Nearly 3 years ago, I got a Scott Plasma and had this to say about it. For the most part, a fantastic bike-except the climbing ability didn’t seem that great. It felt as if there was a lot of flex in the bb/rear end. More recently, while riding on the trainer, it was obnoxious how the front chainrings would rub the derailleur under power. But then I started thinking it could just be the cranks.
I had been using an old, octalink-compatible FSA Superlight crank and decided to check out SRAM Red (an amazing $285 at Masherz.com).
What an improvement. The flex is all but gone. Climbing is much improved.
Here are some pics (Zipp wheels were borrowed for a test)
The stock 53 tooth ring is a thing of beauty. But this is an T/A 54 toother
Additionally, don’t know if it’s because of age or what, but I found the bike to be fatiguing at 50+ miles. So I replaced the stock fork with a Sub 3 Alpha-Q (44 degree vs 45). It’s a lot more comfy and it also handles a bit quicker–sure it ain’t quite as aero but I bet that’s negligible. I’d recommend Ritchey’s WCS fork as an alternative-best fork I’ve used (the Sub-3 came from my Cervelo R3; the Ritchey fork replaced that).
Additionally I had been riding a Selle Italia SLR tri (the ancient yellow saddle was temporary). Have now switched to a Fizik Antares–and I love it. Remarkably comfortable despite it’s minimalist design.
Hopefully other Plasma owners will get some more comfort and performance out of this amazing frame.
How is the Anatres saddle working out in the tri position?
Looking for an alternative to the arione and thinking that the minimalist design might actually benifit me.
Thanks
The Antares continues to impress. Amazingly comfortable despite the minimalist design.
However, if you are used to a “knob” of cushion on the end it doesn’t have that, though it is wider at the tip than say an SLR.
“How did you go about finding a fork with a rake angle that would not affect handling?”
It was really just coincidence. The OEM 45 degrees is marginally slacker than the 44 on the Sub 3.
However, there are usually different options out there: http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=98475
comes in 45 and 43 degrees.
The Plasma is such a great handling bike (i have contemplated putting road bars on it) that even a more aggressive rake (43) might be just fine.
One bummer about the True Temper Sub 3 fork–you have to epoxy the star-nut insert into the steerer tube. This means I’m left with the dorky spacer stack.
I will never build a bike again with FSA crank and I’m not looking forward to their new group set. If I had to buy a new fork for my Plasma, it would have been either the Look HSC 5 (will match your Look sticker,) or the 3T Funda Pro.
