Road Cycling - What Cancellara said about the Cervelo R3

From Cycling News, this describes the R3 stock bike:

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Like a number of teams, CSC rode on carbon bikes during the race. It was questioned by others before the start, but Riis put his full support behind his director Scott Sunderland. It proved to be the right choice, as Cancellara appeared to be floating over the cobbles and the team only suffered one puncture on the day.

Sunderland explained to Cyclingnews that the Cérvelos they used had a box-section downtube and a special chain- and seat-stay design so that the rear triangle flexed more on the cobbles, almost like rear suspension. In addition, the team was running 27mm tubulars with normal spoked wheels.

"I have never been that comfortable on the cobbles," Fabian confirmed to the VUM papers. "The frame; the wheels, everything was picobello. It was the first time in my career that I started as the team leader. Immediate success!"

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Intresting, and it makes sense that the rear triangle would flex and help on the cobbles. Just looking at the seat stays makes me nervous though. Cervelo says that the amount of weight held by the seat stays is negligable, but I don't know about risking that statement on the craziest cobbles known to man. But, hey, everything worked out fine and the winner even rode one so what do I know.

All I know is he rode his azz off and deserved the win. The way he looked any bike would've sufficed with his legs.

I dont know if any of you check weight weenies threads but there have been several postings about R3's. Mr. Vroomen said that the r3's were the exact frame we can buy the only difference being some riders (not fabian) were riding longer chainstays. It is a great test to prove what the r3 can handle a race like paris roubaix. Not only did a single frame/part(hincapie) brake it helped win the race

My new R3 arrived today and I will be picking up the frame and fork tomorrow. I noticed that it no longer comes with the Alpha Q fork, it has a Wolf fork that looks more aero......

I'll post pics as soon as the build is done.

The way he was riding I don't believe he even realized that he was on a bike that day. A truly awesome performance.

My new R3 arrived today and I will be picking up the frame and fork tomorrow. I noticed that it no longer comes with the Alpha Q fork, it has a Wolf fork that looks more aero......

I'll post pics as soon as the build is done.

It does sometimes come w/ the alpha q fork some times you have to request it...it depends. Mr. Vroomen said when he gets time he will write up more info about all their forks also i believe alpha q makes wolf forks

Haven't you guys seen the new R3 Roubaix? It's totally awesome, Mr. Vroomen told me all about it and I'm gunna get one in September.

:rolleyes:

Haven't you guys seen the new R3 Roubaix? It's totally awesome, Mr. Vroomen told me all about it and I'm gunna get one in September.

:rolleyes:

lol funny...not really heres the posts: http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15237&sid=32d9f1986c75e9e322e306f620c457bd

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15120&sid=32d9f1986c75e9e322e306f620c457bd

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15177&sid=32d9f1986c75e9e322e306f620c457bd

How about those pencilthin seat stays ?!

Don't look trustworthy et all!

Corsaire

I've had my Cervelo for 48 hours. I've put a little over 60 miles on it so far. It is, without a doubt, the most comfortable, and insanely stiffest, thing I have ever ridden. My "old" ride was a Litespeed Ghisallo 2003. It was absolutely wonderful on the cruddy roads of Western PA I frequent. As nice as my Litespeed was, the R3 is far more comfortable. Watching CSC cruise over the cobbles was just awesome.

How about those pencilthin seat stays ?!

Don't look trustworthy et all!

Corsaire

Supposedly the bike doesn't even need seat stays. Apparently the chainstays are strong enough to support the rear wheel without any help from the seat stays. They had to put them on there due to UCI regulations - at least I read that somewhere....

^^ Yep, although they do support some weight.