A car crashed into me 3 weeks ago. I have a broken neck, but hopefully should recover ok.
My Cervelo P2C is trashed though.
I’ve had it for 4 years and loved it. Have had a couple of Retul bike fits on it so it is well set up for me.
It’s a 51cm frame.
A few minor improvements I would prefer on my next bike would be more aero (and less sticky) cable routing, better brakes and less need for spacers under the stem i.e. a taller head tube.
I could just get another P2 or maybe a P3C. Are there other tri bikes in that sort of price range I should consider, that have a similar fit and proven low drag?
Thanks
It is certainly worth considering other bikes though. The world has moved on a lot since the P2, even though it is still a solid bike. The Blue Triad is worth a look if you want a taller head tube and there have been some great deals on that bike recently on BonkTown.
The headtube on the 51 P2 and 51 P3 are identical, that is, 90 mm. So, you’d have the same amount of spacers, but on an overall more aero frame. Also, you may be able to take advantage of Cervelo’s crash replacement policy and pick up a P3 frameset for less than you’d pay for another company’s frameset.
Yeah, a P3 won’t help on the head tube issue - it would hurt (unless you wanted to start yoga). Not sure of the brake issue you had, as my P2C (with DA brakes) is more than adequate in stopping ability. Perhaps you should just change out the stock components.
First of all glad you are OK!. The P3 and P2 have the same headtube in the 51 size. I would assume you were running your P2 in stock form? The P2 for 2012 comes with the 3T Aura bar which not only has an extra couple of centimeters of stack over the Vision but you can add in spacers for an extra 3cm under the extensions which would give you quite a bit more stack over the Visions that were previously specced. I agree the OEM brakes that came on the bike were mediocre, but they would easily be swapped for some decent Shimano ones.
The brakes on my P2C are the Cervelo ones it came with. Don’t have great stopping power compared to the Shimano 105s on my road bike, especially in the wet. It’s a minor hassle though.
The cabling for the rear brake sometimes becomes permanently quite sticky after the bike has been transported in the back of my car with the steering turned at 90degrees to the bike. Also that cable from the bars to the frame has two stable positions it flips between causing stickiniess in one position. This has been an ongoing niggle despite it being recabled 3 times. Also a minor detail really
I have wondered whether a 54cm P2 or P3 might work for me though. I have the Adamo Race saddle as far forward as it will for in the front slot of the seat post. I have a 90mm stem and the seat post is about 19cm above the frame, measured from the top of the frame to the centre of the hole for mounting the saddle. It’s a bit tricky for me to travel to a Cervelo dealer at the moment though, so I’d appreciate your thoughts on whether a 54cm P2 or P3 frame might fit me. I’ve attached a pic of me on the bike in a half IM. This is pretty much my position except in that race I was a little bit stretched forward on the aero bars as I had put the computer in the way of my hands on the aerobars
Those who told you that the P3 has a shorter headtube are what i call w-r-o-n-g. Its true for 54 and above sizes, but not for the the 48 and 51 sizes.
What height spacers do you run under the headtube? Are you using the stock Vision aerobar?
If that’s all the seat post you ave sticking out on a 51… I doubtva 54 will have enough stand over height. Also, you would probably be using a 70mm stem. It sounds like a 51 is your size. Btw- I have a 51 p3 and a 54 p2. So I know how they compare.
Those who told you that the P3 has a shorter headtube are what i call w-r-o-n-g. Its true for 54 and above sizes, but not for the the 48 and 51 sizes.
What height spacers do you run under the headtube? Are you using the stock Vision aerobar?
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
I am running the stock Vision base bar but changed the extensions to be the longer flatter Vision ones.
I have 2.5cm of spacers under it, excluding the black conical thingy that sits on top of the headtube and is probably considered part of the headtube.
The photo of me on the bike didn’t work above so I’ll try and put it here:
If you stay with a P2 or P3 then an aerobar with a higher stack like the 3T that comes stock on the 2012 would take care of the spacers under the stem. I personally think that placing spacers to raise up the extensions and pads together is a better and more aero solution than spacers under the stem. I cant say for sure because its not a side view but with a 90 stem I am thinking you should stay with the 51 (at least in the Cervelo)
If you went with the Cannondale Slice you would go with the 54 as the bike sizes up quite short in a given size.
If you have an adamo as far forward as it can possibly go I would bet you might do well on a bike with a shorter top tube. Transition or Slice possibly.
I would count that mountain of a dust cap as a spacer when you’re figuring out what your total spacer height is beneath the stem. IIRC, those things are 30mm, so you may actually have 5.5 cm of spacers beneath the stem. If you won’t be too stretched out, then a 54 cm P2 may be a better option for you.
loved it. Have had a couple of Retul bike fits on it so it is well set up for me.
It’s a 51cm frame.
FWIW - I was at the same crossroads with my P2C a month ago. I loved my P2C but it was showing significant signs of wear/damage on the dropouts. Long story short, I wanted to make it my trainer bike and get a new TT bike. I went the rounds to see if there’s something better. I determined there isn’t (at least for me and for the price). I now have a new 2011 P2.
