I am looking at purchasing a TT/triathlon bike. I plan on entering some amatuer TT events as well as getting into duathlons. My budget is set at $4500 for the new bike. I am in a little bit of a dilemma. I have narrowed my decision down quite a bit, but I need a little extra help. Here is where I am:
1) Spend all the money and get a Cervelo P3C (maybe wait until end of season and hope I could get a little bit of a deal, but this is going to be hard since it is such a hot bike now). Won't have any money to fix it up or add new wheels (most important upgrade) for some time until I save some more money up. I also love the looks of the P3C, just so sexy.
2) Get the Cervelo P2C and use the extra money left over to get a nice set of wheels. I have heard the aerodynamics of the two bikes is very similar since Cervelo basically used the same design and research to build them. The major difference is that the P3C has the longer curved seattube, which I learned they had to use 18 molds to form the curve = higher. Supposedly if the P3C wasn't made, the P2C would be the most aero and fastest TT bike out now, just speaks volume of Cervelo's ability to make TT bikes.
3) Build up my own TT bike. This is going to be more of a pain when thinking of having to order and put everything together, but then I will be able to pick everything that I want. Probably won't save any money, and it might end up costing more? I would be able to get a deal on a ParPre Image TT frame (http://www.parkpreusa.com/framesets/imagett.htm) but I am not sure if I really want that frame.
4) Look and wait patiently on ebay for the perfect bike to pop up. Pain of having to wait and deal with everything that comes with buying things on ebay.
So any opinions?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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1. good
2. better(this would be my pick, more time/energy will be saved with a tt helmet and aero wheel than the frame)
3. way more expensive
4. good deals can be had on ebay but lots of crap too.
53x12
1. good
2. better(this would be my pick, more time/energy will be saved with a tt helmet and aero wheel than the frame)
3. way more expensive
4. good deals can be had on ebay but lots of crap too.
That is what I was thinking. Anyone else think I should consider something else?
chrisesposito
1. good
2. better(this would be my pick, more time/energy will be saved with a tt helmet and aero wheel than the frame)
3. way more expensive
4. good deals can be had on ebay but lots of crap too.
#2 and #4 aren't necessarily mutually exclusive; if you are looking to buy and use the bike this season, then I'd go with #2 since you have the money now. If you know what size P2C / P3C you fit on (I'd do this before anything else) and your need is not immediate, then I expect there will be some good deals to be had between the end of this season and the beginning next year, both at the online shops and eBay. I bought my P3 on eBay last October and got a great deal. You could also buy the base bike now and upgrade the wheels over the winter as well.
53x12
Those of you that have had experience with Cervelo bikes:
1) How is the quality of Cervelo bikes, and especially their TT bikes?
2) Do they have good customer service?
3) Is this a bike that should last me a long time?
P2SL Marc
Those of you that have had experience with Cervelo bikes:
1) How is the quality of Cervelo bikes, and especially their TT bikes?
2) Do they have good customer service?
3) Is this a bike that should last me a long time?
1 - Seems to be pretty good. I had a fairly big crash and dinged the top tube pretty bad, my bike (aluminum) is still perfectly aligned. However they didn't drill the front brake hole in the center of the fork (carbon) and the crash seemed to make it more pronounced... They offered me an Alpha Q Elios fork for cost. Kind of a so-so experience. Also both of the water bottle bolt-things in the bike came out! This could have been just from me being an idiot, but who know's, heh. Overall though I'm happy with the quality of the build.
2 - I've never really delt with the customer service reps directly, just through my LBS.
3 - As far as I know yea this bike should last you a long time!
rplong
I just got a P2-SL in July. I have rode it about 5 - 7 times. Mostly just long rides and on my shorter races. I haven't had any troubles with it. If there is to be any had from less than 300 miles. I am really happy with it. Registered it for the warranty on Cervelo's website with no trouble. I would go with your option to get the P2C and some race wheels.
cjbruin
Those of you that have had experience with Cervelo bikes:
1) How is the quality of Cervelo bikes, and especially their TT bikes?
IMO, their quality is first rate. I am very pleased with my P2 SL. It's excellent for a 12 mi TT, a 40K TT, and for a 112 mi solo ride.
2) Do they have good customer service?
I don't know for sure as I haven't needed to use them however when I was looking to purchase my bike, I was able to communicate directly with Girard Vroomen re: availability and lead times. I'd say that's pretty cool.
3) Is this a bike that should last me a long time?
I sure hope so...I don't plan on replacing it for several years. The way they come equipped, there is not much you need to do to them...maybe wheels...
LBonney
ahh to have the problem of what to do with that much money.............
Jstyle
ahh to have the problem of what to do with that much money.............
I know right I was looking at what to buy under 1500... I ended up getting a 04 Cannondale Ironman 800 (which I love) off of ebay. Damn I wish I could approve it by the wife to get something that nice.
Jstyle
Another another not yeah Cervelo makes a great bike and a whole lot of people live and die off of the P2 and P3. If you want fast and beautiful check out Kuota... http://www.trisports.com/kuotakalibur.html That is in your budget and you get everything you are looking for including wheels.
53x12
Another another not yeah Cervelo makes a great bike and a whole lot of people live and die off of the P2 and P3. If you want fast and beautiful check out Kuota... http://www.trisports.com/kuotakalibur.html That is in your budget and you get everything you are looking for including wheels.
Interesting bike. I love all the carbon fiber, just makes it look oooh so hot. How does the Kalibur compare to the P2C? Is it basically apples and oranges between the two?
Dalai
How does the Kalibur compare to the P2C?
Choice between the two?
Aerodynamics - P2C same front end as the P3C. More aero headtube, internal cables compared to external cables and less aero semi compact design.
Geometry - P2C much steeper seat tube angle, 75 and 78 degrees, vs the Kuota Kalibur 74 and 76 degrees.
Dropouts - Horizontal on the P2C, standard road dropouts on the Kalibur
Fork - P2C standard 1 1/8" (so you can swap with any fork if you like) Kalibur uses the 1 1/8 - 1 1/4.
Jstyle
I think some one like Cervelo...
Triguy
I think it's the perfect time to say... What about a titanium bike, I've seen 05 Litespeeds at pretty good prices.
Triguy
but really without opening that can of worms, the P2C is a great choice. I would concur probably more user friendly than a Kuota in terms of triathlon.
audiojan
Seem like you have your mind set on Cervelo. Nice bike I'm sure, but don't forget Quintana Roo..
Caliente fits very nicely in to your budget (with money to spare...)
http://www.rooworld.com/bikes/2006/caliente.aspx
And you might even be able to find a Lucero at that price.
http://www.rooworld.com/bikes/2006/lucero.aspx
lilscotboy
i have to say it
guru
the trilite or the carbonio tri have good build options at that price
handmade in montreal, so you're still buying canadian
www.gurubikes.com
park
Frame aerodynamics isn't that crucial and I don't think there is much difference between makes. I'm sure some will argue but if there is a difference we are talking seconds. Rider position and wheels will make a bigger difference. So get something that looks cool. The P3 is awesome looking while the P2 more traditional. I have a Hed but now wish I had looked a little harder at the Scott Plasma or the Orbea line. How rigid are you with that budget?
53x12
How rigid are you with that budget?
I really need to keep the price under $4500 for the bike and if I decide to upgrade the wheels. Some of these new bikes that you guys have mentioned are really interesting, I really like the Guru line as well as the Quintana Roo Caliente. The more bikes that I start looking at, the harder the decision becomes. Just for some help, am I comparing apples to oranges here? Of the bikes that have been mentioned, will I get a good bike or are there some that are better than others? Or at this point is it just about going after which one I think looks the best?
53x12
but really without opening that can of worms, the P2C is a great choice. I would concur probably more user friendly than a Kuota in terms of triathlon.
What is wrong with a Kuota? I am new to the TT bike scene. I don't plan on using the bike for triathlon's, mostly for TT's and duathlon's.
lilscotboy
my personal opinion
if they all fit you (which some will better than others)
then at that price range - a lot to do with what you think looks the best, which is going to make you feel faster and get out and log more miles.
of course i'm biased, but the thing i love about guru is that for a little extra money you can pretty much get a custom fit frame finished with a practically custom paint job (check out the site), leaving you with a pretty personalized machine
i love my tri-lite ;)
lilscotboy
53-12
where are you in chitown?
Dalai
I think some one like Cervelo...
The Kuota is a fine piece of Carbon! I nearly bought the Kalibur earlier this year, as it was for a very nice price (~1/2 retail from what is charged here in Australia). But the plan fell through unfortunately...
But if I had the money to decide between either the P2C or the Kalibur - P2C wins hands down for the above reasons
53x12
53-12
where are you in chitown?
Western Suburbs, in Downers Grove.
jrennie
What is wrong with a Kuota? I am new to the TT bike scene. I don't plan on using the bike for triathlon's, mostly for TT's and duathlon's.
I think their personal preference is for the cervelo line, the kuota is a ferrari. It is a fantastic machine(1100 grams for a full aero frame is lighter than most road bikes). If you are new to the TT and tri/du racing than get what ever feels good/looks good(as this is truly why we buy high end bikes) as long as it fits. With any of the bikes mentioned, your legs are going to be a bigger factor than the bike. I ride an 2005 QR kilo and know for a fact that even if I was on a p3c it wouldn't make me go any faster, enless the bike comes with a new set of quads.:rolleyes:
Triguy
Kuota has slack geometry, you are stuck with their fork and a headtube that has more FA than any other except isaac, it tubes also don't have a fantastic depth to width ratio.
A duathlon setup is the same as a tri setup, and a TT setup that doesn't have to conform to UCI rules(which most U.S. TTs don't) can also be the same.