Hi everyone,
First time posting here so be gentle, but honest. I’m trying to decide between a 2009 Cervelo P1 and a 2010 Cervelo P3. They are both well priced from what I see. I’ve seen a ton of good reviews for the P1. Haven’t done as much research for the P3 yet. I know P1 is aluminum and P3 is carbon, but I don’t think that’s always the deciding factor either.
I’m currently riding a 2010 Fuji SL 1.0 road bike with clip-on aerobars. I’ve used it in numerous sprints, olympics and two 70.3’s. I’m signed up for IM Florida in 2014 and would like to have a tri bike for it instead of my Fuji setup. I know these bikes are used and few years old. However, budget is a big factor for me. I’m not looking for the newest or top of the line bike. I’m certainly not trying to win my age group either. I feel like I’m an average swimmer, not so good on the bike (but improving each year) and an average or better runner.
Most of my races I get passed quite a bit on the bike, but then I end up passing a lot of people on the run. On the bike I feel like I’m just trudging along most of the time. I’m already hooked on triathlon. However, I’m not sure how many IM’s I will do after Florida, but I do plan on continuing with shorter distances though.
Correction on my original post…My Fuji is an SL 3.0 not 1.0.
One other question, if I go with the Cervelo P1 will I notice considerable speed and/or comfort differences over my Fuji? Or will I end up feeling like I’m trudging along like I do on my Fuji road bike, but instead on a tri bike. I ask because they are both entry level bikes. Again, I don’t expect to be winning my age groups, but would like to improve my bike times and “comfortably” get through an IM bike without killing my legs on the road bike.
Both bikes will be good, with the P3C being a decent bit faster than the P1, but both are well designed aerodynamic bikes. Given that your goal race is about a year away, I would also recommend taking your time, doing your research, and finding the bike for your budget when you can. Since you seem to have a small budget, some other options to consider would be a P3 aluminum, a used, lower end Specialized Transition or Trek Speed Concept 7 series, or any number of good deals out there in the classifieds and ebay. One final recommendation is to get fit at a good, reputable fitter first, and use the coordinates to find the bikes that would work well with you.
A few other considerations: The P3 can be optimized to within spitting distance of today’s super bikes, and there are several open mold frames coming out of China for cheap that might pique your interest.
Any time you switch from a road bike to a TT bike there will be comfort differences. It may or may not take some time to figure out a TT position that is fast and comfy. Often times some trial and error with saddles or aerobar position takes a while to sort out.
Once you do achieve a good position, you will probably notice you are faster. Whether you notice or not, you WILL be faster.
I second the recommendation on the aluminum P3. I bought a used one (~06 model?) equipped with full DA for $500 last year, and rode it in my first IM at Florida this year. The course is incredibly flat and fast (other than the dreaded minefield), and any aero improvements I made at home were magnified there.
This was only my third season in tri, so I have had a very difficult time justifying the expense of a carbon frame over that of the P3 AL, which is more durable and widely regarded as nearly as fast as any high-dollar ride. My 40k best is ~1:04 if that gives you any idea of where I’m coming from.