Bike Setup: Ultegra\DA 9speed mix with the 7800 cranks
Shimano R540 wheelset (16-spoke deepish rims) for training, Specialized (now HED) trispokes for racing.
Selle Italia SLR saddle
Visiontech Aerobars
A funky handmade gearing that let's me attack on the downhills. No-one in their right mind attacks on the downhills!!!! ;P
Summary: This is a follow-up on my previous review.
1) A friend and I have at this point proven the aerodynamic advantage of this bike to ourselves. He rides the same 16 mile loope 4 days a week at lunch, with not a lot of variation in weather conditions. His best average pace on a conventional cannondale road setup was 20.2 mph. On the first day he rode my bike, without using the aerobars, he rode 21.9 mph, and on the second day 22.3 mph. Given, his bike is a little heavier, and my wheels have fewer spokes, but this was a flat course and we both attribute the bulk of the time gains to aerodynamics and stiffness in the chainstays and bb.
2) The bolt at the top of the seatpost snapped for no apparent reason. It was very brittle- I wasn't overtightening or anything. My LBS mangled the whole piece trying to remove the broken off bit, and this was my excuse to upgrade to the carbon seatpost. It's definately lighter than the alloy version, and looks cooler but I don't notice any real difference in ride quality.
3) Retraction: I didn't know the extent of crosswind handling problems until I put on the HED3's. The frame's sideways drag is minor in comparison to the wheel's.
Strengths: Proven aerodynamic advantage and extreme stiffness for perfect power transfer, especially when combined with Shimano's new crankset design.
Very nice welds and construction.
High value.
Weaknesses: Slow, heavy handling. This may be in part because of the short chainstays, the rake of the fork, or the fact that this frame is a wee bit too big for me and my weight is consequently shifted a little farther back than it is designed for. Or all three. Anyway, it's a tri/tt bike, not a road/crit bike, so no biggie. Also, sometimes it's nice to have slow handling when you're in aero position.
The stiffness that is so great for power transfer and efficiency also makes it feel a little mean on rough roads. Much meaner than a steel road bike, for example.
Similar Products Used: Steel Scattante Road Bike with full ultegra and same wheelset (Shimano R-540 16-spoke)
Giant OCR3 with a huge mix of components and Velocity Sparticus wheels
Test rides on a few friend's bikes.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Ultegra\DA 9speed mix with the 7800 cranks
Shimano R540 wheelset (16-spoke deepish rims)
Selle Italia SLR saddle
Visiontech Aerobars
Summary: I have between one and two thousand miles on the bike at this point and am still loving it. Every time I get on this bike I feel like I need to be going full throttle. It's SOO fast, sleek, wicked, and stylish. My only real complaint is handling.
Strengths: 1) Aerodynamics; It's the most aerodynamically designed bike for the money, and you can feel it when you get it up to high speeds. The bike feels invisible to the wind and the only thing left to fix is your body position. And catching other cyclists on the downhills is cake.
2) Stiffness; There is NO bottom bracket flex. I switched to the new 10 speed DA cranks recently, and no matter how much you try... nothing. It's great.
3) Looks! ;)
4) Value.
Weaknesses: 1) HANDLING. Given, this bike was designed for straight, flat lines, but it has a really hard time cornering, staying stable, getting caught in crosswinds ect... Compared to a traditional steel road bike, the cervelo is about 2/3rds as manueverable, twice as hard to ride rollers on, no letting go of the handlebars ever...
2) Comfort; it's probably better than most aluminum bikes (I don't know) but obviously is nasty on the seat and hands compared to my relatively plush steel road bike. Of course, this bike is a no-nonsense speed-demon. I wasn't expecting much comfort. I'm going to upgrade to the carbon seatpost this Christmas though, that's for sure.
Similar Products Used: Steel Scattante Road Bike with full ultegra and same wheelset (Shimano R-540 16-spoke)
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Ultegra set up
Koobi Tri Saddle
QR SaddlePad
Look 247 Pedals
Cateye Astrale
Cane Creek Headset
Summary: I really enjoy riding this bike. It is very stiff and fast. I am using this for Olympic distance triathlons. The guys at Transition Sports are very knowledgable. The fitting was key. The fit is very important and makes a very big difference in the level of comfort of the ride. My last bike was too small and really hurt my back and neck. I look forward to many miles on this bike in the upcoming years.
Strengths: Light, stiff, very responsive.
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: Tomasso Capri Road Bike
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Favorite Ride: Emmigration canyon - heading east out of SLC
Bike Setup: Campagnolo Chorus Ergopower Groupo
Campagnolo Ergo brain integrated computer
Campagnolo Eurus wheels
Cane Creek headset
Standard road bars
Deda bar extensions
Time pedals
Summary: This is an awesome bike. I have it decked out with Campy's Chorus groupo (including Ergo Brain computer) and Campy Eurus wheels. Going from an old chrom-moly Italian bike (Biemezzetta), I was worried this aluminum frame might yield a harsh ride. I was pleasantly surprised that the ride is firm and responsive, but not harsh at all. The carbon Cervello fork and a good saddle seem to damp any over-the-top road vibration. I've taken it on about five rides of over 75-miles and find it very comfortable. Nearly all my regular rides include some substantial hill climbing (1500' - 3000'). Perhaps the geometry of this bike is not the best suited for hill climbing, and thus it took some time to get use the difference from my old standard Italian frame. This bike is not set up to spend substantial time climbing out of the saddle. But if you can learn to stay put in your seat, stay aero on the bars (even on the uphills), and spin spin spin, you'll probably arrive at the top of the hill ahead of the rest of 'em...
Strengths: Aerodynamics - this is a slippery bike.
Well made - high quality materials used and high quality workmanship throughout (except paint job).
Sweet looking - it has speed written all over it.
Weaknesses: Paint scratchs easily. Paint job looks nice, but after 6 months my Cervello has about the same number of scratches as my 17 year old Biemezzetta.
Similar Products Used: 1986 Biemezzetta set up for time-trialing and triathlons.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I know very little about bike set up, specs or specifics about a bike. I dont really want to. All I need to know is this bike is great! I pull great times and have been winning with it. What more do I need to know. It is very comfortable and I spend about 99% of the time in the aero position (I hit the run feeling good). Recommend real road handling skills before racing a bike of this quality - stability is not #1. I tried the P3 but prefered the P2K. (I could afford either) This bike is worth every penny!
Strengths: Position/comfort, speed, reliability, pure beauty.
Weaknesses: Needed several minor adjustments during the first few months. (cabels, entry of cabel to frame, shifting). Works great now.
Similar Products Used: Used to ride older touring bike to race. Tried a few including the P3.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
5 of 5
4 of 5
4 of 5
