For the regulars on this forum you will know that I’ve been muddling around trying to sort out replacement bikes for ages. I finally pulled the trigger for this season. I’ve recently replaced both my TT and racing bikes with new frames and have been getting some early experiences in. I need more time on the P3c to get that one dialled in but I have the R3 up and running and took it out over familiar roads last night for a few hours.
I had a late 2003 Once team edition carbon bike with full record and I’ve liked it a lot. I’ve swung the occasional leg over other frames but still liked this one because it climbed well and was very comfortable (it did most jobs well) - hence the reason it was only replaced this year. In the UK this was the 2003 bike of the year.
I went for the R3 because i wanted something stiff and comfortable and i’d spoke to enough people and read enough reviews to know it was worth a punt. Outside Tri and TTing I do a few Kermesse’s and crits and this year will do the odd stage race. I’m a big guy at 90kg but i’m lean and like to put out a decent sprint.
The ride was a revelation. This is frankly the most exceptional bike I’ve ever ridden and it only took me 15 minutes to see it. The handling is predictable (for me thats a good thing), my fit is slightly unorthodox in that I ride a slightly steeper fit as I like a bit more over the bottom bracket for sprinting in crits. The bike didn’t complain and it still felt balanced. There are prettier bikes out there but this is pure performance. My only regret is that I had Ksyrium SL wheels in it and I don’t think these did it enough justice - I’m saving for a pair of Zipps.
It climbs like a gazelle - moving from the saddle to standing up there is no ‘lag’ and it sprints with a smooth acceleration (without me waving the BB around). There aren’t many bikes that I can cruise on the flat, look down and realise you’re in 53-12 unknowingly. I felt pretty comfortable after a couple of hours as well. A recent review I read said that when accelerated you run out of gears and now I know what they meant. This bike is going to help me win races.
I’m not in retail, have no vested interest but I know fair bit about about design. Yes, you need good legs to get the best out of any bike but for me as a typical racer you did get something extra out of this frame.
Seems I was right when I suggested you would love it based on my experiences on my R2.5. That’s the one bike they will have to prise from my cold, dead hands!
I’d have to agree that the Cervelo R3 is the nicest bike I’ve ever rode, not that I’ve rode every bike however. I spent several hours on a friend’s. Its not that the TCR is a bad bike, I owned one, but the R3 is exceptional.
I’ve just picked up a Kestrel Talon and I’d have to say it’s probably the second nicest riding road bike that I’ve rode.
Exactly. The TCR is a fantastic bike (both the aly and carbon) but the R3 has a ride of exceptional ability - some bikes are ok, ride well, but this bike actually improves your ability. Not a lot of bikes can say that. The quote I like was in 220 magazine recently where the reviewers said that ‘Cervelo tore up the rulebook and lined their hamster cage with it’…
Many great reports from R3 owners. From a technical perspective that is a great frame as well. The ultimate strength and stiffness as well as strength to weight numbers are impressive on the R3.
What fork did you end up using? Did you find a seatpost with the correct forward offset for your position? I think the R3 has a 31.6 or 32.4 O/S diameter, right?
I was worried the stock post might be too short and have too much layback but it worked out fine in the end. It’s not a usual diameter which might be a pain if people want to upgrade or change it later and the other thing is thast due to it’s carbon lay up it picks up the light in such a way which turns it light grey sometimes (I’m nit picking here) but it’s clamp is good and like it’s oversized diameter for the stiffness it supplys. I’m bike racing tonight so will give it a bunch sprint test…
I haven’t and I had to toss up between both at point of sale. I went for the R3 in the end due to it’s reviews, anecdotes from other riders, and my size (90kg). The soloist offered more aeroness, but for what i needed the R3 supplied in spades. I found my decision also swayed since the red finish of the soloist is a bit much for my eyes. Form follows function is the old adage but I prefer the aesthetics of their SL’s.
It sounds weird but 9/10 I’m leading out the sprint and I prefer the seated postion to do it. The post seems comfortable enough and I would not want to specualte why they went with this particular size but it seems fine thus far.
I still haven’t got to grips with getting out of the saddle and sprinting correctly/safetly (lack of practise). More often than not I end up staying seated and as result wind the pace up more progressively. If i can take a win i’ll normally have a go.
Bryce rides for a TT specialist team in a different area and hence is Billy No(team)mates for RRs. He also is a one tactic pony at present and therefore a marked man with no-one letting him have their wheel and a 4th of July procession on his wheel!
Yep i prove popular. Come 1.5km to go the peleton normally parts like Moses and the Red Sea as I’m ‘allowed’ to make my way through to about 3rd or 4th wheel. 50/50 I’ll either win just on power output or like my 2nd place last week have literally 10 guys all tucked under my armpits. Think Magnus Backstedt and thats pretty much my style of riding…
I’m doing some work on my sprint handling this week (either that or going for a long one !).
Just build up my new R3 as well. I agree with most of what you said. Great bike! However I don’t like the micro adjustment of the seatpost, would prefer a Thomson like design, can’t seem to get my seat perfectly level. Still trying to find the right position since I am not used to the sloping design, plus the bike looks so small.
Due to a broken collarbone my rides have been somewhat limited, (can’t get out of the saddle yet) but it seems, that the square downtube is more prone to catching crosswinds. Anyone else noticed that as well?
Axel