So I know you heard it before but I did one triathlon in August and now have decided to take it up for next year. I need a bike. I live in Calgary, Alberta. I have been looking at the 2008 P2 SL, probably with the Dura-Ace set up. It is sold here for $1950.00. Then I see this guy selling his 2001 P3 Aluminum for $950.00, it has Ultegra parts, including the drive train, not sure about the wheels, he said he trained indoors on it mostly, raced 2 ironman and a half with it and it has been parked for the last 2 or 3 years.
I am looking for some advice on which to buy. I am 6 feet tall, 225 pounds. The guy at the LBS I went to put me on a 54 cm SL, watched me ride for a while, and said that was my size. The P3 is a 54 cm as well. I can’t find anything to compare the geometry of the two.
I am looking to get started, I can afford the $1950, actully $2,050 with tax, but I dont simply want to pay 1000 bucks for something a little lighter and shinier. However, I want something that is going to last. I read now that cervelo has a lifetime warranty on their frames, which suggests they are more confident about it.
We have P2SLs (older son and me) and a P3SL (younger, faster son). Both are good bikes. The P3 is the better bike, but it is getting rather old now and I’d be inclined to go with the new bike unless you have the ability to really check out the P3 thoroughly. If you (or a friend) can check out the P3, I’d buy it for slightly less than the asking price. You can always get most of what you pay for it back if you don’t stick with triathlons, whereas the P2SL will depreciate a lot.
If you go with the P2SL, you should probably think seriously about the Ultegra version since it’s really quite good stuff and just as fast as DA.
Who is helping you with sizing? If you’re dealing with Bow, they’re pretty good about swapping stems and things as you become accustomed to the fit. Don’t cut the steerer tube until you know where you want it to be in the end. You’ll probably be on the trainer a lot over the next couple of months and can get your sizing pretty close on that.
Aluminium bikes do have a lifetime and a 7 year old bike, depending on how often it was really ridden, etc, could be nearing its limit.
7 year old drivetrain components, again, depending on how often it was ridden, are going to need some maintenance. The new bike will have better components.
A 54 for a 6 foot tall guy? Hmm, unless you have Cancellara-esque flexibility, that seems a touch small. I’m 5’10 and I am on a 56. But, again, it depends on getting a good fit, not merely someone eyeballing it…
For me, it seems a no-brainer to go with the newer bike if you can afford it.
I’m 6’, 190lbs and riding a 55cm 2003 P2K. I find it a touch compact, but I like it that way. So I agree that it would be worthwhile to double check the size. I take the opposite side of the coin from Macho Grande – that if you are new to riding tri bikes it might be better to go with a less expensive well fitting bike, and figure on getting a new bike at the end of the season. Your body, flexibility, and bike preferences could easily change in a year.
These aren’t eggs, they’re bicycles. They aren’t going to just ‘go bad’. Aluminum does fatigue, but it’s from use. If you’re buying the bike from a road guy who rarely uses his TT bike, or a triathlete who never actually races or rides, then I wouldn’t hesitate on the aluminum bike. I would suspect that the P3 aluminum is as fast, or faster than the P2C.
If I were in your shoes and the bike were in good shape, I’d buy the aluminum P3 and a powertap.
Thanks for all the feedback. I know it needs to fit right, so I will try it out. The more I think about it the more I think that the price is a little steep when I can get the Ultegra P2 for 1850 with tax.
I went to speed theory and a guy there helped me with the sizing. He seemed to know what he was doing. I went to Bow Cycle and the guy I talked to there didnt seem too interested, he also told me a 54, just like that, didnt even put me on a bike, didnt even know the SL came in an Ultegra model, it was a Saturday, they were busy. Regarding bike shops, part of the problem for me is I live in Cranston (about 40 minute drive from Speed Theory and Bow) and dont want to be zooming up there everytime I need something.
A couple things concern me, the used bike has 650 c wheels, which I understand are less popular and maybe not ideal for a guy my size and it does not have an integrated headset, which I understand all Cervelo’s after 2001 came with.
Anyways, any feed back on those two issues, equally appreciated. Regardless, thanks a bunch, I will let you in on my decision.
Warranties only apply to the original owner not someone who purchases it second hand. If something happens to it you’ll s(&t out of luck. be careful with the sizing…a 54 sounds a bit small to me for someone your height for triathlon. I ride a 54 P2SL b/c it is mainly for triathlon and I’m 5’9"…i’d only go to a 51 if it was mainly for TTing.
If the P3 is a 650, it may be even older than 2001. 650 is a bit of a pain, although I’ve used them in the past and I’m taller than you. It also seems as though you can pick up Zipps and Heds cheaper on eBay in 650 than 700. Integrated headset doesn’t matter.
Bow can be like that. If you go back there, ask for Marty. He doesn’t work Sundays. I don’t know the staff at ST, but the owner is a good guy.
I’m 6’ 1 1/2" and ride a 56 P2SL with no spacers and a 90 mm stem and am switching to an 80, but I ride UCI legal because I do TTs and might do a duathlon if I can find one. Unless you are getting way forward, I think a 54 would be a good starting point in sizing.
I have one also. I think you will be happy with it. I don’t find the ride harsh at all. I like to do my own wrenching and I find the internal cable system to be a dream to work with. Well designed bike from top to bottom.