So I missed the podium by a few seconds in a race this past weekend and finally got the go ahead from the wife to drop some dough on a new bike to help take care of that gap. I always thought I’d buy a P2 one day but I’ve grown to realize with young kids I’m likely to stay focused on sprint or olympic distance tri events with an occasional HIM. Also, most of my training buddies are cyclists only and I enjoy my group rides and won’t give these up anytime soon. I live in Georgia so I’m often riding hilly courses and it seems the more hills there are, the higher the number of folks I pass in a race riding a true tt bike - I ride an aluminum Giant now. So…after reading more about the bikes out there, I’m beginning to think I might be better off with an S2 and either clip on aero bars or an alternate cockpit for racing. Ideally I would have two bikes but if I’m only buying one, based on my situation would you buy the P2 or S2? Thanks in advance.
you pass more people on TT bikes because you are more fit than them and the aero advantage up hill is less
that does not imply that the true TT bike is slower on a hilly course, it isn’t.
go with the TT bike
=)
TT bike hands down. (unless your races have “hills” that are 15% or more) Keep your road bike for training rides.
A couple years ago, my wife gave me the ok to buy a tri-bike. I looked around and couldn’t find a better bike for the money than the P2SL (now the P1). If you read the reviews, it’s a great bike. I rode it at a couple races and finished on the podium at all four including Boulder Peak. I then won a P2C in a raffle. The same shop setup the P2C that setup the P2SL. Last year, my last two races were on the P2C and I missed the podium both times. This year my first race was a sprint on the P2C and I finished second in my AG. My second race I switched back to the P2SL and at Olympic distance on a harder course, I won my AG. I had the second fastest bike split in the AG and was first off the bike.
My advise, look at the P1, save some money and if you want, upgrade the wheels. As soon as I get some money, I’m going to get new wheels for the P2SL.
there is one better deal than the p2sl
the p3 aluminum =)
.
I am sure you will get the new bike, but I bet you would be better off working on your running. Losing the podium by seconds (mere seconds or many seconds?) often means cutting things out in transition, or running just a bit harder. Your new bike may not help so much. Do you have an aero helmet? That is an easy $150 bucks for your seconds there, not thousands.
Think about it. How hard are you training, it TRULY is the engine (you) not the bike.
switching from a cervelo aero road bike to a cervelo aero tri bike is worth over 1mph for me
switching from a round tube road bike to a cervelo tri bike is likely a bit more
thats a lot =)
running IS the most important thing though, this is true.
RUN to the bike store when you pick up the P2 =)
Think about it. How hard are you training, it TRULY is the engine (you) not the bike.
It depends on how you intend to ride either bike. If you are going to ride the P2C with lots of spacers, an upturned stem or really high risers on your aerobars then you may as well buy the road bike. If you intend to have the front end of the P2C low enough to get your back level and your chest out of the wind then the P2C will be faster.
I’m often riding hilly courses and it seems the more hills there are, the higher the number of folks I pass in a race riding a true tt bike - I ride an aluminum Giant now.
**
Don’t make the wrong conclusions based off that info. I pass a ton of people riding cervelos and other high zoot bikes. Mine is an aluminum frame. They could wrongfully conclude they need a different bike, but they would be drawing the same incorrect conclusion.
Chad
easy answer, the best of both worlds: p2c with drop bars and clip-ons.
how does that make ya faster uphill?
the added weight or the added drag?
which one?
i don’t even really see how it makes the bike easier to handle on a technical decent
THE WORLD IS CRAZY HELP
easy answer, the best of both worlds: p2c with drop bars and clip-ons.
I had the same dilema…I went with an S2. My body dimensions worked well for the switch to a tri position. I went to a shop that has experience with the S1/S2 and two positions. I bought the reversable post as a seond post and have a tri saddle on it. Makes for an easy swap. I was lucky that I didn’t need any changes to the front when the aero bars went on. My position for road riding is perfect. My aero position would not be noticeably better on a P2C, meaning I would not be faster. Keep in mind, my body was a good match for it and you need to have a professional fit done both ways. I am very happy with it and I get two bike for the price of one. If I wanted to be faster I would spend my money on an aero helmet, shoe covers, wheels, etc. before upgrading the frame (which I wouldn’t do unless it was more of a top end model like a P3/P4).
easy answer, the best of both worlds: p2c with drop bars and clip-ons.
Best of both worlds? More like compromise city. Sounds to me like it’s a good way to take a great TT/Tri bike and make it mediocre at everything.
make it mediocre at everything.
can you be more specific? what exactly would it be mediocre at? and why?
make it mediocre at everything.
can you be more specific? what exactly would it be mediocre at? and why?
well it would be heavier and have more drag with the only benefit being that you have more places to put yer hands if they get achey.
oh plus its harder to shift when aero
seriously? so what is this huge weight penalty of p2c with drop bars vs. s2 with drop bars?
and more drag? so a p2c with drop bars would have more drag than an s2 with drop bars?
i think not, in both cases.
make it mediocre at everything.
can you be more specific? what exactly would it be mediocre at? and why?
Sure, when you said “best of both worlds”, I assumed you meant road bike & tri bike (since that’s what the original poster was comparing).
Yes you can put drop bars & STIs on a P2 and ride it as a road bike. Presumably for group rides etc, but you’re making a compromise as it won’t ever handle as well as a road bike under those uses.
I believe this modification also compromises the P2’s value as a TT/Tri bike as the drop bars can’t help your aerodynamics and you’ve made it harder to shift from the aero position as you have to reach over to the STIs.
Don’t get me wrong, this might be a very valid approach for someone who can truly only own one bike and wants that bike to be a tri bike, I just thought describing it as the “best of both worlds” was a stretch as you’re making compromises to make the bike work in situations it wasn’t designed for.
the weight penalty is about as huge as is the benefit of having the drop bars. (close as I can tell, about nothing)
seriously? so what is this huge weight penalty of p2c with drop bars vs. s2 with drop bars?
and more drag? so a p2c with drop bars would have more drag than an s2 with drop bars?
i think not, in both cases.
the weight penalty is about as huge as is the benefit of having the drop bars. (close as I can tell, about nothing).
have you done much downhilling and cornering at very high speeds on a bike (north of 50mph)?
no
is there a reason you can’t set up aerobars such that you put your hands in exactly the same place as you would be in drop bars?
have you done much downhilling and cornering at very high speeds on a bike (north of 50mph)?
you could… but those kinds of basebars have not been made in about a decade i reckon.