I am in the market for my first tri bike. I’ve been riding a 2009 Orbea Diva Ultegra for the last 2 years and love it. She’s seen me through Sprints, Oly’s and Honu. I won’t get rid of her.
I went to my local Retul guy and was fitted for a tri bike. He gave me a report of frames that would suit me best and the one that he recommends first is the Women’s Cannondale Slice. I had considered an Orbea Ordu (I do some work for the LBS here and could get a very tiny discount on it). However, the Retul guy didn’t recommend the Ordu.
In order - he listed based on performance, quality for price and fit:
Slice
Trek Speed Concept
Felt B or D series
The Slice is not available here for me to test ride before I buy. The Trek is too heavy and the Felt I have tried and felt it was ok.
I’d like to give the Slice a shot but worry about the S105 only availability. I’d like to run Ultegra at least, but I can upgrade. This is my first tri bike after all. The LBS I work with gives me better discounts on non-bikes anyway.
Thoughts on the Slice 105? I’ve read that it’s possible this version of the 105 group set may be even better than my 2009 Ultegra group set.
Best part right now is the price on the Slice is very affordable for me.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Oh and this is for IMCZ in 2013.
I have the Slice 5. I love it. Very solid bike. I dont know what to say about it other than she’s a joy to ride (insert comment here). My previous bike was an Ultegra Dura Ace mix, and I’ve noticed no difference between those and the 105’s. Not sure what else to say. Any questions feel free to fire away.
I have the Slice 5. I love it. Very solid bike. I dont know what to say about it other than she’s a joy to ride (insert comment here). My previous bike was an Ultegra Dura Ace mix, and I’ve noticed no difference between those and the 105’s. Not sure what else to say. Any questions feel free to fire away.
Thanks for this!
Q: Did you upgrade/modify your cockpit or keep the stock supplied on the bike? If so, why?
Q: How’s it climbing? They toot their climbing horn about it. Just curious how you feel.
1). Stock base bar, Profile Design. I changed the extensions to the wrist relief just out of preference. I got the bike for Xmas so I didn’t pick it by fit, so the cockpit was a bit short for me. We swapped the stem out for a longer one. Outside of that it’s stock.
2). I had a Kuota K-Factor before this, and I climb better on the Slice. Not sure if it’s just because I like the bike so I ride it more than I did before, or it just climbs better. But I really feel like it climbs well as far as tri bikes go.
I went from a Felt to a Slice, I also picked up the 105. great bike to say the least.
I did change the components but only because I had the Ultegra 6700 at home, along with some cf vision Aerobars and basebar.
But I saw no issues at all with the 105. None at all.
Good luck with your bike. As far as climbing its a light stiff strong bike, very responsive, I think I am a pathetic climber in general, but it flies on the flats.
Slice 5 here. The 105 has held up to whatever I’ve thrown at it. As far as climbing, it’s like this bike was made to climb, in my opinion. I’ve used it on some pretty good hills, and just kept going. The bike is a dream. I’ve upgraded wheels to include deeper rims and a powertap, switched the aerobars because I needed a deeper bend than the t2’s and changed the saddle. One thing I really love about the bike is how user friend most maintainence is - I’m still pretty new to working on my own bike, and doing a cable job was a breeze (internally routed). She holds up well in rain, and whatever I’ve put her through.
I’ve got a 2012 Slice 5 and it’s a great bike. The 105 kit works fine, and I’ll use it until it wears out. At that point I’ll probably go with Ultegra, but I’m not any slower with 105 stuff vs. Ultegra (or anything else).
Nytro has a clearance sale on the Slice 5 (men’s and women’s) going on right now. It would be hard to beat the price ($1800).
I know! What hurts me hard is the shipping to Hawaii: $330. Effectively removing the sale.
REI: Free Shipping, plus 10% dividend, plus a heavenly return policy = better deal than that $1800. I think I’m going to pull the trigger on this…you are all talking it up so well for me!
the fact that you can get a better deal on the ordu is a non-issue if it doesn’t fit you. have you read dan’s articles about tri-bike fit? if not, it’s a good read & will help you be an informed consumer. a quick glance at the geometry charts shows that the ordu’s are a bit long in the top tube which it sounds like the fitter thinks is less than ideal for you.
i have 2 friends that have the slice and they both LOVE them. i wanted one but last year when i was in the market, my LBS couldn’t get my size so i went with another brand instead. another benefit of the slice, if you wrench on your own bike, you gotta love the fact that the slice is devoid of any on that proprietary nonsense that makes “superbikes” so hard to work on.
I borrowed a friends Slice for Honu this past year and thought it was pretty bad ass. Got hit by a car so my QR wasn’t really ride-able at the time. My initial thought was that the bike pretty light compared to my QR lucero. The Slice had a smoother ride opposed to the QR. The adjusting the seat angle was a little tough but easier than the QR. The Slice had a full SRAM Red group while my QR has a full DA group.
What size frame are you looking for? Not sure what island your on but I did see a Felt frame for sale on CL and here.
Without reading any other replys, I’ll say that if he did a pre-fit to determine which bikes fit, I think I’m confused. The Slice and Felt series bikes have opposing geometries. The Felts are long and low and the Slice is tall and narrow.
I know, I wanted a Felt of Cervelo in the worst way, but, given my long legs and short torso, they just wouldn’t fit. I see you’re a female. I bet the same is true.
I don’t see how both those bikes fit you??
P.S. I have a 2011 Slice 5. Love it. I kept everything stock except changed out the base/aero bars to the Profile Ozero with extensions with Ski bends. Great climber and fits me like a glove. Oh, did launch the stock seat immediately for a Cobb V Flow Plus.
He gave me a target frame stack of 523 and reach of 404.
Suggested the 54cm Slice with a 110mm stem.
The Felt - B a 52 with a 12-17 degree 90mm stem to make the aggressive position a little less for me. Or the 54.
54 Slice has a stack/reach of 509 and 398.
Felt B is a 502/406 in the 52 or a 513/414 in the 54.
Felt DA4W 54 is a 524/409
I’ve ridden the Felts and did feel I was either reaching to far out and over or too cramped up. The Felt DAW “felt” the best of all the TT bikes I’ve tried, but comparing prices to the Cannondale here, it’s almost double the price and out of my price range at this time.
Seems the Slice is a better “entry” level TT bike.
update:
Just found out REI can’t ship to a residential address as per Cannondale’s rule there. So may go with the Nytro plan - especially since they seem to be a good bike shop to handle any warranty issues that may come up with the bike.
Thanks again everyone! Seems like the Slice is a pretty darn good deal for $1800. Even at the 105 level. Leaves plenty of room to upgrade if I want or trade up for a different bike in the future (something Nytro also offers).
Good choice and I’m not surprised the Slice felt better. That’s the exact sime bike I have, size wise.
You’ll have to let us know in the future if the two parts on the bike that are 105 (front and rear
Derailleur’s) are holding you back any They don’t me…
Hi guys, I am new to the Tri world and not hooked yet. So I am looking for a good and most affordable solution for a few years. I am 6’2" and 215 lbs, so don’t want to buy a bike that turns out to be too small. Does this Cannondale Slice 5 bike come in different sizes? And what size do I need?
Thank you. Marcel@LegalShieldOrlando.com
Sounds like you already made up your mind, but a 2010 Slice 5 (with 105) was my first tri bike. I upgraded early in spring 2012 to a Felt DA3. However, I did really like my Slice…the size Slice I bought was smaller than I think I could have gone, as my fit changed over 2 years. The Felt DA is a faster, higher-level bike, but I really had no complaints at ALL about the Slice.
As others have said, it’s just flat out solid. Handling it predictable and stable, and it climbs really well. The main difference I found is probably its handling is not as responsive as some other bikes (like the DA). For the money, if the Cannondale fits you, then it’s a great deal. Especially as you noted, since you can always upgrade components.
I ended up upgrading the base and aerobars to Profile Design carbon – cobra base bar, ski bend extensions. I also went with race wheels and that was essentially all I needed done. It’s a breeze to service too. Enjoy it if you go with the Slice!
Since this post has been revived I thought I’d update in case anyone every searches.
The Slice is NIIICCCEEE. It’s freaking light! I’m waiting for my Vision shifters to come in (Christmas present!) before I cut my aero bars. Then I’ll work on figuring out the shifting. So far (I’ve only done 3 rides under 16 miles on it!) I’ve equalled my Strava segments from my road bike! And those were earned at the peak of my 70.3 training/performance. So I’m pretty happy. It needs just a few adjustments that I’m waiting to get once the shifters come in. Right now I’m just a hair too far back behind the front wheel. I want to stretch out just a bit more but the LBS that services Cannondale didn’t have the stem I needed in stock.
The S105 is higher quality than my 2007 Ultegra for sure. I doubt it will hold me back.
It’s the first bike I’ve had (other than the Big Dummy) that has received the “Hey, nice bike!” comment from folks on the street. So even if I’m slow, at least I know I look good. Ha!
Serious bike training starts next month so I’ll be getting to know it a little better. But so far, no complaints.
I did see the 2013 has an Ultegra option…but I’ll wait for the updated Shimano Ultegra with electronic shifters if I ever upgrade. The 105’s will be just fine for now. Gotta save my money for Kona 70.3 and IMCZ entry fees!
They don’t me…