Strengths: Good lightweight platform. Excellent ascending & descending. Comfortable. Good product support.
Weaknesses: Bonding issues. Design/execution eventually caused a product recall. Cervelo/All 3 Sports have, however, been very reasonable and responsive. I do not regret buying the bike. In fact, I'll miss it.
Bottom Line:
Update on a previous review in light of the recent recall of this frame. I've had two R2.5 frames. The first had a bonding issue with the drop out lug/non drive side chainstay. It was replaced fairly quickly under warranty. My current frame has been trouble free and a pleasure to ride. The Cervelo recall program seems very fair. My frame qualifies. It offers the choice of a replacement R3 or and extra cost upgrade to a Carbon Soloist. I'm leaning toward the Carbon Solist option. I'm excited about the prospect of a new frame, but am a bit nostalgic regarding the R2.5 already. The switch should go smoothly. Fork, headset... will all fit the new frame. Cervelo supplies the new seatpost appropriate to the frame selected. I do my own installation, so minimal extra cost there.
Similar Products Used: Tested or borrowed a variety of Ti & carbon bikes. Litespeed, Scott, Trek, Colnago, Cannondale. (love my 1999 Cdale R3000 tandem)
Bike Setup: Dura Ace 10 drivetrain except for FSA SL-K Mega Exo crank (compact) & BB; FSA K Force carbon bar, OS-115 stem, carbon compressor cap, carbon fork spacers; Elite Pase carbon cages; Zipp carbon bar caps; Easton EC90SL carbon fork; Reynolds Stratus DV wheels,with the rear a 24 hole laced to a Power Tap SL with Sapim CX-Ray spokes.
Strengths: Stiffness, light weight, ride comfort (especially on long 100km+ rides) and all-round ability.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Bought the frameset and built it up with my choice of bits and pieces. Note - price is in Aussie dollars.
A superb combination of light weight, strength, comfort, stability, stiffness and classy looks! I couldn't be happier with this frame after spending lots of riding time on a Cervelo Soloist (aluminium) and a Cervelo SuperProdigy. The compact geometry also makes for a 'chuckable' bike when climbing out-of-the-saddle on the tougher gradients. Combined with the Reynolds Ouzo Pro Light fork, it makes for a solid and stable ride, responsive and yet not twitchy when bombing down descents.
So far it's the best all-round bike I have had the pleasure to own. Soloist Carbon is on order, so a back-to-back comparison will be interesting...
Strengths: Strong yet supple ride. No dead carbon feel going through rough patches. Love the classic tube/lug look
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket flex as compared to the Cervelo Carbon Soloist, some problem with the headset
Bottom Line:
Impeccably designed carbon fiber lugged bike with a classic look and high tech feel. Loaded with light parts and light wheels makes the machine justs floats through anything. Finally a bike that weighs less than 10% of my body weight
Bike Setup: Time ASX Crank with Ti/Carbon Pedals, Record shifting, Zipp 303 Tubular, Specialized Toupe Saddle, Oval bars and Stem with Titanium upgrade, Polar Speed kit
Fantastic bike with a great ride. I have had no problem with any of the bonding issues mentioned and am a big rider - over 6' and 200 lbs. I have owned a Trek 5900 and a Giant TCR before this and the Cervelo is superior in terms of ride quality, stiffness and overall handling.
Weaknesses: Useful life of less than a year with careful riding!
Bottom Line:
This is a truly fantastic bicycle in all respects except durability. I have ridden it about 2,000 miles give or take over the last year and have been very careful in general. The bondings near the bottom bracket are now beginning to come undone.
The warranty is nice, but the wait for the R3 is extremely frustrating. I have heard that the R3 is a "much stronger" frame but that's not saying much at this point. My only hope is that I don't lose precious months of cycling season, but I know that's inevitable...
Anyone still riding the Cervelo R2.5? I had one I loved but it came unglued; it was replaced with an R3 I have since sold.
I have recently stumbled across one for sale and the Read More »
Hi Everyone,
seems that there are mixed feelings about the R2.5 and R3 on this forum.
I am looking at a used 150 miles. R 2.5 a 2004 model and I ran the serial number at Cervelo Read More »
Hi,
In the 2005 Cervelo R2.5 - b e s i d e s the down-tube problem on which there was the recall in late 2006 – anybody knows what other tubes got loosen from joints ? (i.e. cha Read More »
I have a bayonne/r2.5 which I love for the ride quality. BUT the finish sucks and I think it is time to replace it. Basically sweat is getting under the clear coat and it is peelin Read More »
I'm buying My first racer an needs some advise.
Wich one are the best selection for 60-80km rides?
The trek breaks my budget with $250 and is not really an option.
Wich bike ha Read More »
