Do I have this right? (Cervelo P2SL vs P3SL vs P2C vs P3C frame aerodynamics)

Triathlon Forum
1

This thread indicates that a P3C is roughly 2 minutes faster over 40K than a P2K (P2SL)…

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1802183;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=50

The graph presented in this thread shows that the P3C has 10-15g less drag than the P2C…

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2723344;search_string=something%20borrowed%20something%20fast;#2723344

Using the oft-quoted rule of thumb, this equates to ~5 seconds over 40K.

Finally, Gerard commented (which I can’t find right now) that the P3SL and P2C are very similar aerodynamically.

So, putting this all together, I get the following (over 40K)…

P3C
P2C/P3SL at +0:05
P2SL at +2:00

I’m sure at the very, very pointy end, those 5 seconds might matter. But what I see is that the P3C, P2C & P3SL are basically tied, while the P2SL is ~2 minute back.

Does that pretty much sum it up, or did I screw up the math?

Thanks.

2

Damn, now it’s proven that my P2K is what cost me from going under 13 hours! Damn!

P2(C) just has to be bought. How do I explain that to TriSpouse?

3

Let Tom_A explain it to her. It’s his fault!

4

i think you have that generally correct, yes. though I do doubt if the p2k is 2 full minutes slower, even though it was field tested by tom to be so.

In our household we have a p3c, p2c and p3sl and power meters and times certainly suggest there are no major differences.

the p3sl is also lower and longer than the p3c in many sizes, which might be advantageous for some.

5

the p3sl is also lower and longer than the p3c in many sizes, which might be advantageous for some.

Any idea what the stack & reach of a 58cm P3-SL are? I looked in the Stack & Reach archives, but don’t see it.?.

6

if you use the internet wayback machine, go back to cervelo pages a few years ago, you can dig up the geometry chart.

7

Crap, this means I need to replace my dual doesn’t it.

8

I also have a Dual. That 2+ minutes going to a P3SL is pretty tempting…

9

with the right setup you can give the p4/speed concept a run for their money!

I just need a ventus, tri-rig top cable mod, and another omega!

http://www.slip-angle.com/hugep3.jpg

10

I need the cash for all those toys, all I can do is contort myself into ridiculous positions.

11

I need the cash for all those toys, all I can do is contort myself into ridiculous positions.

fortunately that is the most important part. I can’t really afford a Ventus either! also I don’t know that it will fit me properly.

just keep an eye on the classified and look for deals!

12

I recently got a P3. How do I know if it is a P3C or a P3SL and what is the difference?

13

P3C is carbon. (See Jack’s pic above.)

P3SL is aluminum.

14

P3 is carbon, P3SL is aluminum. There was also a P3C which was carbon and they just dropped the C at one point.

Edit, Cervelo has monkeyed with the P3 series names, it pretty much goers like this from oldest to newest

P3 painted al bike
P3SL same frame as P3 anodized instead of painted
P3C carbon version
P3 rename of P3C to P3 I think they dropped the aluminum P3 series bikes at this time, but their are old painted al P3s as well as new carbon P3s.

15

There is the P3 - its aluminum, obviously different than the P3C which is carbon

The P3SL is the same as the P3, aluminum. it is ~100 grams lighter, black paint scheme.

the p3c will be a bit more slippery in the air than the older aluminum p3, and lighter. The older p3 sometimes has lower and longer geometry though, for those that are trying to get crazy low, that might help…but the P3C is plenty low imho.

I recently got a P3. How do I know if it is a P3C or a P3SL and what is the difference?

16

Are there any frames out there that match the geometry of the 48 P3sl? The stack/reach is 451/390 I believe, which is just ridiculous, a full cm lower than anything Cervelo currently makes.

17

probably not!

Are there any frames out there that match the geometry of the 48 P3sl? The stack/reach is 451/390 I believe, which is just ridiculous, a full cm lower than anything Cervelo currently makes.

18

position looks pretty slick…whats the drop from thetop of the saddle to the pads - 18 to 20cm maybe?

19

I always scratch my head on some of these frame times.