Triathlon - Cervelo fit question

I currently ride a 53 cm road bike (54cm top tube) and that is the perfect fit for me. Now I am in the market for a TT bike and have an opportunity to purchase a 52cm P3. The 52cm can either be used with the seat tube at 75 or 78 degree. At 75 the top tube measures 54.8 and at 78 the top tube measures 52. I think this sounds about right for me. I know fit is the most important aspect, I speak from experience. My last road bike was too long for me and I was constantly complaining of shoulder pain. My current set up has a 54 cm top tube and is great. I need the shorter top tube due to my short torso. That is why I have the suspicion I would need the 52cm Cervelo over the 54cm. I am afraid the 54cm would put me in a stretched out position and I don't think that would be ideal for a TT bike.

This 52cm P3 has come available and would be a great deal for me but if it isn't the right size, I definately don't want to buy it. BTW, I can't test ride it because it is in another state so that isn't an option.

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

What year is it? Cervelo has changed their geometry quite a few times over the last few years...and are changing again in 2006. You're probably right about the 52 fitting you. Think about it this way...on a tri bike, your forearms rest nearly where your hands rest on a road bike.

I've looked around online, asked some triathletes that work in or run some local bike stores, talked to a triathlete physical therapist that does bike fits, and talked to a Cat 1 bike racer that does bike fits. None of them know of anything tri-specific as far as programs, models, or web-sites. That doesn't mean they don't exist, just that I didn't find any. Slowtwitch.com has a list of F.I.S.T-Certified tri bike fitters here:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/dealersurvey/fistcoaches.html

cjbruin: It is a 2004 P3.

And to the rest of you, thanks for your replies. If anyone has anymore info. I would really appreciate it. I am really hoping this is the bike for me. It is a much better bike than what I would be buying new and I hope it fits me. Again I know fit is the most important factor when purchasing a bike. I have never owned a TT/Tri bike and I would think it would especially be important because of the riding position they put you in. I would imagine if it wasn't a correct fit it could get very uncomfortable very fast.

Anybody out there own a Cervelo TT/Tri bike? If so, what size road bike do you ride(seat tube/top tube) and what size TT/Tri bike do you ride (seat tube/top tube)?

Thanks again.

Well...I used to know where the geometry info was for the 04's...maybe they took it down. In any case, maybe this will help...

I'm 5'8" with short legs and long torso (30" pants inseam). I ride a Specialized Allez Pro 54 cm with compact geometry to give me some standover clearance. The top tube is 55 cm.

I've been spending some time learning about Cervelos at my --very knowlegable-- LBS and it appears that the correct fit for me (on the '06 model) would be the 51 cm which has a top tube length of 53.5 cm.

This may or may not be helpful to you. My best guess is that you will be able to get a good fit from the 52...I would also say that you definitely should NOT be on the 54...if anything, you may find that you'll need to put a slightly shorter stem on the 52 to avoid being stretched out.

A buddy of mine recently bought a P3 and he swears he is 1 mph faster over a 40K TT than he was on his old TT bike.

Good Luck! Let us know what you do...and post pics if you buy it!!!

A buddy of mine recently bought a P3 and he swears he is 1 mph faster over a 40K TT than he was on his old TT bike.

Good Luck! Let us know what you do...and post pics if you buy it!!!

That's because it is CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!!! :D

On my P3, I either have really long legs, or I find that Cervelo has longer top tubes relitive to other bike manufactureres with teh same seat tube height. Dont know if that helps much at all. All I have to say is that Cervelo rocks, you wont be sorry if you get it.

cj, your post makes me think I should be on the 51cm as well.

Batman, what size Cervelo do you own?