Cervelo P3 Carbon

Price Paid:  $3999.00 at Richardson Bike Mart

Favorite Ride:
Alps to Pyrenees

Bike Setup:
Stock setup includes: FSA Vision TT aerobar w/ shifters. Vision brakes @ side grips. Full Dura Ace drive train. Std 53/39 front chainring. FSA carbon crank. Shimano rims w/ Vittoria Rubino Pro slicks. I added Look KEO carbon pedals, a pair of carbon bottle cages in back of saddle + CO2 for flats, and a wireless computer.

Summary:
Originally $4,500 marked down to $3,999. Best TT bike I know if in this price range, and a beautiful thing to behold. Mine is a 2009 model, completely stock setup. This ride is incredibly stable and maneuverable for a tri bike. Superb breakaway speed. More comfy & lighter than others I tried.

Strengths:
Light, fast, maneuverable, aerodynamic. Beautiful piece of carbon sculpture, a real head-turner.

Weaknesses:
Fork, rims & skewers. Stock fork may be a bit heavy but not really a problem so far. Shimano rims also came stock and they are a problem. They are heavy and not aero. They came with a pair of the crummiest skewers I've ever seen. I'm going to swap the crappy Shimano rims for a pair of Sram S60's. No complaints really - they had to cut corners somewhere to get this ride under $5K!

Similar Products Used:
1. Previous TT bike was a Trek Hilo (a real piece). 2. Specialized Transition - very heavy and geometry wasn't the best. 3. Cervelo P2 (Ultegra / Dura Ace) - very nice ride but I wanted a full Dura Ace ride.

Price Paid:  $4200.00 at all3sports

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
IMC bike course

Bike Setup:
10 sp ultegra with bar-end shifters. Ultegra pedals. Specialized Toupe saddle. Profile Design TT Cobra Carbon aerobars, Vision aero handlebars, Easton Circuit training Wheels (Michelin pro2race tires), Zipp 808 race wheels (Vittoria Corsa Evo KS tires), Rudy Syton Supercomp Aero Helmet.

Summary:
The bike is very stable and comfortable on the aero bars. I actually prefer to climb on the aero bars on this bike. It is also very stiff and precise.

Strengths:
Stiff, good power transfer, very aero, looks good.

Weaknesses:
Fork is heavy, Fitting may be a bit difficult due to the unique geometry. I am about to have my 3rd bike fit, but that may be due to bad component choices (e.g., stem length) I made when I had it built.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing like it

Price Paid:  $8000.00 at Dukes

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Pyrenees but not on this bike.

Bike Setup:
Dura ace. FSA crank. Zipp 999. Flat Hed aerobars with third brake. Fizik Saddle. Look KEO titanium pedals.

Summary:
This bike is the ultimate racing machine. Light, well mannered, and feels good even on long rides.

Strengths:
Great feel, great ride. Improved my times by 5km / hour.

Weaknesses:
Gets sucked up by passing vans (considering an 808 rear for windy days).

Similar Products Used:
N/A.

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at RACycles

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Flat with a slight down hill and tail wind

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 10sp, Easton Aero bars, Specialized Toupe saddle, Oval stem with upgrade, Zero Gravity brakes, Zipp 909 set for racing and Real Design Sonic 40 for training.

Summary:
Stiff, aero, eye catching, great ride, makes a fast rider faster, great control on front end. Built at 16.5 with disk wheel

Strengths:
Stiff, aero, great ride - supple with good road feel

Weaknesses:
Fork is a bit heavy 500grams

Similar Products Used:
Kestrel, Cervelo Carbon Soloist