So, it appears from some early reports on the S5 and Foil that they are stiff and fast, but perhaps not very comfortable or compliant at the rear.
Would an S3 be more comfortable?
Are these bikes a niche play for marketing and sales, or is there a real place for them? Seems to me that the majority would still be best suited with an all around bike rather than switching or trying an aero bike?
A Tarmac SL3 or SL4, Cervelo R3 or R5 seem like they still offer an overall better package for all characteristics?
So, it appears from some early reports on the S5 and Foil that they are stiff and fast, but perhaps not very comfortable or compliant at the rear.
Would an S3 be more comfortable?
Are these bikes a niche play for marketing and sales, or is there a real place for them? Seems to me that the majority would still be best suited with an all around bike rather than switching or trying an aero bike?
A Tarmac SL3 or SL4, Cervelo R3 or R5 seem like they still offer an overall better package for all characteristics?
Yes…I think that everyone I race bikes against should think EXACTLY like this
So, it appears from some early reports on the S5 and Foil that they are stiff and fast, but perhaps not very comfortable or compliant at the rear.
Would an S3 be more comfortable?
Are these bikes a niche play for marketing and sales, or is there a real place for them? Seems to me that the majority would still be best suited with an all around bike rather than switching or trying an aero bike?
A Tarmac SL3 or SL4, Cervelo R3 or R5 seem like they still offer an overall better package for all characteristics?
Are you trying to be fast or be comfortable. If you are racing i would hope its the former otherwise whats the point of racing.
Just trying to discuss…seems like the buzz is that aero is fast. Agree.
However, as an example Cannondale has taken the approach of aero and comfort with their new Super Six Evo. Why do we not see Contador, Schleck, Leipheimer etc. Racing on aero frames if they would make them faster and give them a time advantage? Is this not what racing is about?
Why do we not see Contador, Schleck, Leipheimer etc. Racing on aero frames if they would make them faster and give them a time advantage? Is this not what racing is about?
well but then we DO see Cavendish and Thor and Zabriske racing on aero frames, so why are they doing that?
We can only conclude that many pros are making irrational choices.
(or that frames in particular sizes may not be available for all team members)
I’ll find the article…want to say BikeRadar or someone had a preliminary quick ride and review.
Here you go…
Front-end stiffness isn’t as good as on a top-level non-aero road bike – if that’s an issue, look to Cervélo’s own R5 instead – and neither is overall comfort; this is a bike that’s been built for speed. The tall, vertically oriented seatstays, massive chainstays, enormous shaped seat tube and aero seatpost combine to offer a rather jarring ride. A firm ride from the rear end is a sort of trademark of Cervélo’s, however, it does make the bike feel fast.
The S5 has the same vertical compliance as S3. The curve at the top of the seat stay yields an indirect load path from the bump to your body to give some vertical compliance. Many other bikes have straight seat stays that give a direct load path. This effect is noticeable when riding
So if the S3 was comfy enough the S5 should be comfy enough.
Probably, James is a pretty well regarded tester, even if he is a angry asian dude, and not really given over to hyperbole. Their obviously is a differece in the comfort of Pro level frames or they wouldn’t go to the extreme of building special bike for the spring classics.
More to the point, its great to have a bit of aero advantage, but the idea that the most aero frame is the only consideration when picking a bike, or that that choice will have a significant effect in the results of a race like the Tour is absurd.
We can only conclude that many pros are making irrational choices
Did the Pro squads forget to call you up for advice yet again? I mean if only the entire Cervelo team had all ridden their S5 and all saved 9 watts they would have taken places 1-9
Given the price of the top frames from any of the manf, I would expect a reasonably comfortable ride while also being able to inflatemy tires for optimum rolling resistance.
Well, considering that the race vs training ratio time break down is probably 99:1, unless you have an S5 in the closet for race day only, I would say being comfortable is pretty important.
Now if you DO have an R5 and an S5, could you please adopt me.
I do have to say though, watching the tour today, I did not see many Garmin Cervelo riders on S5s, and most of the Specialized teams were on Tarmacs instead of Venges.
Not saying they aren’t fast, but riders are obviously choosing which bike to ride on more than just a white paper and some marketing claims.
