I bought my current summer bike back in 2014, it's a Cervelo R3 running Dura Ace 9000 and Fulcrum Zero wheels. I've not actually weighed it since the DA upgrade but I think it's in the region of 7.5 kg. I live in a hilly area, I don't race and I mostly ride alone, I have my TT for tris so aero bikes never really excited me.
It's a significant birthday this year so my wife suggested I get a new summer bike as I've essentially ridden my R3 through the winter this year, turbo training when it's icy out. I really love having the lightest/stiffest bike I can for the climbs but I know the new r5 has actually moved away from being as light as possible.
I've got a test ride on an Emonda SLR later in the week but I'm wondering if I've missed anything in my hunt for a new bike? I'm conscious that unless it's a decent upgrade on my R3 it may well be a bit pointless! (When I say I like climbs I have 4 cat 3s within 5 miles of my house, each over 9% average grade, so I'm talking about proper hills rather than long drags or undulations!
So, if you were in the market for a new bike and wanted to focus on the climbs where would you spend ÂŁ4000-ÂŁ4500? I am quite keen to end up with an additional bike to have different ones for summer/winter riding rather than upgrading my R3 wheels or going full weight weenie on the setup (the DA 9000 colours work great with my R3 at present!)
Or are climbing bikes dead?
Oh, and I really don't want to go disc just yet, everything I own is 11s rim brake so I'm keen to keep it that way for now.
It's a significant birthday this year so my wife suggested I get a new summer bike as I've essentially ridden my R3 through the winter this year, turbo training when it's icy out. I really love having the lightest/stiffest bike I can for the climbs but I know the new r5 has actually moved away from being as light as possible.
I've got a test ride on an Emonda SLR later in the week but I'm wondering if I've missed anything in my hunt for a new bike? I'm conscious that unless it's a decent upgrade on my R3 it may well be a bit pointless! (When I say I like climbs I have 4 cat 3s within 5 miles of my house, each over 9% average grade, so I'm talking about proper hills rather than long drags or undulations!
So, if you were in the market for a new bike and wanted to focus on the climbs where would you spend ÂŁ4000-ÂŁ4500? I am quite keen to end up with an additional bike to have different ones for summer/winter riding rather than upgrading my R3 wheels or going full weight weenie on the setup (the DA 9000 colours work great with my R3 at present!)
Or are climbing bikes dead?
Oh, and I really don't want to go disc just yet, everything I own is 11s rim brake so I'm keen to keep it that way for now.