Scott Sportster 10 Solution
Scott Sportster 10 Solution 2011
Mrs Taylor’s new bike is a Scott Sportster 10 Solution hybrid bicycle, 2011 model.
The month of August seems a good time to buy current year’s models as retailers sometimes reduce their prices to make room for next year’s. It was supplied by a local bike shop and supposed to be a surprise. But the ruse failed. She’s pleased with it anyway. It has a more upright riding position than her touring bike and she finds it easier to breathe properly going up hills. The front suspension and easy to squeeze hydraulic disc brakes are altogether better for her wrists, both of which she’s broken in recent years, and a shoulder – all plated.
My own Giant hybrid bike (bought last August) has worked out well so the whole thing seems to make sense. The first bike Sandra owned, and has ridden a lot, is still in the garage: a mid-1980s Peugeot all-terrain – that was a surprise as well. So I was confident this new one would not be rejected.
The Scott Sportster Solution is supposedly a bike made for women. It has a lower stand-over, shorter stem, and slightly wider saddle than the plain Sportster – the man’s version. It does look like a ‘ladies’ bike. The decal graphics are superb. Does my less fancy Giant look like a man’s bike? Who knows? Women on cycling forums sometimes complain how they can’t find female specific bicycles. Well this is one.
Some spec:
- Frame: 6061 Alloy double butted tubing
- Fork: Suntour NCX-D RL-A, lock-out suspension, 700c, 63mm travel
- Front derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M590
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XT, RD-M772 SGS, Shadow Type
- Chainset: Shimano SLX, FC-M660, with chainguard
- Bottom bracket: Shimano Hollowtech II
- Chainrings: 48 / 36 / 26
- Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50-9, 11-32
- Brakes: Avid Elixir 3 with 160 mm rotor
- Rims: Alex XC-44 disc, black, 32H 700c
- Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph, 700 x 35c
- Weight: 11.70 kg / 25.77 lbs approx
(The gear sizes are exactly the same as on Sandra’s touring bike)
I like the ‘chainguard’ – actually a chainring protector. More bikes should be fitted with these in my opinion (for safety). Scott hybrid-specific mudguards were extra, and expensive, but worthwhile. They look the part and are very strong. Scott also supply a rack that actually sits on the rear one. All in all it’s a lovely bike. Now the question is, where to store it? It brings the household up to eleven bikes.
