want to hear from owners of R1000 or Trek 2300: what is best bike for 140 lbs. althetic conditioned rider in Colorado, for all around trainer, commuter, fast rider, and weekend racer [nothing too serious, after all, I am in Colorado... home of all studs]. Denver streets are not all smooth - especially when the weather gets sucky [need room for 28mm tires]....

Objective opinions wanted, desperately...
-joker

old&slow

Joker, you're being a little misled. A Scattante is not made by Kestrel, the salesman is twisting the truth a little - Scattante, EPX, BP Stealth, PedalForce AND Kestrel frames are made by Martec, a Taiwanese manufacturer. They use several different but similar moulds so you will, for example, see a slightly different tube pattern in a Scattante as opposed to a PedalForce Aeroblade. I can't objectively comment on specific differences which Martec may build into different frames according to the end price point - the cynic in me says they're basically the same type of material and construction and the price differences are down to different warranty standards etc ? There is a Martec website where you can see a very small part of their range -

http://www.asiatrademart.com/work/b...BI&cate=BI20001

The RL02 shown is a PedalForce while the 'Talon' is shown complete with Kestrel logos ! If you're keen enough you can dig through other Taiwanese business directories and find other Martec references which show some other 'badge' models including the alloy/carbon Scattantes. Hope that helps ?