So I know this bike isn’t being produced anymore, which I see as a loss, but I want to write my opinion on the bike for other newbies out there or anyone else thinking about getting one…
Bike: 2009 Cervelo P1 56cm
About me: New to tris, started out long with the Lake Stevens HIM, now I’m hooked on it for off season training. I’m 6’2, 196 lb (Tri training has been quickly dropping this despite being a person who works out 3 hrs a day in rowing), previously rode a cyclocross bike and have a MTB background
Thoughts:
I purchased this bike ASAP after Lake Stevens HIM (sold cyclocross by Tuesday, picked up P1 Wednesday :P). I don’t like buying used bikes too much (idk why, I just like new). That being said, I don’t have a ton of money since I’m still young and am starting college. I looked around a lot, called a bunch of LBSs and even tried to look online (but Cervelo doesn’t allow shipping…). I was looking for a good entry level tri bike, but I didn’t want it to be so entry that I hated some of the components and had to drop money right away. I went to a few shops to check out bikes, hoping to score on finding a P1 that fits me. After one local LBS told me I shouldn’t get a 58 but a 56, I immediately called another shop and they had my size! To sweeten the deal, they also had the bike for $1k. On top of that, it has upgraded Vision Tech Carbon clip ons and, IMO better, Fulcrum 7 wheels. Also, they sold me Shimano TR 51s for only $60. And it’s an LBS, which I always love to support.
When I first saw this bike online, I immediately shrugged it off. I was willing to wait a little, save some money, and get a QR Lucero (I know, a little different class). But the bug caught me. Within a day of the first HIM, I wanted to do another one and do even better. I read some stuff on tri bikes and saw the advantages of the changed geometry, especially since getting of my CX bike really got me on the run. So better geometry + more informed training should have good results in my upcoming race. I read up on Cervelo and what people thought of the design. Some people hated on its aluminum build, but I don’t have a problem with aluminum. I read that they stopped producing it and went looking for some steal.
This is my first experience on a TT bike. I didn’t even test ride the bike when I picked it up because I came 5 minutes before closing. I was willing to take the risk of it not fitting. So I rode it around the neighborhood a few times, trying to man up and get into aero position. However, I didn’t and waited for a good day to ride the local boring, flat, and straight bike path.
Yesterday, I finally got the chance to hop on it. For the first mile, I stayed in the bullhorns, trying to get myself into aero position. I’d put one arm in, put my weight in, and try to ride straight for a few seconds. I did this a few times. I still haven’t been fitted (that’s tomorrow). I got to a really flat and straight part and tried out aero. I lasted 30 seconds before getting some speed wobbles, so back to the bullhorns I went. I basically did that for 5 miles until I noticed some quad cramps from my seat being too low. So I pulled over at my childhood ice cream stop on the trail (how nostalgic…) and adjusted my seat until my leg was almost straight (how I’m most comfortable on long rides). After that, I felt more stable and was able to get into aero position a few miles at a time, getting out for stop signs and safely avoiding pedestrians and young, aspiring cyclists. My ride for the first half was slow because I needed to adjust to the bike. The way back was a different story though.
The 18 miles to get back to the trailhead flew by compared to being on a CX bike. With a chill pace, it took me about 55 minutes (including lights and stops , subtract 5 min for that) to cover the distance (~22 mph average). The trail has a bunch of false flats going back, which makes it kinda interesting, but overall it was a quick ride. Usually, the trip would take be about 1.25 hours with a friend and my legs would feel bad after. I haven’t done many training rides either, so there is room for improvement. But my legs felt great yesterday and still feel good today. Might even go do it again today, but I don’t like the afternoon crowds and I slept in too late to do anything in the morning :P.
The bike feels great. 56 feels just right, and I’m sure it will feel even better after a fit. Ultegra shifts way better than the 105 I had. For an aluminum bike, this is a pretty smooth ride. I didn’t feel much vibration at all, so it was good. I have some trapezius pain today, but I just have to get used to riding in the bars and the fitting may help that too. For the price I got it for and as a first tri bike, I can say I can’t be any happier right now. I’ll keep this updated as I ride more.