As the title says, I’m debating between these two bikes as a first ‘real’ tri/TT setup. I specifically want an aluminum frame as I’ll be using this bike for commuting as well and I don’t want to worry about locking it up at a bike rack outside.
My current “TT” setup is a converted hybrid frame with a negative rise stem and aerobars, using an Adamo Breakaway set with the nose ~5cm behind the BB and the height to the saddle center ~77cm from the BB. Stack/reach to the stem clamp is roughly 575/510 and the stack/reach to the center of the aerobar pads is roughly 645/520. I’d like to have room to go a bit lower on the new bike, ideally without a negative rise stem.
I’m pretty sure I can make either one (Large SC2.5 or 56cm P2) fit although the P2 has a slight advantage being a touch lower/longer.
I’ll be replacing most of the components on either bike with the stuff from my current setup, so the kit is not a big deal. The one thing that might stay is the aerobars if they are lower stack than my current setup (Bontrager from an entry level SC).
What I’ve been able to come up with so far in terms of advantages for the two bikes:
Speed Concept 2.5
more modern looks
integrated storage (draft box and top tube bosses)
integrated speed sensor in fork
top tube cable entry (vs. downtube for P2SL)
P2SL
it’s a Cervelo
more subtle branding (the 15+ Trek logos on the SC is a bit much)
standard rear brake (vs. under BB for SC)
bare cables in frame (vs. full length housing for SC)
more likely to have a lower stack aerobar setup
less expensive
I haven’t seen any aero data to show specifically which one is faster, but I suspect the SC given it’s a newer design.
Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations on which way to go?
I did figure the SC would be a bit faster but couldn’t find any data to corroborate. I’ve seen Tom A’s thread showing that the classic P3C is about 1m30s to 2m faster over 40k compared to the aluminum P2 but haven’t seen any data for the SC 2.5 (or even the SC 7 series).
The only problems I have with the negative rise stem on my current setup (110mm -40 degree) are that it looks a bit funny (not a big deal) and that it makes it fairly difficult to set up a BTA bottle (bigger deal). I’d like to try and take advantage of the drag savings of running a BTA bottle and it seems like a flat stem would make it easier.
I did figure the SC would be a bit faster but couldn’t find any data to corroborate. I’ve seen Tom A’s thread showing that the classic P3C is about 1m30s to 2m faster over 40k compared to the aluminum P2 but haven’t seen any data for the SC 2.5 (or even the SC 7 series).
The only problems I have with the negative rise stem on my current setup (110mm -40 degree) are that it looks a bit funny (not a big deal) and that it makes it fairly difficult to set up a BTA bottle (bigger deal). I’d like to try and take advantage of the drag savings of running a BTA bottle and it seems like a flat stem would make it easier.
Later in the thread “Something borrowed something fast” there’s a good discussion going about how the yaw wasn’t truly at zero. The results are about 1.5-2x the amount you’d expect.
I ran a -40deg 130mm stem on my Cervelo Dual and did not have a problem with handling.
What price range are you looking at? If you keep your eyes peeled, you can get a P2 or P3 for ~1k.
Budget is as little as possible, but up to ~1k or slightly over if I find something I really want.
Most of the carbon bikes I see for sale around my area (Ontario, Canada) are in the range of $1500 and up… if I could find one for 1k I’d be pretty tempted but still a little worried about being able to leave it locked up outside when commuting.
At the moment I’m looking at a P2SL advertised for $600 and a SC2.5 advertised for $750.
No experience with Speed Concept, but am a huge fan of the P2SL’s durability and would recommend it in a vacuum. I put mine through everything imaginable for the 4 years it was my primary racing bike. Plus matte gray is the coolest color scheme ever.
Budget is as little as possible, but up to ~1k or slightly over if I find something I really want.
Most of the carbon bikes I see for sale around my area (Ontario, Canada) are in the range of $1500 and up… if I could find one for 1k I’d be pretty tempted but still a little worried about being able to leave it locked up outside when commuting.
At the moment I’m looking at a P2SL advertised for $600 and a SC2.5 advertised for $750.
I’d recommend going with the SC 2.5. For $150, you’re getting a lot more speed. The fit between the 2 bikes isn’t huge so if you fit one, you can make the other fit.
Use whatever budget you have left to get a fast aerobar that fits your position and some aero wheels.
Well I was leaning towards the SC 2.5 but the one I was looking at sold before I got a chance to go see it.
Now I’m trying to decide whether to go check out the P2SL or wait for another SC 2.5 to come up… my worry is that I don’t see them in my size (large) all that often around here.
Budget is as little as possible, but up to ~1k or slightly over if I find something I really want.
Most of the carbon bikes I see for sale around my area (Ontario, Canada) are in the range of $1500 and up… if I could find one for 1k I’d be pretty tempted but still a little worried about being able to leave it locked up outside when commuting.
At the moment I’m looking at a P2SL advertised for $600 and a SC2.5 advertised for $750.
I thought the SC 2.5 would become the new P2SL/P1 before all the bike manufacturers decided to stop making aluminum tri bikes. For $750 I’d go SC all day everyday.