Hey folks, I’ve narrowed it down to two bikes for a big personal purchase: the new Cervelo P5 and the Trek Speed Concept Iso. This is a bike to treat to myself after a lot of hard work, and I want to make sure I’m making the right call.
I will be using it mainly for Full Ironman races, and I am 5ft 7 (168cm), so fit is a big deal. Also, I will be traveling with me quite a bit, so packing is definitely something I am thinking about.
Would love to hear your thoughts if you have got experience with either of these. Appreciate any feedback would be awesome. Thanks
@AussieSteve If you’re up to looking I would check out the P-Series and just update the cockpit. ( assuming you a wind tunnel geek that needs everything covered) The P5 is amazing but it’s a pain to travel with unless you are going to buy a new hardcase box for a TT bike.
Also… Welcome back to the Forum Happy to have you.
I have zero idea on travelling with the cervelo but own the trek.
It’s a nice bike - I like the integrated bento into the frame, the isospeed does fk all though al don’t use that as a selling point. My main gripe was the bars. You’re locked into a position with them. I like hands close together and the stock bars didn’t really allow that for me unless I kinda half held them at the top. Anyway be prepared to spend more money on that front end if it annoys you in time. As for fit the trek can actually get fairly long in reach compared to other new bikes out there.
I like the cervelo. Its lack of integration with a crappy cervelo bottle isn’t as good as the Treks but I believe it’s a light nimble type of tt bike. Plus u can change bars easily without customisation.
For what it’s worth I’m 178cm and reach numbers are 500mm with stack 645. I fit a 54 trek but I would need a 56 cervelo for a longer reach number. Be careful with your fit before you throw down some coin.
I have the new P5 and LOVE it (I also had the previous 2 P5s, and multiple P3s). I will use it for full IMs just like the previous bikes. At your size the bike will fit easily in Bike Box Allen or Premiere and it is easy. My best buudy has the Trek . . . I can’t say anything bad about it, but I definitely prefer the Cervelo.
I have the 2019 P5Disc and its been a great bike. The newest '24/'25 version updates the integrate stem riser and gives you more tilt options. I use the 15 degree tilt with a aftermarket speed plate, thus getting rid of the stock front end. I also have the Trigrig arm extension plates that further give you more adjustment in the front end, then use the TR Ultimate scoops. Supremely comfortable set up.
The Ultimates make travelling much easier as all I do is remove the cups and I have a bare front end, so no worries about that getting knocked around in a bike case. I use a Scicon side sided with the old Albo pads wrapped around the frame. Many flights without issue.
If you are using SRAM wireless clics the Cervelo is super easy to travel with. I loosen 1 bolt and remove the entire aerobar setup, wrap it up and put in in the Premier case. The BBA case would work even better I suspect.
I have both, can’t go wrong with either of them. I have large in the Trek and 56 in the P5 and travel with them in an Evoc Road Bike Bag Pro. All I do is lower the saddle and loosen/shorten the extensions so they’re both quite easy to travel with. There’s certainly pros and cons to each bike.
As another poster said the real flaw for me on the Trek is the front end. I have the P5 set up with 51 Speedshop extensions and pads and if I could have that same setup on the Trek it would make me very happy. The P5 is a fair bit lighter as well if that’s something that matters to you.
Following because I’m looking to replace my P-Series frameset with a Speed Concept or P5. Interestingly enough I ride a 56 and am considering the L Speed Concept. Do you have the stock Speed Concept front end and extensions?
Yes I use the stock extensions on the Speed Concept but I did swap the pads out with the 51Speedshop high rise pads which make a nice difference. Very different hand position though between the Speed Concept extensions and the 51SS.
Why is loosening 1 bolt and wedge such a pain in the ass???
Loosening that bolt you can take the whole cockpit off.
The P5 is about the single most easy bike to travel with.
I assume we are talking p5 disc, either ‘19 or ‘24 model, both are super easy. As sorelegs as well already also said.
I owned the ‘19 model and have built an sold several of the new, really, can’t think what is difficult on that bike.
I went for the SC and really like it. For my needs it is the better option. I like the stable handling, and the sizing/range of adjustments available fitted me well. As a package the 75mm RSL (the upgrade ones) are a totally under recognised bargain. Noting a comment above, on the chipseal over here then I do think the isoflex does help a little bit whilst my worry it would be too active and lose efficiency was unfounded. Despite being well out of shape and over 50 it’s carried me to 2 wins out of 3 races in the club TT race series so far this year.
The bars - I swapped to CeeGee pads but would like more arm support. The M4 bolts (and even worse single row of bolts) I really don’t like and that limits options for more supportive cups. My hands are touching knuckles on the bars, so for me the spacing isn’t an issue - possibly long fingers compared to others though.
There are a few options for full replacement front ends, or of course go frame only and then buy the trek base bar and save the cost of all the other hardware you’d take off. But compared to my past setup then the SC comes with very comfortable, very adjustable bars in most respects, perhaps the max 14 degree angle is the fly in the ointment there for me. I came from 0 degree bars for the last decade and so the 14 seemed steep initially, admit I’d like the option to test higher now.
Re travel - I’m pretty handy with the tools so not really concerned about required dis-assembly. Used to flying with an old argon in a soft bag that needed front end off and then cables sorting when I landed. Not had a P5 so can’t comment on that relative ease.
Availability and timescales for delivery may be a bigger factor than some of the other things. No point in deciding on one for ease of travel if you can’t get it until 3 months after your A-race.
Happy to have you.