Scott Speedster Gravel 30 Review
- Price: $2,199
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 700c Aluminum
- Gears: 2 x 10
What we like about it: The robust and durable frame, along with fitting components that cater to all riders.
What we don’t like about it: The aluminum frame doesn’t make this gravel bike particularly lightweight.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Scott Speedster Gravel 30 is the top choice for riders in gravel off-roading. Its comfortable geometry for all-day riding, reliable high-performance components, strong load-carrying capacity, and fully internal cable routing make it an excellent option for gravel enthusiasts.
Now, let’s delve into the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications of the Scott Speedster Gravel 30. In the latter part of this article, we’ll also compare it to a few other bikes. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, please follow us.
Riding Experience
The Scott Speedster Gravel 30 boasts an aesthetically pleasing design with its integrated internal cable routing, a feature I particularly favor. The aluminum frame, while not as lightweight as carbon fiber, offers durability, and the reliable components heightened my anticipation for riding this gravel bike.
With that in mind, I hopped onto the Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and headed to our local countryside roads. These roads are laden with gravel and feature rolling hills, making them an ideal testing ground for this bike.
Climbing
As I tackled uphill riding with the Scott Speedster Gravel 30, I noticed that the aluminum frame, while not as lightweight as carbon fiber, was exceptionally rigid. The power transfer during uphill pedaling remained impressively strong, allowing me to maintain a brisk climbing pace.
When I wanted to climb with less effort, the Shimano GRX 400 drivetrain with its 2×10-speed configuration proved sufficient for my needs. Shifting gears was swift and precise, resulting in smooth pedaling. This helped conserve energy during uphill climbs.
Finally, the Schwalbe G-ONE off-road tires offered robust traction. Coupled with excellent geometry, they gripped the ground securely, and I didn’t experience slippage during forceful pedaling. This increased the efficiency of uphill riding.
In summary, the Scott Speedster Gravel 30’s climbing performance is suitable for most riders, with excellent components compensating for its weight disadvantage during uphill riding.
Descending
On downhill roads, the Scott Speedster Gravel 30’s performance was highly appealing to me. The carbon fiber fork displayed excellent resilience and absorbed road surface vibrations on gravel roads. This improved my riding and seating experience, while the bike maintained stability.
Additionally, the 700c large wheelset exhibited good maneuverability and rolled down slopes swiftly. I must mention the Schwalbe G-ONE 45c tires, which not only provided strong traction but also had adequate width for shock absorption, reducing the risk of punctures.
When approaching a curve at high speed, the Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc brakes, paired with Shimano SM-RT70 160mm front and rear brake discs, delivered an exceptional braking experience. Little force was needed to achieve powerful braking, allowing me to quickly reduce the bike’s speed and navigate curves safely and steadily.
In conclusion, I find the descending performance of the Scott Speedster Gravel 30 to be fast, reliable, and stress-free. The dependable components enable me to focus solely on my ride without worrying about other factors.
Specifications
The Scott Speedster Gravel 30 offers a choice of 7 aluminum frame sizes, accommodating riders with heights ranging from 5’1″ to 6’9″. It caters to a wide range of rider heights, demonstrating remarkable versatility. The aluminum frame ensures the bike’s robustness and durability, while the carbon fiber fork absorbs some of the vibrations, enhancing comfort during rides.
Featuring a Shimano GRX RD-RX400 gravel-specific drivetrain with 2×10 speeds, it’s more than capable of handling all climbs. The drivetrain delivers silky-smooth gear changes, ensuring precise and rapid shifting. Moreover, the gravel-specific components are built to withstand external factors, adding to their durability.
The Shimano BR-RX400 hydraulic disc brakes provide ample braking power, ensuring reliable, responsive, and strong braking performance in any environment.
Lastly, the frame is equipped with multiple mounting points, allowing you to carry more gear and providing added security for long-distance rides.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Fully integrated internal cable routing design for a cleaner and sleeker appearance, enhancing aesthetics.
- Shimano GRX RD-RX400 gravel drivetrain components for smooth, precise, and responsive gear shifting.
- Multiple mounting points for enhanced carrying capacity, suitable for long-distance riding.
- Schwalbe off-road tires for strong traction and reduced risk of punctures during rides.
- Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable all-weather braking performance, even in challenging conditions.
- Thru-axle wheel mounting system ensures secure wheel attachment to the frame, ensuring safety during rides.
What don’t we like about it?
- The aluminum frame makes this gravel bike slightly less lightweight.
FAQ
- Where are Scott bikes manufactured?
Scott bikes are produced at the company’s headquarters in Givisiez, Switzerland. The frames are manufactured in Taiwan and then transported to the headquarters for assembly. The brand has subsidiaries in South Africa, the United States, Europe, and India.
- Where is the best place to book hotels for biking trips?
I generally recommend booking hotels on IHG, as it is convenient and cost-effective, and I use IHG for hotel reservations.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here we have provided you with a sizing chart, but of course, this doesn’t necessarily have to be followed, and the best way to find the best fit is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’1″ – 5’6″ | XXS |
| 5’4″ – 5’9″ | XS |
| 5’7″ – 5’11” | S |
| 5’9″ – 6’1″ | M |
| 6’0″ – 6’4″ | L |
| 6’2″ – 6’6″ | XL |
| 6’4″ – 6’9″ | XXL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Speedster Gravel Disc / D.Butted 6061 Alloy SCOTT Gravel geometry / Replaceable Derailleur Hanger Internal cable routing Syncros fender kit readyBB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded |
| Fork | Speedster Gravel HMF Flatmount Disc 1 1/4″-1 1/2″ Eccentric Carbon steerer |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB-RS500 |
| Headset | Acros AIF-1113 |
| Stem | Syncros RR2.5 1 1/4″ / four Bolt 31.8mm |
| Handlebar | Syncros Creston 2.0 X Alloy 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Syncros Tofino Regular 2.5 |
| Seatpost | 27.2 Round, post not included |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano GRX RD-RX400 20 Speed |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano GRX FD-RX400-F |
| Crank | Shimano GRX FC-RX600-10 46x30T |
| Shifters | Shimano GRX ST-RX400 Disc 20 Speed |
| Cassette | Campagnolo Ekar 9-42T |
| Chain | KMC X10 |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-RX400 Hyd Disc |
Wheels
| Rims | Syncros Race X25 Disc 28 Front / 28 Rear |
| Spokes | Black 2mm |
| Front Hub | Formula Team II CL Disc 28 H |
| Rear Hub | Formula Team II CL Disc 28 H |
| Tires | Schwalbe G-ONE Bite Performance 700x45C |
| Disk Rotors | Shimano SM-RT70 CL rotor 160/F and 160/R |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Wheelset | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Salsa Journeyer GRX 600 650b | Click View | 650b Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano GRX RX400 | 2 × 11 |
| Canyon Grizl 7 Trail | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano GRX RX600 | 2 × 11 |
| Vitus Substance CRS-1 Gravel | Click View | 650b Aluminum | Carbon | SRAM Apex | 1 × 11 |
| Merlin Malt G2X 105 Limited Edition | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | TRP Spyre SLC | 2 × 11 |
Scott Speedster Gravel 30 vs. Salsa Journeyer GRX 600 650b
They both feature aluminum frames and carbon fiber forks.
Looking at their geometry, the first one offers a more aggressive riding position, making it faster on flat roads. The second one’s geometry provides better handling, making it more suitable for riding on rough gravel sections.
In terms of drivetrain components, although both use Shimano components, the second one has higher-level components, offering more speed options and a better shifting experience.
Finally, both bikes use the same hydraulic disc brakes, delivering strong braking performance and providing riders with precise control over braking.
In summary, both of these gravel bikes are reliable and high-quality choices. You can choose between them based on the type of terrain and riding environment that suits your needs.
Learn More: Is Salsa Journeyman Sora 700 Worth Buying? [Salsa Journeyman Sora 700 Review]
Scott Speedster Gravel 30 vs. Canyon Grizl 7 Trail
Both of them use aluminum frames to ensure strength and durability.
Next, the Canyon Grizl 7 Trail features a 30mm travel suspension fork, making gravel riding more comfortable and stable. On the other hand, the first one’s rigid carbon fiber fork allows for more efficient power transfer, making it a quicker ride.
In terms of drivetrain components, the second one, as mentioned before, has higher-grade components, delivering better performance. Similarly, when it comes to braking components, the second bike also boasts higher-grade brake components, providing an enhanced braking experience.
Indeed, the components on the Canyon Grizl 7 Trail are more high-end. However, the first one is also an excellent gravel bike, and both are worth considering.
Learn More: Is Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 Suspension 1by Worth Buying? [Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 Suspension 1by Review]
Scott Speedster Gravel 30 vs. Vitus Substance CRS-1 Gravel
The latter utilizes a carbon fiber frame and fork, resulting in a lighter overall weight. This construction also excels at absorbing bumps on the riding surface, providing a more comfortable riding experience.
Regarding the drivetrain components, the former is equipped with Shimano components, ensuring smoother gear shifts and offering a wider range of speeds. The latter employs SRAM drivetrain components with a 1x design, making gear changes simpler and allowing riders to stay more focused during their rides.
Finally, in terms of wheelsets, the former features 700c wheels, which provide higher speed and improved rolling capability. The latter is equipped with 650b wheels, offering enhanced maneuverability.
So, between these two gravel bikes, if you don’t have specific preferences for wheel size, the Vitus Substance CRS-1 Gravel would be the better choice.
Scott Speedster Gravel 30 vs. Merlin Malt G2X 105 Limited Edition
They both feature aluminum alloy frames and carbon fiber forks.
Regarding the drivetrain components, the former is equipped with Shimano gravel-specific components, known for their durability and robustness, capable of withstanding even the harshest conditions. The latter features Shimano 105 road bike components, ensuring smoother gear shifts and higher transmission efficiency.
The most significant difference between these two bikes lies in the braking system. The former boasts hydraulic disc brakes, which offer more reliable braking performance than the mechanical disc brakes on the latter. Even after prolonged use, hydraulic disc brakes maintain excellent braking capabilities.
So, between these two gravel bikes, I would recommend the more reliable and aesthetically pleasing Scott Speedster Gravel 30.
Summary
Above is my review of the Scott Speedster Gravel 30. In our opinion, it’s a sturdy and reliable gravel bike, and its relatively lower price makes it a great choice for many riders. That’s why we’ve given it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you want to explore other gravel bikes, we review a wide range of bikes at various price points, all of which are quite fascinating. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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