I'm not a huge fan of these types of threads, but thought I would seek advice from fellow BF members as I am in a time of need.

I went to the shop the other day with full intentions of buying a 2006 Cervelo Soloist (61cm). The bike is nicely appointed (Ultegra & Easton Wheels) for the $2200 price range and seems to have everything I'm looking for. I asked the salesman on the shop floor if there was anything else comparable on the Cervelo (I didn't expect him to have an answer) - out comes a 60cm Pinarello Galileo with Ultegra and Shimano wheels.

I have concerns about the aluminum Soloist being too harsh, so I like the idea of carbon fiber seat stays. Plus I know Pinarello has a great reputation, history, etc. Something about the Cervelo is hard to pass up.

Owners/haters/aficionados of these bikes please sound off.

You can't really go wrong with either in my book. However, what's the weight comparison? That might be something to consider as well. My guess is the soloist will be a faster bike on the flats but the galileo will be a better climber.

Are you kidding? Cervelo! Pinarellos generally look great, but not with that huge PINARELLO logo on the downtube... it kind of takes away from its Italian mystique. Go for the Cervelo.

The Cervelo is flexy and heavy, and with the Pinarello you are paying for the name only at that level in the range.

The soloist is best, but you could get better for the money.

There are so many other amazing bikes out there for that price range. Keep shopping.

I gathered the Pinarello wouldn't be too popular.

Talewinds & EURO - What else would you suggest for the money? (I had a bad experience with a Scott, so please don't say it)

Orbea Mitis with Ultegra or Veloce.
www.orbea-usa.com

Flexy and heavy??
Facts (1425g) and EFBe testing disagree, most CSC riders would disagree as well. This frame is still raced in 06, still used as a daily training frame by most of the CSC team.
How many Protour frames can you buy for $1200? That bike he showed should be no more than $1900.

This frame is not harsh, and has been described by many professional European reviewers as one of the best aluminum frames ever built. I own a 61cm Soloist, the main reason I bought it was its stiffness at this size compared to other bikes, especially carbon frames. Few companies make good large frames.

Doc, I gotta tell ya, when i saw your posted weight, 1425, I went to Weightweenies and glanced down the list of frames, not because I didn't believe your number, but, because that seems heavy to me, and after looking down the list... It STILL looks heavy to me, as compared to the cross section of the other alum frames out there, not to mention the carbons, of course. Not that the soloist weighs a ton, but it looks to be on the high end, I wouldn't call it "heavy", but, definitely heavier.

Why do you say that?

How about this one

https://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?mI...duct&taxId=241

The extra weight is due to the aero tubing profiles more than anything else. It's one of, if not the most aerodynamic aluminum road frames available today. The extra 100 grams isn't going to make that big a difference unless you give the entire bike the weight-weenie treatment, but then you might as well go with a Soloist Carbon [I recommend it... ].

What about a Specialized S-Works E5?

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to many Cervelos. They have to be the most boring bike on the market.

Pinarellos all the way. The Galileo handles beautifully.

No comparison: the Pinarello is an entry level bike, and the Soloist is a proven Tour de France performer. If the Galileo frame had "Trek" on it instead of "Pinarello", it would be equipped with Sora, and sell for $700!!


By the way, I've never heard of the Soloist being flexy; I've read a couple of people say they're a little bit stiff and uncomfortable, but that's it.

Not because Pinarellos are bad bikes, but it seems like they needed a bike in the $2000 - $2500 range and so they threw this thing together. I know people squirm b/c it's made in Taiwan, but that doesn't bother me, it's more the concern of just buying a name than a decent steed.

You know, I'd pay attention to what you say, apart from the fact I know you are a blind Canadian Cervelo fan who thinks they can do no wrong.

The Soloist is heavy (1425 is HEAVY), flexy (check the Tour magazine test) alloy frame with funny shaped tubing. I wouldn't buy it for general riding.

There are a million nice bikes out there. This is the problem with a crappy LBS, they have 5 bikes on display and they try to sell you them to you REAL hard.

Euro, I can agree that at $3000 Cyfac is better than a $1200 frame. That "funny" shape is for aerodynamics.
And this is the only aero frame on a roadbike. Again, CSC can use any frames they want for daily training, most riders choose the ally frame. CSC used this flexy, heavy frame in the T of C. Any rider concerned about a few hundred grams has lost the race already. And again, as per his concerns, this is the least expensive Protour frame, and in my opinion, one of the stiffest large frames (the Tour test did not test large frames), and I rode several 60-62cm frames prior to purchase. The Flexyness is the likely reason why the frame is not harsh.

Perhaps you should address the original thread post and consider costs. He asked for the opinions of owners, not arrogant brit twits who have never ridden either bike. More expensive bikes can be better, brilliant insight there, Julien.
Welcome back to BF, nice to see that bug up yer ass is growing nicely.

That's an inaccurate statement, you're grasping for things now....
This bike was used by the Festina team in the TDF and other grand tour's road stages just a few years ago. It's a Specialized S-Works M4, and was sold to the public as well, I got a hold of one and it performs very well. It has an airfoil headtube, downtube, and seat tube w/ wheel cutout.

yeah, you're right. look at that tiny, inconspicuous logo!

go for the pinarello!

No kidding! Cervelos have the biggest fonts on their downtubes...you can see it miles away.

The pinarello has a shimano wheelset that's kind of heavy and in my opinion, not durable enough.

Maybe the Cervelo logo is as big, but it's not written somewhat obnoxiously in CAPITAL letters like the Pinny. Pinarellos are supposed to be about simple elegance, not bling-bling. That's what Litespeed is for.

Both nice bikes, but something to consider: Compact Vs. standard geometry. Personally, even if I didn't already like the cervelo better, I only ride compact Geo frames (exception P3C). Regarding the carbon seatpost, I believe you cna upgrade the soloist to a carbon for around $100. The R550 wheels on the Pini are something to stay away from as well (not that I like the eastons a LOT better, just the R550s have some problems...see roadbikereview.com). Yes the cervelo is heavier...did someone say 100 grams? If you are buying a bike in this price range 4 oz. shoudl mean diddly to you. You will lose 2 lbs of water weight but worry about 4 oz when its doubtful you are climbing 6% grades all day? Lastly, if you decide you want to clip some aerobars on it, you can reverse the seatpost to give you a forward position on the bike and use it as a "convert" triathlon bike - 2 for the price of 1.

I have to agree with Doc on his assessment, for performance, go with the cervelo. If you are the type of person who cares about the size, font, and coloring of lettering on your bike, then you really should not be buying a bike in this price range. Find something cheap and "pretty."

If it were out of those two bikes above, I'd buy the pinarello. That Cervelo is one ugly looking bike, looks very triathalon to me. I know road riders race them, but I have seen many more tri folks riding them and maybe a few in road races.

You'll be looking for new wheels soon enough anyway and they both seem to have similar parts.