New to triathlon and an age grouper athlete looking for tri bike. 6 foot 1 210 lbs . My question is am I better to get the old frame style Cervelo P2 with Ultegra 10 speed or the new cervelo P2 frame with 105 11 speed? The Ultegra is around 775 cheaper?
Thanks in advance for the help
Do you want to buy old technology or the newest? How much is $775 worth to you? The new P2 has the upgraded frame and is Di2 ready. You won’t tell a difference between 105 and Ultegra. I would go with the new P2
This is an easy one. New P2. You likely won’t tell a difference between the Ultegra and 105. After a while you can upgrade the new P2 if you want and get it very very close to the level of the P5-six.
the new P2 will be faster, assuming that the higher stack doesn’t prevent you from getting in your best position.
Ultegra vs 105 has absolutely zero performance difference.
The new P2 frame is more aero/faster than the old P2 frame. Besides that, you’ll have a wider range of gearing options/smoother gearing shifts with a chosen ratio with the 11 speed than the 10 speed.
How important is the $775.
You will kick yourself if it isn’t (everyone likes pretty) , and you will get kicked if it is (by the bank or the significant other)
You won’t have an answer, performance wise for a while, or until you lose a race by less than a minute (at any distance)
Get the new P2.
How important is the $775.
Yep, that’s pretty much it. That and what color scheme do you like more?
Everyone loves cervelo… but they arent winning at Kona… Not that Kona is everything, but I am just wondering why they keep winning the count.
Just wanted to make a couple points about buying a used bike:
I would just assume that it needs new cables/housing.
Most likely a new chain, and possibly cassette and chainrings.
If it’s too low in front, and the steerer tube is cut too short, you need to buy a new fork.
Is the stem the right size?
Does it come with the saddle you want? Buying new usually means the shop with work with you on finding a saddle you like.
You can burn through a lot of the $775 is just maintenance stuff, let alone any real problems.
ALSO, 10 speed is dead. You want to stay on current technology.
.
Everyone loves cervelo… but they arent winning at Kona… Not that Kona is everything, but I am just wondering why they keep winning the count.
As all the women racing against Rinny can attest to there is that small issue of the run… Nowadays the bikes ridden by the top 10 are all so close in performance that it’s the engine that makes the difference…and you also have to factor in race strategy. The best racer for the whole day is the person who wins Kona.
Cervelos are excellent bikes and have been so for many years, I’d be curious to know if they win the count because people simply see no reason to get rid of their older model and when they do they just replace it with the newer…
Everyone loves cervelo… but they arent winning at Kona… Not that Kona is everything, but I am just wondering why they keep winning the count.
Sponsorship/support plays a huge role in pro’s gear choices.
Why does Cervelo keep winning? Superior engineering, professionalism, and proven results. They are the standard that all bike companies compare themselves to.
You can burn through a lot of the $775 is just maintenance stuff, let alone any real problems.
+1
That $775 difference can turn into $77.50 real quick. Plus its worth factoring in future resale value. At the end of the day assuming the $775 isn’t a showstopper and the bike fits well I would say newer is the better investment.
Everyone loves cervelo… but they arent winning at Kona… Not that Kona is everything, but I am just wondering why they keep winning the count.
The Cervelo P5 won in 2013, and the Cervelo P2 (old one) won 3 times I think in 2007, and 2008
Cervelo also won the Giro recently
Good chance of the hour record soon.
tough crowd!
I’m pretty sure in 2013 FVL won on his Cervelo P5 and Rachael Joyce hit the podium the last 2 years on one. On top of that they have one of the most bang for the buck platforms of any manufacturer out there. The fact that you can buy a P2 and upgrade it to performance of a P5 is a testament to that. I don’t even like Cervelo myself (I’m a Felt guy) but I can’t deny them the kudos they deserve for giving triathletes a great cycling platform to work with year in and year out.
To the original poster I’d say the consensus is unanimous. If you can take the $775 hit get yourself a clean slate to begin your triathlon hobby with. Old bikes with old parts will begin to be an expensive exercise in modernization. Go with whats more future proofed and thats the New P2. Di2 compatible, more aero, 11 sp, modern gearing, new paint scheme and on trend with the triathlon world today.
Are they both new?
Have you been fit?
What color scheme do you like better?
105 and ultegra are not much different, an easy upgrade if you want.
I am in the same boat.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2h6964h.jpg
you, sir need a bike like a fish needs a -----
oh, AGE grouper.
?? not AGED grouper
never mind 
I am in the same boat.
New hobby for me as well, I have Zipp wheels which are 11 speed. So with the older style just need to change cassette to 10 speed.
Im going to get fit as I know the frame geometry is different or at least the stack and reach and honestly Im not sure what that means or how it affects the fit. I do have dome lower back disc issues not sure which one frame geometry ewould be better for that.
Im going to go with which one fits the best, just looking for advice if they both fit the gest.
I understand the frame on the new P2 is more aero and stiffer, but Im not in podium contention anyway.
Shop owner thought the old P2 with Ultegra was a good deal. Im not sure if the components, cranks and brakes etc are better on the new ir older style.
I am going to save a few bucks and at this point I feel that when my bike splits are at or better than those reached when the older model was used to win at Kona it will be time for me to upgrade.
The older version seems more likely to fit someone with long limbs and an average torso. I’m 6 foot 7 not much fits but the older model has more reach than the newer(I will attach a link in my next post).
I often podium as a Clydesdale and sometimes as an age grouper. I think now is the time for me to go from a road bike to triathlon bike. Saving about a thousand dollars is a great idea for me.