Johnny Rad

Reward yourself. You deserve it.

Def test drive more than those two.

And visit more than one shop. Enjoy!

spdoran

Just for clarification:

I race cars (not bikes, yet) and my race spec HONDA S2000 consistently beats the pants off of BMW and Mercedes's top racing offerings, which is why my mom owns a Mercedes coupe and not a racecar. If you think those two bikes are the equivalent to a crappy mid level German car living off a name (BMW) and a luxury car company trying to rebrand as a sports car company (Mercedes) and not something maybe a little nicer, then you probably don't love either enough.

But that is a different argument. The argument at hand is probably that you're debating whether you want a cool bike, or a trek. I despise trek, but unfortunately I own both a Session and a 1.5. Why? Because I can't afford anything else and trek resale value sucks because there are so many of them which allows me to scoop them up for next to nothing. You may even like the trek more, but the bias is always there for most of us. Go with the bike you love to ride and love to look at- hopefully these are the same. It isn't worth having to get on a trek every day when the cevelo is cheaper for some people, but you may not care and really like the trek.

either way good luck. The advice on here thus far is what you need to listen to. It is probably going to come down to brand though so at least both bikes are good offerings.

nastystang

I am guessing the Ultegra is 6700 and really is not much better than 105. I have owned both and could not tell the difference really. I would buy the bike that makes me want to ride it. And if I'm not riding it, I,m thinking about riding it. I have a bike like this and just bought a full carbon bike that will no doubt give me the same pleasure. At your price point it should be easy to find a great bike with a good builds that will make you happy every time you hop on it. Go check out some other bikes as well. When I first got back in to road bikes about three years ago I settled on my first bike and it was a lousy deal. take your time and get a bike that moves you.

Seattle Forrest

How do you know?

tigat

This.

For grins, I traded out the Bontrager Race wheels and R2 tires that came stock on my wife's Domane 4.5, for a set of Mavic Elites with Conti GP 4000S tires. The Bianchi that donated the Mavic's for the trade gained a quarter pound became a much better bike--faster and smoother both. The Aeolus wheels on my Domane are another world apart.

deacon mark

And I ride Motobecane Immortal Spirit. Dura ace 7800 weighs about 17.8 pounds with the pedals and 2 cages. Having ride a Trek Madone I will take my Motobecane any day. 8300 miles zero problems, and a standard English Bottom Bracket I can service in a heartbeat. Funny thing
is a I actually like Trek bikes I just hate Specialized.

Spiduhman

Ride 'em both, listen to your mind, heart, and other parts.

I bought a Soloist (aluminum precursor to the S2) five years ago, which developed a crack last year; Cervelo replaced it with the 2013 S2.

Lifetime warrantee.


The S2 rides as nicely, in terms of go, steering, and the like, however, it also rolls better, is more comfortable, and looks nice. Oh yeah, still has a lifetime warrantee.

I say rolls better because it goes more through than over the lil' imperfections of road, all other things being equal (they are, I moved the parts over myself, cheap sob that I am).

That said, the next bike, on the way, is something different - an all-day bike - Wilier GTR.

Arrr

Ride, decide.

S2 for 2k is not too bad.

Johnny Rad

In the event you're trying to add value, I'm disappointed there's so many dissenting voices on his planned upgrade. I was rewarding his weight loss achievement, desire to be more and enjoyment of cycling.

On the other hand if you're just trying to boost your post count, please feel free to launch into any number of tired interweb tirades now.

iamtim

My current ride is a Motobecane Vent Noir build, but I've also ridden a Mercier Galaxy, a Mercier Kilo TT, and a Windsor The Hour, all from BD. Like Trek, BD hate is something I'll never understand. (And speaking of which, I also like Trek bikes. I've had a 1000 and a 5200, and everyone else in my family who rode did so on Trek.)

cafzali

Especially since, when you really get down to it, bikes are pretty similar at a comparable price point. That said, my 2008 Trek 1.5 that I now use as a winter training bike, came with pretty poor Bontrager wheels that just didn't work for me. I'm not the lightest guy on the planet, but not a blimp either. It seemed to me a bike at that price point should have wheels capable of holding 200 lbs without needing truing constantly. I swapped them out for some customs that have been rock solid. But my stock DT Swiss wheels that shipped on my Giant TCR SL3 have performed great and diminished my view of Bontrager wheels -- at least until you get to their high-end stuff.

RoadTire 

Not funny. I wanted it. Oh well. I"ll put it on my office wall under the picture of my Pilot 2.1, and you guys will never know.

Now about the bike. (as it always is) Check out the Domane because the name sounds cool and the advertisement video is cool. An ya, ride different bikes that fit - go back and forth between each pair and pick the one that give you a girly giggling feeling inside. Oh, one caution about the Cervelo, don't ever get caught walking it up a hill. Makes for some pretty bad press.

gc3

If you've ridden both, and you still can't tell what feels better TO YOU, then just buy the one you think looks better. Or the black one. Or some other brand. Seriously.

kc0bbq

Set your time machine for 12 or so years ago and you'll understand. People can have long memories.

Edit to be less of a jerk: They've changed their tactics and are better behaved now.

jackss731

There is a pretty noticeable difference between both bikes. I work at a shop that sells Trek AND Cervelo and I ride them around, both the S2 and the Madone 4 series. The cervelo is bbright and the trek is bb90. It may not be noticeable to some but there is definitely some flex in the bottom bracket when compared to the madone when putting down some power. Since the madone is there "signature series" race geo it feels a little more aggressive and quicker off the start but they both feel equal in regards to maintaining their speed. Cervelo is definitely "boutique" in regards to their line so they take much more pride in their R&D for their frames...hence their price with 105 close to being equal for a Madone with Ultegra 6700. The difference is clear between 6700 and 6800 (11spd) ultegra especially in the front derailleur and shifting but it may not be noticeable between 105 and 6700 besides overall weight. The S2 has a much more exaggerated aero design however the madone frame uses kammtail airfoil designs which trips the boundary layer of air into thinking its more aero than it really is...which saves a little weight on the frame.

between these two bikes it will ultimately be based on what you think will fit your riding style.

I personally like the R series cervelo but ill be picking up a Trek madone 5.2 pretty soon

I <3 Robots

The 2013 S2 is still a BSA bottom bracket. It didn't get the BBright bb till 2014...

jrobe

I agree. I would rather have the R3 than the S2.

jackss731

Thanks for clearing it up.
I guess that makes an even bigger difference in that aspect now.

Seattle Forrest

Yeah, me too. Did several long test rides on both. The S2 is a fun bike and a great sprinter, but the R3 (or even RS) just strikes me as a much nicer bike. I think a lot of that comes down to "riding personalities." Sprinting is fun, but what I love is going up and down mountain roads.

warpdrive

The R series just seems like a better all-use bike than the S series and I value a geometry that is meant for long rides. I had looked at the S2 just because it looks cool,but ruled it out.

I think if you ride a bike that is really aero, you’d better be blowing by people and sustaining a speed more than 20mph or time trialing. You can be aerodynamic by adjusting your sitting position and then getting aero wheels (the wheels account for a lot of drag). I'd rather get an R3 and get some aero profile wheels which looks good but is still general purpose.

cisnal

Thank you for everyone who responded to my thread. I see various coments about Trek and then Cervelo and really appreciate them. I currently do (2) trek bikes and (1) diamondback. All three have helped me achieve the weight I am geared towards. At this point I am ready to reward myself with a Carbon bike, I am leaning towards the S2 for the ride. I just came back from the LBS and wow what a beauty and my fit was just perfect. The Trek was awesome as well. As many can understand $2000 is a lot of money and I do know there are higher levels but I am no where near those levels yet sine this is my entry carbon bike. Futuristic wise I will plan on getting a better bike. This is the reason I was asking if you see Cervelo changing anything in administration. Either case this is a bike that will stay with me and my kids. My next carbon bike either an S5 or Trek 6 will just be a collection. Thank you all again and I will post once I make the purchase.

All of you have been very informative! thank you!

I <3 Robots

For 2014 the geometry is the same across the Cervelo road bike line. With a complete redesign of the S2 (now with BBright and slim seat stays) it closes the gap on the R3 in terms of comfort and stiffness.

Gramercy

Did cervelo just raise the prices of their bikes? The base S2 is $2,850 and isn't even full 105, and the R3 costs almost a grand more. When I was in a LBS in december there were 2013 R3's going for $2,200 after end of year discounts.

Edit: R3 with 105 is still $2,600. Ultegra is a grand more.

warpdrive

I didn't dig too deeply but their website shows the R3 and "new R3". So are they selling the old R3 with 105 alongside the new R3 with Ultegra? So it wouldn't be just component changes, the whole frame is improved. That's worth the extra $1K

Taipei325

I think both bikes are very similar given you like riding both of them. If you have had a professional fit, that might help you determine which geometry is better for you, if there are substantial differences.

Beyond that I would consider warranty. I bought a Cervelo P5 Six in October and have a number of issues with the QXL Rotor and 3T aerobar. Cervelo has gone above and beyond to work towards resolving these issues and I'm very satisfied. Just as satisfied as I am by Scott in helping me out with an issue on my Foil. In an age when bikes are sooooooooooooooo similar, I think these intangibles are just as important as anything about the bike or design.

v70cat

If I was purchasing a new bike I would get 6800, it is 11 speed and not that is key but it is the new groupo that has improvements.