I am in the process of trying to decide between these two bikes, P3 v. P2K. Here is my quick info…
Was out of tris for 10 years till last winter. Raced last year 35-39 M and finished my races in the 4th to 9th positions. Got a lot of improvement to do, but was able to do my first 1/2 IM in 5:30 on an injured knee. Would like to place a bit better in races this year, but no grand ideas of winning or Kona (except lottery ;} ) Planning a full IM this year.
So - which bike is the best in terms of racing, value, etc. All opinions welcome.
My opinion is that the P2K is the better bike (and I think it looks better, personal opinion though). The aerodynamic differences are likely inconsequential, they have identical geometry, I believe the P2K is slightly lighter than the P3, and the P2K is substantially less expensive than the P3.
The P2K slaughters the P3 and most everything else when it comes to value. If you’ve got the disposable income, a P3 is great. But if you’re on a budget and also have to buy components and race wheels the P2K is the way to go.
I chose the P2k last May and have been riding it nonstop ever since including 2 1/2 IM’s. I couldn’t be happier with it. I had the $ to spend on either bike but I just couldn’t find a good enough reason to get the P3.
The P2K is a great bike. I agree that there is probably little real world difference between that and the P3. That being said, the P3’s curved seat tube is straight up sexy. So much so that I had to have one for myself!
Come on a better bike? If cash is an issue then get the P2K, if it is not to pay more get the P3. I have owned both of them, and now I own the 2004 P3. They are both great bikes, although the P3 is the best…
Yup, thats what I said. the P2K is the better bike, in my opinion. What does the P3 have on the P2K, other than marginally better aerodynamics? Aesthetics counts.
I believe that a very strong arguement can be made that the Dual is by far the most bang for the buck. All the P2K has over it is a small rear wheel cut out and all the P3 has done is take this one step further.
No doubt the P3 is the slightly better bike and the P2K again is slightly better than the Dual, but you pay a lot of extra $$ for those small advantages.
For the price of the P3 you could have a P2K with some aero good wheels. For the same price you could have a Dual with rear disc, front aero wheel and a one piece aero bar as well a bit of money left over in your pocket.
Aesthetics is a personal thing though. I personally think the P3 beats the P2K in the aesthetics department hands down. shrug
According the the Cervelo website, the P3 also features a “stiffer bottom bracket for even better power transfer.”
If you’re buying a complete bike and not a frame set, I guess their latter upgrades apply:
Dura-Ace 10-speed components (starting January 2004, until then there is an Ultegra version of the P3)
Velomax Circuit wheelset
Don’t get me wrong. Like I said above, they’re both great bikes. If money were an issue for me at the time, I’d probably have gotten the P2k. But I do personally prefer the P3.
No comparison. I bought the P3 because I wanted the fastest stiffest bike out. Guess what, I got exactly what I wanted. The P3 is the bike that does not compromise anything. The P2k is a good bike that is not as aero. Speed for speed matchup, the P3 wins.
Actually, my favorite TT bike in Cervelo’s line is the Dual, regardless of price. The geometry is slightly less aggressive than the p2k and p3, so you can use a lower stack of spacers, and the longer chainstay means less chainline problems.
