Scattante 2003 CFR Carbon - Opinions??

rodent

Funny, I was in the exact same situation last year (only my bike was 18 years old - old Vitus/Campy SR). I bought my 2003 Scattante CFR just over a year ago and I've put some decent miles on it - averaging around 250 miles/month, typically a 20+ mile ride during the week, 50+ on the weekend plus one session on the trainer.

Overall I'm very pleased with it. The full Ultegra was the deal-maker for me. I figured even if I didn't like the frame after a year or so, I could just move the group onto a new one later. The price was just too hard to pass up. Handling is good (though see caveat below).

With that model year some have reported a shimmy in the forks under certain conditions. I've actually experienced it once myself, rather strange. But I think my front wheel may not have been as tightly locked on as it should have, and I had more of my weight than usual committed to the handlebars. I was doing around 25mph at the time down a short hill. Later that night I was doing 55+mph (chase vehicle support) down a mountain pass with nary a hint of shimmy, and I usually hit 35+mph on my weekly rides, no problem. I'm wondering if heavier riders are more prone to bring it out? (I'm 165lbs.)

That said, I'd buy it again. It's been a great bike. Handles well in the pack, and at the risk of sounding arrogant it's kind of fun kicking a little butt on a bike that was 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of most others in the paceline.

A few spots of frame laminant have been chipped away (my fault, though no crashes) but functionally it's a great ride. It's quite nice on the hills in particular. I've thought of replacing the fork in case that was the source of the mystery shimmy, but it hasn't been a priority (since it was only once).

Good luck!