Having used the top of the range CR1 SL for just a couple of hours during the 2010 launch we thought it showed immense promise, so we were keen to try out the more cost-effective Pro version.

Scott's range of five CR1s starts with the SL made with Scott's highest grade of carbon, HMX, and costs £4,699. Below sit the Pro, Elite, Team and Comp (in descending price order), which all use the same HMF carbon-fibre - these range in price from £2,499 to £1,499.

For the new season Scott has reworked the CR1 with the aim of making it a more comfortable long-distance machine rather than the out-and-out racer it was in the past.

Scott has taken a route that we very much approve of and simply increased the head tube length and avoided simultaneously shortening the reach. Scott carbon engineers are obviously wise to the needs of a long-distance bike as they've given the front and rear end flattened areas for a limited amount of vertical flex to aid comfort. At the same time they've been careful not to introduce flex that would spoil the ride.

Upon first acquaintance, the longer head tube certainly made for a more sportive oriented ride, just as you'd expect, with less weight on your hands and a less aggressive stance on the bike. Nevertheless, by sticking with the original CR1 geometry the new bike still handles well and shifting your weight to the front end gets the most out of corners.

Verdict

While the new CR1 is certainly more comfortable than the old version it's at the stiffer end of the spectrum when it comes to ?sportive specific' machines. This means that on broken roads there wasn't quite the comfort you get with some bikes but the payback is racer-esque handling, allowing you to devour direction changes - and that makes you feel like a king when riding fast around corners.

Given Scott's racing heritage it's no surprise they've created a sportive bike with more than a hint of racer about it - if you're after something of this ilk, it's a great ride.

Reviewer: Mike Hawkins