Cervelo Question: New '11 P3 v 2009 P4?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am looking to do 2-4 time trials (not triathlons) this next year—most will be <20 mile affairs as part of 3-4 day USA Cycling stage races, along with the state time trial championships (40k). I have zero plans nor desire to return to IM racing, much less triathlons in general, though perhaps 1-2 races could be in the cards for late next fall.

So, I need a TT bike. I have the opportunity to buy a used 2009 P4 frame OR a new 2011 P3 frame for about the same amount of $$ (< $1500). The P4 was painted, voiding the manf warranty. That, plus the reported problems with the seatpost/cracking are making me leery.

I could also get either a Scott Plasma or BMC TM01 at dealer cost, but given the limited amount of use I expect to put on these, I have a hard time justifying the upcharge.

Of course there is also a very cool looking Focus Izalco on ebay in my size for $1500 as well…

If it matters, components will be di2, and wheels will simply be swapped from my regular road bike.

What would you do?

Thanks!

2

2011 P3

2009 p4 had structural problems, and is going away so that could be a problem.

3

The deal killer for me on the P4 is the paint job. I’d be a little concerned about that- you already mentioned the warranty issue, and on a practical level, the possibility that there may be weirdness with cable routing, etc. since it had to be stripped to be painted.

The P3 has conventional brakes and an older design- still better than nearly everything new that is out there. It’s proven, you won’t have the same exposure to technical problems you could have with the used, repainted P4.