P3 Drop outs...I dont get it

Triathlon Forum
1

I see out there in adds and what not that a “feature” of a frame can be “horizontal” dropouts…I call these “track style”…I dont get it. I find it MUCH easier to get a wheel into my normal vertical dropouts of my Litespeed, Softride as well as many other bikes I have had in the years. I think I am a pretty technical guy and can install a wheel…

So, what again is the benifit of the track style rear drop outs on my bike?

2

getting the wheel as close as possible to the seat tube when it has a rear wheel cutout or a round one like the P3 and this no matter what the size of the tire.
you can’t do that with any non horizontal drop outs.

but then, maybe Cervelo could use a system similar to QR and Litespeed with two little screws that allow you to adjust the position without taking the wheel off each time.

3

Call me dumb, I should have known it was for fore-aft rear wheel adjustment. I just find it a PITA to get the wheel in. Then again, this AM I started on a ride on the P3 and traded it in for the Ultimate after about 20 miles…just cant get that P3 dialed in

4

I seem to not like the horizontal drop outs when I swap wheels. I am just so used to the road style drop outs that it seems to be more difficult for me. I have yet to be grease free after getting a wheel on my P2K.

I do love the way it allows me to easily setup my rear wheel to the cutout.

5

A great moment of (I think) the '03 Tour when Jalabert got a flat on his “Look” time trial bike - mechanic was banging on that rear wheel and it wouldn’t come out! Jalabert was screaming as the clock tick, tick, ticked away!

6

I just find it a PITA to get the wheel in.
What’s really a pain in the ass is having a rear wheel cutout w/o the horizontal dropouts. My gf has a Griffen Vulcan and in order to take the rear wheel out or put it in, you have to deflate the tire!

7

Check out the videos here, http://www.cervelo.com/tech/tech-library.html#Rear%20Wheel

I thought Gerard was on crack when he said it could be done, but now htat I’m used to it, I am grease free about 8 out of 10 times.

8

Be really careful with that P3. You don’t want to hurt yourself with that harsh aluminum ride.
I can take it off your hands if you really need me too.