I have a perfectly fine P3 that I’ve ridden for 2 years. The bike is fine but I’m a bike nut always eyeing the upgrades. Is there a real difference in the ride between these two bikes? I mean something that I’d really really notice and say “oh my God…where has this been all my life?”. I don’t have any experience with carbon frames so I’m really wondering if the “comfort” factor is real enough to make a difference. Thanks for any input.
I feel your pain brother…I have a P3sl and it is perfectly fine,but damnnnnnn that P3C is so damn YUMMY!
I am so with you…already forming a plan to change parts over to the new frame. Pretty sad I need the approval and/or encouragement of this board to do so. This is what Gerard said when I posed this question to him:
“Well, I think the Alu P3 is a tremendous bike and for most people it is plenty comfortable. If you have a P3 I don’t think you NEED a P3C, but it does have some aerodynamic advantages, as well as better bb & torsional stiffness and comfort properties.”
Not an overwhelming endorsement but a very honest one. Nevertheless, I will probably do it anyway…
Let me explain a bit further:
- I don’t know what your goals are. I assume you want to race triathlons and have fun at it, you can do that perfectly well on a P3. You could also do that really well on a Dual. I’m not going to tell you that you NEED a P3C when five Ironmans this year were won on the regular P3. Yes the P3C is faster, yes it has some other advantages, but I don’t think you are struggling right now on your P3. Our society is wateful enough as it is. Now, if you would find a good home for your P3 with another triathlete, I’d say knock yourself out and take advantage of our recent advances.
- Feedback we get from customers is that they are usually very comfortable on a P3, I think you are included in that category.
- Is the P3C more comfortable than a P3? It’s funny that the industry makes the most outlandish claims about comfort, but ask any of those companies how they define comfort and all you get is blank stares. Honestly, companies haven’t really thought about comfort or measured it, they just toss “it’s very comfortable” at the end of the catalog write-up and off they go.
- we have done quite a bit of R&D in this regard, and our current position is that we don’t have a test that we feel is a proper representation of comfort. So we’d rather not make statements about comfort of one bike vs. another. This doesn’t mean there isn’t any difference, we do measure differences in vertical deflection, energy absorption. etc, but as long as we don’t have a very solid agreement between the measurements and people’s experiences we won’t make claims.
Gerard,
This wasn’t meant to put you on the spot. Only to try and get some idea if the carbon version of the P3 has less vibration and harshness than an aluminum one and whether the material change justifies a new purchase. Just looking for an owners perspective. I do not need a new P3C. I didn’t need the P3 when I sold off my P2K. But, outside work and home, this is my only passion. I am lucky enough to be able to afford the option of a new bike every couple of years if I choose. I came from racing cars so a bike frame every now and then pales in comparison to new tires at $750 a set every other weekend (plus everything else). I am a loyal Cervelo owner due to the excellent product you manufacture and the way Tom D. takes care of me. So…no need to explain. Just window shopping on line I guess. Thanks for your input.
I asked the same question a few weeks ago from owners of both and received a number of replies. Some people thought the P3C was more comfy but a few felt that it was less so than the P3. All agreed that you won’t be any faster on the carbon version.
Do a goggle and you should be able to find the thread.
No worries, you didn’t put me on the spot. It’s my job to answer questions.
FWIW, There is a noticeable ride difference in my opinion.
FWIW, There is a noticeable ride difference in my opinion.
So Tom, which do you prefer?
It’s always nice to have backup. After all, you could use “old” P3 as a “mudder”!
-Brian
nah, set up the old AL p3 as a cyclocross bike!!
Very good post Gerard.
Groupie!! :-))
FWIW, There is a noticeable ride difference in my opinion.
So Tom, which do you prefer?
I noticed this omission as well. I can’t wait for the answer.
Well, Doug if you need to find a good home for that P3 just leave it with Tom, I’ll swing by and pick it. I wont even charge you for the miles in to Dearborn.
My experience in trading in my P3 for the P3C is a little more dramatic than most. Huge difference in ride quality - perhaps due to the crap roads we have in New Zealand. Nothing psychological about it - I’d ride P3 one day, P3C next (until P3 sold). Carbon wins hands down. Pretty much same set-up on both bikes.
If anyone with a P3 or P3 SL with 700c wheels in size 51 or 52 needs to “upgrade” to a P3C I would be happy to buy your outdated, so last century P3 or P3 SL (prefer the SL). Tai won’t sell me his.
I figure what I won’t know won’t hurt me. I have ridden my 2000 model P3 for 4.5 years which is the full extent of my adult cycling experience. I don’t want to ride anything else just in case…
A key justification (rationalisation) for buying such a good bike back when I was a newbie was that it would probably outlast me (we are still both going strong).
Then again, part of the fun of this sport is the gear and if you have the money, why not.
Today I ordered a aluminium Soloist to do road racing…
Cheers
Vernon
No worries, you didn’t put me on the spot. It’s my job to answer questions.
THIS is one reason why you have such a good reputation. We’re really fortunate to have you as an active participant on this forum.
I have a perfectly fine P3 that I’ve ridden for 2 years. The bike is fine but I’m a bike nut always eyeing the upgrades. Is there a real difference in the ride between these two bikes? I mean something that I’d really really notice and say “oh my God…where has this been all my life?”. I don’t have any experience with carbon frames so I’m really wondering if the “comfort” factor is real enough to make a difference. Thanks for any input.
They do feel different. P3C is stiffer, the fork makes a difference as well. No difference in comfort that I could tell. They are both really comfortable bikes. Visually totally different. The P3 looks very retro standing next to the C. I got one of the first C’s and I still am amazed by this bike. I still get a big kick out of just looking at the thing.