I have a 2012 Cervelo R3. Roads here in Canada are pretty bad. Very rough. After a few hours, I am sore and want off
Last year I borrowed a Specialized Roubaix in Europe. I rode it 5 hours, finished the ride and couldn’t believe how good I felt.
I assumed it was the bike.
Yesterday and the bike shop the sales guy tried convincing me a BMC Gran Fondo would have the same effect as the Roubaix. But then in discussion he said the R3 is the bike the Cervelo teams uses on rough roads and is there answer to the Roubaix.
So the first part of the question is, is it the bike ?
Second question : are there things I could do to improve the comfort of the bike. He proceeded to tell me a set of carbon wheels would go a long way in damping vibration. How much difference do the wheels make in comfort ?
Fit is not the issue. The Roubaix I rode had the identical fit coordinates as my R3.
What things can I do to improve overall comfort on crappy roads ?
I’ll answer your 1st question: it’s not your bike.
I own a 2009 R3-Sl, simply a brilliant bike.
It might be your wheels/tires/pressure, tho for sure you don’t need carbon wheels.
It might be your saddle.
Nice handlebar tape/gloves can also help.
It’s not your R3.
I have a 2012 Cervelo R3. Roads here in Canada are pretty bad. Very rough. After a few hours, I am sore and want off
Last year I borrowed a Specialized Roubaix in Europe. I rode it 5 hours, finished the ride and couldn’t believe how good I felt.
I assumed it was the bike.
Yesterday and the bike shop the sales guy tried convincing me a BMC Gran Fondo would have the same effect as the Roubaix. But then in discussion he said the R3 is the bike the Cervelo teams uses on rough roads and is there answer to the Roubaix.
So the first part of the question is, is it the bike ?
Second question : are there things I could do to improve the comfort of the bike. He proceeded to tell me a set of carbon wheels would go a long way in damping vibration. How much difference do the wheels make in comfort ?
Fit is not the issue. The Roubaix I rode had the identical fit coordinates as my R3.
What things can I do to improve overall comfort on crappy roads ?
What was sore? You say the bikes had the same fit coords, but I’ve found even a tiny adjustment to the seat angle, handlebar/shifter angle, etc can make a huge difference. Figuring out the biggest tires that will fit on your bike would be a good first step as this will let you run lower pressure. That’s going to be far more noticeable than the material your wheels are made of.
What tires are you using, what width are they and how high do you have them inflated?
Tire selection and pressure make a HUGE difference on ride quality.
I’ll bet the bike you rode had specialized Roubaix tires in the widest width that would fit on the bike. Get some. They are great tires. Search the main page for a review - they fared very well under slowtwitch testing. Also - get the widest tire that will fit on your rims/bike. Then inflate them on the low side of recommended pressure and report back. I’ll bet you see a very similar ride to the Roubaix bike you tried.
What was sore? You say the bikes had the same fit coords, but I’ve found even a tiny adjustment to the seat angle, handlebar/shifter angle, etc can make a huge difference. Figuring out the biggest tires that will fit on your bike would be a good first step as this will let you run lower pressure. That’s going to be far more noticeable than the material your wheels are made of.
Soreness was all around, just want to get off the bike.
I was running Reynolds solitude which are 20mm wide with Michelin Pro 3 (23mm) usually around 100PSI.
I have a HED Ardennes 23mm wheel for the back and a Bontrager TLR (tubeless ready) which are 23mm wide. I will try them with lower pressure.
What tires are you using, what width are they and how high do you have them inflated?
Tire selection and pressure make a HUGE difference on ride quality.
I’ll bet the bike you rode had specialized Roubaix tires in the widest width that would fit on the bike. Get some. They are great tires. Search the main page for a review - they fared very well under slowtwitch testing. Also - get the widest tire that will fit on your rims/bike. Then inflate them on the low side of recommended pressure and report back. I’ll bet you see a very similar ride to the Roubaix bike you tried.
Thanks
As I mentionned in my other reply I have a read HED Ardennes wheel I can try. I will put a 25mm tire on it and run it a t a lower pressure.
I also have a Bontrager Tubeless ready for the front which I can apparently run at lower pressure and is supposed to have the same effect as a tubeless.
I have a Specialized Roubaix Elite road bike and a Quintana Roo Seduza Tri bike. The Roubaix is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. It’s like comparing a Cadillac to a Porsche! The Roubaix is smooth, comfortable, quiet and mellow while my Qunintana Roo is stiff, noisy, twitch but OHHHH, so much quicker!
I usually start my Spring riding season on the Roubaix, than after a few months switch over to the Quintana Roo.
If I had the coin, I’d go for a Trek Domane. In that case, it is most definitely the bike. There are a number of things you can do to make bumpy roads better but you’d be hard pressed to be at a better starting point with a frame than that one.
If I had the coin, I’d go for a Trek Domane. In that case, it is most definitely the bike. There are a number of things you can do to make bumpy roads better but you’d be hard pressed to be at a better starting point with a frame than that one.
I have a Domane 6-series. I have never been sore after a ride. Shot legs, sure, but never sore.
25mm tyres at a pressure of your choosing pending your mass and risk of pinch flat during the ride, wider rims helpful re ride and handling with a wider tyre, double wrap bar tape, well fitted padded gloves, a high quality well fitting bib short and generous chamois cream.
And of course a bike fit inclusive of cycling shoes that are appropriate to the distance or time in the saddle…
R3 is a race bike, and more comfortable than the s series for sure. It’s a great frame if the fit and geo is right for you.
I super second wheel and tire choices. 25s with lower tire pressure for sure but if you have decent tires,lower the pressure for now until you get 25s. Most mid size guys don’t need 110 psi for their 23s for example. I shake my head when I see people pump it to 120…
Also, if you have not had a proper fit, that would be a first start.
Saddle choice as someone else mentioned as well. I had an ultralight slr that fit well but around 40 miles in just became very uncomfortable.
Lastly peripherals like bartape, your gloves, and your bib shorts all contribute to long ride comfort.
I have a first generation Scott Addict which many reviewers said was very stiff and that is certainly true. But my fit is right, saddle good and I have nice wheels and run tires with lower pressure and I am fine on a century ride.
All that being said, roubaixs are nice bikes and certainly comfy if fit etc all pencils out. But I have also ridden an r3 for a few extended rides and thought it was a great frame. A little racier than the roubaix which I personally like.
J
Try 90 psi on your 23s if you are under 170 lbs. Get the 25s and when you use your Ardennes you can run them at 80 just to be specific. No risk of pinch flats more than typical and you will soak up some of those rough roads.
I have a 2012 Cervelo R3. Roads here in Canada are pretty bad. Very rough. After a few hours, I am sore and want off
Last year I borrowed a Specialized Roubaix in Europe. I rode it 5 hours, finished the ride and couldn’t believe how good I felt.
I assumed it was the bike.
Yesterday and the bike shop the sales guy tried convincing me a BMC Gran Fondo would have the same effect as the Roubaix. But then in discussion he said the R3 is the bike the Cervelo teams uses on rough roads and is there answer to the Roubaix.
So the first part of the question is, is it the bike ?
Second question : are there things I could do to improve the comfort of the bike. He proceeded to tell me a set of carbon wheels would go a long way in damping vibration. How much difference do the wheels make in comfort ?
Fit is not the issue. The Roubaix I rode had the identical fit coordinates as my R3.
What things can I do to improve overall comfort on crappy roads ?
thx
I was going to say, 'suck it up and deal with it". But hey, I have a few suggestions:
Lower saddle by around 3-5 mm…the does a world of delta in terms of crotch comfortRide with fat tires (like 28 mm) at 70-75 psi).
If you just do those two, suddenly you can probably last 8 hours versus 2!!!
i really like training on tubular tires w/ 32 spoke wheels at lower pressure. Riding a real stiff race wheel with your tires at 100psi will make you feel more beat up