I have an opportunity to buy a 2011 Cervelo P4 (one that fits me) at a good price. How does this bike compare to the newer TT bikes available - like the newer P2 or Felt IAx in terms of aerodynamics? Would I be better off buying a newer bike? My current bike is a 2010 Cannondale Slice.
Thanks!
Michael
I have an opportunity to buy a 2011 Cervelo P4 (one that fits me) at a good price. How does this bike compare to the newer TT bikes available - like the newer P2 or Felt IAx in terms of aerodynamics? Would I be better off buying a newer bike? My current bike is a 2010 Cannondale Slice.
Thanks!
Michael
It’s very fast. Very, very fast.
Would you be better off buying a newer bike? That’s a vague question with a vague answer. It depends.
I would always buy a newer bike. Never buy old technology.
I have an opportunity to buy a 2011 Cervelo P4 (one that fits me) at a good price. How does this bike compare to the newer TT bikes available - like the newer P2 or Felt IAx in terms of aerodynamics? Would I be better off buying a newer bike? My current bike is a 2010 Cannondale Slice.
Thanks!
Michael
It’s very fast. Very, very fast.
Would you be better off buying a newer bike? That’s a vague question with a vague answer. It depends.
It’s a very fast bike. Are you ok with relatively narrow chainstays and a rear brake that’s sort of a pain to adjust?
The P4 is very fast.
Has anything tested faster than the P4 w/ Ventus between 0-5deg yaw?
I doubt it.
With the Ventus aerobar and at 0 degree yaw it is as fast as really any other bike. With equal aerobars it is probably faster at 0 yaw then the IA and the P2. At higher yaws, the IA is probably faster. So if you can fit on the P4 with a very fast aerobar, the P4 is a good choice.
I built up a P4 from a used 2011 ‘evo’ frameset, put on some Flo’s, a Ventus team with integrated Vukashift extensions w/ R2C, TriRig Omega on the front, few other small details. That bike is stupid fast.
As others have stated, at low yaw I highly doubt there is anything appreciably faster in the latest generation. Even at higher yaw, it’s still so fast for how little I spent building (pretty much everything was used parts) it doesn’t make any economic sense for me to even think about buying a new bike for what marginal gains I’d get.
On the downside, it doesn’t stop for shit, even with the improved brakes on the 2011 model and the Zipp R2C shifters are pieces of crap, but that’s not the bike’s fault. The ‘not stopping’ thing probably doesn’t matter to most people but I ride a lot in the mountains so it’s not exactly the best bike / bar combo if you are going to be spending any time on the basebar.
I built up a P4 from a used 2011 ‘evo’ frameset, put on some Flo’s, a Ventus team with integrated Vukashift extensions w/ R2C, TriRig Omega on the front, few other small details. That bike is stupid fast.
As others have stated, at low yaw I highly doubt there is anything appreciably faster in the latest generation. Even at higher yaw, it’s still so fast for how little I spent building (pretty much everything was used parts) it doesn’t make any economic sense for me to even think about buying a new bike for what marginal gains I’d get.
On the downside, it doesn’t stop for shit, even with the improved brakes on the 2011 model and the Zipp R2C shifters are pieces of crap, but that’s not the bike’s fault. The ‘not stopping’ thing probably doesn’t matter to most people but I ride a lot in the mountains so it’s not exactly the best bike / bar combo if you are going to be spending any time on the basebar.
Very interesting. I was assuming the newer stuff would be better, and perhaps it is, but apparently only marginally. So, even by today’s standards, the 2011 P4 is quite aero - hmm.
Now the rear brake does concern me, as well as the narrow chain stays. But I assume I can use a Renn 555 disc (relatively narrow disc). And the brakes? I don’t think I can do anything about the rear, right? I believe the front is replaceable, correct? And the stock Vision bars probably should be replaced with something faster, correct? It looks like cable routing is fairly aero. And the Zipp R2C shifters are awful, really?
I guess I need to recheck sizing and consider buying it - hmm - not what I was expecting.
Michael
It’s very fast. My only beef with the P4 was the rear “brake”.
It’s very fast. My only beef with the P4 was the rear “brake”.
I bought the 2011 Cervelo P4 because it’s the only bike that has a true long and low geometry, optimized for low yaw and allows me to run my own stem and aerobar.
The rear brake, even with the " upgrades," is very lacking. I depend on the front TriRig Omega to get the job done.
I run a Renn 555 disc on my P4 and have never had a problem with it. I’ve had the bike since 2012 and don’t see anything out there that would make me any faster at low yaw, and that’s what I care about the most.
I went from a 2010 slice 4 to a p4 with 3t ventus team. I don’t know about all of the scientific data (yaw, etc.) but I did ride faster avg speeds on 2 of the same courses that I rode my slice on.
Cody Beals rode one this past season and put down some rediculus bike splits on ‘relatively’ low power. He’s got good position too!
I’ve had my fastest bike splits ever on a P4 with Ventus bars 
And that’s compared to my other bike splits on a Felt DA, Felt IA and various generations of Trek Speed Concepts, all on the same course (Ironman Canada). I am on a Speed Concept now though for the Di2 integration, not sure if a P4 can run internal Di2 if you ever decide to go that route… although maybe it can with the new Sram eTap.
I’ve had my fastest bike splits ever on a P4 with Ventus bars And that’s compared to my other bike splits on a Felt DA, Felt IA and various generations of Trek Speed Concepts, all on the same course (Ironman Canada). I am on a Speed Concept now though for the Di2 integration, not sure if a P4 can run internal Di2 if you ever decide to go that route… although maybe it can with the new Sram eTap.
Thanks. That’s a consideration for future-proofing. Yes, perhaps SRAM eTap.
Still have my fastest splits for a HIM and IM on 2011 P4, it is a great bike…but…as others have stated issues with newer rim widths on rear and relatively poor braking, although the times do tell a story. I think the things that makes it “old” is the compatibility with wider rims and integration and these can be address with components e.g. TriRig and negligible compromise on wheels. Eyes wide open, still a great bike IMO.
I think there’s a correlation here. If you want a fast bike, get one that doesn’t brake. I will open my rear calipers on my P5 and break all the courses.
If you are fast and have a good mechanic it’s tough to beat!
I had the older S5 and a P4 with a ventus. Both were crazy fast. I now ride a new S5 and a P5-6. I don’t think these bikes are faster, but there were improvements in functionality. Wider tires, a TT bike that actually stops, etc. I liked the older geometries better for flat out speed, but the new bikes are better. All depends on your intended use.
I personally think that the sweet spot is the S3 and the P2 with a fast aerobar.