Can someone talk me through the product range for 06?
I have been out of the loop for a while (did first Half IM two weeks ago and went 5.01 - very happy!!) and checked the Cervelo website today and noticed no more P3SL or standard alu P3. Where does someone like me go who was planning to purchase a new TT bike (to go with my awesome Soloist) but can’t afford the P3C price-tag?
Just random musings whilst I waste away my working day…
The P2C is about the same price as the aluminium P3’s to my understanding. I’d take a P2C over a aluminium P3 any day.
In fact, I even liked the P2K more, but that’s another issue. 
Any particular reason you liked the P2K more? Just a fit factor?
The P2K is a very nice ride and the P2C will further that dimension by adding the construction material of Carbon - and increasing the rear wheel cut out benefit that the P2K already enjoyed.
It is an individual thing - an the P2K and P3 fit differently, not to mention the P3 is a more aggresive position with a shorter wheelbase.
Both really really nice bikes and tri specific.
The flippable seatpost gives you the option of opening or closing that seat angle too.
P2C is slated to sell right around $3600.00 USD
P3SL is around the same price - right now on sale at some retailers it can be had for under $3K
P3C - is about $4600.00 USD
You’d be best served to try a few out for fit - if only just on a trainer at the LBS
three words for you…Quintana Roo Seduza…great bike…good cost to what you get ratio and very fast…(no I do not work for QR or in that industry at all) just a thought…although depending on your size…alum. might be a better choice as it tends to be a bit stiffer and bigger people will not notice the ride difference as much…check into it.
“Any particular reason you liked the P2K more? Just a fit factor?”
The older aluminium P2K’s and P3’s were sized the same way. I believe it’s the same with the carbon versions, so fit isn’t an issue. If you fit one, you’ll fit the other the same
The P3 was the flagship of the Cervelo line but the P2K was the sleeper. In fact the true sleeper is probably the Dual. I’ve never seen or heard of one single shred of wind tunnel evidence proving that the P3 frame is faster than the P2K or the Dual. Cervelo doesn’t publish anything hardcore data to verify this. In fact there was a thread on John Cobb’s old forum that suggested that the P2K was actually tested faster, claiming the P3 wheel cut out was actaully a bit slower, although I can’t verify this as being true either. At any rate, I’d bet there is very little drag difference between the two frames if somebody could do an independent test.
The actual cost to Cervelo of producing the P3 vs P2K frame would be similiar. It was largely marketing that makes it more expensive. Same for the carbon versions. In fact the P2K was marginally lighter than the P3, however not enough to make a performance difference.
For me it is a cost vs performance. Sort of like, but to a much lesser degree, comparing a disc cover to a $$$ disc wheel. They both have the same performance but one is much cheaper. If Cervelo want’s me to purchase a P3/P3C over a P2K/P2C then show me the evidence that I really am getting more bang for my buck to justify this. The coolness is factor just isn’t enough for me personally to cough up more dough.
Also, IMO, the P2K/P2C is just a lot nicer looking than the P3/PC. But then, beauty is only in the eye of the beholder. Others will disagree.
The P3C has the coolness factor because that’s what the TDF TT guys ride, but does it really have that much to offer over the P2C from a performance perspective.
“The actual cost to Cervelo of producing the P3 vs P2K frame would be similiar. It was largely marketing that makes it more expensive. The actual cost to Cervelo of producing the P3 vs P2K frame would be similiar. It was largely marketing that makes it more expensive.”
Do you have any hardcore data to back this up or are you just speculating. At one time, Gerard wrote here of the number of slides necessary to make a P3C, and (I believe) compared it to the fewer needed for a P2. Surely this would convert to a lower cost to produce the P2C
I’m probably wrong in this, but I checked out a seduza, lucero, caliente in one of the LBS’s here. One of the big selling points of the cervelo’s is how closely you can get the rear wheel to the seat tube. On the QR’s, it looked like the rear dropout screws were all the way in…meaning you could not get the tire any closer to the seat tube…and there was still a good amount of clearance. If that makes any difference to you, then I’d consider something else.
I’d lean towards a cervelo over those. Of the cervelos, I also think that the P2 is a bit of a sleeper.
Of course, what really matters is who’s riding the bike…but no one seems to mention that around here.
“Of course, what really matters is who’s riding the bike…but no one seems to mention that around here.”
Actually, my experience has been just the opposite. Whenever I buy equipment whether it’s frame, bars, wheels, or helmet, the rider is constant: me. The change, such as it is, comes from varying the equipment around that rider.
Tex,…Your right in that the cervelos rear wheel sits a bit closer BUT…the QR has adjustable rear wheel dropouts that allow you to tuck the rear weel as close to the seatbar as you want. Therefore, I think its a draw…Both make great bikes and I am actually in the market for a new one as we type…the problem am having is everyone is spouting theirs as the lightest and the best which makes it hard to choose and all the bike forums are no better…after all, who is going to spend 2500.00 on a bike and say it sucks or is to wobbly or is uncomfortable? I am looking for an off the shelf, good bike in the 3000.00 or less range…the problem I have with QR is they don’t really ahve a great bike in Alum. the kilo and tequilo are good bikes but not great bikes for the money…take off 300.00 on a kilo and I am sold. HEY QR- Seduza in alum?
Tex…are you Brandon from the website posted?
You’d have to ask the Cervelo accountants and I’m sure that info is not public. I’m not so much arguing cost per sae, that’s not my point. Maybe the the P3C is a bit more expensive to produce, but I’m more interested in performance data to justify the extra cost to me as a consumer before chosing one over the other. Cervelo does not publish aero data on their frames which is no different from any other manufacurer except Softride which claims they are definately faster by their comparison data. I believe them because the design of their bikes should be expected to be faster than any double diamond frame design. Some of the wheel (Hed) and component (Vision Tech) manufacturers are publishing aero drag data but as far as I know, none of the actual bike makers are except Softride.
Buy a discounted P3SL from someone like www.all3sports.com… If that is the bike you want you can get a steal right now on a 2005. Good luck!
Nah that 's not me…I’m a stalker and a huge fan of that guy. Actually, yes it is me.
I know what you’re saying about the QRs. What I probably didn’t do a good job of explaining is that from my first (and second) glance, it did not look like the dropouts could be adjusted to get the rear wheel any closer to the seat tube than it was. A good selling point, but if my observation was correct, not very good in practice. Again, I could be mistaken, just an observation.
i’m definitely confused by some apects of their line. in particular, the various iterations of the R 2.5, and now the R3 and now even the soloist carbon - there seems to be lots of overlap there. they also seem to some extent like solutions to problems that don’t exist.
-mike
I am thinking I want to get the new R3 when it becomes available. I have a P3 in a 58. Do the frame sizes match up? When will those be available Gerard? I am trying to build a very light road bike and figure this is the fram to start with. I am not ready to go with zero gravity brakes or anything yet but still figure I can build a bike for 14.5lbs when all is said and done (no pedals).
You know what I want? I want to have a great bike that climbs awesome, will do a century just fine and when some smartass neighbor who knows nothing about bikes lifts my bike, they just can’t believe it.
Any other thoughts? I want a great road bike and matching cervelos seems like it will be pretty cool.
I got fitted and ordered my P2SL yesterday for 2500.00…cannot wait and this is going to prove to be a very fast and nice bike.
Congrats!!!
WOW - that’s a great price too!
andrew,
thanks…you think thats a great price? tribe multisports in Scottsdale does wonders for me. if your in the market for anything, Kevin (the owner) does wonders. He’ll spec out a bike anyway you want it. This will be my second bike thru. him. After checking out ALOT of different bikes, it came down to the Kuota K-factor and the Cervelo P2 sl and for the dough. the Cervelo has everything I want has I went with it.