What would you choose and why?
Notes: 155 lbs., 5’8" tall, typically ride 808 powertap FC zipps
I would probably choose whichever you find the prettiest.
I would choose the one thats simple. And faster.
I would choose the one thats simple. And faster.
I see what ya did there.
And I dig it.
You can’t go wrong with any of those choices if they fit.
I would choose the one thats simple. And faster.
But out of these three bikes, it’s not the simplest 
Good thing I’m not riding that one!
Unless you’re talking about the bike we both ride not being simple?
If you are a fast biker who rides fast courses go with the P5, otherwise you can’t go wrong with the SC.
What’s wrong with your current Scott?
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It’s not that the P5 isn’t simple, but having had both, the Scott is the easiest to live with. Can’t speak for the Trek SC as I have no personal experience of that bike.
If you are a fast biker who rides fast courses go with the P5, otherwise you can’t go wrong with the SC.
Is the P5 not as good at slow courses?
I believe the thinking behind the comment is that the SC has less drag at higher yaw. So if going slower the SC is better as you will experience wind at a higher angle yaw. P5 better around 0 yaw which you will experience more often if faster
I have heard the P5 is “dead weight” and slow on hill courses. I wouldn’t say I’m fast, but I’m not slow either. I tend to ride 5:15-5:20 IM courses, just did 24 mph on a recent olympic course and podium spot. I personally have heard the SC is a bit troublesome to wrench, but I’m not sure it is much different than the other two.
I have heard the P5 is “dead weight” and slow on hill courses. I wouldn’t say I’m fast, but I’m not slow either. I tend to ride 5:15-5:20 IM courses, just did 24 mph on a recent olympic course and podium spot. I personally have heard the SC is a bit troublesome to wrench, but I’m not sure it is much different than the other two.
I have never heard the P5 described as “dead weight” by anyone, ever. It is the fastest bike in existence, with the SC being very close and just as good in some situations. If you believe the data, anyway.
I’d probably go Trek SC. It seems to be the best across the typical yaw range. Plus, everyone I know loves theirs. One thing that I find odd is the number of people selling their P5 after only a short time riding it.
James - it was described as a “slow/felt very heavy” bike by a good friend that has ridden every Cervelo since P2 and saves his P5 for flat courses and uses his P3 for hilly courses. Just one opinion. I do think some bikes climb better than others though.
I have no point of reference since I haven’t owned a SC or Cervelo. I do love my Scott Plasma, but am debating on my n+1 bike purchase.
I have sold 10+ P5’s so have heard a lot about the bike. All have been pleased. I have ridden the P5 myself as my own race bike since March after being on a P3 for 2 years. In no situation ever would I prefer my P3 over the P5. You would be losing time, no matter the course.
The P5 is exceptionally smooth and while not being light, is the most aerodynamic frameset available for purchase. The SC is just as fast (and maybe faster) at higher yaw values than the P5, which still “wins” by a fair margin at 0-5? degrees of yaw. The SC’s brakes are far worse and more of a pain to work on but other than that the bikes are similar in terms of “ease of use.” Although I’ve never owned an SC.
The Plasma is very good but I would not put it in the same league as the SC and the P5. Plus, if you bought a 2014 Plasma I have a feeling you’d be mad at yourself about a year later.
Yeah, things can feel that way without really being that way. Human perception is a crazy thing. The P3 frame is a little lighter than a P5 frame but by less than a pound. Even at Savageman the aero benefit would more than make up for it.
And aside from weight, nothing else about the bike is going to make it climb slower. There is just no physics to support that this could happen. (Assuming identical positions of course)
and yeah, I rode a P5 and a P3 many times on hilly courses and never perceived any difference in how they climb.
James - it was described as a “slow/felt very heavy” bike by a good friend that has ridden every Cervelo since P2 and saves his P5 for flat courses and uses his P3 for hilly courses. Just one opinion. I do think some bikes climb better than others though.
I have no point of reference since I haven’t owned a SC or Cervelo. I do love my Scott Plasma, but am debating on my n+1 bike purchase.
point of clarification: the 2014 SC brakes, particularly the rear, have improved greatly in the ease of both initial setup and subsequent rim-width adjustment.
Thanks James - that’s the sort of feedback I’m looking for! Ultimately it all comes down to fit right…I mean if the bike doesn’t fit me right, doesn’t matter how “fast” that bike is, it’ll be slow and painful to ride. Thanks for the feedback though!