I am considering purchasing a new bike (currently ride Trek2200 set up for tri’s) and mainly do longer stuff. How suitable is the P2SL for longer races? i.e. what kind of comfort can I expect?
Depending on your fit… Cadillac miles or PITA. Keau
Absolutely impossible.
Cervelo only allows olympic distance and sprint races with this bike.
I wouldn’t go that far but I will say that I am having a much easier time cycling over 50 miles on my new Seduza.
However, I concede the bike is very stiff and thereby nice for shorter, faster courses. I just didn’t have the threshold to ride a HIM or IM on the P2SL.
Oh man, you’ll love it,for some reason the year i did IM i bought a Cervelo P2K about 4 months before, did a half on it with in two weeks and plenty of centuries before the IM. The thing rules,I had a Trek 5500 before it and would never ride a road bike that long in aero again.
t~
It is perfect for the distance, or any other distance. My P2K was great for all those distances.
I love my P2SL, My only complaint is that this bike kicks my ass after the 75-80 mile mark.
For anything up to a 1/2 IM it’s perfect. Good luck with your decision.
I’m 5’10" and 185ish. There is no such thing as “too stiff”. If you so find that it beats you up over a long ride, that is nothing that a saddle adjustment, new saddle, new aero bar pads, different shorts, or letting 5 psi out of your tires cannot fix
You’ll have to go out and try it and see how it works for you but I had a P2K and always thought it was a great bike for sprints and Olys. I did one 1/2 IM ride on it and felt a bit beat up after the ride. The aluminium 650 frame with 20mm tires was definately a bit harsh compared to my steel/carbon Lemond road bike with 23mm. My biggest issue was that i could never find a comfy saddle for riding in a steep position on that bike. I was fitted perfectly on the bike, but my crotch always began to ache after about 40 kms. Even my beloved Fizik Arione, which solved all my road bike issues didn’t work on the P2K. Riding steep on any bike for a long time, no matter how well fitted, can also be a problem for people who have certain neck issues.
If you’re a young guy then it’s probably less of an issue, but once you get up to my age in the 50+ crowd, comfort over a long distance starts to become a bigger issue. Comfort will be the biggest consideration for my next tri bike. I’m starting to do longer stuff now so wanted something more comfy than the P2K.
What contributes to making a bike comfy or not? Geometry? Materials?
I am also thinking about getting a P2SL, and am young (23). Should I be worried about comfort issues as a young guy, or just power through it?
“What contributes to making a bike comfy or not? Geometry? Materials?”
I am not a bike engineering expert. Geometry and frame materials are a contributing factor to a bikes comfort. However, making a bigger contributuion to comfort is choice or tires and tire pressure, the saddle and handle bar tape.
Fleck
I have a trek 2200 and a P2SL.
It took me a a couple of rides to the P2SL dialed in to where it was comfortable for distances greater than 70 miles. But I was able to do that.
Good bike fit is what is important. I also don’t think 20 mm tires are worth it for the longer rides.
I’m an old guy (50) and I own a lot of bikes, including a Soloist (set up for road racing), a P2k that I use for triathlons (I mostly do relays) and a P3sl (for time trialing).
With a set of Vittoria EVO Open Corsa 650 x 20 tires at 135 psi on a set of Zipp 404s, I can ride the P2k all day. Most of the time I train on it using a set of Bontrager Race Aero wheels which are very stiff. I ride fairly steep and I find it to be quite comfortable. I’ve never done a century on it, but I’ve done several rides of 75 miles that didn’t bother me at all.
A month ago I did a 1/2 Ironman relay on my P3sl … also 650 wheels. Because of some harsh pavement sections, I used Michelin Pro 2 650x23 tires on a Zipp 404 front and Renn 575 disc rear. I was very pleased with how good I felt when I got to the last 10 miles and I was able to really hammer them … turning in the fastest bike split of the day by about 2 minutes. This ride really beat me up in previous years. On the P3sl configured as it was, I was quite comfortable. I beat my previous best for this rolling course by 10 minutes and averaged 24.6 mph. The setup was quite comfy and fast.
By contrast, I’m about cooked on the Soloist once I hit 65 miles even though I use a Koobi PRS saddle that has elastomers to absorb road shock/vibration. I think it comes down to the way you fit a bike and the way your weight is distributed that determines how much it beats you up. The Soloist just seems to send every bump right up my ass and spine. That’s not to say there aren’t inherent differences in the way various materials transmit shock/vibration. I think, as other posters have said, that saddle, wheel, tire and psi choices are more determinant.
just switched to a litespeed blade…round tubed model (1999) from a p2k. same size, geometry and same tires,h-bar tape and saddle. rode it on the same bike route i have used the p2k, same ride lenght and effort, ti does ride better. no more sore shoulders or triceps after the ride with the blade.
You’re going to get a lot of opinions on this but to me the most over looked area is body type factors. Even some of the most informed opinions on this forum completely ignore such factors as age, flexibility, scoliosis, leg length decrepency, spinal curvatures, degenerative discs, etc, etc and make their entire bike fit assumption on anthropometric body measurements as if it’s a hole in one for everybody.
A steep geometry does roll more onto the crotch and does require putting the neck into more extension. Period. Some people are fine with this and other aren’t. So you can’t really say that it’s geometry by itself that determines comfort, but rather the ability of the body to adapt to a certain geometry. For example, some people can ride with their neck more extended quite easily, some can adapt with practice and others will always find it uncomfortable.
You’re only 23, so I’d generally guess you’d most likely be Ok on a P2SL over a long distance unless you have some underlying biomechanical/physical issue.
As for materials there is a difference, but other factors such as design, tire pressure, fit are far more significant.
i’ve got one. Done 1/2 with no problems. I’ll let you know about the ironman in 11 months 
Seriously though I think fit is so important. My 1/2 ironman on my road bike with clip ons KILLED my lower back. Now my lower back feels awesome riding even if it hurt before. I ride very steep so it does tense my neck more.
Comfy bike, first as mentioned i love the P2K size 55 for me as they made it back then.
What i did, ZIPP 404 wheels make a huge diff on 22mm conti tires also HUGE important. One thing else is specialized bar fat tap…LOVE IT!
Last thing, EVERY spring i splurge on an EXPENSIVE pair of bike shorts. Sugoi has been the favorite lately, and i mean the most expensive, they ROCK even wore them for IMFlorida. Changed into them after the swim and stayed in aero bars i bet 85% of the ride…
t~tips
I test rode a Cervelo P2SL and a QR Tequilo at my LBS.
I’m no expert but the Cervelo felt like a very harsh ride in comparison to the Tequilo and I felt as though I would be beat up over long distances. The tire pressure, seat and exact fit were different so maybe they contributed more than the frame, I don’t know. The Cervelo is all aluminum and the Tequilo is aluminum with carbon seat stays.
The fit will contribute the vast majority of the difference in feel. Personally, I think test rides are next to useless for that reason.
I did a half on my P2SL and it was great. 6’3" 210#.