Bike Setup: Full Ultegra components. Carbon fork and seat-post. Keo sprint pedals. Spinergy PBO Stealth wheels. Conti GP4000S tires.
Summary: Ok, I have now owned this bike for one year and have put about 2500 miles on it. I did a lot of research into bikes of this price range and the Cervelo kept coming up. I couldn't be happier with my choice. This bike loves to be ridden fast and hard. It is stiff, but with the carbon fork and carbon seat-post it doesn't make the ride unbearable. I have yet to scratch the bike even though it has fallen a few times. It is just a bomber bike and just perfect for the average racer/enthusiast. Oh, one thing that does bother me and has been mentioned here many many times is how noisy the bike is. It is very noisy. Not a huge deal to me, but it gives me away when I'm about to pass people. :-)
Strengths: Good components. Carbon seat-post and fork are very nice. Bomber frame. Climbs and descends very well.
Weaknesses: Hate the R-550 wheels. Noisy bike. The tires standard on the bike were race tires and prone to a bit more flats.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Tarmac
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Bike Setup: Full Ultegra Drivetrain
Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium Wheelset
FSA Wing Pro Bar with OS-115 Stem
Keo Sprint Pedals
Selle Italia SLK Gel Flow Saddle
Blackburn Carbon Bottle Cages
Cateye Strada Cadence Cycle Computer
Sci'Con 480 Saddle Bag
Summary: After 500-miles of riding the soloist I'm convinced that it is the best bike in a class that goess well above its price range. The aero frameset is fast and stiff but still surprisingly compliant over rough roads. Cervelo puts a lot of engineering behind they're products and it shows even in their entry level bike.
Strengths: Fast, stiff, and aerodynamic. The Soloist goes exactly where you tell it and confidently carves through the corners.
Weaknesses: None. Some might say the frame cable routing makes a little bit of chatter but I'm too busy attacking to notice ;)
Similar Products Used: Test Rode the Specialized Tarmac Expert and Scott CR-Pro prior to purchasing the Soloist. Previous bike was a Motobecane Vent Noir (yeah, you can say the Solist is a little upgrade).
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Bike Setup: 58cm Soloist Team
Dura Ace 10sp
Ritchey stem
Easton bars
Chris King hubs
SpeedCific Nio30 rims
Michelin Pro Race2 tires
Time RXS pedals
Specialized Toupe saddle
Summary: I've been racing/riding road for 15+ years, always on Cannondale frames. I'm 6'3" and 170 lb. I always rode C-dale because they were known as good tall guy bikes. Last year when I was looking for a new one, I went with the Soloist because of the value, great reviews, great feeling during a test ride, and others who have them and simply love them (and C-dale had gotten more expensive but not that I could tell much better, just more costly). I have never ridden a bike that feels this great. It simply does everything well. The reviews and write ups where people gush about the bike are all true. You can't get a bike with this pro-level feel to it for $2000 (the list on the Ultegra one) other than this bike. If you are thinking about it, just buy it and try to wipe the grin off your face. I don't usually put stock in Bicycling Magazine, but when they said in their review of this bike that it "feels like a free tailwind was thrown in with the purchase", they were spot-on. I have not had much issue with the cable rattle. I get a little at the head tube, but a bit of cloth tape or foam around the cables shuts that up. Too bad there isn't a 10 out of 5 on the Value rating!
Strengths: This bike does everything well and is a super value. I dare you to find a frameset this good (and including HS and carbon seatpost) for the $1300 list of this one! I'm not overstating my love for this bike, nor do I work for Cervelo or any of their affiliates. I would buy another one in a hearbeat and probably would stick with the Al one even if I could afford carbon. (My choice at the time was Al w/ new DA parts or carbon and recycle my aging 9 sp parts.)
Weaknesses: I can't ride every day! Seriously, if there is a weakness I have not found it. Be aware the aero tubes can be noticeable in a crosswind. To me that isn't a weakness since I have the aero benefit of those tubes most of the time.
Similar Products Used: Various Cannondales owned in the last 15 years. Many other bikes test ridden or borrowed from friends to try out.
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Bike Setup: SRAM Rival groupset, DT Swiss RR1850 Wheelset, ITM carbon handelbar set, Fizik Arione saddle
Summary: Every bike dealer I went to wanted to convince me of buying a carbon frame. They argued with the superior stiffness/weight ratio, higher durability, vibration absorbing characteristics etc. But whatever the laboratory tests tell me, I’ve seen them brake. Of course all the pros ride carbon bikes, but they only use them for a race or two. I want to use mine for years.
So I went for an Aluminium frame. I was looking for the best alloy frame on the market and started reading all the tests in magazines and on the internet. It came down to two brands: Cannondale and Cervelo. I’ve been riding Cannondale bikes for the past few years and wanted to try something new, so the choice was easy.
I don’t regret my decision. This bike is phenomenal! I can’t say anything bad about the Cannondale, but one thing: if the road is just a little bit on the rough side, it shakes the life out of me. The Cervelo has all the stiffness, if not more, but it is so much gentler to my genitals. And man, it is fast! Every little bit of power you put in is converted to speed. The acceleration is mind blowing (if you have the legs, of course). Hills and small mountains (I haven’t been on the really big ones yet) feel much smaller and less steep. I’m simply not tiring that much.
The steering is precise and gives you a feeling of security in fast corners, even if ridden aggressively. The bike does exactly what you want it to do at all time. No uncertainties or surprises. It just works in every situation.
In previous reviews some people complained about rattling cables in the frame, but, talking about the 2008 model, I never heard a sound.
I like nice things and the looks of this bike are just over the top. I don’t know how much all this aero stuff really counts with my legs swinging about next to them, but I love the aero tubes and seatpost. The anodized grey, too, is beautiful (I’ve fitted white DT Swiss wheels, white fizik saddle and white handlebar tape, red Look pedals and it looks just gorgeous).
And last, but not least: this is a super bike at a very, very friendly price. I’ve tried bikes twice the price and they didn’t even come close.
Strengths: Stiffness, speed, durability, good absorbtion of vibrations, stability, steering, price.
Weaknesses: none
Similar Products Used: Pinarello, Serotta Colorado, Cannondale CAAD9
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