Scott or Specialized?

Donald can get a good price on a 2007 Scott CR1 with a Shimano Dura-Ace group set and at a similar price a 2008 Specialized Tarmac with the SRAM Rival group. He wants to know which one we would go for, it’s a very difficult one to call, but in the end it comes down to the choice of equipment.

Question:
I’m trying to choose between a 2008 Specialized Tarmac expert with SRAM Rival or a 2007 Scott CR1 SL CD with Dura-Ace. I can get them for the same price so cost is not an issue (the 07 Scott is 25% off). I’m planning to do a little racing but mostly long rides, multi-day charity rides, centuries, etc. What are your thoughts?
Thanks.

Hi Donald,

The Specialized Tarmac and the Scott CR1 are both great bikes, we love the frames and if you were asking us to choose between the frames then we couldn’t as they both ride wonderfully, are very light and they both have sharp geometry that fit like a glove. So between the frames there isn’t much difference, too close to call.

Specialized Tarmac

The Equipment

This is what decided it for us, the Rival group set SRAM is good, but it’s not in the same league as the Shimano Dura-Ace. If the Specialized was fitted with the SRAM Red then I would say it would nearly be as good as the Scott with the Dura-Ace, but with the Rival I would go for the Scott with its Shimano Dura-Ace. The Rival is not up to the standard of the top class Dura-Ace and its a little heavier, it’s functional and works well once you get used to the different method of gear change, but it’s not as good as the Dura-ace. The Shimano Dura-ace group is the best from the Japanese manufacturer, some say it’s the best on the market, but we think the Campagnolo Record and the SRAM Red are equal and in some cases better, but the Rival is lower, more like Ultegra and Chorus.

You could buy the Specialized and up grade later as you go along, but why? With the Scott you are getting the best frame and components, good enough for all the things you want to do, this bike any professional could perform on to the best of his ability with no problems. So we would go for the Scott CR1 SL CD with the Shimano Dura-ace. Good luck with your rides and you races.

Scott CR1