I have been wanting a P2SL for about a year, but recently found a P3SL, and now I am conflicted. I need help choosing between the two.
A little info:
I’ve raced 3 halfirons, IMCDA. I plan on doing mainly halfirons, with the occasional OLY thrown in. May do another IM in a few years.
I’m young and flexible, so I can handle the more aggresive positioning the P3SL allows.
The ringer: I can test ride the P2SL, but not the P3SL. How essential is the test ride? As the P2SL rides great, can I safely assume the same about the P3SL? Because the test ride is not really an option on the P3SL, part of me leans toward the P2SL.
Unless you have a super sensitive ass with all kinds of cool downloadable functions, a short test ride will only serve to do one thing. That is confirm or deny what you’re already thinking about the bike.
If the P3SL fits you, I wouldn’t even think about it.
But, if I can’t ride (or even sit on) a P3SL before purchasing it, should I just hope (blindly?) that it will fit based on the fit of the P2SL?
I suppose the real question is if the geometries are similar enough between the two bikes to switch between models without having to actually sit on the other bike.
I have a P2k and a P3sl … both same size. Blindfolded, I wouldn’t know the difference riding either one (not that I’d want to ride either one blindfolded).
If the P2sl fits you and the P3sl is the same size, buy the P3sl.
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The P3SL is one of the more aerodynamic bikes out there, I’m guessing better than the P3C. When comparing to the P2K, overall it’s a better frameset. And it’s a triathlon classic.
Dude, they are basically the same bike, but for some minor aero/positioning geometry differences. Don’t listen to the ST Dweeb force who state “it’s faster, it’s better, it’s more aero”. Will this bike shave 30 minutes off your 56 mile bike split. Not without a big EPO boost. A few minutes max, period, end of story. So if you have already maximized gain on all physical, mental, nutrition and hydration stratagies and are looking to podium your next event, assuming you were AG 4th last 1/2 Ironman then go for it, listen to the hype.
There is only one way proven to make marked gains in triathlon, that does not include absurd Excel spreadsheet comparison of “wheel cutouts” with dozens of bikes, riders and conditions by the ST Dweeb force. It involves riding a bike, any bike, for long and short periods of time, periodizing your training regiment vis a vi your health, HRM, power goals, etc.
There is not not nor will there ever be a quick solution to podium any atheltic event, unless you consider illegal doping to carry the day to your yellow jersey.
Buy a bike that you can afford, that fits and most important that you will ride. Most of the ST guys/gals who have gone to Hawaii did not start their endeveours with A bikes but gradually moved up with ability and income.
I have been wanting a P2SL for about a year, but recently found a P3SL, and now I am conflicted. I need help choosing between the two.
A little info:
I’ve raced 3 halfirons, IMCDA. I plan on doing mainly halfirons, with the occasional OLY thrown in. May do another IM in a few years.
I’m young and flexible, so I can handle the more aggresive positioning the P3SL allows.
The ringer: I can test ride the P2SL, but not the P3SL. How essential is the test ride? As the P2SL rides great, can I safely assume the same about the P3SL? Because the test ride is not really an option on the P3SL, part of me leans toward the P2SL.
Advice?
Having had to make this choice (get either a P2SL or a P3SL at a discount for trading in my oxidizing P2K) last spring, I found that the geometries were pretty different as far as top tube length and stack height were concerned. The ‘3’ would’ve been too low (at one size) or too long (at the next bigger size) for me. I went for the ‘2’.
Closely examine the posted geometries of the various sizes, and compare to what position you think you should be in. Then figger out what it would take to get you into that position (spacers, really short aerobars or stem, etc.).
Are you able to test ride the ‘2’ set up exactly as you’d like? That’s the only way to tell if it “rides great” for you.
i think the aluminium p2’s look nice and clean, the aluminium p3’s look a bit dated to me. totally an aesthetic opinion although i did have a p3 a few years ago.
Take a look at the geometry of both bikes. I was looking at the p3c but was having trouble getting it to fit because the headtube is small. The p2c has a longer head tube which may fit you better or worse. If the p2c that you are looking at has any spacers between the stem and head tube just know that those spacers are going to grow with the p3c and/or you’ll probably end up needing a stem with a rise. I always wanted the p3 but never could get it to fit. When the P3c came out I couldn’t wait but when I got sized up on it, the fit was just wrong for me and I had to go with another bike.
But, if I can’t ride (or even sit on) a P3SL before purchasing it, should I just hope (blindly?) that it will fit based on the fit of the P2SL?
I suppose the real question is if the geometries are similar enough between the two bikes to switch between models without having to actually sit on the other bike.
Yes – a given size in the one will work just fine in the other. I’d take the P3 in a heartbeat.
It ‘should’ do but it may not for sure. We all know how fussy the P3 can be for some and I would not want to compare directly one against the other if I felt it was an unusual size. That said, the spacers observation of the P2 is a good litmus test…
I suppose the real question is if the geometries are similar enough between the two bikes to switch between models without having to actually sit on the other bike.
If you know what the spacer stack and stem length/angle was on the P2Sl you tested I can tell you how the P3 would fit.