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Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike

uberbiker

Aug 7, 08 21:51

Post #1 of 19 (1505 views)

Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike	Can't Post

Who here has/uses a Cervelo SLC-SL as a tri/TT bike and road bike in normal spec. Any experiences? any thoughts?

(This post was edited by uberbiker on Aug 7, 08 23:22)

1406racer

Aug 8, 08 5:58

Post #2 of 19 (1358 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I do not own a Cervelo but have tried doing just that with other bikes. If you have an entire road setup front end separate from your tri front end (drop bars, dual control brake/shift levers and stem vs. aerobars/ barend shifters and stem) then it is quite easy to do a front end swap and all you need to do is re-adjust your derailleurs and brakes and of course re-adjust your saddle position. This does not take very long to do. Except now we are talking about a Cervelo with internal cable routing and this does make it much harder. Cervelos do not have any guides internally for the cables and fishing the cables through the frame can be an exercise in frustration at times and will make it tougher to swap out a front end quickly. If you have the means it is better to dedicate a bike for each dicipline, road/tri. That though is admittidly something not everyone can do. If you don't yet own the SLC-SL I would say if you have to have the Cervelo, save the difference in cost and get the regular Soloist Carbon and apply the savings toward a tri bike. Depending on your experience as a triathlete ther are great tri bike bargains out there.

dongustav

Aug 8, 08 6:26

Post #3 of 19 (1330 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have an SLC-SL, and i previously had a Soloist Team that i used as a dual-purpose road/Tri bike. Swapping out the bars completely was a total hassle and not worth it in my opinion to do it regularly. I ended up doing it at the beginning of summer & then didnt switch it back to raod setup until i was done with tri season. this promted me to get dedicated road/tri bikes (i have an SLC-SL and a P2C.)

BUT, if you dont mind doing triathlons with drop bars and STI shifting then it is VERY easy to use the soloist dual purpose. My advice would be to buy another seatpost head from Cervelo (you'll have to buy the SLT seatpost with removable head anyway since your SL has the 1-position post). Having the spare head will allow you to mount another saddle on it (instead of removing your saddle and flipping it around every time which is a hassle with those posts...) So then all you need to do is pop on cliip-on bars and switch seats, this whole process will take 5 minutes at the MOST. if you want to tweak position more you can always get a different stem (another 5 minutes onto your time.) I think its a great option. It is a bit tougher to get low & steep on the soloist but the SL like that would be a pretty nice darn TT bike, and light too.

BMAN

Aug 8, 08 7:29

Post #4 of 19 (1266 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [dongustav] [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is the route I will be taking in the very near future for sure. I am not sure if I will be going with the SLC or the SLC-SL but either way, I am going to be setting it up a a road bike first and as a tri bike for the few races I will be doing.

I am not sure if I will actually buy a new seat post but I know that I need a 105-110mm stem and I do have a 90mm stem as well so I might just move the saddle forward on the single position post and use a shorter stem and drop it a bit as well.

It will be a trial and error but I think the Soloist is the best choice for this set up.
Aero & Light is Right Wink

mabarille

Aug 8, 08 8:56

Post #5 of 19 (1196 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bought a SLC last Sept and have used it as my only bike this year for both occassional road races and tris. I have enjoyed and think with a good set of aero race wheels it is as slippery as almost anything out there for Tri/TT. I have not raced much yet this year so I can't fully compare results. I had resisted getting the dual position seat post but now think it may be necessary for me because my normal fit on the bike for road configuration already has me with the seat nearly all the way forward. If you fit on the frame size you buy with the seat set back in road configuration then just moving the seat forward and swapping for a shorter stem may work fine for TT/Tri's. I didn't want to get into swapping the whole front end but Tom Demmerly has posted some pretty slick solutions for doing this with some sort of cable connector. Also, the shorty set up that has been the subject of 2 articles on the home page would work nicely for shorter Tri's and TT's.

Bob Loblaw

Aug 8, 08 9:35

Post #6 of 19 (1165 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

do you have a space/storage issue? that's the only real reason that would make me do that. because for the price of one slc-sl, you can get two excellent bikes, one road one tri. assuming you've got someplace to keep both.

i've got an aluminum soloist that i use for both - swap the seat/seatpost head, put on some aerobars. but that was a budget issue for me. done this way, it's not as good a tri bike as most entry-level tri bikes, IMO; the fit is always a bit of a compromise btwn the 2 positions, fiddling with the seatpost height is a hassle w/the aero seatpost, and you still need to reach over to the hoods to shift. i do this because i don't do that many tris and don't have the $$$ to get another bike right now. but then, i don't have the $$$ to get the slc-sl, either.

of course, if you're getting a great deal on it, that does change things.
-charles
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http://positivesplits.blogspot.com

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(This post was edited by Bob Loblaw on Aug 8, 08 9:37)

tbro

Aug 8, 08 12:47

Post #7 of 19 (1115 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [Bman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I was refitted last night on my Dual because I just couldn't get comfortable in the steep set-up I was put in by an inexperienced F.I.S.T. fitter. Because of my body dimensions, the fitter had to flip the seatpost around facing in the rear position, and slide my Adamo seat all the way back in order to get the proper spacing and alignment for my legs. I'd say that my position is much more like a relaxed TT position at about 75 degrees. The difference in comfort and power is amazing. As much as I tried to resist what my body was telling me, I couldn't get the "everyone on ST must ride steep", mentality out of my head. Physically, it just didn't work for me, and I now regret not buying a nice road bike like a Soloist to use for both road and tri. Eventually I will get an aero road bike to replace the Dual so I'm excited that I can use you as my guinea pig to learn what works well and what doesn't.

tbro

______________________________________________________
Proud Member of the Cervelo Mafia

uberbiker

Aug 9, 08 5:37

Post #8 of 19 (1031 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have a complete bar/stem setup for IM/TT/triathlon to swap in/out and im not so concerned about the cables (as my LBS will be swapping them over) and I wont be changing them more than a couple times per year anyway. I don't run a super aggressive TT position so I have also purchased a fi'zi:k Tri2 saddle that will pretty much cover both seating positions. And I have 2 sets of wheels for racing (tri spoke/disc) and training (Cosmic Carbones) so all seems covered??

Storage space is not an issue neither is the expense of it all just wanna have a really cool looking bike that I can ride/race on :)

and not many others in these parts are riding one!

BMAN

Aug 9, 08 10:05

Post #9 of 19 (967 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with you that switching over a whole front end is not that bad if you only have to do it 2-3 times a year. I used to do this and I could do it in under 20 minutes if you prepare . It is a lot faster if you have externally run cables as you can just loosen the bolts on the derailleurs and brakes and un-clip the cable housings from the stops. With internally run cables, it would take about 20 minutes max if you have it all set up with soldered cables and such.

If you are running a slack TT/Tri set up then yes the Arione is a great saddle as you can just slide it all the way forward and life is pretty good.

When I get my SLC, I will sort out how I am going to run it which is two ways.

1) Slide the saddle all the way forward, run a 90mm stem instead of the 105mm stem, drop the stem down a spacer and add clip-ons.
2) Get a dual position post and have the saddle in the forward position, keep the 105mm stem, drop the stem down a spacer and add clip-ons.

3) which I can do but will most likely not do is what I described above like you mentioned by swapping out the front end to a TT set up and moving the saddle forward.

Since I will most likely be doing short course, it just does not make sense to swap out the whole front end.

Oh and as you mentioned, put on the race wheels!

I look forward to seeing what you have done with your build and of course you have to post pictures when you have it set up in the different configs.
Aero & Light is Right Wink

uberbiker

Aug 24, 08 3:52

Post #10 of 19 (779 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [Bman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

here we go :)

BMAN

Aug 24, 08 8:13

Post #11 of 19 (671 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The bike will look good with your new 3T fork since that fork on your bike is recalled.
Aero & Light is Right Wink

C a s r a n

Aug 24, 08 10:23

Post #12 of 19 (606 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [uberbiker] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Who here has/uses a Cervelo SLC-SL as a tri/TT bike and road bike in normal spec. Any experiences? any thoughts?

I built up my SLC-SL with TT bars for Ironman 70.3 Monaco, where a P3 is not the good option with the long and steep hill climbs. I used it on a hilly tri last weekend and was perfect for climbing (the bike weighs 5.8kg) and good on the flatter sections, but less fast than a true TT bike.

As Cervélo is NOT offering a 3T fork in replace of my Wolf SL here in the Benelux (only Easton SLX, which is fugly on the SLC-SL), I will have to continue ride my Wolf SL as I do not expect this great bike getting a fork that makes it look stupid!! Hope Cervélo will take care of it's customers world wide... this is my 4th Cervélo in 1,5 years time, so I guess I deserve a good treatment with the recall.

(This post was edited by C a s r a n on Aug 24, 08 10:27)

dw67

Aug 24, 08 11:35

Post #13 of 19 (565 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [C a s r a n] [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://img225.imageshack.us/.../gileppecrop1ty6.jpg

What is that on the side of you jersey? Looks like the roadrunner?
__________________________________________________

Do Work Son!

Rasmus

Aug 24, 08 12:23

Post #14 of 19 (539 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [C a s r a n] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I was looking at the pic thinking "he looks familiar.."

Pieter, you should buy the Funda yourself to replace the Wolf, then get the SLX from Cervelo and flog it on Ebay. I agree, the SLX shouldn't be on the SLC but neither should the Wolf - according to Cervelo.
---

Can't run. Can't swim. Can handle a bike a little.

C a s r a n

Aug 24, 08 12:49

Post #15 of 19 (525 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [dw67] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

http://img225.imageshack.us/.../gileppecrop1ty6.jpg

What is that on the side of you jersey? Looks like the roadrunner?

You probably mean the 2 Squeezy gels (one blue, one red) in my number band. This is tri :)

C a s r a n

Aug 24, 08 12:55

Post #16 of 19 (517 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [Rasmus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hi Rasmus, I don't feel like the one who has to do all this effort. Many Benelux SLC or SLC-SL customers have spent up to 4100 euro (official SLC-SL frameset price) for their frame and thus want an acceptable fork solution from Cerv�lo. I expect 3T Funda to get as the replacement fork, as all their US customers.. SLX frames are really difficult to sell on eBay here in Belgium, and will be more difficult if many SLC-users will throw them on eBay. I don't feel to put more money in my frameset to restore the current looks. It's up to Cerv�lo to take action, or this whole thing will turn disastrously against them (many of their SLC-riders are furious now for having SLX-forks as the one and only replacement fork).

Rasmus

Aug 24, 08 13:31

Post #17 of 19 (501 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [C a s r a n] [In reply to]	Can't Post

We're not disagreeing. A broken steerer is just particularly nasty (talking from experience). Why Cervelo is letting their Benelux distributor get away with it is beyond me. For the sake of safety, would Cervelo do the swap if I went down to my local Cervelo dealer with a Wolf from an authorized dealer in Europe?
---

Can't run. Can't swim. Can handle a bike a little.

gregclimbs

Aug 24, 08 14:04

Post #18 of 19 (479 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [C a s r a n] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Who here has/uses a Cervelo SLC-SL as a tri/TT bike and road bike in normal spec. Any experiences? any thoughts?

Carsan...

With all due respect - I don't get it. what advantage does that setup offer over a p3c? with a flat basebar, you extensions would be at the exact location as the hoods which most people climb on.

I know you are a ww too, so your p3c can't be that heavy - mine is 7.6 with sub9zed/zed1080/srmOctaPro/FSA solid rings etc, so running a wheelset like your 303 or my z2s would definately lower the weight if that were the concern...

if your p3c was set up a lot lower than the slc-sl, than it is a simple stem swap to get the added height that you have on the slc-sl.

The SLC-SL, while fast for a road bike is significantly slower than a p3c.

I just don't see the advantage based on the picture you posted.

g

greg
www.wattagetraining.com

C a s r a n

Aug 24, 08 14:43

Post #19 of 19 (452 views)

Re: Cervelo SLC-SL TT/training bike [gregclimbs] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

This is built for the Monaco 70.3 Ironman course where I did not see any athlete riding a TT bike before (one of my team mate, Rutger Beke, won the first edition of that race). The course is over 90% pure climbing and descents (over 7% hill climbs), with a real minor parts flats. I've never found a TT bike climbing as comfortable as a road bike... if I had to climb alpine climbs on a TT bike for more than 2 hours, I'd be broken. Not to speak about sharp and fast curvy descents where a TT bar with a flat base bar does not give the same security as a road bar. Would you come down an alp on a TT bar at the speed they're descending in the Tour the France? Well, that is exactly the kind of uphills and climbs we get on Ironman 70.3 Monaco. Another race like that is the Embrunman (Ironman distance in French Alps) or the Alpe d'Huez triathlon, won by Chrissie Wellington with a road bar plus TT extensions! Armstrong did win the Alpe d'Huez uphill TT with a road bike, not a TT bike, no?

If the race course would be slightly less hilly, such as the IM70.3 Switzerland I did in June, I'd use my P3C and tackle those hill climbs with that.