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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Thoughts on Cervelo Bikes

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Old 11-29-12 | 05:23 PM
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Bikes: 2009 Look 566 Ultegra

great bikes. everyone and their grandparents have one in Toronto.
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Old 11-29-12 | 05:25 PM
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I think Cervelos are instantly dated looking. BMC is the other main offender.

If I were selling to triathletes I'd carry them.

Raleigh has come a long way in recent years. Cosmetics haven't quite caught up with the rest, but they're getting way better.
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Old 11-29-12 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by marqueemoon
If I were selling to triathletes I'd carry them.
Maybe you could benefit from the aero design and let it help you keep up with a triathlete
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Old 11-29-12 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
Maybe you could benefit from the aero design and let it help you keep up with a triathlete
My size has a 199mm head tube. So aero.

Anyway, they'd drop me on the swim.
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Old 11-29-12 | 06:53 PM
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They must be good I pass about ten of them on every ride.
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Old 11-30-12 | 01:33 AM
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Here's a smiling Cervelo rider.



Or is that a grimace? It's hard to tell.
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Old 11-30-12 | 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted by eja_ bottecchia
I don't think that you can do accurate market research here.
Please elaborate.
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Old 11-30-12 | 07:37 AM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by BillyD
To some extent it IS a fad because it's currently riding a wave of popularity that just can't last. Waves of popularity NEVER last, consumers are too fickle, plus the younger generation always wants something different, sometimes just to be different. The impact of product quality often gets lost and disregarded by these factors that are arguably less important.

The question is: Where are we, at this moment, in the lifespan of this wave of Cervelo popularity? How much is left in the tank?
Young people are actually very conformists (among themselves). Its the companies like Apple, Android, etc. that roll out new features of basically the same stuff but arranged (packaged) differently. For road bikes, its different. Cervelo has its focus on racing where the smallest details might give a rider even a minute advantage.

I look to the development to turn to the rider himself. How to handle racing issues that impact the rider's performance (not drugs), but rather things like what he wears and regulation of core temperatures. Ways to cool the rider, cheat the wind, etc.
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Old 11-30-12 | 07:44 AM
  #59  
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Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy

Originally Posted by marqueemoon
I think Cervelos are instantly dated looking. BMC is the other main offender.

If I were selling to triathletes I'd carry them.

Raleigh has come a long way in recent years. Cosmetics haven't quite caught up with the rest, but they're getting way better.
Pon Holdings has a substantial ownership in the Raleigh brand. And now Pon Holdings owns Cervelo. Gerard Vrooman is Dutch and Pon Holdings is Dutch.
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Old 11-30-12 | 07:48 AM
  #60  
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Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy

Originally Posted by Bye Sickle
I'll chime in too, although I already agree with what a bunch of others have already posted.

From the consumer perspective, they are perceived as a serious/competitive cyclist brand. They don't have any beginner models with lower end components. So if you are trying to appeal to the casual cyclist demographic, it might not be the right choice. But aspiring serious cyclists covet the brand.

Also, I read online that some Cervelo dealers were pissed off by Cervelo's 2011 "Share The Ride" promotion where people could get $2,000 off for buying two bikes. Dealers were complaining that it was discounting a product that did not have any trouble selling at full price.
My guess was that it (the sale offer) was a year end deal, just before the announcement of the Pon Holdings purchase of the company. Possibly a joint agreement to sell off the current stock to clean up the balance sheet moving forward.
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Old 11-30-12 | 07:49 AM
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LBS I worked at for a short time carries them, Spec, and Cannondale. They're very very nice, of course. Didn't get to work on them myself, unfortunately. They seemed to sell quite well. I think they are a worthy addition to your lineup.

I rode a few and loved them. If I could afford one I would grab one quite immediately.
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Old 11-30-12 | 07:50 AM
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They definitely hold their value better than many other brands. Cervelos on Ebay sell pretty fast.
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Old 11-30-12 | 10:37 AM
  #63  
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Bikes: 2009 Look 566 Ultegra

I actually don't think Cervelo's and BMC's are dated looking at all. Actually, while i'm nowhere close to needing a new bike, if i had to go out and get one tomorrow (knock on wood i don't) it'd probably be a Cervelo or a BMC.
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Old 11-30-12 | 01:32 PM
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I own three Cervelos. R3, R5 VWD and P2C. My 2008 R3 developed a crack in the bottom bracket. Cervelo replaced the frame with a 2011 R3 including a new fork, seat post and crankset due to the BB right change at no charge. The longer head tube of the new R3 and R5 is okay with me. I used less spacers and if I want a greater seat to bar drop, then I will use a 17 degree stem. I think standardizing on a taller head tube favors lower inventory for shop owners.

IMO, adding Cervelo to the line is about the deal you can make with Cervelo and the amount of bikes that you think you can sell and your allotment.
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Old 11-30-12 | 11:27 PM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by eja_ bottecchia
I don't think that you can do accurate market research here.

What sort of deal is Cervelo offering you?

How much inventory do they expect you to carry?

Is the profit margin decent?

Do you have to modify/improve your in-store display area?

Will you be allowed to carry/adverise/sell competing brands?

How is their distribution network in your area?

How is their tech support/warranty service?

Do you like the sales rep that you will be dealing with?

These are all questions that you should be asking before you ask our opinion about the bikes themselves.

Cervelos are good bikes...from my observations, however, riders on Cervelos don't smile much. I have no idea what that means.
This was not for local market research just opinions on the brands. Thank you everyone for the help I really do appreciate all the good and bad thoughts.
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Old 12-01-12 | 12:51 AM
  #66  
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Love my R5 VWD Super Record.* A brief sampling I did of Cervelo owners all talked about the internal cable routing (seems like they've fixed that now) and the warranty. Warranty claims seemed to get worked out in the end without too many issues. Wish I could be more help but ...









*I'll admit that my opinion is highly biased based on the "new bike smell" and they fact that Cervelo and NBC Sports just gave it to me.
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Old 12-01-12 | 11:25 AM
  #67  
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they suck, would not touch one plus they are just hideous to look at.
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Old 01-13-13 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Hermes
I own three Cervelos. R3, R5 VWD and P2C. My 2008 R3 developed a crack in the bottom bracket. Cervelo replaced the frame with a 2011 R3 including a new fork, seat post and crankset due to the BB right change at no charge. The longer head tube of the new R3 and R5 is okay with me. I used less spacers and if I want a greater seat to bar drop, then I will use a 17 degree stem. I think standardizing on a taller head tube favors lower inventory for shop owners.

IMO, adding Cervelo to the line is about the deal you can make with Cervelo and the amount of bikes that you think you can sell and your allotment.
I got a 2010 R3 SL on year end close out, and it March, 2012 it developed a BB crack (2010 SL frames seem to have had a problem with that). Cervelo replaced it with a $4500 R5 VWD frame! I paid LBS $150 to swap over the components and that was it. Great bike. Far better than the rider, but great bike .
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Old 01-13-13 | 09:01 PM
  #69  
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As a newbie to road riding itself (but having watched pro cycling for the past few years), I'll have to admit Cervelo has marketed enough that I feel they are a great bike. That is my feelings prior to any test ride. When I was looking at road bikes, I wanted to go for the S2. Although it is a great bike, I deem a lot of that drive as part of their marketing.

They make quality bikes, and market well. I still wouldn't mind having a Cervelo in a few years. Who knows, maybe I'll land on one for my TT/Tri rig.
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