Cervelo R3

Price Paid:  $4800.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Wherever and whenever

Bike Setup:
58 cm R3
Dura Ace 7900
Custom tubulars
Selle SMP saddle

Summary:
Review is for 2009 Cervelo R3. Got a great deal on a 7900 equipped bike. Test rode a 2007 model in July at factory demo. Loved the test ride. Loved the one I bought even more! Bike dampens the roads extremely well. Accelerates very well. I was hopping onto cars at 30 mph+ with minimal effort. This bike just wants to go fast!! Also tested Trek 2010 Series 6 Madone. Was a nice bike but the Cervelo blows it out of the water. The Cervelo just had a much better road feel to it.Acceleration was much better, held speed better you name it the R3 outperformed it. That is with the Cervelo having the inferior wheelset even.

Strengths:
Engineering behind the frame. Very well designed bike

Weaknesses:
Crap wheelset had a friend build me up some awesome customs.
Didn't care for saddle. Replaced with Selle SMP

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2010 Series 6. also have tested various models of Madones

Price Paid:  $0.00 at online at Excel Spor

Favorite Ride:
Whenever I can ride

Bike Setup:
2009 R3, 2009 Campag Super Record 11, 2009 Campag Shamal Ultra, etc.

Summary:
I've got to admit that I'm a bit disappointed. My personal historical tough climbs, and hard curves that would make my hair stand on end on my previous bike are neither hard, nor hair-raising anymore. This bike makes it all too easy, and it is clear I'm holding the R3 back. So, my disappointment is that (1) I must look like a chump on this amazing bike, and (2) now I have to train harder and further hone my skills to take things to the edge again. All being said - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BIKE.

I was deciding between the R3 and R3-SL, and decided to save a thousands bucks to go with the R3. Who are we all kidding - a water bottle weighs more than the weight difference between the models and the ride is smoother on the R3 for all of us that have day jobs and don't ride in the pro peloton.

By the way - I'm a Shimano to Campag convert. It is great stuff indeed - comfortable, intuitive, and functional. I will never go back.

Strengths:
Lifetime warranty. Great road feel. Responsiveness.

Weaknesses:
Me.

Similar Products Used:
Can't think of a similar ride.

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at local store

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any with friends

Bike Setup:
Stock, except upgraded wheels.

Summary:
Last year I purchased a 2008 R3, and since that time I have put about 2,500 miles on it. I thought about the Madone as an option, and I'm sure that the Madone is excellent, but all my reading and research pointed to the R3 as something exceptional. After a year, I completely concur -- wow, is this machine something else. I am a 6'4" former elite rower, now 45 years old, who has to stay away from rowing because I get a little crazy when I'm in a boat, and cycling has been a great way for me to push myself physically and enjoy a workout. I used to weigh about 205lbs, but since I began cycling with more intensity a few years ago, I've dropped to 185. I used to ride a Cannondale R1000, and that bike offered great stiffness but an unforgiving ride. Someone told me to spend my money where I spend my time, and so I set out last year to get a high performance but more comfortable bicycle. Originally I thought of getting the Cervelo RS, but my local store did not have one in my size - the 61 cm frame - while they did have the R3 in the 61. I took it out for a test ride, and that was the end of the story. Sold.

I can push myself pretty hard, and I wanted a frame that would be stiff enough to handle my size and strength. I also wanted a certain amount of comfort, and the R3 has given me both. I find my riding position to be very sustainable, and I do several century rides each year, finishing in good comfort. I also ride with an aggressive hill-interval group, and it is here that the R3 really stands out. I could do well in the group with my old Cannondale, but the R3 just takes my effort and puts it into acceleration and speed unlike the old bike. Several of the group have commented on the improvement in my riding since I showed up with the Cervelo - it is that noticeable.

There is also an undeniable "bling" factor with Cervelo. I know the Trek Madone is an excellent bike, and they are ubiquitous. I am the only Cervelo on the road in my area, and people I meet on rides invariably say things like "Wow, nice bike."

For a rider like me - not a racer (I don't shave my legs, so that puts me in the amateur rider category right away), but someone who wants a high performance piece of equipment and enjoys pushing himself physically, the Cervelo R3 is an excellent choice.

Strengths:
stiffness
comfort
performance
climbing ability

Weaknesses:
It's not cheap!

Similar Products Used:
There's nothing like it, in my opinion.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at comp. cyclist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
fast crit with hill at start/finish

Bike Setup:
7800 Dura-ace, SRM, 404 tubulars(for race)

Summary:
As much as I love riding, I consider my bike a tool. My primary focus is to train hard and win races. This bike gets the job done and is comfortable doing it. All my wins come from field sprints and, for that, this bike is as good as I have ridden. As a race bike, especially for criteriums, it's hard to beat.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, and proven to be durable (except the wolf fork)

Weaknesses:
The deraileur hanger is always bending and cracking, and I replace it as often as my shoe cleats; a barrel adjuster is needed for the rear deraileur so it can be adjusted in races. Riding a 60 mile race with an out of tune rear deraileur sucks; and finally, the bike is a bit sketchy in wet criteriums. All I can figure is the tight geometry (frame is a 51)and stiff frame make it sensitive in wet corners.

Similar Products Used:
many

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Big Shark

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Country Hills

Bike Setup:
SRAM Force, Easton ea90slx (great wheels)

Summary:
Mine is the 2008 version . . . This bike is amazing in every respect: stiffness, weight, comfort, steering/handling, braking . . . what a ride! Other than races, I've used it sparingly, so I've only got 600 miles on it, but every one of those miles have been pure enjoyment. It's worth upgrading the wheels if the oem configuration doesn't have a good set. Ditto for the saddle (for me).

Strengths:
Everything, if you're ready to fork over the dough.

Weaknesses:
The dough you have to fork over (but won't regret) The stock saddle wasn't comfortable, for me . . . worth the upgrade.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez Elite