Margot M

Hi All,
I am going to do a short test ride tomorrow of the S3. I have read some reviews and was wanting to ask those that have ridden or own this bike what they think. I'm cautious about suitability for me. I am a 50 something female currently riding a Giant advanced avail (women specific). I ride about 200km (124miles) a week over say 4 days with a weekend ride in a peleton of 60-100km (40-65 miles). I also do some longer rides around 160km (100 miles) several times a year. I would like a bike that will a) Make me a little faster and b) Be suitable for a long day in the saddle. Road conditions here in Australia aren't always optimal particularly for the longer rides which tend to be out of Sydney. I'm looking at the Cannondale synapse womens and the specialized ruby or roubaix too but the deal on the S3 is really good value!!
Thanks everyone, really appreciate any feedback.

Campag4life

S3 is a great bike. One of the first aero bikes with truly excellent ride quality. Not easy to design a bike with aero frame tubes that also have stiffness in the right places for both ride and power transfer.

Point two is disc brakes. Disc brakes are perhaps the most contentious single item debated on bike forums. Do you need them or not. If your routes are predominantly flat or with rolling hills, I always suggest rim brakes because they are lighter and more aero. If you do a fair amount of climbing and high speed descending where you would ride your brakes a bit, I believe disc is a better choice.

Check to see if your bike has 'hydraulic' disc brakes which are far superior to mechanical discs...not only in performance...braking power and modulation but also in setting up pad clearance. Keep in mind that disc brakes generally cost more than rim brakes and maintenance of changing fluid is a bit more expensive. But I believe your terrain should drive your brake choice decision. I live in flat country where braking is a complete non issue, so lower cost and less fiddly rim brakes for me. Also keep in mind top pros descent the Alps on rim brakes.

Choice of bike and components is big...but biggest factor if choosing an upper echelon bike like the S3 is FIT. Fit is critical. A properly fit $2K bike is a much better riding experience than a $10K bike that doesn't fit you properly. So...be sure to have the bike fit by a fitter in particular if you have little experience in this regard.

The Cerveolo S series bike is an aero bike which means its fast at speed. The S series bike is so good it has stolen some sales from the R series Cervelo generally regarded as one of the best all arounder out there. S series also has a pretty friendly riding position...not overly aggressive in terms of saddle to bar drop.

Hope above helps and ride safely.

ddub

Let us know how the test ride goes. If it fits you proper. They have a surprisingly good ride.

Margot M

Test ride was good, feels much stiffer out of the saddle than my current bike. Took it on some rolling hills, would love to see how it performs on the flat but could only take it out for a few miles as this particular one already sold...there is just one left in the same size ready for me just not made up. The enve carbon wheels felt light almost too twitchy but think I would put different tyres on it (currently 23s but I prefer 25s). The handlebars were interesting but fely quite nice to rest hands on a flat surface, they were a little wide at 42cm but can switch out for 40cm, also can switch out forks so the front end a little higher, my current bike the seat is at the same height as my head stem. In answer to campag4life, mostly hills around where I live..not overly long (4km) average but reasonable descents so disc wheels are nice and as I also lust after carbon wheels I think discs will suit me well, plus if you get caught out in the rain!! Weight wise is a little heavier than current bike which is around 7.6kg and this one is 7.9kg but does have disc brakes.Can't say any bumps felt any worse than on my current bike..guess my main concern is how I would feel on a rougher tarmac on an over 100km ride, so hard to say. ANY OTHER FEEDBACK ON S3 greatly appreciated or even on the SPECIALIZED RUBY or ROUBAIX.

cyclozone

I did hear that the S3 seatpost clamp isn’t very good and can slip, but never owned one so can’t comment any further. What handlebar will yours come with? Some of the aero-type bars can make mounting lights and a computer difficult.

Oh and if you can, try the rim-brake version too before deciding. The S3 is a nice bike for sure, and will turn many heads!

Margot M

Couldn't try the rim version as they didn't have. I'm a size 48 so often difficult to find a bike in that size, they certainly come in that size just the shops usually have larger sizes in stock. It comes with the carbon aero handlebar, there is a Garmin mount that fits and think my light will either fit or there is an attachment. My main area of concern is the longer rides, will it be comfortable. How it might compare to my giant advance avail and should I be looking at a more endurance bike...so many questions but a lot of $$ to make a mistake on.

cyclozone

For what it’s worth, my wife used to ride an Avail and when she moved to an Amira, she found the Amira much more responsive but significantly less comfortable. So I suspect that the S3 disc would also be less comfortable than your current Avail (https://road.cc/content/review/226365-cervélo-s3-disc-ultegra-di2-2017). Also, the S3 has a max tyre clearance of 25mm so you can’t just slap on a 28mm tyre to easily improve comfort.

Dopefish905

I ride a s3 and r3

My s3 sees all the action from commutes to long 200+km rides. The r3 is a bit more comfortable but it’s not night and day by any means. Unless your really smashing the power the aero gains over the r3 are minimal. And for those 25mm tyres your hoping to put on..continental 25mms won’t fit on my s3 without rubbing. They blow up to 28mm on my 17.5 internal 23mm external rim widths and rub chain and seat stays (2mm clearence either side) and with the frame and wheel flex it rubs slightly. So I run 23’s now.

Buy the s3 if your worried about long distance comfort don’t be, it’s a pretty forgiving bike even on 23’s

Margot M

Thanks all, I believe with discs I should be able to get up to a 28 tyre, am I wrong?

cyclozone

For the S3 disc, I’ve read that the max tyre clearance remains at 25mm, same as the rim-brake version.

Margot M

Thanks for the link have just read that again so seems I can fit 25s not 28s, will ask the guy in the shop to re check because he thought I may be able to get a 28 on.

Margot M

That's a shame will get the guy in shop to check it out, I would definitely prefer 25mms. So you don't find it too rigid on long rides, that's great. Apparently has the back end of a r3...maybe that helps!

Campag4life

Margot, there is a plethora of great carbon road bikes out there. I believe you need to identify what your riding priorities are. Yes, the S3 is great choice and for an 'aero' specific bike which emphasizes riding fast, it has the chops to ride distance as well.

So you need to figure out your riding priorities as few bikes are all things but the Cervelo S does a pretty good job...but some would submit the R series is a better overall bike for example.

Some questions are...how often do you ride above 22 mph or so...or 25mph where an aero specific bike really helps. Keep in mind you can drop over $1K on wheels and get aero wheels which is a bigger contributor to going fast than the frameset.

Do you ride distance? If so, you may want to consider an endurance bike with a bit more upright position.

Do you ride choppy road surfaces? Then you may want to chose a bike with 28c capability which many endurance bikes provide and even a few non endurance bikes now as tire width has grown a bit in the last few years.

Do you ride mostly flat land? Then consider choosing a bike 'without' disc brakes. I am a flat lander and braking isn't even on my radar. Disc brakes are more expensive and more fiddly to maintain. Don't even consider mechanical disc brakes. If you go disc, go hydraulic for any benefit over rim brakes.

So, best to figure out what kind of rider you are. If you are a 16-18 mph average rider, most don't have the fitness to enjoy a pure race bike and will prefer a more upright endurance geometry. If you ride with the A group and routinely hammer over 25mph than an aero bike makes a lot of sense. If you do a lot of climbing then try to build a bike close to 15 lbs.

Point is, first consider what kind of rider you are or perhaps even aspire to be, and then choose the bike and features you prefer accordingly. A lot of great bikes out there and some serve a given purpose better than others.

Happy hunting.

joejack951

On a size 48cm frame? That would...surprising. At your size I would be looking for 38 or even 36cm bars. 42cm will have you feeling like a sail in the wind. I ride 51-53cm frames and use 40cm bars FWIW. Switching from 'standard' 42cm bars (based on my shoulder width) to the narrower bars was one of the best aero improvements I've made on my recent builds.

WhyFi

I often see non-disc users cite maintenance cost and complexity as a drawback to hydraulic brakes, but I think of their hassle-free nature as a benefit and I would doubt that I'm alone among actual users. Once they're set up, what else do you need to do? Replace pads? That takes a screwdriver, a tire lever and three minutes per tire. High spot on the disc? Take a minute or two (literally) to bend it with a disc lever. Bleed the system once every blue moon? That's probably less of a hassle and expense than replacing cables. Replace the fluid? It'd take years of use before that's necessary and fluid is less expensive than good cables and housing. I'm just not seeing it.

blacknbluebikes 

another vote for R3 from an 2014 R3 owner. I ride Conti 25mm gp4000.
invest the price diff in other upgrades.

eric1971

Agree 100%. I've been running disk brakes on mountain bikes for many years. Pretty much hassle free. I have had way more issues with rim brakes over the years.

Margot M

Thanks all, I have decided against the S3, looked at the R3 but have gone back to the specialized roubaix however looking at the s works, yikes! It's on sale here at moment, has the 11-32 I want. disc brakes, sram etap and carbon wheels and is more an endurance bike that should go fast too. I do alot of hills and city riding so will enjoy disc brakes even if they need to be serviced more often. My MTB has them and I haven't had any issues so far. If there are any comments on the Roubaix feel free to leave them, haven't handed over the $$ yet and who knows may have sold out before tomorrow...

cyclozone

That Etap Roubaix’s a really sweet bike - enjoy!

sbxx1985 

My wife rides a 2009 S2 in a 51, which will be similar except for the geometry change. My wife cannot understand why I keep accumulating bikes when her S2 has been great so for long.

If you liked it on the test ride and the price is right, I would buy it.

Campag4life

Since you asked, I wouldn't want a new Roubaix with Future Shock. I own a SL3 Pro Roubaix with Campy. To me, the Future Shock design sucks and have been threads about it. If needing the compliance of FS, I would simply buy last year's pre FS Diverge and run 32mm tires and lower pressure. But I don't need the FS or disc brakes.
Disc brakes work nicely for biggish hills and completely unnecessary for rollers or flatland riding.

To me the Roubaix, with it FS, disc brakes and Cobl Gobble seat post are 'faddish'. For example, and no disrespect but you are a perfect target demographic. A person with rather undefined taste in bikes that would vacillate broadly between a Cervelo S3 and new Roubaix. These two bikes are so different, almost surprising they both would be called roadbikes. So Specialized 'marketing' of their new Roubaix worked. This thread is validation. You were drawn in by what you believe you need. As it turns out it doesn't matter any more than your wallet is lightened including for Sram E-tap and Spesh's house brand Roval carbon wheels which aren't as good as similar aftermarket offerings like Zipp or Enve. The high end bike industry targets those with more money than bike savy. Strong riders will simply purchase an Al bike like a Emonda, or Synapse or Spesh Sprint with Ultegra for under $2K and pass every one of the weaker riders on the road with the latest carbon $7K wundersled that offers little more than greater complexity to maintain and more $$ which is the objective of every company.

Seattle Forrest

I would buy the R3, no question.

Margot M

Wow, guess I asked for that but having read your previous messages I was going with a more endurance rig because that is what I have, I discounted the S3 after reading reviews and remarks and yes it is quite a different bike. I did consider the trek Edmonda and Cannondale Synapse too. Still haven’t pushed the button so will look at the forums on future shock. Have ridden a ruby and was quite happy with it, especially on gravel road with discs. Came into its own then but yes I don’t ride that every day. Thanks.

Margot M

Thanks, may I ask do you have one? Or ridden it?

Campag4life

Glad you took my comments as constructive...how they were meant. Nothing wrong with coming to a forum and inquiring and honesty can be pretty painful at times.


I mean, you could ride anything, like me or anybody else. And for the money you are considering, you could probably buy a nicer bike that will be more reliable.


It starts with geometry Margot and your target saddle to bar drop which will dictate your comfort on the bike. If you like disc brakes, cool. Many prefer Shimano Di2 to Sram e-Tap and I would likely go Di2 if a non integrated build if going with an electrical groupset.


I believe the Domane is overall a better bike than the Roubaix and I like and ride Specialized. If you are going to drop some money, get something for it. An Emonda SLR would be on my short list if you climb hills because you could build one for 14 lbs with 28c tires which you could run at 80 psi for great ride comfort. Emonda can be had with disc brakes. It has goldilocks H2 geometry so you can ride with little saddle to bar drop for excellent comfort.


My suggestion is...learn more before you buy. There is a current active thread on this forum about the Roubaix Future Shock and have a read. There is also an active thread on the Forum about Emonda builds. To me the Trek Emonda in either Aluminum or highest end carbon which is ridiculously light, is one of the best overall bikes on the planet...especially for climbing.


Happy shopping.