mikev102

just as the topic says..

pimp the soloist team vs. the cervelo r3.

yes i am at the point where i need to upgrade my current bike of a 2005 rocky mtn solo al:30 to something a bit more race-worthy.

what would your choice be between the two bikes below?

SOLOIST TEAM--> pimped up $????
--> grouppo upgrade to dura ace
--> crank/bb upgrade to fsa carbon or dura-ace
--> ksyrium es wheels or zipp 404's
--> fsa carbon handlebars etc...
--> heavier frame

OR

R3--> stock $4800 cdn
--> ultegra
--> brake calipers:Cervélo Mach 2
--> FSA SLK MegaExo crank
--> Easton Vista wheels
--> lighter frame......900 grams

I am a cat 4/5 rider and am trying to pimp my bike up while some of the parts are cheaper at the end of season. thanks very much for your input, because it will go a long way to helping me in my choice.

-mike.

velorapide

Pimp the soloist.... I test rode an R3 and Soloist then bought the soloist. Great handling bike, fast, comfortable, agressive geometry, etc......

jschen

What's your priority for the bike? A more aero bike will generally be faster. But in the long run, the lighter frame of the R3 probably would make for a slightly faster climbing bike. I bought an R3 about a month ago. I love it. But then, I don't care much about aero since I spend most of my time on hilly rides. Also, I assume you're not going to buy either without a test ride. Why not just test ride both and see which you prefer?

Duke of Kent

Get a $2000-3000 bike and spend the rest on coaching. Seriously.

Or get coaching and an R3, if you can. More power to you.

johnnny

Here's my advice. I made this same decision not long ago (between 2 different bikes of course) but after a couple of regrets, here is what I should have done (or what I think you should do):

Pimp the Soloist:

- Go for the new Chorus when it comes out instead of Dura-ace (same price)
- Don't bother upgrading cranks or bars to carbon, alloy bars are more than sufficient, carbon bars are a waste of money. Also Chorus cranks will be carbon anyway
- Go for a deep-rim set of race wheels, as long as you already have training wheels. I reccommend Reynolds Stratus tubulars (or the clinchers if you can afford them)

If you have money left over, I agree with spending it on coaching and/or nutrition.

Good luck

mikev102

what about looking at like a trek madone sl 5.2 or even a 5.5?

i am leaning towards the r3 with dura ace because of the wheelset. but i am not sure

as the wheels that come with the ultegra version of the r3 are the vistas.. not very race friendly as this is going to be my race bike..

hmm.. any other suggestions?

jschen

Go ride the bikes. As for the wheelset, if all that holds you back from a particular bike is the wheelset, you could always ask the LBS for credit toward an upgrade.

DocRay

upgrade the soloist.
Cervelo has gone from making good, reasonably priced frames to good, overpriced frames.
Better components will make more of a real difference than a new frame.

craigery

spend less on the bike and put more into training/coaching. You're only a cat5/4. A big that is a little lighter isnt going to make as big of a difference as good training will. I'm learning this same thing right now.