Triathlon - Cervelo Soloist as a road bike?

This is for those of you that ride (or have ridden) Soloists. I'm looking to get a bike that's a bit more tri-friendly than my current road bike (a Lemond Arrivee) for the handful of sprint tris I do every year. Cervelo touts the dual-use advantages of the Soloist and it seems like an attractive combination, especially for the lighter carbon version that will be available late this year.

Does anybody out there use this bike as a regular road bike (club rides, the occasional century, etc.) in addition to tri use? How much of a compromise (if any) do you find it over a pure road bike or a pure tri bike?

Thanks,
Chris

I have a friend that has the 2003 and she loves it. She did IM Japan with it.

I just switched from a Giant TCR carbon 04 to a 05 Soloist, i use it purely for road racing, crits, training etc. Awesome bike, my past 3 bikes were the Giant, cannondale R1000, and a Trek 1000. The soliost is by far the best of them all without a doubt.

I have a soloist and I use it exclusively as a road bike.

The carbon soloist sounds like a way better ride than what I experienced on the aluminum one.

I was close to buying this bike for dual purpose use, but I decided that I couldn't stand what to me was a pretty thrashing ride when I ended up riding on less than perfect roads. it is definitely a fast bike, particularly on climbs, but comfort is somewhat important to me, particularly when riding longer distances. I'm sure lots of folks will call me weak, wimpy, a loser, or whatever..... Just be sure you thoroughly test the ride whatever bike you think you want before you buy it. You may find it perfect for you, as others have. Or you may find something else suits you better.

If you have the chance, you might also try a Kestrel...i.e the Talon, Talon SL, or Evoke...

Hi,

It was comments like this that led me to start this thread. I was in an LBS in Tacoma, WA that was listed as a Cervelo dealer and I asked one of the shop employees about this bike and he said he much the same as you- he didn't find it very comfortable on rougher roads.

Given the expected cost of the frame ($3000 or so), I'll be sure and test ride the carbon version as well the competitors you named.

Chris

If I ride myself back into any kind of decent shape, I'm going to treat myself to a new bike and the Soloist is what I have my eye on right now. So, I'm interested in all feedback as well. I'm looking at the Centaur version....$2,000 looks like a pretty good deal to me!

Just might add this years giro time trial was first and second on Cervelo.
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8036.0.html

I own one, it can be a bit harsh on really bumpy roads, but honestly I've ridden a ton of frames, and have found similar rides with a lot less stiffness in the BB, I think cervelo hit the mark on this bike. I rode it in Ironman Canada 2004, loved it, had my best time. I ride it in group rides all the time, and also in crits, and love it there too.

I have two seat post inserts, one set up for a TT position and one for road. I am shocked at how well this bike rides in both positions. Certainly if money is no object, the carbon would likley be a better ride, it'll be interesting to see how it performs; but for an aluminum frame with as much power transfer as the soloist, the ride is great.

I use the Soloist for both road racing and TTing - B E A Utiful! very fast on flat and rolling terrain, and very stiff for climbing - could be lighter for some of the more extreme climbs, but if you are getting a soloist you probably enjoy the flat more anyway, with TTs and Tris. It is very stiff, however my Velomax Vista wheels do flex a little (Had rear rebuilt with a Velocity Deep V after accident, and a little bit stiffer) so sprinting and what not it is responsive and you get good power transfer.

The ride is rough, but not a hell of a lot more than anything else ive ridden (My MTB can be as harsh with high pressure slicks) around here, as our roads are very coarse and rough.

I changed the saddle to a Flite after my accident and this was awesome, also invested in some Santini gear. All round a great bike, and I would get another seatpost head and saddle if I could justify the cost.

Any Questions, just elt us have 'em :)

Brendon

Just might add this years giro time trial was first and second on Cervelo.
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8036.0.html
This has a lot to do with Basso's talent and look at how beautiful his position is. That being said, I would buy a soloist, or P2k or really any Cervelo bike but it ain't in the cards right now.