Assuming both bikes will fit what are preferences of one over the other?
I really like the saddle, Fuelcell, and Fuelsalage on the Shiv. A problem i’m running into is the Expert is out of stock for a couple of months.
If you like Fuelcell and Fuelsalage i would go ahead and put a pre-order in on the bike and get the one you want.
No matter what rush you are in you can’t put a bottle inside the P3 so if you like that idea get the bike you want.
I own a shiv and I love it so far.
The NP3 will be the more aero choice.
I’d be shocked if they really both fit equally well. Sure, you can get the measurements the same, but they’re very different bikes. It’s worth the wait to get the shiv if that’s really what fits you. You’re talking about liking a saddle which is easily replaceable, and then the fueling options. I’d look at those as a FAR cry from the perfect bike fit when considering these two bikes.
my dilemna exactly 4 months ago especially coming a cervelo p2 user… tough choice. But still went with SHIV Pro 2014 because of the fuselage, fuelcell and matt black on the pro.
In many sizes the two bikes are only ~1cm different in stack and reach, in some ~2cm
The only size that is much different is that the NP3 comes in a much smaller smallest size than the Shiv.
To the OP the geometry charts are right here:
http://www.cervelo.com/media/docs/P3-Geometry-0234a817-0a1e-4e91-bc98-9a70ceb5e22f-0.pdf
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/shiv/shiv-expert#geometry
I’d be shocked if they really both fit equally well. Sure, you can get the measurements the same, but they’re very different bikes. It’s worth the wait to get the shiv if that’s really what fits you. You’re talking about liking a saddle which is easily replaceable, and then the fueling options. I’d look at those as a FAR cry from the perfect bike fit when considering these two bikes.
I bought the NP3 and I think it has a lot of stack. I already removed all spacers, and will have to buy a -17° stem if I want to get lower.
A 2 cm difference is quite big, I wouldn’t be able to get a correct fit on the Shiv.
So yes, I think the fit is still an important factor when choosing between these two bikes.
ps: the NP3 is really a great bike. With a pair of zipps, I have nothing negative to say about the bike!
i thought they were similar, but wasnt 100% sure so didnt post. The newer P series bikes have become more taller and narrower i believe. The Shiv is a tall. narrow bike also. I didnt click on the links, but one can assume they would be similar unless your like the poster above and can get very low.
If a given NP3 with no spacers and a -17 stem fits you perfect, a shiv with a -30 stem or a shiv a size smaller may fit you perfect. Or an aerobar setup with less stack. If you are using the 3T aura there is more than 2cm to be had with a different aerobar.
I’m sure someone is out there that can fit on one bike well and not the other because their needs happen to lie right on a boundary where sizing down on one makes the stem too long or something but it would be really rare. Fit is always a consideration but if the NP3 and Shiv are “totally different fits” then all bikes are totally different fits.
I bought the NP3 and I think it has a lot of stack. I already removed all spacers, and will have to buy a -17° stem if I want to get lower.
A 2 cm difference is quite big, I wouldn’t be able to get a correct fit on the Shiv.
So yes, I think the fit is still an important factor when choosing between these two bikes.
ps: the NP3 is really a great bike. With a pair of zipps, I have nothing negative to say about the bike!
I wouldn’t like to buy a new bike and put a -30 stem on it, that would look wrong.
With a lower shiv size, stack would pretty much be the same (still a bit taller by 7mm), I would just have to put a longer stem (2.6cm difference in reach).
So, like you said it’s still possible to make it work. However, these new bikes are really becoming tall and I personally prefer to be able to go lower if I want, and not be limited by the frame.
I must agree that the 3T aura has a lot of stack, not sure about the aerobar setup on the shiv, it might be something to consider.
If you fit well on either bike, I would just go with the model you think looks the best. I personally think one the bikes you are considering looks hideous, but I’ll refrain from naming it.