Summary: Nothing short of a amazing. Comfortable and smooth for all day rides yet a lively responsive bike.
Because of the massive bottom bracket and chain stay the transfer of power from leg to ground is amazing.
Climbs like a dream, too. In part because it is so light. Sometimes when I walk by it in my basement I just have to pick it up because I still can't believe a bike could be so light.
This bike also handles the rough roads very well. I dont avoid the bumps, man hole covers like I do on other bikes.
Tested other bikes like Trek and Specialized that were more in my price range but this bike stood out so much better thany thing else I bit the bullet and havn't been sorry since.
If you can afford it, buy it.
If you can't afford it, like me, buy it anyway. You wont be sorry.
Strengths: Speedy, sweet bike. Climbs like a dream. Comfortable.
Turns heads (really, people are always admiring this bike))
Weaknesses: Pricey.
Forget Ultegra. Go with Dura Ace, worth the extra $$$
Similar Products Used: Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Colonogo...tested.
Own KHS, Torelli
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Bike Setup: Easton Circuits, Ultegra throughout except for FSA SLK crank.
Summary: I love this bike because it is light AND tough AND comfortable -- a very rare combination. I am a 250lb Clydesdale. I am very hard on equipment and put a lot of power through the crank: it's the only way to move 250lb of lard. This bike takes it all without lateral flexing and has still carried me over two thousand miles of wretched surfaces (Sheridan Road, anyone?) without shaking itself or its owner to pieces. It is a real joy to ride, particularly up those vile Wisconsin hills where the light weight and stiffness really come into their own. My weight combined with high speed turns usually cause bike frames an immense amount of grief but this bike takes curving 40 mph descents in its stride. Very impressive for a light bike. One caveat about that, though. If you are my weight and are simply coasting upright down a fast hill, the front wheel will start to flutter at about 35mph. Stay in the drops and it's not a problem but it's something us fatties need to be aware of.
I'm sure there are faster bikes out there, like the Cervelo Soloists, but not many -- and even fewer that I wouldn't have broken by now. If you're a big, powerful rider I can't think of a better bike, and if you're of a more svelte physique you could do a helluva lot worse.
Strengths: An unbelievably competent frame that has been engineered rather than styled.
Weaknesses: The "cheap" ultegra version I bought came equipped with entry level Easton Vista wheels. I know Cervelo is trying to hit a particular price point but this is too much. It's like building a racing saddle and then slinging it on the back of a donkey.
Bike Setup: Dura-ace bits, fulcrum wheels, specialised SL bar, fizik arione saddle
Summary: The courier guy who delivered it thought the box was empty - I wasn't sure either until I opened the box and found the frame inside. Sure it's light but actually I don't think this is the bike's greatest strength - I reckon it's actually the R3's amazing ability to swallow up bumps and vibrations. Coming off my old carbon steed, I initially thought the tires had gone down - such was the smoothness of the ride. It's stiff so everything that's put into the cranks drives the thing forward, yet it's just so compliant -no wonder it's so successful at Paris Roubaix.
My frame came with an Easton EC90 slx - silly light and tracks like it's on rails. This is one of those bikes that rides better the more you push it - shove it into a tight bend at the bottom of a hill and it'll effortlessly glide through where I would've been feathering nervously before.
Simply gorgeous.
Strengths: Weight (but you all know that), sublime smoothness of ride, rock solid BB, geometry gives it a nimble ride without being twitchy - how do they do that?
Weaknesses: thin looking top coat - wouldn't want to lean it on a post.
Similar Products Used: Focus Cayo, Focus Cayo expert
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Bike Setup: Full Dura Ace, FSA Carbon Cranks, seatpost, Deda Stem and Bar, Velomax Orion II wheels, Speedplay Zeros. Complete bike 15.4 lbs w/pedals!
Summary: I purchased this frameset on a gamble after reading the reviews at Road Bike Review.com. I live in the foothills of the Southern Smoky Mountains, where nary a ride is flat.
All I can say is- WOW. This bike is a rocket. It is by far the stiffest bike I've owned, yet it is remarkably more comfortable than any I've ridden. On gtradual ascents you will feel it most, when you find yourself accelerating up 3-4% grades with only the slightest bit of effort. Granted, this bike does not make the 12-17% grades near my home easy, but I can surely tell a difference. Fast on descents, laser sharp handling, find myself going into sharp 90 deg turns faster than I ever have. No question why team CSC rides this bike.
Strengths: Climbs shallow grades like a freight train, stiffest bike you will ever own. EXTERMELY comfortable.
Weaknesses: None so far, except the graphics are a bit plain. But no one will see them because you'll be passing them so fast. Only other minor point- uses large 32.4 mm seatpost, so aftermarket upgrade options are limited.
Similar Products Used: Kuota Kharma, Scott CR1 Pro, Colnago Dream
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