Triathlon - Your recommendation?? Cervelo One vs Litespeed Bella???

Hi there....Im a female rider...finished one season of tri's last year (as well as a weeklong triathlon camp in Vermont through Total Immersion-Im hooked!!) riding a Trek 2100...which I've had for 6 years--purchased during grad school from a classmate who worked at a bike shop--got one of those **great deals**...but it's TOO big (55cm) and isn't fun to ride. When I moved to Los Angeles, I got it retrofitted....still not comfy. Darn! Im to the point where I'm ready to invest in a quality machine that I would look forward to getting on-and appreciate your input...

At the moment, I have the opportunity to buy a slightly used 2002 or 2003 Cervelo Soloist (54cm) from a friend in Oregon (you know, the one that claims to be able to switch from road to tri bike by moving the seat around)...my other option I've been considering is the Litespeed Bella. Besides the recommendation of test riding these bikes, which I wont be able to do if I go w/ the Cervelo, what are your thoughts????

I like the Cervelo Soloist for the forward tri position option..Im planning sprints/Olympic for this season (with lots of group biking w/ non-triathletes in training). I like the Litespeed Bella for the 'female' fit option---one of the problems w/ the Trek was it was toooooo long of a reach. ugh. so uncomfortable. I've read that its sometimes difficult to put aerobars on a road bike and make it 'right'. I want to make the right choice...a big investment...can you help??

I'm 5'6 1/2" and i think my inseam was something like 85cm...

Thanks!!
Sadie

Sadie

I know your post was a while ago,but I thought I'd reply anyway.
At your height..a 56cm Soloist might be too big for you..I'm almost sure of it.
I'm 5'11 w/32 inseam and I ride a 53-54cm top tube Giant TT.

Have you gotten a bike yet?

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info...I've been moving pretty slow this time around on getting my bike...looks like it will happen this week! I know you posted months ago..just wanted to say thanks for the info.


I think I've narrowed it down to either a Litespeed Bella (med) or a Kestrel Talon (52cm). I've ridden each, only the Talon was built up as a tri--so a little hard to judge.

Would appreciate any input on either of these...thanks again for the size info.

You need to test them out and figure out what is the best for you in terms of fit. Also look at why you are buying th ebike, and get the one that fits you the best.

Since you are in the Los Angeles area, why not look up Russ Denny, he's on the internet, and order a custom alloy/carbon frame from him, you can drive to his shop and be fitted. He used to build for Masi and knows his stuff. I'll bet he can build you a lighter frame than either one of your choices and it will fit you perfectly. He also builds for Eddy B's team and his bikes have won several Cal State and National championships (it's the rider, though, not the bike that wins). He just finished a road frame for my wife and it is superb, better quality than either of my custom European frames. Prices vary, but I paid $1,400 for her frame with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro carbon fork, Reynolds carbon stays, and all the other options, including special paint. I think a custom frame would solve all of your fit problems instantly, and if you want to race.....

Thanks for the info...wow, custom would be heaven...if only it were a few months ago...

Unfortunately, in April I moved after 6 years in LA's westside....and am now in Portland, OR....

I'll hang onto Russ Denny's name though...

I know you're right about looking at why Im buying the bike, and then figuring out whats best in terms of fit through testing them...The tough thing in deciding is that I want the bike to do tri's (sprint to Olympic...then there's this thought in my mind that 1/2 ironman could follow...), but dont want it just for tri's. For this year, I'll be mostly training w/ roadies in groups...and am working on base miles and endurance currently. Since my last bike was so horribly uncomfortable, Im a little gun shy to make a decision--cause I want it to be the right one. I've got $ from my bike I sold, as well have been saving, so am ready to buy 'the one'. Custom would be great..but doesnt seem to be an option.

brings me back to hmm...Lightspeed Bella or Kestrel Talon...

I'm going to check another shop today that may have the Talon built up as a roadbike in my size that I can ride....its hard to get a feel for it when its built up as a tri bike.

I live in South Carolina, (it has been raining all day--humidity is terrible right now), and did everything with Russ, thru email and a couple of phone calls. Also, the new frame had every conceivable goody on it and that really raised the price, including butted scandium main tubing, compact style top tube, and more. You could build one for much less than we paid for this particular frame, and it would be a custom fit, maybe less than 900 bucks. Call him and ask. Just a thought.

Are you gonna participate in the Seattle to Portland ride? One of my favorites, in my younger days, did it in about 9 hrs, yeah it was a blast.

The Kestrel Talon is a fantastic bike! I have two of them, one built up as a tribike and one for the road. It's really equally comfortable for both. Highly recommended!