Expense aside, when does it make sense to upgrade to a P3 or like machine?
Reason for my question: I currently ride a Giant TCR 2 w/Carbon Strykes. This is my only bike and I consider it a general purpose bike. Have the seat pushed forward as much as can be and still find myself favoring the saddles nose. Raced a bunch over my first two years incl. two IM’s.
I know, a good bike is a bike that fits good, up to a point. Overall, I’m happy with the TCR but like to try a steeper seat angle. My LTS suggests the P3 but I’m not that strong a rider, usually <20 mph (IMF @ 18.3 mph)
What’s your collected opinion? At 5’10 & 154# does a P3 make sense (assuming it “fits”)? How about the P2K?
An aside question: are all P3’s noisy? I mean, I passed several riders (at both IMF and local rides) who’s bikes made some weird sounds, can’t describe it other than click, clack, tack, tack. Could something be stuck to the rear tire and rub the rearwheel cutout?
“An aside question: are all P3’s noisy? I mean, I passed several riders…”
So you’re on a TCR2 and passing P3’s and want to know if a P3 is faster!! Could it be the rider?
Realize that the P3 will only be faster than the TCR2 on the strait sections when you are down on the aero bars and the P3’s superior aerodynamics come into play. At other times such as steep climbing, fast curvy descents, or a group ride, the TCR will be faster than the P3. At least this has been my experience in comparing my TCR with my P2K.
It’s all about the engine and no matter which bike you ride, you’ll still be dropped by the same riders who are dropping you now. Just hoping on to a P3 will not make anyone into a Tyler Hamilton. But you also don’t have to be a Hamilton Tyler class rider to ride and enjoy a P3. So regarding yourself as not being a fast rider is no reason not to buy a P3 if you want one and can afford it.
In theory the P3 should be a faster bike than the TCR in a triathlon but LVL won IM Kona on a TCR in 1999 and Luke Bell finished fourth on one this year. Team ONCE is faster in the TT than is CSC. This proves that it’s not about the bike.
Going to a steep angle bike can be an expensive experiment for some. For some people they will be faster immediately but for others it’s not the same. My wife finds riding steep on her P2K no faster than being slammed on her road bike and this has been tested with a stop watch over the same course a hundred times.
My main justification for a steep bike isn’t so much faster speed but the fact that my hamstrings aren’t toast the first couple of kms of the run the way they are on a shallower angle bike. Other people don’t have any problems running off a shallow angle.
Don’t know about the noise. Did they have rear discs?
Expenese is everything when considering a P3. While it is a sexy, well made bike I still wonder if the extra grand over the P2K is actually worth the money. It’s like a BMW M5 you don’t need it, ever. It’s just really really cool)
What do you mean you don’t need an M5. I sure do (Too bad, I won’t ever be able to afford one. Heck, I can’t even afford a P2K
Agreed Mr T. I was considering a P3 back before Cervelos became cool, but couldn’t justify the extra grand for a sexy looking seat tube and probably a very slight improvement in aerodynamics. So I got the P2K a few years ago and couldn’t be happier.
“Have the seat pushed forward as much as can be and still find myself favoring the saddles nose.”
I went from road bike to a steep bike and still favor the nose. I’m not sure why, but I feel faster there (for a while) and I don’t think the seat tube angle changes that. Spend some time on a steep bike and determine for yourself, it’s always fun to ride different bikes.
No matter what you get if it fits it will be faster. A well fitting standard double diamond round tube bike is way faster than a poor fitting P3 will ever be.
Spend your money on what fits the best and thats the fastest bike for you.
(Too bad, I won’t ever be able to afford one. Heck, I can’t even afford a P2K