For longer rides, you might find an endurance geometry a better fit. Take a look at the Trek Domane, Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy and Specialized Roubaix. Lots of options in each range. Give them all a ride and see which fits you best.

I just ordered a Roubaix Expert ($3800 list).

 

You could also check out the Cervelo R3 Ultegra ($3750). It's not an endurance geometry but is less aggressive than the S-series bikes.

 

LOL, sounds almost like a troll thread.

Counterintuitive as it sounds, I find that the more I ride, the less I care about the toy. I want it to fit me, and I have my preferred handlebar shape, saddle, and tire pressure. But lately I've been doing most of my road riding on an old aluminum thing with downtube shifters. It has disc brakes and fenders, and I appreciate those while the weather is in transition.

I do have a nicer road bike but it's been sitting on the trainer. Open wheels and rim brakes.

Demo the bike and see if it grabs you. Demo a few, from all the brands. If you don't have fancy tires on your Giant or haven't experimented with your air pressure, do that.

Try to formulate an idea of what you want to improve upon over your Giant and why/how this Cervelo, or another higher-dollar bike, will achieve that.

 

Before dropping ~$4K on your next bike, I suggest branching out and test riding some race and relaxed geo bikes. And I agree with Andrew that (like any other upgrade) think about what you want and expect out of your next bike.

The S3 is marketed as a road bike, but also a crit bike - and Cervelo (along with Damon Rinard - previously with Trek) are stellar at marketing. Point being, try not to get wrapped up in the bling and marketing and look at substance for your dollar. And (as always) fit trumps all else.

Unless you're a more special use kind of cyclist (and it doesn't appear you are), I think you can find a better, all round performer.

 

I'd go bargain hunting as well. If you have someone that could guide you to the right size you can find some kick ass deals. I try to never pay full price for anything be it purchased online or locally. Having hook ups helps, but you can find some complete bikes for a good price too if you look.

I strolled over to competitive cyclist and found a few under $4k that would suit you if you could narrow your fit down (one of the pitfalls of online ordering). I'd recommend calling vs just placing the order if you go that route too. It could help provide some good info.

For example :Fuji Bicycles Altamira 1.0/Shimano Dura-Ace 7970 Di2 Complete Road Bike - 2012 | Competitive Cyclist

Not plugging CC, but they've been nice to me in the past and that's a pretty nice bike for not too much cash. It's 10 speed, but the frame would be worth an upgrade a year or two down the road.

Bottom line, don't limit yourself to what you just see and hear from one or two LBSs. Talk to friends you ride with, browse reviews and online sites, and be patient. It's alot of money, make an informed decision and you'll end up with something you'll be happy with.

 

"Bottom line, don't limit yourself to what you just see and hear from one or two LBSs. Talk to friends you ride with, browse reviews and online sites, and be patient. It's alot of money, make an informed decision and you'll end up with something you'll be happy with."

This is absolutely on point, particularly when you add in test ride a bunch of stuff and figure out what you like to ride best. You can absolutely put a great bike together that you will love for $2500-$3000 if you take your time and shop around a little. Here's a few of my favorites in that price range (I would also take a look at what Ridley, Scott, and Giant have in your price range):

Specialized Bicycle Components

Specialized Bicycle Components

Domane 5.2 - Trek Bicycle

SuperSix EVO 5 105 - ROAD - BIKES - 2014

Synapse Carbon 5 105 - ROAD - BIKES - 2014

Argon 18 | R&A Cycles (building around an Argon 18 Gallium or Gallium Pro frame could produce a great bike)

F4 - Felt Bicycles

AR5 - Felt Bicycles

Z4 - Felt Bicycles

If you decide to go with a less expensive bike, keep in mind, that you can always upgrade components and wheels down the road as your stock stuff wears itself out. By doing so, you can still come away with a great frame to build around and save some $$$ at the same time. There's no reason to feel like you have to spend $4000 to have a really good competitive bike. The difference between say Specialized Fact 9r and 10r carbon or Trek's 5 Series and 6 Series carbon really isn't that significant out on the road for most of us, but you can end up paying a bunch of extra money to go up that one level (that might not change much on the road for you at all). There's nothing wrong with getting an expensive bike if it fits the budget and you really want it, just don't let the industry convince you that you need to get the "highest" level bike to be competitive as a rider. Fitness plays a huge role as others have pointed out. If you really like the S3, I would also consider this (some pros actually rode the S3 in a number of races this year including some of the classics which have less than ideal roads btw. It seems like a fine bike.):

http://www.cervelo.com/en/bikes/s-series/s2.html

 

Litespeed is another brand I would check out (they make quality bikes (which some say are a lot like Cervelo bikes, but tend to be a bit more rational when it comes to price):

Litespeed with Factory Wheels

 

It also looks like R&A has some 2013 Cervelo bikes on sale. I am not sure what size you are though:

Cervelo | R&A Cycles

 

While I really like Cervelo bikes (I have an old-school aluminum P3 for time trials and triathlons), I agree with the previous posters who are recommending that you shop around and go with a bike that fits you and feels right. Worry about brand names later.

With a $4k budget, you can get a lot of bike. I just picked up a 2014 Argon 18 Krypton with last year's Ultegra Di2 (10-sp) for CDN$3500 including taxes. An equivalent Cervelo R3 would have been almost $1000 more.

And I must say that the Krypton is a pure pleasure to ride. Well worth a look in my opinion.

 

Thanks a lot to all of you for your advice.... And I do agree that companies with good marketing budgets might influence consumer behavior. I think Cervelo is a company that has a serious R&D team behind and that reflects on its products, but they are not the only ones.

From this perspective, I started to consider FELT (AR4 or AR5) and Specialized (not sure between the Venge or the Tarmac). The reason is that my current bike has more of a race geometry which I have grown to get used to. I don't think is too much of a harsh ride for mid to long distance rides (45-90 miles).

I haven't tried bikes with more relax geometry, but I see it as to either sacrifice speed or aero advantages vs a comfy ride.

Thoughts?

 

From this perspective, I started to consider FELT (AR4 or AR5) and Specialized (not sure between the Venge or the Tarmac). The reason is that my current bike has more of a race geometry which I have grown to get used to. I don't think is too much of a harsh ride for mid to long distance rides (45-90 miles).

I haven't tried bikes with more relax geometry, but I see it as to either sacrifice speed or aero advantages vs a comfy ride.

Thoughts?

Good choices above, and there are others.

There's nothing wrong with staying with race geo if that's what you prefer. I do as well. And there's more to it than just riding position. Oftentimes, that can be duplicated on relaxed geo bikes. It's also handling, which is generally sharper/ quicker. Some say twitchy. I say lively. :wink5:

That aside, there's no evidence to support the theory that relaxed geo bikes sacrifice speed or aero advantages for comfort. Quite the opposite, actually, with (as one example) the Spec Roubaix winning pro circuit races against 'race' bikes for years.

I suggest being open to riding both race and relaxed. Like me, you may well decide to stay with race, but at least then you'll have a better understanding of why.

 

For reasons beyond my control :mad2: I am going to have to postpone the upgrade I was looking to do....Oh well.

In the mean time, one thing I can do is updating wheels to my Giant. I have the stock wheels. I can't go crazy on spending right now, so.... What wheels under $1,000 would you guys recommend?

For now I am only know of Mavic Ksyrium Elite S because one of the guys who ride with me has them. I heard good comments on Flucrums, and Zipp is too expensive.

Thanks for your feedback!!!

 

I completely understund and have been in the same boat for the last few months though things are looking better now. Hang in there. One of my favorite wheelsets I have ridden is the Zipp 101s. You can easily find a new pair on eBay in your price range. The Ksyriums are also good. Zipp has the Zipp 30s in your price range, Fulcrum has their Racing series which starts with Quattros that you can get for like $300. HED has their Ardennes in that price point and Mavic has the new. Ksyrium SLS for a little over $1000 and those are super light. You have a bunch of options if you don't want super aero carbon basically. If you do, you cang get a pair of 38mm Chinese carbon BladeX wheels for about $450-650ish.

 

I tend to be 'old school' on wheelsets, staying with tried and true. For that reason, I'd go with Shimano's Ultegra WH6800 wheelset. Uses loose balls for bearing assemblies (versus cartridge bearings), which are more easily overhauled IMO/E. They weigh in at a respectable 1640g's.